I’m not particularly in the market for anything but would really like to see Naim do something left field that no one saw coming. An R n D leap that cements Naim’s position into the future.
.sjb
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After an acquisition, it’s pretty common for the acquired company to hold steady with no major changes except for things that we’re basically on their way out the door to ship. That state usually lasts for 12-24 months as new products and services are realigned with the goals and philosophy of the parent company.
No one here has insight into Naim’s product roadmap (that they can say) but having been through multiple M&As and observed many more as a client, that pattern is pretty firmly established. I expect it to hold true here too.
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I promise if they do an Olive Nait 54 I’ll buy it at msrp!!
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Rumours are that Naim is going to be making a range of air conditioning units to match the NC look, bound to be a good seller in the European area after this June, where consumers are predicted to be rushing to buy. Of course, this could just be wishful thinking and rampant speculation, as I don’t like the look of most air con units.
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That would be a NAC then
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CD seems to be making a bit of a comeback and several well known manufacturers have released new CD players or transports. It would be very exciting to see a new CD player from Naim. Having made several excellent models in the past (I still think the original CDS was the best, though I’ve never heard a CD555) the ‘know how’ is presumably still all there.
I won’t be holding my breath though.
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They absolutely have the know how. The question would be though, how are they going to source mechs? The other high end bands make their own.
But Naim don’t actually make things so much as design and assemble from available third party parts.
And overcoming the bad taste left by expensive unrepairable CD players would take a lot of effort.
I don’t see it happening. But you never know.
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Yes mechanisms would indeed be a problem unless they do design and manufacture their own as do other manufacturers. With the amount of financial input and manufacturing facilities that this would require I can’t honestly see it happening either. But, as you say, you never know. Stranger things have happened.
I’m not sure that’s entirely correct or fair FZ. While they don’t have a foundry on-site (who does?), Naim have plenty of bits that are absolutely their own and not available for anyone else (casework, transformers, output devices etc..), and even those parts that are commonly available, Naim make them their own by doing their own selection and matching processes.
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I agree immediate releases following the Barco acquisition are not likely. But i think Naim is probably smartly looking at the next wave. My feeling is
a) an NC Supernait and
b) a replacememt for the 500.
On the latter the price gap between the NC350 and Statement is 10x which is just crazy. I think Naim may go with a shrunken upright mono 300w version of the Statement to fill the gap.
These 2 offerings opens up the opportunity to bring new customers into the brand and makes it easier for Naim to compete with high power alternatives with some well heeled 500 customers going for an upgrade as well.
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Too late. Everyone who wanted one but didn’t have one have seen plenty come in to the market over the last couple of years and are now basking in physical media delight.
I had a look a few months back and Peter Tyson had over 70 to choose from, excluding colour choices and the like….
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And a discounted, boxed, new last model CD5si hasn’t shifted in months……
ATB, J
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Given the new owners, I’m hoping the much anticipated cassette deck will finally make an appearance. It’s been a long time coming.
I’m assuming extra performance can be realised by connecting up an NPX300 too 
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I realise your comment was in jest, but I could really do with a top quality cassette deck that’s not >30 years old. I’ve been looking for a while for a Nakamichi CR7 or Dragon, but all those I’ve seen have issues.
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Go for a Naka 680 ZX,superior musical sound and less trouble than Dragon.
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The ‘know how’ is 20 years out of date. Modern CD players contain technology that is far more advanced.
They actually contain technology that is very similar that used in the ND555 or Nss333. Naim could easily use this technology in a CD player.
But CD players are available using this modern technology at a fraction of the cost of a Nss333.
I know what you mean, Clive. Fantastically engineered decks, which I’m sure can still be serviced or if needed, restored. I’ll defer to @Richard.Dane who is the expert here.
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I get that things have moved on. I’m not suggesting that they resurrect the old CDS necessarily, though it would be geat fun if they did. But they knew how to make very fine high end players back in the day so presumably they could now make a modern high end player if they really wanted to. Adapting and developing what they already know about CD into a modern up to date machine. I haven’t heard the CDS for decades, or the CDS3 that I finished up with in the end. Memory can play tricks on us I know but I bet those players would easily compete well with any currently available players at any price. Maybe not in terms of detail or neutrality as the DACs in them are now way behind today’s offerings. But in terms of sheer musical enjoyment I’ll bet they would be right up there with the best and probably better than most.
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I wonder if there’ll be an increased focus on combining Focal and Naim’s areas of expertise. Arguably, the most left-field recent stuff from F&N are the Muso Hekla and the Diva Utopia line of active speakers. I know they both sport Focal badges but there’s a lot of Naim electronics inside. Not sure how well the Hekla is doing, but I do think a smaller cheaper active speaker along the lines of the Diva Utopias might be a good seller even if it won’t please the multi-box enthusiasts.
Roger
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Sadly no service from Bowers any more, and spare parts getting ever more difficult to source except by scavenging from existing machines,
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