Re: Naim Audio - discussion thread

[lewce1]

There is no one standard in CD recording. Not all system can play similar CD well. I have tried Reference Recordings and Telarc on orchestra and classical, sounds excellent on my Naim system.

Generally the newer released audiophile or commercial CDs sounded very good too.

[leofric32]

Hi Chewkw,

Thanks for your informative advise.

When you mentioned it takes one week to warm, does it mean that you just leave it on all the time? When you plug direct to the wall socket, would you afraid of power surge especially cause by lighting?

[leofric32]

Dear all,

After reading Chewkw's comment on keeping the Naim power-on all time, I read a thread at the naim audio forum that most Naim user also keep its equipment on for months. I would like to keep it on too.

However, I am worry about the potential of lightning strike or power surge? How do you deal with it? Do you use any form of surge protector in between the amp and the power socket? Or just plug your Naim to the power directly?

[lewce1]

My system is also on 24/7. With ELCB, it is ok. When there is a surge from lightning, the ELCB will cut off the current. The point you need to worry is when the current is resumed. Please switch off all your equipments before pushing back the ELCB.
So far I have only one bad experience on my CDP but it was saved by the fuse on the unit because my maid never switch off before pushing the ELCB. Btw NAIM provides spare fuse with each unit.

Naim pre-amp takes the longest time to stabilise, follow by CDP and power amp.

[Chewkw]

Hi leofric32,

Code:

When there is a surge from lightning, the ELCB will cut off the current. The point you need to worry is when the current is resumed. Please switch off all your equipments before pushing back the ELCB.

This is how most of the naimkaki did.

As long as your ELCB is working well, you do not worry about the power surge. Anyway Naim is design for you plug direct to the wall socket 24/7. My system is on all the time since I bought it. It only switch off when lightning surge or re-arranging my equipment.

If possible, keep Naim's light on forever until it die......

[leofric32]

dear all,

Thanks for your feedback. You don't even turn it off even when there is thunderstorm? You know these days, thunderstorm in KL is really scary.

Just to confirm that ELCB is the device in our home main fuse box that trigger the power trip, right? I am ashamed to ask such a basic question.

Spare fuse with each unit? I don't recall i see any spare fuse from the package when i take out the amps. It is kept somewhere in the amps or as a lose unit in the package?

One more question, I am using the marantz cd63 before the next upgrade to the CD5x, so does this mean that I should keep the cd63 on all the time as well?

[lewce1]

1) The manual stated do it at your own risk.

2) Yes

3) The spare fuse is located in the unit, next to power input outlet.

4) Stand by mode will do.

[Chewkw]

Hi leofric32,

Code:

I am using the marantz cd63 before the next upgrade to the CD5x, so does this mean that I should keep the cd63 on all the time as well?

I do agree keep Marantz cd63 as stand by mode for batter sound quality.


For most of the Toroidal cores Transformer equipment need more time to warm up & always keep it as stand by mode.


On the other hand, for most of the Solid Core Transformer equipment do not need much time to warm up.

[annshu88]

Hi there, i have got a old CDi matching with my new Naim XS and driving a pair of new Harbeth Super HL5. After the fine tune by Sam (Tropical Audio) yesterday it sound really good and open. Hmmm..i need another Naim power cord from wall to my extension power bar

[leofric32]

hi there,

I need some help on what is happening to my Naim (122x/150x) and remote control.

I was listening to the system for about 10-15 mins and then my remote control does not works. Can't use it to control the amp but it stills work with my Marantz cd63. I mean my Naim remote control somehow can control cd63.

So my conclusion that time was the amp was not receiving the signal and it did power on/off the amp. Then it works again.

Anybody experience this before? It this common?

[lewce1]

ha, ha, ha, orang Quad fine tune your XS with Super HL5!!! Those days he is the one who condemned live sounding system by saying they are not natural at all. He used human voice as reference for "the natural sound" and used teresa teng's kind of recording to thrash other systems.Well to a certain extent he was right.

