I have just seen a pair of Naim Credos with Naim cable (don’t know which) for sale locally.
I cannot put these near a wall, they will be about 2 feet from a four feet high “wall” of furniture. Behind this is a window. The setup is in my 10’6" x 10’ library with books on the other three walls.
I am currently listening to Spendor BC1s connected to Nap150 and NAC112x with Flatcap, source is CD5i (not italic). Cables are Ixos 606 Pakora.
Would I see any benefit from the Credos? What do I need to look out for with these speakers?
I guess you need to check the integrity of the boxes and the drivers. Also that they fit together nice and level with the spacers intact. Check the adjustable feet too. The cable will be NACA5 or 4. The 5 would be more likely as contemporary with the speaker.
Hard to say how they will differ from your Spendors as I dont know them, and it is ages since I had Credos. They were the first Naim speaker I owned. I think they are a bit less critical of placement than SBL etc, although wall proximity is definitely better. As I remember they don’t image especially well (not really a Naim speaker characteristic) but they are pretty good all rounders. A 150 will drive them fine. I’d prefer a pair of SBLs any day, but they really do need wall placement.
I guess it may be a case of trying them, and selling on if they don’t suit.
Bruce
Hi Bruce,
Thanks for the help. I’m not sure I will be able to hear them first so I may pass. However they are £150 which seemed low for Naim - even if it is old. They are presumably from the late 1970s? Maybe worth a punt?
Nowhere near that old. 1996-2002. If you have the s/n you can get an exact year from Naim. They do seem a bit cheap but aren’t the most highly regarded or valued s/h. Decent but not spectacular would be my rather brief review, they haven’t reached the classic status of the DBL/SBL/SL2 etc
Bruce
If you do investigate these further, check that they have the “pips”. 3 little plastic do-dads that the woofer box sits on when placed on the floor standing cabinet. 6 required in total.
I had Intros and Credos, back in the day, and I remember them being pretty transparent and flexible about placement. I’ve not listened to Spendor speakers and based on reputation alone, Credos will likely present very differently. Definely listen first.
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Well… I bought them and I am listening to them now. I traded in some bookshelf speakers and other items and this nearly halved the price. The shop owner was pleased to see them go as he cannot sell “large” speakers in his market. They came with the essential 6 “pips” which I understand are rather pricey. Would changing the separation with thicker/thinner “pips” change the bass characteristics?
They strike me as competent but are more happy with female vocals (at the moment Joan Baez). I am not sure if they rock yet (King Crimson, Yes, Genesis etc).
They are not ideally positioned being about 5 feet apart and 5 feet away from listening position, toe-in to face a degree or two inside the “triangle”. Behind them is a “wall” of larger, standmount speakers and on the outside edge is a pair of standmount speakers.
Anyway, I am happy that I now have an all-Naim system (NAC 112X, NAP 150, NACD 5i, Flatcap 2 and Stageline). But I will not be buying the turntable I’m afraid. At present a Project with Ortophon 5E.
Any positive comments?
I always found Credos to work best in the straight ahead position.
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Guinnless.
Thanks for the input, I’ll change the orientation and try them later.
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Quite possibly. I’d stick with the originals.
Did you get the Naim speaker cables too? They should help, especially with the Naim SA8 plugs soldered at each end. Your amplifier will thank you and give its best.
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Christopher-M
Thanks for the advice. I got the cables, which have the Naim plug at one end but banana type plugs at the other. I have connected the special Naim plugs to the amplifier and the separate plugs to the speakers. Is this the recommended way to do it?
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Sounds like your having fun
Do share a photo or two, if you get a chance.
Happy listening
R
Hi, That’s what I would have done too.
The Naim cables are ribbed on one side. Worth checking that the Credos are in phase.
How do the Credos sound compared with the BC1s? I imagine a lot more dynamic.
C.
Ratrat:
Oh yes! I’ll take a photo soon and let you all see the mess.
Christopher-M:
They are definately in phase as I can hear the vocals in the centre of the speakers. The Credos seem more emphatic in the mid to upper region but then, the Spendors are from the mid 70s and are very well run in, whereas the Credos have only just arrived. They already sound more “relaxed” than when first connected. I’m going to enjoy this: let me dig out some more challenging tracks and report back.
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Won’t reveal their bass potential until up against a solid wall … but will reward future source upgrades more than most. Cable should be marked indicating recommended directionality (if you believe in this) … why not compare each direction just for fun.
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The specific gap between the boxes is very much part of the design. I suppose no harm experimenting but I would keep the proper pip spacers myself.
If you can’t get them close to a wall at least check they are properly spiked and stable. Not doing so will effect bass quality. A nice old 250 chrome bumper or even a 180 would really work nicely in your system and give you more bass control and overall quality. Not much outlay and easy to sell on.
Fun isn’t it. Naim speakers of that era end to be fast and lively rather then have great imaging or indeed bass extension. Once you get the habit you may not go back.
Bruce
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Lovely speakers. Enjoy!
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They are rather engaging aren’t they?
So far today they have performed Spyglass Guest by Dave Greenslade and now Leftism by Leftfield.
Female vocals seem a little “up front” and can be fatiguing but instrument based CDs are more listenable for long periods.
I haven’t yet performed an A/B comparison of the Naims versus the Spendor BC1s.
As long as it keeps raining and windy I can get away with listening to my CD collection.
Oh! I haven’t tried any records yet!
NAC A5 with SA 8 plugs at both ends. Expertly and perfectly soldered. Every single joint honed-in to absolute perfection. No cut backs. Boom!
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You say that but if you did, I think you would find those female vocals suddenly got a lot less tiring.
Hmmmm… Let me think about that. There is another room…
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