Naim Chrome Bumper

I’ve been there and dropped off 3 Naim boxes for service and collected them at the end of my holiday :slight_smile:

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You probably mean Archidee which was Italian. Alan Gibb (now The Chord Company) owned Audiotech. The Archidee was a copy of the Audiotech with less cross members and was slightly higher.

No, Archidee was the other Company of Mr. Simone Grassulini for Naim distribution when in '93 they split and he did the Archidee One.
These are the originals from Audiotech Italy


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They also have this couple of Naits on restoration

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Interesting. Thanks for clarifying. So, how was the Antonio Trebbi Audiotech connected to Alan Gibb, or wasn’t it?

I don’t know this, i’ ll let you know next week

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Hi Team CB, just come back for updates of my 32.5/HC/250 with everyone’s help last month.

Sound quality of the first month is a bit difficult to stand. But since 2 weeks ago, the set is getting better and better sounding, and now I love that – it’s 95% of the Naim sound I was in love.

A few key parts I made last month:

  1. Threw away all modern isolation in the whole signal path. I thought did actually at the beginning, but just forgot I placed 3 pieces of Isoacoustics Oreas under my Hercules Mose.

  2. The 322 boards need K9/Adikt/AT carts to sound right – learnt from everyone’s suggestions and the Stageline post. With K9 I achieved the dark, earthy, meaty and boogie sound people love since 80s. One just couldn’t see it by the brand and specs. It’s the synergy by design.

  3. Grey Snaic 5 and the DIN-XLR. So I bought lot of genuine cables last month only for experiment. With old Grey Snaic (with white band not green)+latching Din-Xlr I achieve the ‘boogie’, with Black Snaic+Preh Din-Xlr it’s of course everything sounds more modern and right, but the boogie factor lost apparently. I bought a latching grey Snaic as well, let see what happens next.

  4. Keep the set turns on. Not sure if it only happens to newly serviced machine, but the harshness just gone if keep it turning on, the bass response is amazing.

the above observations could be wrong due to my lack of experience, but definitely put in quite some time for testing.

FWIW I bought a Ittok, Karma, pre-Cirkus and would be installed tomorrow. Very excited.

Special thanks to Richard @Murmur and lot of very experienced Naimees’ help!

And 2 questions to experienced members:

  1. Were the 321/5 boards the last version of 321, were they part of standard of a late 32.5? Or 72? I got 321/4 at the moment;

  2. Would Scanspeak Kan MK1 sounds meatier than a Hiquphon Kan with CB250? Still interested in pair of Scanspeak Kan.

Cheers and thanks in advance!
Julius

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I would do one change at a time otherwise you will not really learn anything. For example, the Ittok might be very good and the Karma poor. You won’t know this if doing both at the same time.

And, you’re very welcome - glad to have helped.

As you probably know, Linn made many revisions to the Kan 1. I think you just need to buy a few pairs and try them. They can vary quite a lot, but is this by design or age/usage? For example, direct sunlight can degrade the drive units. If one other both surrounds are slightly split then they will not sound very good but perhaps not sound really bad either. It’s a minefield. Unless you’re getting a light touch refurb then just buy several pairs and keep the ones you like the most.

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Thanks a lot for the super quick reply!
OK – I’ll see if the technician got extra time tomorrow. Could I see pre-Cirkus+Ittok as a bundled update? I have Cirkus+Basik LVV, I’m thinking if it’s similar sounding (of course the Ittok would be better in other parts)

Yes I bought a pair with a cracked B110, very disappointed and loss of money, not easy to get them sold at my side. Still want to try out if it sounds better/interestingly different from a Hiquphon! Many thanks for the advices!

I wouldn’t get hung up on the tweeter. As mentioned on the other forum, the Kan designer couldn’t hear any difference at the time so folks could be attributing a preference to the tweeter when it’s one of several other design changes made over time.

Ideally, just do one thing at a time. How are you gonna really understand the impact of the Cirkus vs pre-Cirkus bearing otherwise? This knowledge may come in very useful later.

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Ah right, many sorry I came to a bold claim without more deep-in researching. Will ask the admin if they could delete the post as it’s mis-leading. As you said it seems the larger factor lead to difference of sound would be how it was treated in last 40 years. Thanks now I fully understand your advices!

Sure I talk to technicians for the arrangement!

No need to apologise - it’s all good! :slight_smile:

It’s probably worth your while trying at least one more earlier pair.

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Did you compare the Adikt cart. with something like Rega Exact? I have both on Sondek/Akito and Rega P3 24 respectevely, and i seems to prefer the Rega, with more dynamics and timing

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Yes Antonio and Alan are definetely friends





Collection day yesterday in Pisa of 62/90.
Not yet connected though, i also forgot the BNC adapter.
I spent pretty much the whole day with Antonio at his new HQ Music For Life and his home listening his fantastic systems with Sondeks and ATC speaker and listening fascinating anedocts of his career, including the very start of his Linn & Naim Adventure, his Consulting work with the audio, home and pro industry.
The use for example of the ATC woofer on Dibbies Is due to him

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We started with this little systems with a Little system with Sondek, the new M2 Tech integrated built by a local company, where he did consulting work. It’ s a 60+60 w into 8 ohms and 250w total on 4 ohm. Loudspeakers ATC SCM 11 still this one very impressive alteady

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Later we moved with the other with a Chord pre/power combo into passive into ATC SCM 50 passive, and moreover his home system with top spec LP 12 with Ektatik Linn streamer and pre. into active SCM 50 which was a sort of audio bliss. Either with hi res. streaming via Qobuz and more so with vinyls, for the mental dynamics, clarity, bass control. All’ the above without any fatigue and strain.


This one was a record we played, a very used copy on audio shows, part of his immens collection of records and with huge musicality

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It’s been a few days since I restore my LP12
to a mid-80s spec (waiting for the feet still). While the Ittok took a bit of effort to setup right, the sound is hugely rewarding – exactly like what I had expected.

Warm, full, mellowed, funky – pre-Cirkus+Ittok+Karma’s fat but tight bass reponse is ultimately addictive. It’s completely different to my understanding of MC carts.

I’m truly happy how the system sounds with lot of 1st press of old albums – those used to sound bad with my previous modern system.

The 250 seemed also got its final parts run-in and sounds amazing, the system even sounds much better even with my Dac. I only keep my 32.5/HC turns on, within half an hour the 250 starts to sing.

My quest of a chrome bumper comes a 100% satisfaction and I could really enjoy music for years to come.

I’m using serviced 323S/5 boards at the moment. K boards definitely sounds more neutral and transparent tho

Cheers for the helps again!

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Looking good and glad to hear you’re enjoying it so much.

Is the Karma untouched or rebuilt? If untouched then curious what your plan is over time?

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Try to avoid BNC adapters,they are no good for the sound.

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