Now, contrary to his original stand, he is promoting live sound where dynamic and speed play a major role. teresa teng no longer in his playlist. so never say never!

Nevertheless, during the recent KLIAV, I was really amazed by the old Quad/SHL5 combo. It was outstanding and I gave him a big thumb up. Did he modify the Quad 66/606?

So all you Naimees out there, you should be very proud with what you have. All the big boys out there are mimicking NAIM. The recent KLIAV show proves it (except McIntosh). Even Ongkaku sounded like one.

[123_rocketman]

Nevertheless, during the recent KLIAV, I was really amazed by the old Quad/SHL5 combo. It was outstanding and I gave him a big thumb up. Did he modify the Quad 66/606?

I dont think Sam can modify Quad and make it sound better. In his own words and I quote "If I can modify Quad and make it sound better, I must be a genius".

[mugenfoo]

Sam from Tropical Audio??

Wow ... that guy is a crazy proponent of Quad.

Quad to him is a religion, and he is the high priest rex magus of the Temple of Quad. Quad can do no wrong. It is the Alpha & the Omega of Hi-Fi. It is the most natural sounding amp in the world. Everything else is "COLOURED" (literally in his own words also).

One thing though, he has been proselytizing the same Quad religion since the beginning of whenever so hats-off & respeck to that guy for being so darn consistent over the years.

[annshu88]

Morning everyone, Sam did not say Naim is better than Quad, he is fine tune his Harbeth speakers by repositioning, to him Quad still the best macthing system to the Harbeth. He also propose me to try the Quad speakers cable instead of Naca 5 cables, ya, i will try and see what the result

[mugenfoo]

Ok, try can try, but be careful on long term use, coz Naim amps are very fussy about capacitance in the speaker cables.

Safest would be to use NACA all the way.


But then again, maybe the modern Naims are much for forgiving on "non naim cabling" since they sold-out (Yes, Julian Vereker would have turned in his grave if he found out that the new Naims have gone RCA, God bless his soul) and put RCA jacks on their equipment already.

[lewce1]

annshu88,

Why mix and match? Naim provides everything and you should follow just that. Have you heard 100% privately owned Naim set-up? PM me for arrangement.
BTW, your membership status is stated as dealer/reseller. Are you?

lewce1

[lewce1]

123_rocketman,

This is purely my opinion.

Old HL5 and Super HL5 has very contrasting characters, former warmish and later very lively.

So if 606/HL5 is deemed heavenly matched, 606/SHL5 combo should be otherwise.

So in order to match the superiority of Super HL5, modification is being carried out and/or replacement of much more superior parts i.e capacitors since 606 is already closed to 20 years old.

lewce1

[Chewkw]

Hi lewce1,123_rocketman,annshu88,mugenfoo, leofric32

Naim Amplifier is very efficient to drive most of the speaker, for me that is no problems to mix and match with others speaker. Of cause you can get best characteristic of Naim with amp+speaker+CDP.

However Naim Speaker is not matching friendly to others amp, only best matching with Naim & some Hi-End amp. ( I have try it with FM Acoustic, sound fabulous)

Happy listening

[Chewkw]

hi there,

Code:

I need some help on what is happening to my Naim (122x/150x) and remote control.

I was listening to the system for about 10-15 mins and then my remote control does not works. Can't use it to control the amp but it stills work with my Marantz cd63. I mean my Naim remote control somehow can control cd63.

So my conclusion that time was the amp was not receiving the signal and it did power on/off the amp. Then it works again.


Just try to switch the amp or cd button, because the remove control is working either amp or CDP but not amp&CD.

Happy listening
ChewKW

[leofric32]

Hi ChewKW,

Thanks for the recommendation. I did tried switching to other mode (Pre, etc) but also doesn't work. So decided to power off/on again. The power off/on gave me so much disappointment. Never expect the sound quality dropped so much even for seconds of off/on even with my "not the expert audiophile" can notice. Initially I thought something was wrong but slowly it gains little improvement. The next was much better. Relieved.

