High End Munich 2023

Can only hope the alignment during assembly will be a bit better :stuck_out_tongue_closed_eyes:

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Thanks BertBird for great pictures and whilst, I am generally liking the look of the ‘new’ kit on the Fraim the large circular volume control is beginning to bug me and look out of place.

But, who knows as come tomorrow I may change my mind!

Richard

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I think with new design it’s also getting used to it. Once used to it, you often don’t understand anymore why you loved the old design so much. In my opinion the new design of the new classic series is modern and beautiful. Looking stylish, modern and not cheap……, but it’s all a matter of taste…

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Quite. I prefer the style of the new classic. Nicely done.

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Nr. 16 Part 6 Naim…

So as promised let’s get into the content of what I saw, heard and experienced. As already mentioned earlier the room was better setup as last year with two demo rooms - one with the call it new 300 series and one with a Nova…, then also some separate space for the headphone edition with several different focal headphones including the newest Focal Utopia…, and then there was some general space with speakers on display, a statement on display etc etc…

I first went to the new 300 series room and listened in. It was not a demo per se, while at the end somebody explained something.

As mentioned earlier the new streamer, the new pre-amp and four new moon blocks. The streamer and the pre-amp also had powersupplies……

The music… it was quite nice to come inside. They started with Cymande sounded good while I didn’t yet put on my critical listening ear.
Then switched to Queen B - low bass is sounding quite good, and you already got the I,pression of the immense grip the four mono blocks had in bi-amp mode on the Focals. This time I didn’t dislike the Focal speakers and had the feeling they were a good match with the setup in the room.

Due to the immense control and the clean sound had the feeling I was listening to a mini statement system, while don’t get taken away it wasn’t as good as a 500 system…, will explain later why I think so…
Uncle Lucius…., strange thought went through my mind, why don’t they also use as all other suppliers the long playing option. Could give more credibility as to the completeness of the portfolio. Even while I don’t own one, would be good to see Naim also developing more options in this space.

Emanuel Santorama, sound is never out of control. Then they played something I couldn’t Shazam but bass drum was good and dry on the song.
Kammerkor again a clean sound. Definitely in that aspect an advancement on the older series,….but, but….let’s see in part 7…

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Nr. 16 Part 7 Naim…

So let’s address a bit of my but and considerations I had when listening. I have the impression that the mono blocks lift above their weight and could also be good partners to better sources…., while it’s just a guess as I heard it in an overkill scenario of four monoblocks….
The source and the pre-amp definitely are great and produce a nice clean sound which is free of side effects. But in my impression it doesn’t go the last mile in level of detail, absolute tonality and soundstage as the 500 series can do. Although I haven’t heard a NDS in years but I don’t belief the NS333 with PS is at the level of the NDS with 555PS…… But take it also a bit reservation, as I couldn’t do a A to B and just rely on audio memory which could be faulty. To what extend the pre-amp is a determining factor is difficult to say, so it might be that it shows even more with better source. But Naim did make definitely a big step in modernizing it’s range and also create a new Naim reference sound…… it definitely will be interesting to see a new 500 series level from Naim - I am sure that will outperform the current version.

I also belief that a lot of people might go for the new monoblocks and just get a better source the NSS555 and just be happy with that.

Then they played Ghost Rider. It’s ideal for this setup as not many systems can display this level of grip.
As usual they got to Rage Against The Machine……, the German guys from the distribution have a weak spot for this…., while I belief there is better strong rock music to show that the system is capable. For this song I heard the rough and harsh aspect, but missed a bit of the roundness, which would perfect it….

So all in all impressive new 300 series. Conclusions for me…
Streaming - somewhere between NDX and NDS level
Pre-amp difficult to say as I didn’t hear another source
Mono Blocks - Ahead of the old 300 and close to the 500 I belief……

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Nr. 16. Part 8 Naim

Didn’t really have a good listen at the Nova setup in the other room. But it sounded impressive and would represent good value. I have heard it before in other cases and found that system always a good value option for people who want to hear great music, but don’t want to risk their marriage….

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Thanks for that review. Nice to hear from a non Naim source and first impressions. Excellent review.

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Nr. 16 Part 9 Naim

A bit of an afterthought. With such an important introduction for Naim I would have appreciated a bit of a more formal demo with Jason…, the German distributor guys are not bad, but a bit more authenticity …

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Thanks @BertBird for the attention to detail in your reviews, always enjoy reading through your thoughts on the annual Munich audio show!

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Thanks so much for your pictures and feedback. What struck me most was the sheer size of the stripy Focal speakers, amazing. I find it disappointing that the new speaker ranges aren’t called Socksia and Pantsia, to go with Vestia. They missed a trick.

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My god, this is the absolute audio dream

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Im sure Bert is a good lad and always listens to Oma😉

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He should, we all wish for such an OMA in our family :wink:

Not me.

We are alone together to like I feel :smile:

Forgot to publish this one, will continue with the rest of the report during the weekend…

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Yes, it seems​:wink::sunglasses:

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image

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Don’t tell me you prefer the Audio Consulting from Switzerland? 180 k.