I guess many folk on this forum, while Naim lovers, will have accreted various pieces of non-Naim equipment over the decades, perhaps no longer used. Which brand. For me, aged 70 and four decades into hi-fi, it turns out to be Meridian (CD players, all unused) and Audiolab (M-DAC, and the first DAC I ever bought, Audiolab 8000 DAC not used), and their 9000 CDT transport), But I’ve got nothing but Naim on the amplification side. Just in case it’s interesting xx
Whoops. Also Linn of course (my generation) xx
I have some celestial curiousness that your Meridians and Audiolabs remain unused?
Why buy Meridian CD players and not use them? Am I missing something?
The Meridians are a 506, a G07 and a G08. The 506 skips, doesn’t track well, it’s not needed. The G07 is used in a way. It’s connected through a Naim combination into Stax Lambda headphones. But I rarely use it. The G08 just doesn’t work smoothly. And I have no lack of alternatives.
Audiolab is more involved. My 8000 DAC is just for nostalia, the first I ever bought back in 1991 (?). The M-DAC is used, feeding Sennheiser headphones from an ATC CD player. The Audiolab 9000 CDT is used every day, with a Chord Qutest.
I don’t mean to give the wrong impression - my house is neglected and decayed xx
I have a Naim Unitiqute 2 in preamp feeding Beloab 6000 active speakers as my main listening setup. Surprisingly works really well and convenient. Currently use a Nuforce DAC 80 as a preamp and Nap 155xs and Linn Kans in my shed/studio. Kans may be a bit shouty for desktop use, but haven’t decided yet
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Also have a PS Audio Sprout that I haven’t decide what to do with yet. I swapped a sick Nait 2 for the Spout from with a local dealer. Nice amp though.
You should see the vaults in Asgaard; piled high with midgaardian hifi!
I had a G08 back in the day.. great sounding player!
While interesting I suspect the question is possibly too inclusive to be meaningful. The vast majority of those on the forum have non Naim bits in various quantities.
Perhaps the OP can narrow the scope a bit?
Probably 90% of the system pics thread includes other brands. … And that thread has pictures.
Many of us realise there is a wider world of hifi out there both contemporary and vintage. That would extend to even the site moderator who seems to have a museum of gear.
Far from being provincial and Naimy, the forum is increasingly a destination for all civil (relatively speaking) discussions of hifi.
I don’t have any non-Naim components in my system, unless you include that fact that I often use my Samsung TV STB as a source via a Chord Toslink cable.
I no longer have any Naim equipment. But I like the conversations and I’ve managed to learn stuff and I hope I’ve been able to contribute ![]()
Anyone owns an original Aura VA-40? (not the latest Japanese model, but that’s what drew my attention)
Think it was born as a British brand in 1989, minimal circuit design, got a direct sound like Naim. Bought later by B&W and sold to new Japanese owner lately.
I only have the little Nait. All my other stuff is from different Brands; Audiolab, Chord, Arcam, WiiM, Technics.
Did you ever hear the G07? That’s pretty wonderful too xx
I was thinking ‘major items’ (turntables, CD transports/DACs, even cassette players). Naim amplification all the way, and loudspeakers do, I agree, introduce another level of variance). My question basically mirrors the equipment I’ve accreted since over 45 years. I started with (and have remained with) Naim amps. First upgrade turntable was an LP 12. I had a couple of Nakamichi cassette decks (one still functional). When CD arrived I went for a Cambridge A&R transport with Audiolab DAC. Burglars stole the transport (only), and then the move to Merdian. And then to all sorts of later CD players/DACs. I’m indulgent, and it’s all a freebie to someone else eventually. Thanks for your interest xx
- Still have my first A&R A60 (black ash DIN)
- TEAC power amp
- TEAC streaming preamp
- TEAC turntable
- TEAC badged TASCAM ADC recorder
- Luxman CD player
- Luxman integrated amp
- Technics turntable
- Omega speakers
- PMC speakers
- Qacoustics speakers
I won’t even go into the AV systems.
And yes a full rack of 8 Naim boxes in addition to all that.
Items like that have real nostalgic value, don’t they? Pre-Naim I had an A&R A60 too, a lovely thing. Also I’d forgotten that my big step up re turntables, pre-Sondek, was a Heybrook TT2. I loved that deck xx
Since I discovered bought my first Naim system new 22 years ago, I have tried components from DCS, Auralic, Harbeth, and other brands, but none of them stayed and I always kept with an all-Naim system.
IIRC they didn’t last all that long.
