And some of that super expensive kit sound downright terrible.
A few times been listening to “out of this world expensive” setup and so pleased coming home to my own.
But there’s a market out there for such things.
The good thing it could help companies staying in business.
I can only agree. I’ve listen to 100’000€ systems that sounded worse, to me, than a Brio MK7 + 5000 series by Q Acoustics. I was shocked, really. I should thank these comparisons because, as it happened to you, I also came back home pleased with my system (even though I’m always willing to improve things here and there if possibile).
That’s a different target from ours and it’s totally fine that both exist. What’s worrying is that gear in the middle is sort of disappearing. Think about the 202 / 200 DR. Now you need to pay double the price if you want separates and it’s neither good nor sensible. It’s a pity IMO that @Maury_Finkle wants to replace them. I love the Brio and IO, but the there’s no comparison with that combo. However as long as he’s happy, it’s great.
Agree, easy to get good result whilst designed to attract newcomers. For the same reason it hits the ceiling so soon that leave you want for more.
I love my Brio, and thinking an Elex would give more but it just different. A demo of Elicit is even worse. I heard Aethos is a Brio with muscle but I obviously lost the interest and moved on.
But just saying, Naim IME is another story. Nait is great, but better amps are better. Top amps are defo all-rounded – speed, bodies, muscle, prat, grip, warmth etc everything. Can’t see myself downgrading.
Sorry; those were two slightly disconnected thoughts or conversations from me - I am indeed thinking about replacing the 200/202 but with a SN3/XS3/N50. The io / Brio experiment is exactly that, a low-cost VFM experiment to try out some Rega amplification, DAC, onboard phono stage, and pair it up with my P3.
I don’t think a € 500/900 all in one will better a 200/202 w a phono stage, but do think it will outclass my 60s-era Pioneer receiver.
Will know once I get my hands on one 
Yep, the new Naim Classic boxes are very expensive.
With the recent discontinue of all Naits, makes it more difficult to attract new customer base unless of course buying a Muso.
The method to buy second hand Naim kit, could be a solution for some, an arkward method for newcomers and not really benefit Naim with new sales.
Hey, I thought mentions of the N50 were verboten here 
.
I have to agree, you can really feel the Naim amp hierarchy IME. If you are lucky to get a good one, I would find it hard to downgrade as well.
No worries @Maury_Finkle, now it’s clear. The old 202/200 is IMO on pair with the SN3. If you consider the 202/200DR the difference is instead pretty clear to me, especially if you add a FC or HC. On the other hand I’d say the N50 is a different (and great) experience.
The IO / Brio would be a little great experiment, no doubt. I would really consider them for a small second system. Hopefully you’ll get one sooner or later, good luck!
That’s true. If you know what you are doing and find good s/h gear, it could be a fantastic bargain. Surely Naim won’t benefit from that so I hope sooner or later there will be something like a SN4 and more affordable separates as well.
Any comments on what speakers would be worth auditioning with a Brio? I am thinking of Spendor A1 ? Probably the same if I for an Atom
I’ve tried the Q-Acoustics 5040 with the Brio MK7, great combo IMO. Big and wide sound. I can’t suggest other brands as I have not tried any,
Thank you
best wishes
Ian
I think Naim do very well from the second hand market. A lot of Naim sales come from Naim customers upsizing and these days frequently downsizing .
Also a degree of work comes from ongoing refurbishment . Funnily enough I was recently looking at a Nait 2 as an alternative to a Brio , first job would be to have it serviced
As it has done for decades.
I agree Naim benefit from service their old kit.
What they need is to release these days, are entry level products, apart from Muso & install Ci102 there’s none.
Naim Nait 5Si, XS3, SN3, all were high sellers me think, all are gone.
Ignoring Uniti’s, next up is 332/250 if you want a new amplifier.
I’ve read Naim second hand prices increase, pretty good verdict of the situation as of now.
Let’s see if in 10 years, Rega is the new Naim.
They’ve got a lineup that can hook’em young and early. And when they get more dough, well…
And they have end-game pre/power to make room for such customers.
In fact they have a crazy wide range of kit, six integrated amplifiers below their pre/power.
Yes, there is a clear delineation between the two in some ways , but in others Rega are catching Naim up
I am looking for a second system (if and when I move) (I would prefer root canal work without anaesthetic as an easier alternative ) and a Rega Brio, with BluSound Node, a CI102 or an Atom are the stand out options. Funds will dictate
They just need to get on the streaming boat.
Yes. Or Naim finally gives us that shoebox streamer. One can hope.
Rega are cleaning up the open goal that Naim are no longer keeping. Namely entry level. New 100 series would be a smart move. After all in marketing terms Rega are turntables. Naim are the rest.
Completely agree - we were having a similar conversation in another thread (below)
Competition with a range of very cheap Chinese boxes would be a challenge, even for Rega.
They might have something on test bench, I guess software could be reason they don’t proceed.
And as long as turntables are selling like hotcakes it seems, and a massive range of cartridges and integrated amps fill up factory, are there room for more ?