Hello everyone,
I have been happy for years with my old Naim gear and am now thinking of upgrading. Is there a successor to the Naim nVi, i.e. an AVR with all the latest surround sound formats?
I saw a lot of multi-room and/or streaming things but I seem to be missing the “basic” AVRs.
Thank you
Alex
No, Naim don’t have any home cinema equipment available currently.
There is though the new Focal Mu-so Hekla which is a home cinema all-in-one combining Focal’s speaker expertise with electronics input from Naim.
Thank you, Richard.
Unfortunately, I am not looking for new speakers, especially not such a huge one. Just looking to replace my nVi.
Maybe I need to see if I can replace the dead display of the nVi after all. It is on its second display and both died within a very short period of time. Maybe there is a different make and model that is better quality but compatible:(
It might need a service. The wrong power going to the display will cause it to die prematurely but then they do just die anyway
I doubt it. It was a known issue the last time it was replaced and it has been discussed numerous places. I think it was simply one of that rare cases where Naim simply supplied really poor quality material. My nVi is the only piece of equipment (Naim or otherwise) where the display died repeatedly despite being a very simple piece of tech.
Still enjoy the sound, though. And it is quite energy efficient compared to my other Naim gear that is on 24/7 and consumes quite a bit of power in pseudo-standby.
But maybe I need to move on for AV purposes and take a look at the Denon, Yamaha and Marantzes of this world 
Don’t forget Anthem if you go that route. I’m very happy with my MRX 740.
I know nothing about the display in the nVi, but if it’s a green display similar to the Naim streamers of the time, you might be able to buy a replacement display from the French guy on eBay who is selling replacements for Naim green screens. They come with instructions on how to fit the new screen and it’s doable for someone who is willing to get inside and personal with their Naim product. I changed the screen in my UnitiLite in this way and it was straightforward and successful for about €100.
Hi, @AleXSR700 .
I had the successor Naim AV2 with a NAP-V175 three-channel amp, for a nice 3.1 system. I still miss some of the features , but when the sub-out stopped working, and with no new Naim AV products available, I researched and demoed and upgraded to the current Sony STR-AZ7000 ES AVR. I added a pair of optional Sony wireless stand mounts in back for full 5.1.2. The stand mounts have drivers on top that reflect off my ceiling, which is flat and symmetrical, fortunately. After using the included mic to set it all up, it sounds quite amazing.
The stand mounts have batteries, so you can charge them in an out-of-the-way corner, then move them into position when playing them, plugged in or not!
I did not care for Sony’s wireless sub, so I returned my ancient MK to service — it still shines.
I thought I would never go back to an integrated AVR. Delighted with it.
Best of luck.
Nick
I will take a look at Sony also. So far it seemed that Denon, Yamaha and Marantz might be the top candidates.
I know there are other “specialist” companies but when it comes to “modern” surround sound formats, my experience is not optimal with the high end companies. Great sound but often less versatile and less reliable software and upgrade paths.
I also used to have the predecessor of the nVi, the AV2. I had a 5.1 setup with Naim amps but then in our new home only had room (and style acceptance) for 3.1 which kind of made the high, constant, standbypower consumption no longer acceptable.
But I would probably still by a new Naim AVR in a heartbeat if there was one 
I have always had Denon AVRs in the past, and had a bad experience with an early Marantz AV-Pre. Their offerings look excellent now, at a price, but I found the Sony proprietary “spatial” setting a compelling differentiator. Being a Naim fan, I am surprised I like such “enhancement”.
I bought the Sony 7000 before my media room remodel was complete and ran it in my living room 3.1 system for a few weeks, in place of the AV2. I would need something new in the LR eventually, too. In the interim, I home-demoed the Macintosh MHT-300 AV integrated amp, used, available at half MSRP, about the same price as the Sony, new. The Sony won the home demo for sound and features. I ended up buying a second Sony 7000 for the living room.
Another detail I like with the Sony is it is designed to work with your Sony display functioning as the center channel. I assumed this was a gimmick and not good enough for a purist like me — wrong. It works great with my 77” A95L, and I don’t miss the clutter.
The Sony remote is not backlit, which seems mean. Support for multiple subs is not as good as competitors. Neither killed the sale for me.
Interested to hear what you decide.
Nick
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