Naim Chrome Bumper

[rsch]

Hi juliushui,
Welcome to the forum, very nice combo indeed! It looks like new. What Is Linn 834P?
Is there still a Naim agent in your country ?

[Richard.Dane]

Julius, if you like the old mains cables then look out for the ones that used Pirelli cable - you can see the Pirelli name moulded into it. They were particularly good and, IIRC, a local supplier (Southampton?) to Naim.

[juliushui]

Cheers Igel, thanks for the great advice based on your rich experience! I’m out of the town now but I will defo try to reposition the 3 pieces tomorrow! Sadly flats here are usually tiny, will try my best to squeeze some good places.

Btw would you mind to recommend a good isolating platform for the set?

Julius

[Igel]

The most important thing is to move the Nac 32 ,seems to be space for it between the Nap 250 and the LP12

[juliushui]

Hi rsch, thanks for the comments!

I think it’s a golden combo owned by many, and so no one talked about how they sound. As new convert I think they are good entry point, with the sweet, warm and weighty Naim sound (getting better and better with warming up) while retain some hifi elements. The A5 too me sound a bit too smooth. I bought 7M K20 as Richard recommended, I hope it would sound even better!

Sorry it was a typo – should be EAR 834P. I had 1 Mullard MC1, 2 Mullard long plate in it, but it doesn’t sound as nice with the 322/4 phono cards, speaking of a coherent sound.

I’m based in Hong Kong. We got 1 dealer/agent here, but they are quite new – they don’t even know there was chrome bumper series in Naim’s history. Honestly I’m not confident to get them service my precious at all.

I hope Naim would eventually accept overseas service request somehow (but I know it’s difficult from lot of aspects )

[juliushui]

Hi Richard! wow thanks a lot for the suggestion, it’s my first time hear it! I’ll try to get 2 of them! I’m really love the good old Naim/British sound

[Murmur]

@juliushui

Hi Murmur, I would love to write you a big thank you as I learnt a lot from your listening journey toward your ultimate sound! (I read all 2000 replies of this thread before any shoppings, and love your series of opinions regarding sound coherency, also big thanks to Richard, Neil and all forum members in this thread)

You’re welcome and I’m really pleased that they were helpful. Finding someone who experiences music in a very similar way has made a lot of difference to me, helping me realise I’m not going mad after all

@juliushui

The last owner gifted me all the original cards in the set included NA322/4! I was lucky then

And OK let me get them serviced! I believed in your experience as I know what’s the sound you look for. May need to ask helps in the UK as the only dealer here got 0 experience in servicing vintage Naim gears as far as I was told…

Perhaps contact the Naim Support desk to find out how best to proceed. I seem to recall that you can load a NAC 32.5 with two sets of phono cards and the service charge will remain the same, in case you have a spare pair.

@juliushui

Sure my Kans seemed sound right but cosmetically poor, I look for another pair for comparision! (Probably got much better budget after selling the Falcon 3/5a)

Perhaps your fellow audiophile with the BD250 will let you briefly test your Kans on his system to check them?

@juliushui

Ah Ok! Thanks for the great tips! I will source the stuff
At the moment I’m using 3 wood blocks put under the LP12, stand on a isoacoustics platform. The isocoustics pucks also put under the set of CB.
Do you recommend the LP12 goes back to pre-cirkus (with cirkus at the moment) in terms of coherency? I also got a G-707 on hands…

I’ve not tried 3 wood blocks so it might actually be an improvement, but I doubt it since Linn tried so many things back then. The Lack is quite wide/deep so may not work for you with limited space. I’ve not had much success with wall shelves but might be worth trying one in your case.

I do prefer in-period bearings and use a late 80s black liner on my '89-spec deck. The previous white liner bearing is also very musical, albeit slightly softer sounding. The Cirkus can work very well in the right system and I use one in my 2002-spec deck with Linn system of similar period. If you enjoy what you have then I wouldn’t worry. If you do change it then I recommend you do it in isolation, otherwise you won’t understand the pro’s and con’s. Like all Hi-Fi, you will probably find some tracks better with pre-Cirkus (more fun, more boogie) and some tracks worse (less tuneful, less melodic). It just depends on the type of music and what’s more important to each song. If I’m playing a Police track then pre-Cirkus every time. If I’m playing something with a strong leading melody and less emphasis on rhythm then Id probably prefer the Cirkus. To me, Hi-Fi is just one big compromise and all I can do is try to tailor it to my needs. Wasn’t keen on Karousel in a vintage Linn/Naim system either.

What cartridge do you use? This has been the biggest challenge for me using vintage Linn/Naim.

Also, do you use a Valhalla or Lingo and, if so, has it been serviced?

[rsch]

For the record, i’ m about to swap a Sondek/Akito/Adikt/Lingo2 i bought early this year, for a Nac62/Hc/160 or 250 CB. Then, i’ll revamp my Rega P324 with a new arm and ND5 or 7 cart.

[Bluesfan]

@juliushui

I hope Naim would eventually accept overseas service request somehow

Naim Service Dept will do a superb job of servicing your classic Naim amplifier.

There is another equally good option here in the UK and that is Class A Audio in Sheffield, UK. If you do an internet search for Class A Audio Naim, then it should appear for you.
Class A is a Naim authorised service agent and is very familiar with your boxes.
From my experience of using both Naim and Class A, Class A is half the cost and much, much faster.

What I cannot comment on are the customs clearances that you may need these days between Hong Kong and the UK, whichever option you choose.

On Monday, our NAP140 is going to Class A for its next service.

