New Naim & Focal what?

I very much doubt that any new units will be in stock, so fast. Perhaps demo models, of a few …?

As I mix Olive with Black, and it works, I don’t think the new stuff will be a problem.
But… YMMV… :astonished:

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Well I’m not staying up.

So the 1000 series are their in-wall/in-ceiling speakers. Was it @JonathanG who wanted an Atmos range, looks like the “new products from Naim Audio” might be exactly that.

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The expression “welcome to a new era” signals to me this is the introduction of “new classic” so new look/design casework for your 282/250/300 etc.

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Naim is posting about the 4th of January.

Wondering what may or not arrive. Hopefully, I will be happy even if my savings account isn’t.

Here in Sydney, 4th January is in one hour and twenty minutes from now…

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Is it UK time?!

Very interesting times indeed! Honestly, if it’s not about active speaker, I expect a matching power amp (new 250?) as well. If I look at specific dealers selling a lot of their gear; NAP300DR, NAP250DR, also XPS-DR and Hi-Cap …

Eventually all boxes will come in the new design and likely some hw/sw updates to them too as when moving from Olive to Classic. My guess is that first out is a 272 successor, a PS to partner it with and the 250 in new clothing and DRII.

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With the various ‘leaks’ it’s reasonably clear what will be coming, but I’m still looking forward to seeing the new range and what Naim have done differently on the internals – particularly with the ‘new classic’ digital board and new Burndy connectivity.

I’m not the target market for a Naim streamer anymore unfortunately, but have an eye still on the new amplification options.

Roll on the 4th….

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A new streamer/dac/preamp is a good move … hopefully with a full analogue volume control, headphone amp, and phono board …

The 300DR is (IMHO) among the best power amps ever made for the money … very strange to see it discontinued …

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We ‘know’ from the leaks, that there are 2 new streaming products expected (a Streamer and a Streamer/Pre, I believe).

The Solstice electronics suggest new PS’s are a clear possibility, with new connection systems.

As to DR2… :thinking:

I would disagree. While I have no love of marketing, I see it as a necessary evil. It doesn’t matter if your product is absolutely the best in the world, it won’t do very well if few people know about it. Word of mouth will get you some way, but not really very far.
It would be interesting to know what would happen if there were TV adverts of the ‘lifestyle’ variety showing well-known people with a Naim system, perhaps. 99% of people in Britain have never heard of Naim, I would guess. Maybe more, but not a lot more. Increase that percentage, and sales will increase.

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You have a breakdown of Naim’s profit generation profile - per product? With Muso at the top?

Well - sort of your decision and choice. But marketing people are well versed and practised in the manipulation of your decisions and choices - it’s what they do, their raison d’être. They sail as far from the truth as they think they can get away with.

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I find that I am immune to marketing these days due to my cynical nature. Of course it does work with many many people. I consider it similar to hypnotism.

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Just out of idle curiosity, are any of you actually interested in buying the new range? Will you mix ranges? Will you go for total replacement? Are you more excited about the prospect of a better VFM used market, to upgrade your Classic kit?

For me, I am curious about the new stuff, but will definitely be sticking with my vintage Olive era kit. Sorry marketing men, I am not the consumer you are looking for!

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The new designs are pretty divisive. You either love the look or you hate it.

Unfortunately, I really do not get on with the new look at all. And while sound quality is most important, the tactile and visual experience is all part of a whole and I don’t think I can cope with the new design. On the plus side, it is very far away from what you would call timeless. Very much a product of “now”. In 10 years, it will look very dated and I expect we’ll see another aesthetic emerge quite quickly.

I’d not go quite as far as to say “never”, but the pics I’ve seen are not something I’d consider. I’d need a lot of convincing to give them a chance. But how much of that sentiment is the looks and how much the price (my planned move to 500 series evaporated two price hikes ago) I can’t really say.

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My wife assures me that neither am I…

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Interesting. To me, looks are not particularly important. I like that understate looks of all the Naim gear (as opposed to the steam punk looks of some other manufacturers). But I don’t really interact much with the physical kit - I use the Naim app, and a remote control. Indeed the NAP500 is hidden behind a wooden panel, and I could happily do the same with the power supplies.

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