High End Integrated Amp

[119]

Tony1963 said:

Itsallicanafford said:

Naim have just bought out the Nova power edition, but this is more of a one box streamer type solution. There is a lot of talk on the naim forums about the desire for a Statement level integrated amp as I think their appears to be a push to reduce box count, but nothing concrete from the company. A few copies of the Nait 50 are still around, - £2.5k modern interpretation of the Nait 1

You could of course look at their back catalogue, I give you my CB Nait 2, there’s magic in its 7.5 wpc

With Naim’s failing ability to repair many of their digital products, I’d be extremely reluctant to go the Naim route for any streaming etc. And, some customers are having screens replaced far too frequently, on boxes costing £4k and upwards. Not funny, not acceptable. Doubly unacceptable considering the elevated prices.

IMO, it all started with the appalling DVD5 they released all those years ago and to me, it went downhill from there, even before they were bought out.

I suppose one could argue that if they had been left to their own devices, they would unlikely be in the market anymore.

Still loved my 282/200/xps when i had it, and would have the same again givien the chance.

[RowntreesCabana]

981C said:

Yes, it's serious. The wide band is more a function of diminishing returns - there's some ste out there that's very expensive, also some real 'bargains'.

I am waiting to hear the new Moon range before I pull the plug, but my shortlist now consists of D'Ag, Moon, Accuphase and AudioNote. I prefer the one-box solution as I've no space.

I haven't listened to any NAIM kit for more than a decade. Do they have an integrated that plays in this space?

Edited by 981C on Friday 1st March 09:49

Not a fan of McIntosh? The MA12000 would look lovely there.

Edited by RowntreesCabana on Friday 1st March 15:58

[Tony1963]

119 said:

IMO, it all started with the appalling DVD5 they released all those years ago and to me, it went downhill from there, even before they were bought out.

I suppose one could argue that if they had been left to their own devices, they would unlikely be in the market anymore.

Still loved my 282/200/xps when i had it, and would have the same again givien the chance.

It’s difficult, and I’m no investment expert or businessman.
They could still exist, I’d guess, as a small company making amps etc.

They ‘exist’ now, but in name and location (sort of) only. Anyone who enjoyed the sound produced by the olive and earlier boxes probably won’t have any interest in the current gear. It’s just another brand of hifi.

At least my 102, 180 and HiCap will be serviceable until well after I’m gone. My CDX? Nope, that’ll be a doorstop once it dies. Still, 26 years isn’t bad.

[981C]

RowntreesCabana said:

Not a fan of McIntosh? The MA12000 would look lovely there.

Edited by RowntreesCabana on Friday 1st March 15:58

Never heard a McIntosh product. Is there a retailer near Cambridge?

[RowntreesCabana]

981C said:

Never heard a McIntosh product. Is there a retailer near Cambridge?

Sevenoaks, I'd phone in advance though as they'll probably need to get it in

[legzr1]

Tony1963 said:

It’s difficult, and I’m no investment expert or businessman.
They could still exist, I’d guess, as a small company making amps etc.

They ‘exist’ now, but in name and location (sort of) only. Anyone who enjoyed the sound produced by the olive and earlier boxes probably won’t have any interest in the current gear. It’s just another brand of hifi.

At least my 102, 180 and HiCap will be serviceable until well after I’m gone. My CDX? Nope, that’ll be a doorstop once it dies. Still, 26 years isn’t bad.

To be fair to Naim, there are many CD players which retailed at many multiples of the CDX from various other manufacturers which become doorstops because of unobtainable transports and DAC chipsets.

[Tony1963]

legzr1 said:

To be fair to Naim, there are many CD players which retailed at many multiples of the CDX from various other manufacturers which become doorstops because of unobtainable transports and DAC chipsets.

Of course, but a large part of Naim’s reputation was built on the fact that everything could be repaired and serviced, so everything always had a used value.

[Skyman]

Any news?

[981C]

Hi

Not decided yet, as still waiting to audition the D'Agostino. Will report back when I've made a decision.

[sparkyhx]

Tony1963 said:

It’s difficult, and I’m no investment expert or businessman.
They could still exist, I’d guess, as a small company making amps etc.

They ‘exist’ now, but in name and location (sort of) only. Anyone who enjoyed the sound produced by the olive and earlier boxes probably won’t have any interest in the current gear. It’s just another brand of hifi.

At least my 102, 180 and HiCap will be serviceable until well after I’m gone. My CDX? Nope, that’ll be a doorstop once it dies. Still, 26 years isn’t bad.

Didn't know this, It must have been in the 15 years I was out of the bubble. These days I go for convenience. Sold my 20 year old Music fidelity Amp, 20 year old Pink Triangle turntable with Roksan Tabriz Zi arm, 20 year old Mission Speakers and bought a new amp and Sonos feed and newer PMC speakers for the same money. Amp had to be remote control so that ruled out all of the old Naim stuff which I would have bought in a heartbeat.

[Tony1963]

sparkyhx said:

Amp had to be remote control so that ruled out all of the old Naim stuff which I would have bought in a heartbeat.

Naim’s range had remotes for some of the pre amps from the early/mid 90s.

Edited by Tony1963 on Monday 25th March 11:28