As I was browsing the Naim Forum, someone did wrote that they encounters such problem on the RC and suspect due to another IR RC, LCD RC, etc... Some even say direct sunlight to the receiver. But for me I don't use any of those in my room. So conclude cannot be any of those. However, recalling back it could be my notebook where I was using it that time when it happened.

I even checked with my dealer and they said never received such complaints before. So I will see if this happened again. Hopefully not...

[annshu88]

annshu88,

Why mix and match? Naim provides everything and you should follow just that. Have you heard 100% privately owned Naim set-up? PM me for arrangement.
BTW, your membership status is stated as dealer/reseller. Are you?

lewce1

Hi, iam not a reseller, all my post for sell are my own equipment, i use to change very frequently until i found Super HL5 and Naim. I do not know why admin put me as reseller but i do help my friend promoting/selling his product: www.purepoweraps.com
Actually i am reluctant to try the Quad cable, but since this cable is a discontinued product, i may buy and keep if i change amp next time or i may buy another Harbeth Speakers.
Regards

[cyl1000]

Hi guys, I've just purchased an old 92/90. When I power up, I found that the Naim logo light on the 92 is flickering. I was told that it is normal and takes time for it to be steady on?? Also, without playing any music and even switch off the CDP, there is some hissing sound from the speaker. I was told it is also a normal Naim phenonema? Can anyone confirm this?

[mugenfoo]

depends on how loud is the hissing.

If u go put your ear right like 2 cm from the tweeter, yes there would be some.

But if u can hear it at your normal sitting place, then something is wrong. Better get it checked by a decent technician.

Naims are very easily repaired. No fancy circuitry or special custom parts. Just need to get the best spec components for replacement and its good to go.

[cyl1000]

hi mugenfoo, the hissing sound is just as you describe..only audible when near to he tweeter. But how about the flikering Naim logo?

[mugenfoo]

flickering naim logo: if its so irritating, Just get any bench technician to look into it lah. No biggie.

[cyl1000]

if its a norm then its not a big issue..reason checking here is that i suppose Naim owner would know the characteristic of the amp.

[lewce1]

Congratulations on your purchase cyl1000 and I hope you enjoy it. It is surprised to hear the problem you are facing. As what quoted by renowned watch maker Patek Phillepe " you are merely looking at it for the next generation", Naim products are made to withstand the harshest envinronment unless abused.

[mugenfoo]

Naim products are made to withstand the harshest envinronment unless abused.

sounds like a self-contradicting statement...

[lewce1]

"harshest envinronment" = ask TNB and mother nature.

"abuse" = ask some smart alec or s.k.l.

[mugenfoo]

whatabout a pansy "good-boy alec" who just happens to plug it into the wrong socket, at the wrong time and then TNB or mother nature " strikes" ?

Does this qualify as "abuse" ?

[cyl1000]

Congratulations on your purchase cyl1000 and I hope you enjoy it. It is surprised to hear the problem you are facing. As what quoted by renowned watch maker Patek Phillepe " you are merely looking at it for the next generation", Naim products are made to withstand the harshest envinronment unless abused.

Thanks lewce1. I found that after powering the amp for close to a week now, the light is steadier. But the hissing sound is still there...always. If its not norm, then I will open it up to check since it is a simple circuit. I just want to get some opinion for Naim owner if they encounter this problem.

[blwong]

Hi Guys,

I just have my naim gear setup.

I wonder if the stock power is good enough?

please share what powercord and power distributor/conditioner are you guys using for your naim gear.

[mugenfoo]

Naim doesn't believe in exotic cables and expects its equipment owners to think likewise as well.

As long as you are using Naim's own DIN cables, NACA-5 speaker cables, and the AC cord that came with the set, its all good to go.

This is all part of the Naim philosophy, or at least in J.Vereker's time.

[blwong]

Naim doesn't believe in exotic cables and expects its equipment owners to think likewise as well.

As long as you are using Naim's own DIN cables, NACA-5 speaker cables, and the AC cord that came with the set, its all good to go.

