MQN

[cvrle59]

what are the Naim fans views of the new owners ?

I am very close to be an ex-Naim owner (couple more weeks to switch V1 for Hugo), so all I can say is, it won't change over night, but there will be a change.
This is coming from my experience with some other companies going through similar transitions. We've already seen a lot of different things happening after merging with Focal, and this is another stage. I wouldn't be surprised if they push production of "lower models" to China or somewhere else where the labor market is way below UK level.
Friend of mine, who introduced me to Naim 10+ years ago, discovered something very interesting in last couple of months, which created very serious changes that him and I going through recently.
He's been Naim owner since early 80's not really spending too much time investigating different equipment believing that Naim sound is something he can live forever. He still owes LP12/CDS2/XPS/52/SU/135's/30.1s. Just about 3 months ago, he shipped XPS, 52 and SC to Naim distributor in Montreal to service (recap) those units, and he connected his office NAD CD565 and C350 integrated ($500-$600 on used market) to listen something until "big guns" come back. After few days, he called me to tell me how Harbeth's sounded really well with NAD. I didn't take it seriously, until he called me again after a few days. He went to the local NAD dealer and he borrowed demo C165BEE pre, and C275BEE power amp. So, the story was short...he was shocked how that combo sounded. I didn't take it seriously again, until a couple weeks back when he took that combo again, but this time we both compared back and forth, now freshly recapped (with a few weeks breaking in) Naim stuff vs NAD 165/275. CDS2/XPS was the source in both cases. NAD simply sounded better, more open, more airy, more natural. It could be some magic in NAD+Harbeth, but still, you are comparing roughly $2000 for brand new NAD combo vs. roughly (all used), $4000 NAC52, $2000 SC and $3000 135's (you can think how much brand new in that range). It doesn't make sense, but no mistake. So guess what, he already purchased a brand new set of 165/275, and Naim will be for sale soon.
I am getting a used set of 165/275, plus brand new Hugo to replace Naim DAC-V1. Hugo beats V1 for a good margin, I was so impressed as I already wrote about it. People at Naim forum compare Hugo to NDX+555, or to nDac+XPS, which is ridicules. World has change, wasn't it...?
So conclusion is, you can make it in China (NAD) for way less to be extremely competitive, and I wouldn't be surprised if new Naim owners make that kind of swing in near feature.
I know that we all suffer from this wave (loosing jobs), but we can't turn the wheel the the other direction any more, it is too late, unfortunately.
Cheers

Now you both gonna get fired from "Naim Community"! ;-)
How dare you to compare something else with Naim?!

Don't worry...If I were you I would be more concerned about Wadia. Think, Hugo non-portable one for the fraction of Wadia price, and 5x smaller...lol.

[Aleg]

Don't worry...If I were you I would be more concerned about Wadia. Think, Hugo non-portable one for the fraction of Wadia price, and 5x smaller...lol.

Chord needs to do something about the design, because it is one of the most ghastly designs I've ever seen.
Probably is my age ;-)

cheers

Aleg

[cvrle59]

Don't worry...If I were you I would be more concerned about Wadia. Think, Hugo non-portable one for the fraction of Wadia price, and 5x smaller...lol.

Chord needs to do something about the design, because it is one of the most ghastly designs I've ever seen.
Probably is my age ;-)

cheers

Aleg

I do agree with you 100%, but it sounds unreal for a such small box. Honestly, I will hide it, it won't be noticeable at all.

[sima66]

Don't worry...If I were you I would be more concerned about Wadia. Think, Hugo non-portable one for the fraction of Wadia price, and 5x smaller...lol.

Chord needs to do something about the design, because it is one of the most ghastly designs I've ever seen.
Probably is my age ;-)

cheers

Aleg

You are outdated Aleg, same as my Wadia! :)))))))

[cvrle59]

Don't worry...If I were you I would be more concerned about Wadia. Think, Hugo non-portable one for the fraction of Wadia price, and 5x smaller...lol.

Chord needs to do something about the design, because it is one of the most ghastly designs I've ever seen.
Probably is my age ;-)

cheers

Aleg

You are outdated Aleg, same as my Wadia! :)))))))

You may lough, but there is one which says, who loughs last....:)
He is not outdated as nDAC is the best DAC Naim has at the moment, but it cost $4000+$6000 for XPS vs $2500 for Hugo. I personally didn't compare them, but there is a lot of buzz already that they are pretty much shoulder to shoulder. You can keep loughing....:))))

[3daudio]

Interesting.

Is 3i, Naim or Wadia now owned by Gordon or what is the relation to MQn?

Continue.

[sbgk]

I can confirm that MQn is not affected.

uploaded the 2 outstanding combinations nml and nlm

nml has the best bass I've heard so combined it with some other settings to create a super charged version 3.31.

[tony]

I can confirm that MQn is not affected.

uploaded the 2 outstanding combinations nml and nlm

nml has the best bass I've heard so combined it with some other settings to create a super charged version 3.31.

Eh is nml a hidden version? I don't see it

[tony]

[/quote]
Don't worry...If I were you I would be more concerned about Wadia. Think, Hugo non-portable one for the fraction of Wadia price, and 5x smaller...lol.[/quote]


Have to hear one of those horrible looking Hugo's it better sound as bad as it looks as I have spent my retirement savings on a Lampizator.
Fingers crossed that is the case.

[sima66]

Interesting.

Is 3i, Naim or Wadia now owned by Gordon or what is the relation to MQn?

Continue.

The relation with MQn is that the previously mentioned usually goes next in the line, after Mqn! They call them DAC's!
BTW, Gordon himself started this "chain of events" in the previous page, by mentioning the new Naim owners.

Tony, the last thing what we need here now is Lampizator!
Stay on the topic!!!!