I asked Chatpgt to compare amps to cars. The list is interesting.
And here’s an excerpt-
The really interesting hierarchy
If I reduce all of those to automotive personality categories, you get something like this:
Porsche school — involvement
These amps make you listen actively. Rhythm, timing and musical momentum are the priority.
BMW school — engineering/performance balance
They aim to give you a lot of performance without imposing a huge personality.
Audi school — precision/value/neutrality
4 Likes
bruss
August 21, 2026, 7:32am
2
Lotus - once driven, never forgotten.
Naim - once listened, never forgotten.
2 Likes
Ducati 1098s - Once ridden never forgotten
Naim - Once listened never forgotten, unless you have ridden a Ducati 1098s in which case you are deaf
4 Likes
bruss
August 21, 2026, 12:52pm
4
I had a couple of dukes, I forgot them.
Debs
August 21, 2026, 12:59pm
5
Technics; would be Toyota,
1 Like
Tony
August 21, 2026, 1:24pm
6
Naim - TVR
Great drive/listen but will fail and break down at some point!
3 Likes
Maybe you should have gone for the Duchesses then
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Luxman and Accuphase - vintage Rolls Royce surely? Great looks, impeccable build quality, top notch engineering and as smooth as silk.
A bit harsh
Not as bad as a certain brand which was reputed to send ‘fully sorted’ (think BMW 7-series) kit to reviewers, but the production units were 5-series level (at best).
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Skeptikal:
Amstrad — Lada
Bit too upmarket. More like a Trabant.
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Nah, Naim is more like the T-Ford: only available in Black.
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No mention of Volvo ? They invented the modern seatbelt.
I don’t drive. But, if I did it would be in a Volvo whilst wearing a motorcycle helmet doing 15 mph.
Although that’s definitely not how I like my Hi-Fi.
Since I’ve heard Naim, it has been stuck in my head… Really hard to forget that character!
Unluckily I’ve never driven any Lotus!
1 Like
bruss
August 23, 2026, 11:01am
17
Dont!
It’s a bit like Naim, a large hole appears in your life until you have tried every combination.
4 Likes
Thanks for the advice @bruss
This made me laugh a lot
My first Nait XS reminded me of the Lotus Elan 2+2 that one of my brothers owned at the time. Fast and supple.
TOBYJUG
August 23, 2026, 12:19pm
20
Most non audiophiles would be more than happy with a Toyota Corolla modified as a Jamaican Taxi !!