This is all part of the Naim philosophy, or at least in J.Vereker's time.

Thks.


How about the power distributor/conditioner/avr? Do I need this for NAIM gear?

I just want to optimized my naim gear.

[mugenfoo]

Nope. Naim philosophy is that if u want to upgrade on the power portions, you're suppose to "build" on the power supply equipment using Flatcaps, hicaps, & Supercap add-on systems like Lego building blocks.


Naim eschews 3rd party power conditioners and what not gadgets.


Damn, I'm beginning to sound like a Naim evangelist already.
And I don't even own a Naim! Oops! Hahahaha

[lewce1]

cyl1000,

There is audible hissing sound when you put your ears next to the speaker tweeter, it is OK, no problem with that. However logo light should be steady from start. I on my system 24/7.

[lewce1]

blwong,

This is my current scenario.

I am using stock cord, 4 pcs , plug into clone Furutech power distributor and connect to wall via XLO Reference Type 10. Very satisfied with the price / performance ratio. Quiet, spacious, refined with a slight tinge of mid band warmness but slight drop in PRAT. You need to change the UK plug to US.

I have also tried Wonpro power strip but poor bass.

On Richard Gray power conditioner, it is even quieter and with dark black ground. Transparency at it's best but at the expense of warmness. Over emphasis on upper mid cause me to put it for other use.

The above observation is not conclusive. Very much subject to each individual taste. The purity of TNB supply also play a major part.

Next i suggest you try audio prism quiet line or Isoclean plugged into a normal power strip together with stock cord and see what's the outcome.

For new Naim In Black (NIB) series (represents new benchmark for high resolution + PRAT), the use of boutique cables can enhance the system overall performance. You can try the NaIM powercord retailing at RM2K....

For me I will take it one at a time.

[mugenfoo]

ah yes, the RM2K Naim power cord.

This is the the crowning example of the great Naim schism today between the Philosophy of Julian (god bless his soul) and the new Naim run by modern-marketeers and catering to more hifi mainstream demands in their quest to reach a wider consumer base.

Benefit or bane ? Caveat Emptor.

[car o scope]

That's really not cheap leh... RM2k for the powercord.

[lewce1]

Like it or not the current benchmark is high resolution + PRAT.

KLIAV09 proofs that.

Either you are there or you are dead.

Not only NAIM changes direction (it ought to), others as well.

[mugenfoo]

so doing away with DIN connections and going with RCA jacks was probaby part of Naim's change in direction towards "high rez + prat" ?

Or just making today's Naims more "other brand" friendly ?

[blwong]

blwong,

This is my current scenario.

I am using stock cord, 4 pcs , plug into clone Furutech power distributor and connect to wall via XLO Reference Type 10. Very satisfied with the price / performance ratio. Quiet, spacious, refined with a slight tinge of mid band warmness but slight drop in PRAT. You need to change the UK plug to US.

I have also tried Wonpro power strip but poor bass.

On Richard Gray power conditioner, it is even quieter and with dark black ground. Transparency at it's best but at the expense of warmness. Over emphasis on upper mid cause me to put it for other use.

The above observation is not conclusive. Very much subject to each individual taste. The purity of TNB supply also play a major part.

Next i suggest you try audio prism quiet line or Isoclean plugged into a normal power strip together with stock cord and see what's the outcome.

For new Naim In Black (NIB) series (represents new benchmark for high resolution + PRAT), the use of boutique cables can enhance the system overall performance. You can try the NaIM powercord retailing at RM2K....

For me I will take it one at a time.

tkhs for sharing.



Here is my power strip connection setup to the walll socket:

1. belkin gold series surge porctector connect to wall socket 1
2. furutech etp-80 connect to wall socket 2 using furutech DIY power cable (FP314ag with FI-11 (G) IEC and FI-11M (G))


Naim equipment connection.

