Naim Chrome Bumper

a close call, but I do slightly prefer the Nait 1 sound

thanks Richard

thanks, agree - they are beautiful and sound amazing

thank you

Richard,

Are the earlier versions with red LEDs and smooth knobs preferable to the later versions with green LEDs and ridged knobs?

Very good question snarfy

I’m not sure there is a definitive answer to this as it might vary model to model, Richard no doubt will give his thoughts and wisdom on this one

I had a nait 1 with red LED and still have the nait 2 with the green LED. I prefer the nait 2. And will depend on servicing etc etc

Somewhere on the net there is a great review from the owner (I think owner) of Tom Tom Audio where he reviews the nait 1, nait 2 and nait 3. Great review and he summarises that he was torn between the nait 2 and nait 3

The nait 2 is a great piece of kit , I run it with nSats and love it

Probably haven’t answered your query directly though , maybe the ones with the green LED’s being slightly later, might be a bit more refined

Cheers

Bevo

I like either. But the red LED and smooth knob version came first, so has some significance.

Hi Richard

Do you know when they introduced the contoured control knob?

At a guess, sometime around '85 or '86?

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The 42 & 110 had the ‘contoured’ so-called ‘Tractor Wheel’ large size controls. Mine bought in 1982 had these.

When I bought a SNAPS in 1984, it came with the ‘smooth’ 32 type, but a 42-style Tractor Wheel was fitted by my dealer.

The large tractor wheel, as used in the NAC42 etc… arrived in '79.

The small ridged style knob arrived with the NAC32.5, although I believe it differs slightly with the fixing of the NAIT.

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Yes, the Nait is a push on (D post) and the 32.5 has a grub screw (O post), as I found out recently.

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Great news - I have reclaimed my CB gear from Harry’s museum display cabinet in his wonderful store

(1) NAT01/NAPST - missed it immensely - although don’t have premium aerial it still sounds great

(2) NAC 32.5/HICAP/250 - will interchange this with the NAIT 2 on the nSATS, looking forward to that. Harry says I may still prefer the NAIT 2 perhaps ???

Happy happy

Pete - still a few CB dregs left for you :smiley:

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That’s very temping I’m in Sydney later this week and will definitely stick my head in behind the counter. I love going to Harrys it’s like a grownups toy shop. The only problem I have is I don’t have any real source now everything is digital.

Just reeving you up

In your shoes I wouldn’t worry about the CB stuff - keep your monies and save for 273 :smiley:and neat speakers

Kiwi winding up an Aussie, unheard of. :rofl::rofl:

Usually other way around :crazy_face:

Hello Richard

You would be aware that quite often the logo on the chrome bumper products can turn an orange sort of colour over time I guess as a result of internal heat

Replacement facia’s can be obtained albeit not from Naim direct I would think

However is it a difficult process to remove the old facia and replace with a new one ? Is it a wise thing to do or just leave all as is ?

Advice greatly appreciated Richard

Regards

Bevan

Around '85 the material for the facias changed and as the polycarbonate(?) aged the silver logo would start to brown to more of a gold colour.

Last time I checked Naim did have some fascias available for amps and power supplies to replace damaged fascias (the old fascias can turn brittle too) at the time of a service. These were made by Darran at Class A with Naim’s approval.

There are also fascias available online from unauthorised sources. Note that these do not have Naim approval and infringe on Naim’s trademark.

The fascias are stuck to the front of the tray. IIRC, it’s usually safest to just stick the new one over the old. However, as I’ve never done this myself and just left it to those better able, I would defer to either Naim @NeilS or Darran @Darran for further advice here.

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The large amp ones are a bit more involved to replace as it sits behind the mains switch bezel.
I wouldn’t recommend sticking over the top really, seems a bit bodgy!
The old brittle ones are a bit of a nightmare to remove, warming with a heat gun & plenty of alcohol to remove the glue is the key.

Regards
Neil.

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That would be alchol for the poor person removing the fragile facia…rather than the glue!

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Thanks Neil and @Richard.Dane - as per usual I’ll have a chat to Harry my Naim dealer.

I think I know what he might say - “get over it son”

Cheers

I mentioned on another thread that the 32.5/CB160 sounded a bit overly stop/starty with late Kan 1s for some reason. 42.5/110 is much more balanced / normal sounding with the Kan 1s. Anyway, I just got some Saras for the first time (which I love) and they are similar to Briks in that they seem to soak up this over the top nature of the CB160. They sound really well balanced in fact.

Suppose I’m just struck by the importance of system matching and not jumping to conclusions based on one setup. Any of this stuff can sound great or rubbish depending upon what you mix it with, and even gear from back in the day that you’d expect to be the perfect match can be a bit off.

Have a good Friday Team CB!

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