New from Naim – Solstice Special Edition turntable

[pslosarc]

@anon4489532

This, to me, is a truly lovely turntable, the Rega Naiad, the design of which is behind the 8 and 10. It’s far more exclusive than the Naim, with only around 30 sold so far. It’s a totally opposite design approach to the heavyweight Naim. But it’s high tech and modern, addressing the view of some that the Linn looks dated, and it’s suitably expensive to counter the rather snooty opinion that Rega is akin to Omega whereas Naim is more like Rolex.

I wonder if you were to replace the soft feet on the P10 with aftermarket spikes similar to those seen on the Naiad, would that get you closer to Rega utopia for a fraction of the price of a Naiad?

[YetiZone]

Blimey - who used ALL the chrome? SME did!

[billywindsock]

Not a fan of that look. It is heading towards oil rig dimensions.
Also, this popcorn is delicious.

[Richard.Dane]

On the RP10, Rega offered alternative metal feet as an option.

[frenchrooster]

We agree to disagree. Vive la différence !

[frenchrooster]

looks like something a nouveau riche Russian oligarch or a Miami coke baron would buy.

For that one , yes.

[Cymbiosis]

@OliveAmps

Hi Peter,

Do you envision any major issues if the Phono Stage and PSU are placed under the TT rather than off to the side?

Thank you for the excellent photos, I just love the outside of your shop!

Cheers

Aric

Thank you and no for the phono stage but as for all Naim equipment I’d prefer to position the PS further away, preferably in the Brawn stack

[Bart]

@Blackbird

I believe if cutting that huge platter in half the Solstice would look more in balance and I’m pretty sure it wouldn’t sacrifice sound quality

The review published by Soundstage in the UK states, “Apparently, the engineers experimented with thinner platters, but they couldn’t achieve the optimum flywheel effect they needed to create that ideal solid sound.” Not sure what the underlying facts are, but “apparently” they have some basis for writing this.

[steviebee]

Dear. God. In. Heaven…

Another hideous turntable. Where on Earth…or more to the point, who…buys these awful looking things?

[Bart]

That Soundstage review also describes the “plastic” as, “It is covered with the same dense acrylic used in the Statement amp.”

[Cymbiosis]

@Bart

“Apparently, the engineers experimented with thinner platters, but they couldn’t achieve the optimum flywheel effect they needed to create that ideal solid sound.”

Yes that’s what I was told too and certainly from what I saw, the engineers left no stone unturned. Basically, the fingerprints of Roy George and Steve Sells are all over the Solstice.
Even the new Aro has a decoupled plug!

[Gazza]

And long may it be so……it’s part of the Naim magic.

[Antz]

There is plenty of that for sure

[Cymbiosis]

@Gazza

And long may it be so……it’s part of the Naim magic.

Yes true, this Aro arm really is magic. It’s very serious indeed!

[Suedkiez]

@pslosarc

I wonder if you were to replace the soft feet on the P10 with aftermarket spikes similar to those seen on the Naiad, would that get you closer to Rega utopia for a fraction of the price of a Naiad?

And Rega would never notice? Seems unlikely

[MattCray]

@Cymbiosis

Basically, the fingerprints of Roy George and Steve Sells are all over the Solstice.

Fingerprints are probably my only qualm!

[Cymbiosis]

@MattCray

Fingerprints are probably my only qualm!

I’m sure you’ll have your dabs all over one soon!
In the meantime I’m signing off now for this evening and I hope everyone liked the pics - Who would not want one of these?

[ChrisBell]

Somehow I missed the Soundstage review. Here it is for anyone else who missed it:

Naim Solstice Turntable - Our listening session | Soundstage

[YetiZone]

Even Liberace would think that was excessive!

[pslosarc]

@Richard.Dane

On the RP10, Rega offered alternative metal feet as an option.

Did you try them or consider them, Richard?