1st test when setup the new naim equipment
a. source connect to belkin using naim stock powercord
b. power amp connect to belkin using naim stock powercord
c. FC connect to belkin using naim stock powercord

First listening experience is was amazing, Sounded lively and real, hear more details, wider soundstage, and the PRAT is there compare to my previous setup.

2nd test
a. source connect to etp-80 using the furutech stock cable which come with the etp-80.
b. power amp connect to etp-80 using US type computer powercord cable
c. FC connect to etp-80 using the US type computer powercord cabel

With this connection the PRAT have drop and sounded soft abit, notice the background is more quite, vocal smoother, the details is still there. But don't have the PRAT feeling

3rd test and final
a. source connect to etp-80 using the furutech stock cable which come with the etp-80.
b. power amp connect to belkin using naim stock powercord
c. FC connect to belkin using naim stock powercord

Notice the PRAT are back, the background is still quite, vocal is smooth, details and focus is still there. For me it sounded very balance compare to the 1st and 2nd test.

I didn't test it out further and swapping around very lazy to do it, I just enjoy it for the pass 1 week.

Would like to say, I enjoyed it very much and at high volume (11-12 o'clock) the naim control it so good and did not messy the music. With my previous system at volume 10+ I found it I cannot listen to it anymore, it attack the ear and the music has messy up like everything has jumper out.

The naim system sounded very balance for my hearing. (that's from my experience).

[cyl1000]

cyl1000,

There is audible hissing sound when you put your ears next to the speaker tweeter, it is OK, no problem with that. However logo light should be steady from start. I on my system 24/7.

I guess I will need to "operate" the pre to check out the flickering light problem. Atleast now I had solid confirmation from Naim owner that it is not normal.

[lewce1]

so doing away with DIN connections and going with RCA jacks was probaby part of Naim's change in direction towards "high rez + prat" ?

Or just making today's Naims more "other brand" friendly ?

So what? It is non of my business whether Naim is going DIN or RCA...or going banana!

As an audiophile and music lover if the system can meet my criteria, I will go for it. As of now, Naim suits me best.

Julian Vereker is definately way much happier and better of than, say, Peter Walker, at least for him "the new generation Naim is still proudly designed and manufactured in Salisbury and actively promoted and easily available in this
part of the world"

And Naim has stamped its mark as "world class sound" and i am true believer of this statement because it just sound correct, correct and correct.

[car o scope]

If talk about sound, it is very subjective.
Nevertheless, Naim has its own special characteristics.

Happy Listenin'.......

[annshu88]

Hi, i am going to get a 3rd party power supply Teddy Cap MK3, any body has experience on this PSU?

[wsyam]

hey guys..any1 interested in a naim cd 3...this player used the legendary philips tda 1541 chip...if u're interested..call mr oh..he has 1 with him

[lewce1]

ah yes, the RM2K Naim power cord.

This is the the crowning example of the great Naim schism today between the Philosophy of Julian (god bless his soul) and the new Naim run by modern-marketeers and catering to more hifi mainstream demands in their quest to reach a wider consumer base.

Benefit or bane ? Caveat Emptor.

On 2K power cord: It's a choice, not an option. For sure no "tie and die" cable syndrome.

On JV: He will never die in vain. Already explained in earlier posting.

On Caveat Emptor: More approriate, if apply, ELSEWHERE!

[mugenfoo]

On Caveat Emptor: More approriate, if apply, ELSEWHERE!

Applies everywhere. Yesterday's NAIM, today's NAIM, & tomorrow's NAIM included.

[lewce1]

On Caveat Emptor: More approriate, if apply, ELSEWHERE!

Applies everywhere. Yesterday's NAIM, today's NAIM, & tomorrow's NAIM included.

World class sound
System synergy at its best
Right in front of you
No worry on i/c, p/c or s/c
Can play on and on and on
24/7 to be exact
Naim perform, you enjoy
You the master, Naim the slave

Caveat emptor, care to elaborate, my fren.
No tubes, needles or records "to handle with care"
Unless " when Naim meet s.k.l.", i agree

Otherwise, as said, APPLY ELSEWHERE!