No! I am bewitched by Naim-ie?!
Sorry @Desmond, this is before your time…
Fair point but I still think they are expensive for what you get. My opinion of course
So true @Simon-in-Suffolk, Apple / Siri lags behind by a long way.
Amazing Apple still became a $2tn (£1.5tn) company on the stock market.
My post at 58 … Venture Capital would want to spread brand awareness… helps them to sell it later.
I fully appreciate the quality and cost of manufacturing given the high man hours.
I can’t fault Cyrus on the quality of their casework or assembly though, Naim being a lower volume producer may not have had the same cost savings that perhaps Cyrus did in the past but, just like Morgan Cars, low volume leads to high cost, and thus niche product . The power supplies may be fantastic, but I’d guess if someone else made a power supply for Naim amps then the ability for Naim to make a “ high” margin on them would be reduced and the price be better value for the very loyal following they currently enjoy. As ever marketing and where you place your product cost wise can boost the balance sheet, this doesn’t make it “good value” in of itself though. V C owners… hmm not generally great going forward IMHO.
Naim need to watch the demographics of future customers and the pricing tears they occupy or they may end up in a museum. Not what I would like to see for a great “British” company.
Who knows better pricing could boost sales, more profit and more R&D , start of a great cycle ?
I use a dealer 100 miles away, basically mail order but he gives excellent trade in. My nearest dealer has been a Naim dealer for over 20 years but I wouldn’t trust them to feed my goldfish! It shouldn’t be that way for a premium product.
Perhaps like Nikon, Naim could make its flagship products in-house and out-source consumer friendly components partially at least, to reduce cost and boost output.
That said, Nikon perhaps isn’t a great example. They are late to the market with mirrorless cameras, dSLR sales is trending down and D6 is lacklustre to put it politely. There are lessons to learn from either way.
To the OP, sorry this is getting off topic. I do wonder how Naim trains, certifies and supports its dealers. Don’t get me wrong, I am not saying there is anything wrong with my local Naim dealers. I am just curious about their capabilities and backing.
I don’t know much about venture capital, but isn’t that model usually used for startups and new companies with high growth potential? It would seem a strange bedfellow for long established companies such as Naim and Focal. Is the Vervent Audio Group really backed by venture capital? Or is it a myth? Private equity would seem much more appropriate.
Feeding of goldfish is not a simple matter. Feed them too much and they die. I’ve even published a paper on it, back in the day.
Private Equity or Venture Capital? really in essence the same thing, distinguished often merely by what they wish to title themselves… most PE co’s I know will have a portfolio of companies they own or have a share in some established Co’s, some new, some new in so far as just a management buy out… whilst there are always exceptions the usual line is suck in the money and spit out the husk of what’s left … People often believe the line the PE/VC want them to ie they are good guys… believe that at your peril
Yes but isnt all hi fi silly money? just flick through the pages of ‘Hi Fi News’ or 'Hi Fi +
all they do is review products that only millionaire sports people or city hedge fund managers or media ‘celebs’ I have spent far to much on kit over the years searching for that
holy grail or ‘upgradeitis’ as we are prone to do!
Funny thing is that the categories you mention I’m not so sure about. Most wealthy people I’ve known may buy a decent system (or actually not be that interested in music reproduction at all). I’m not sure who buys that crazy esoteric overly priced ‘snake oil.’ Typically an older lot at the Hifi shows as far as pics I’ve seen. Not many ‘celebrities.’ It would be interesting to know just who buys a 5 figure power cable.
I think to many who follow audiophile products Naim might seem overpriced because you don’t get fancy casework or VU meters or any bling. Of course that’s changed to a degree with the new Uniti line. Naim streamers do seem overpriced to me, esp as they always seem one step behind in functionality, no matter how good they might sound. Naim will have to start to step away from the long time brand loyalty users to seek out new users imo and that will most likely mean bringing more lower priced entry level products. The used market for Naim has always been strong, and why not when their vintage and classic gear will last forever with periodic maintenance. Sitting here listening to my wonderful CB NAP160BD bought for $470 from local dealer - sure it will cost me $1300 to recap at some point, but that doesn’t behoove me to pay $3500 for a 200 DR. The achilles heal of well made luxury goods can be their buy once philosophy of manufacture. It’s also their appeal at the same time. Not sure really what I’m getting at, just some rambling early morning thoughts.
No you are going to pay for quality… their is plenty of hifi on the market for alot less money but the question is will you be satisfied. Quality always sell.
It bloody is when you got just an 8 Year Old Superuniti.
Anyway will start my upgrade path in the New Year.
The comparison with Cyrus is interesting. One dealer who I have a lot of time for told me that people are attracted to Cyrus because of the size but ultimately they would in likelihood switch to Naim.
Regards,
Lindsay
Sorry @davidng That’s I dream of jeannie ( Barabra Eden)
Bewitched was Elizabeth Montgomery
Barbara Eden is still with us, Elizabeth Montgomery passed away in 1995
I was originally attracted to Cyrus due to the very high quality of their top end CD players which in their day were very highly rated (and still are). Having such a successful product gets customers into the rest of the range. The Monoblock amps are also highly regarded by people who have experienced them such as @Simon-in-Suffolk.
Decided to go the Naim route for streaming as Core and streamer seemed well integrated with good sound quality, and better than the current Cyrus offering. Naim could really clean up if they got the app software sorted. From what I read here Cyrus, Linn and Naim may be a little behind in this regard. I do feel that other than the new steaming platform Naim may be living on its no doubt well deserved reputation. The streamer may get me into Naim amplification but value for money will always be a factor when I change.
I will not become a blind follower though, so Naim need to win my money. I guess the thread on “life after Naim” shows I am not alone.
You raise an interesting point about Apple .
I think Apple has focused more on the consumer market and content provision rather than the commercial market. And of course, running a closed ecosystem where they control everything and can charge pretty much they want for other companies access to their app store. I believe Apple has made most of their money from Itunes etc rather than hardware for some years now. It will be interesting to see how they have fared with this approach in 20 or so years if I am still around.
If I had a big windfall, I would be confident dropping some big ones on Naim.