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What’s your Naim ?

My favorite overall was my Nait 2, unfortunately it, along with a complete active SBL active system went away during divorce proceedings mid 2005. :( A couple of years ago I bought a new Nait XS3 and ND5XS2 to replace my over ten year old Uniti 1. While I really love the combination, I really still love the do-all, simplicity of the Uniti. It just sounds great and still serves bedroom duty, cannot imagine get rid of it!
 
Alco said:
(I'd love to have one of these but unfortunately both are no longer an option for me, because their big toroidal transformers hum like crazy in my room) :(
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If you wanted to try a Sjostrom DCT03 it would probably make them nice and quiet if it were DC on the mains, worked well for my 72/Hicap, NAXO, 2x250, CDi system.
 
Ptah said:
My first Naim, a 42/110 bought in 1986. The 72/140 that followed was also excellent - should have stopped there.
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Went up the ladder myself and went back down to my 110 which is now the one I use and enjoy the most.
Paired it with a Classe Audio CP35 preamp from the 90’s and it’s a mariage made in heaven.
 
Well have had various bits over the years ones that have stayed are 72, had a few of these the flexibility to change cards etc and power supply means I will hang onto it if I ever go down that route again.
I did enjoy my 180 with a 72, came alive with a little Sonic Bliss power supply.

Biggest surprise has been the Nait XS MK1 was meant to be a short term stop gap but I enjoy and fortunate no buzzing or humming, it's actually quieter than the 5i that I had before it.
Best compliment I can give is I am still using it no desire to dig out pre power and psu. Yes I know putting a power supply can raise it further but simply it does the job as is not a thundering power house but with the little Ruark speakers and a Rotel CD player it's pretty good
 
Whaleblue said:
SBLs. A guilty pleasure! I’ve had five pairs. The most recent, light wood very late Mk2.5s I actually rather wish I’d kept.

Also the Mk1 and 2 Naits. Looking forward to firing up the olive Mk2 recently acquired.
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Hiya Mr Whaleblue

I am surprised you didn’t, cracking looking (and sounding) pair wasn’t they
 
Favourite 42(later.5) 110 bought in 1984, improved by HiCap which in hindsight created my upgrade path/bug. Never really happy again until 52/Scap/135s that's it for me unless I downsize. Never heard a Nac12 Nap 160 or other earlier stuff.
 
If you wanted to try a Sjostrom DCT03 it would probably make them nice and quiet if it were DC on the mains, worked well for my 72/Hicap, NAXO, 2x250, CDi system.
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Thank you Nobeone, it is indeed DC on the mains in my room. I've tried several several DC-blockers. (Supra, Audiolab)
They all killed the humming immediately, but... unfortunately they also killed the sound.:eek: (making the music sound very dull, lacking dynamics and sparkle) :(
So therefor my faith in DC-blockers that don't ruin the sound is pretty much gone, tbh.
 
Original Nait for me - fun and engaging.

Fav pre power is probably 42/110. Bolt down 12/160 is more musical but the bass is a fraction slow.
 
Currently using CDX2.2 with a CDX2 and CD3 in storage and working well last time I used them. CD3 is nearly 30 years old. In a 1989 shop demo I tried the latest mid priced Naim, Linn and Exposure amps and chose the Exposure immediately. The dealer got quite abusive and told me that I was listening to the wrong music. It was Miles Davis You're Under Arrest:D

After the Exposures (20 years) I chose ATC amplification, still not liking the Naim amp sound;
 
I think in many ways while my system has changed over the years (high and low) the one that I most fondly remember was an Olive 72/HC/250 set. If i had to pick a single item I will say ARO.
 
Alco said:
Thank you Nobeone, it is indeed DC on the mains in my room. I've tried several several DC-blockers. (Supra, Audiolab)
They all killed the humming immediately, but... unfortunately they also killed the sound.:eek: (making the music sound very dull, lacking dynamics and sparkle) :(
So therefor my faith in DC-blockers that don't ruin the sound is pretty much gone, tbh.
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Some DC blockers include filtering and more besides, the Sjostrom is just a cap bank and some beefy diodes, it does not, IMHO, ruin anything. YMMV.
 
Still using a Naim CD5X and Flatcap, bought new about 15 years ago and it’s used a few times a week as I still buy CD’s, and I’ve enjoyed having it in my system.
At some point I may look to see if I can trade it in as spares are in short supply.
 
My two favourites of the stuff I owned were, and by some margin; a) a 32.5/HiCap/250, and b) a CD Nait 2.

The former because it is just the classic chrome-bumper Naim amp IMO. It what comes to mind when I think of Naim, the classic Naim look and sound. The CD Nait 2 as it ran the former surprisingly close and did so in such a neat and compact form. There are others, e.g. I’d not be too bothered in the 32.5 was swapped with a 42.5 or chrome bumper 62, and I’m not sure I’d even notice the 250 being swapped-out for a nice late 160. FWIW I preferred the 250 to the 135s I had first. Just warmer and bouncier somehow. I do wish I’d kept a mint boxed Nait 1 or 2 as a spare/reference point, but I’d not pay today’s price for them!
 
I’ve only had a Uniti 1 and a Nova. I like the Nova but still have a great amount of respect for the uniti
 
Active 135s and SL2s were a blast, but replaced with ATCs as no boxes, just two speakers :D

That said I still own a 202/200/AV2/V175/n-Cent/n-Sats/n-Sub system at my partner's in her London house and a Nait 5i/CD5X set up in to Allaes which brings me to the answer to the OP's question... the Allaes are Naim's best kept secret. Bought a pair new and sold them for the SL2s, but missed them in my life so bought a cherry pair off here for £360 and they are in my second system... absolutely brilliant for the money. Once my house renovation is complete they will be surplus to requirements but I will find a way to keep them... somehow :D
 
Tony L said:
My two favourites of the stuff I owned were, and by some margin; a) a 32.5/HiCap/250, and b) a CD Nait 2.

The former because it is just the classic chrome-bumper Naim amp IMO. It what comes to mind when I think of Naim, the classic Naim look and sound. The CD Nait 2 as it ran the former surprisingly close and did so in such a neat and compact form. There are others, e.g. I’d not be too bothered in the 32.5 was swapped with a 42.5 or chrome bumper 62, and I’m not sure I’d even notice the 250 being swapped-out for a nice late 160. FWIW I preferred the 250 to the 135s I had first. Just warmer and bouncier somehow. I do wish I’d kept a mint boxed Nait 1 or 2 as a spare/reference point, but I’d not pay today’s price for them!
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CD Nait2? As in a late one with a CD input? (As opposed to typo CB?)
 
happychappy said:
Hiya Mr Whaleblue

I am surprised you didn’t, cracking looking (and sounding) pair wasn’t they
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Yes, I bought from you didn’t I? I remember asking for first refusal if the chap that bought them from me was moving them on. Perhaps he still has them!

EDIT: or was it you I sold to?? :)
 
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