I’m currently using a system based around a (s/h) Nait 50, with a Bluesound Node Icon as my only source and some (s/h) Proac Tablette 10 signatures on Solidsteel SS-6 stands.
Compared to most Naim system I come across on this forum it’s already a fairly modest system, but still with a total (new)price of around € 8000,- It sounds wonderful to me.
Nevertheless, If I had to I think I could easily take a step back and still enjoy my previous, entry-level system, consisting of:
Rega IO (still have it, and I think it’s the best VFM integrated amp I ever had)
Bluesound Node N132
Dali Oberon 1’s (remarkable VFM)
Dynaudio Stand 10
This little system costed me (all new) a little less than € 2000,- and proved to me that a great, enjoyable system doesn’t have to cost a fortune!
Once went to a show at Manchester airport where a friend and I sat with some relief in the room running a Planar 3 as it appeared to be the only musical thing in there.
As for your question, hifi seems to have shot up in price by far more than inflation in recent years. To my ears speakers are the key, and sound quality doesn’t start to get good somewhere between £5-10k new at today’s prices. The nearest equivalent tday to my first decent speakers that cost £273 new in 1975 are about £7k new price, though inflation suggests the value of mine is only of the order of £3k (depending on inflation data source). My present speakers, which I would rate as extremely good, cost £5k secondhand 3 years ago - the list price of their latest iteration is now £34k!
Of course, for anyone who feels that full range bass is not a prerequisite for good sound, decent speakers to their ears may cost considerably less.
Then of course an amp is needed that is capable of controlling the speakers, and again likely might be achievable at less cost if speakers don’t do full bass, however I haven’t really taken much note of new amp prices so can’t venture a figure.
Regardless, if on a budget I’m not sure why anyone would buy new, better to buy decent stuff maybe 5-10 years or so old.
I just learnt the other day that the reason this system sounds so good is because it was playing the Nth Harmonic of bass notes, rather than the bass notes.
Either way, I was very happy with this sound. It timed super well, better than some mega bucks systems I’ve heard.
It’s $29 for the streamer + dac and about $129 for the radio.
Curious, as in interesting. On one level you set you gear up as best you can in your living room and live with the results. On the other hand you set your gear up in a room, that needs to be acoustically treated like a concert hall. Cabling, mains supply need expensive attention, and the cost of these accessories costs more than most people pay for a complete HiFi system. (I understand and respect those who are seeking perfection BTW).
I am in the former category, and a certain inferiority complex sets in. But I play some music and it sounds fine on my system listed above. Sure it could be better.
Hi Fi gear has indeed increased in price dramatically, for decent units. For various reasons a dedicated listening room, where I can play music at a proper volume is out of the question. So my search for perfection has gone down the headphone road. Buying “civilian” versions of studio grade gear (SPL and Hedd), has given me fantastic sound at realistic prices, compared to some really overpriced items.
As for second hand. The shop where I bought my Nait XS3, had a couple of alternative Naim amps that were higher up the brand tree, but in one case was 10 years old. These amps were going “cheap”. But I read here and elsewhere that electronics decay over time, and need servicing. I passed and bought a new unit. Does buying really old gear make sense?
On the other hand my SPL Phonitor was supposedly SH and is still a current model that has not been on the market long. It was half price. I think it might have been a demo model that did not sell The instructions had never been opened and the connectors were pristine. I bought my Heddphones as B stock with a big discount. I deliberately bought my streamer SH, as planned obsolescence, is brutally present in these units.
I posed the question in my OP, as I was curious to hear other opinions, to help me make sense of the Hi Fi world.
« It’s been five weeks of suffering." Annick Herbin-Mouyssac is not ready to forget her “pleasure” purchase of a pair of shoes this summer. Quickly the favourite turned into a nightmare.
Shoes made in China caused a violent allergic reaction that spread to his feet and hands, seriously hindering his daily life.
Since then, the Alésienne has received some details about the nature of her setbacks. Indeed, the Departmental Directorate for the Protection of Persons (1) seized a pair of identical shoes in the store where the purchase had been made. And a laboratory carried out analyses.
Very high doses of formaldehyde
The result reveals a significant presence of formaldehyde. A product that is not prohibited. “Formaldehyde doses are regulated for textiles but not for shoes,” the DDPP explains. Which nevertheless is extremely high doses ».
My own experience has been good, and hifi gear is generally pretty reliable though I suppose the older the greater the risk though the bigger the saving until point where price tends largely to level off.
I bought my current amp 2 years ago, at least 30 years old, had it serviced and optimised, and there is no reason to expect it not to do another 30 years, though of course anything can fail at any time. My immediately prior amps had been more than 10 years old when I bought them, though the fact that the manufacturer warranty was 20 years encouraged even though not transferable.
Though no longer in my possession, I know my original good speakers are still playing well as they approach 50th birthday, though they did have the midrange units’ foam surrounds replaced after about 15 years. Their replacement, actually older at about 55 years old now, I last heard back in the summer and still sound very good. I had to replace a bass driver after an amp fault blew it at about 35 years old, and 5 years later I discovered a supertweeter had was faulty though I can’t say at what point it had become damaged, possibly even the same cause as the bass driver. When replacing thar i took the opportunity taken to recap the crossover.
But fortunately some people do buy new despite the high cost, and change their gear creating the secondhand market!
!