Hope this helps, BF

[Ian2001]

Nice to see the CB on a nice rack

[Bandit]

Thank you Ian

[Ian2001]

I don’t often get the “Green eyed god” on this forum but your NAT 02 and Bandit’s system I will make exceptions

[juliushui]

Murmur, thanks a lot for all of your tips! as a newcomer I feel thankful to learn from you all’s first hand experience, it’s perfect warm-welcoming and once agaim the Naim forum is a great knowledge base of anything about Naim. Cheers!

@Murmur

You’re welcome and I’m really pleased that they were helpful. Finding someone who experiences music in a very similar way has made a lot of difference to me, helping me realise I’m not going mad after all

For certain you are not the only one. In reality I’m a designer, while in this field it’s perfectly normal for people aimed for their best works. I think speaking of this hobby it’s great part of the fun – everyone is looking for their own best sound!

@Murmur

Perhaps contact the Naim Support desk to find out how best to proceed. I seem to recall that you can load a NAC 32.5 with two sets of phono cards and the service charge will remain the same, in case you have a spare pair.

Will do so. I came so far for the Naim sound – not interest to make it sound like any other hifi system. Otherwise there are lot of better hifi sound out there isn’t it.

@Murmur

I’ve not tried 3 wood blocks so it might actually be an improvement, but I doubt it since Linn tried so many things back then. The Lack is quite wide/deep so may not work for you with limited space. I’ve not had much success with wall shelves but might be worth trying one in your case.

Would rubber replacement feet working in the similar way? The genuine feet simply not exist!

@Murmur

I do prefer in-period bearings and use a late 80s black liner on my '89-spec deck. The previous white liner bearing is also very musical, albeit slightly softer sounding. The Cirkus can work very well in the right system and I use one in my 2002-spec deck with Linn system of similar period. If you enjoy what you have then I wouldn’t worry. If you do change it then I recommend you do it in isolation, otherwise you won’t understand the pro’s and con’s. Like all Hi-Fi, you will probably find some tracks better with pre-Cirkus (more fun, more boogie) and some tracks worse (less tuneful, less melodic). It just depends on the type of music and what’s more important to each song. If I’m playing a Police track then pre-Cirkus every time. If I’m playing something with a strong leading melody and less emphasis on rhythm then Id probably prefer the Cirkus. To me, Hi-Fi is just one big compromise and all I can do is try to tailor it to my needs. Wasn’t keen on Karousel in a vintage Linn/Naim system either.

This is great tip. Then I’ll stay with the setup first. If I find any kind of quality that I crave for more, I’ll make change to the system. Now as you said, it’s a great 80s Naim/Linn system now!

@Murmur

What cartridge do you use? This has been the biggest challenge for me using vintage Linn/Naim.

Personally it was a very interesting part of the journey. I bought mine from a local Linn enthusiast here – he bought and repaired vintage LP12 as his hobby. Interestingly all his LP12 are equipped with the Basik LV-V, as from his POV it’s the most musical but also cheapest tonearm. Iitok/ikos to him is too refined, a bit too flat and modern to him, without the excitement of vinyl. While to many these sound more rightz

It was sounded great at him home, authentic 80s sound with a Denon 301. But after I picked it home and put on my Nagaoka MP-200, it just sounded ‘misaligned’ as the Nagaoka is too modern sounding, even my MP-110 seemed so. I was so disappointed at that time and thought I may got cheated. Now you know why it got so many bad reviews.

But then I put on a Grace F-9E, wow it was crazy – big sound, full and warm midrange, punchy bass, 3d soundstage (was using Accuphase so it was part of the feature), great high. Just like having a nice valve phonostage. That’s magic when vintage tonearm (even it had a bad name) goes right with vintage carts. Very rewarding. And in history Grace was great partner with Linn too.

I highly recommend you look for Grace F-9, or F-8 (it’s the same F-9 sound but without the 3d
soundstage but much cheaper, goes well with Grace G-707 tonearm) and go along with a Basik LV-V (it’s a Jelco arm indeed), built is mediocre but sound really good. Or those Supex carts are great as well

@Murmur

Also, do you use a Valhalla or Lingo and, if so, has it been serviced?

I use Mose (outboard Hercules), I think the drive is slightly stronger than Lingo. I used Hercules before but it just too noisy. Mose was recommended by the seller as well.

[MaxBertola]

@rsch

For the record, i’ m about to swap a Sondek/Akito/Adikt/Lingo2 i bought early this year, for a Nac62/Hc/160 or 250 CB.

And I will buy them from you when you get tired of them for my IBLs!

[rsch]

[Martin.M]

Hi @rsch, I have my 32.5/HC/160 with my late 70’s LP12 and I am very happy with it. It just seems to gel so well together.

Recently, as I have a DV 20X2L cartridge, I added a DV P75 phono stage (a used mk3) and oh my, what an improvement! Maybe the boards in my 32.5 need serviced or something but the difference is startling, or maybe it’s just the synergy and compatibility with the P75. Either way I am delighted

[Leggit]

Class A only provide service work to customers in the UK, not abroad.

[Bluesfan]

That’s good to know. A shame though, as Darran provides an outstanding service.

Best regards, BF

[rsch]

Hi Martin, i also owned a few Sondeks 30+ years ago, the last i soldi in '99 was Cirkus/Ekos/Arkiv/Lingo. It was feeding 42.5/HC/140/Kan and later Nait 3. I liked these system a lot. The last one i bought this year with Kore sub. Akito Adikt/Lingo 2 has been pretty underwhelming. After a few weeks i consigned It at my Naim dealer Suono & Comunicazione, who, in the 80s built and sold tons of Sondeks and he got pretty much the same impression, prefering a humblier Rega. He also tried It with Better phono stage than my Stageline

[Martin.M]

That’s interesting to know. Regas are great turntables, that is no doubt. But I am staying with my LP12, I’m too connected to it!