Aesthetics is a fairly major factor in purchasing decisions, generally, isn’t it?
1 Like
The recent heavy depreciation on the Original Classic line, and seeing quite surprisingly lower used prices for some of the NC range is one of the main reasons why I decided sell all my Naim kit. Plus, more importantly, not buy into any more Naim equipment, deciding to look elsewhere outside of the fold. It really is disappointing as I’ve had Naim boxes for almost thirty years now. I just don’t really feel inspired by where the company are heading under the current ownership.
For ref, I was making enquiries with dealers for deals on an ex dem NDX2 and Supernait 3 at there start of the year.
For the digital side of things, I’m going to stick with a BS Node 130, and use that with an external DAC, and perhaps look at their recently launched Icon in time, as the BluOS is a superb interface and utterly rock solid and reliable.
Instead of heavily loading the digital front end, I’m now going to upgrade the turntable and sick with a modest integrated amp - the classic old school vinyl source first approach, and may even buy a CD player - pass the smelling salts!
Edit: I do hope there’s an inspired new Supernait on the horizon though, oh, and that doesn’t cost 8-10K !
2 Likes
Good point Underdog64. It seems Naim have changed to White for just the sake of a change. The Green Led display was a lot more alluring and gained an iconic status (dare I say!). As to whether the sales of the recent components with White LED have decreased is possible but perhaps to a lesser extent. Why Naim have chosen White is an absolute mystery; this reminds me of the Coca Cola incident which happened many moons ago when the owners wanted to stop production of the original Coca Cola flavour (which the recipe is still shrouded in secret…) the reaction and possible extreme drop of sales made them do a very swift Uturn…! Ofcourse in the Coca cola scenario the change would of been financial suicide to compare to Naim would be if Naim dropped the PRAT in the presentaion of sound…
2 Likes
Secondhand hi-fi prices have generally fallen recently and some Naim kit are more than average. I think though that once the release of new products recedes classic kit prices will recover. At the moment it is definitely a buyer’s market for those buying older kit.
1 Like
It is still a supply and demand issue. The used market decides the selling value. I do not know all of what is at work here and why those models may lose more than others. It could be just now there are more than usual available as it is the people who have them are upgrading to the new expensive models and/or there is a move away from having lots of Naim boxes and want a simpler setup and/or for another reason they are less desirable.
I would say NAP 300 DR depending on age, service condition and visual condition is between £2500-4500 with some variation above and below but getting top value is getting harder I think. This is true for Naim dealers and private sales.
However, as I have said before it is far too simple and often wrong to think of used values as a certain percentage of new price.
Nap 250 DR amps are definitely holding their price better. The NAP 250 DR is about £1500-3000.
For my own taste I would rather have the NAP250 DR but as far as bargains are concerned a used NAP300 for around £2500 looks interesting.
I admire your optimism Paul, but i’m not so sure. This downward spiral of OC value has been going on for a while, and was happening before NC. Perhaps the secondhand market has now decided the true worth of the OC range, buyers realising that there are better value options out there.
Nice to see the values of Olive and CB amps relatively stable though, and that’s where id be looking to buy. Should never have sold my 52 / 135s (stupid boy).
1 Like
I think we are seeing the aforementioned impact of the release of the new range, coupled with an economic downturn.
It is possible that people who can comfortably afford to buy into the new range, during this economic downturn, are likely to already own higher end components, such as the 252 and 300. This has littered the market with more 252’s and 300’s than other lower models.
Consequently, high supply has lowered their values.
The 250 has managed to evade this impact, although also becoming much more available now (s/h) it is a more popular purchase choice or cost balance choice, for many people looking to upgrade.
So the supply increase hasn’t quite outstripped the increasing demand.
In other words it manages a better balancing act with the supply/demand.
Just a casual observation from one who knows little about such things!!!
2 Likes
I agree. Bear in mind the market for hi fi component boxes costing several £000s and making up a £20k+ overall system is VERY small, so several used 252 or 300 boxes coming on the market will quickly saturate. I spent 10 years with a Devialet 250 and decided to come back to Naim. My Devialet had depreciated from my ex-dem price of £8500 to £1500 over that decade (again a new model in between). I bought a light used/ ex dem NC system (332/300/250) for about twice what a used OC equivalent (252/SCDR/300DR) would likely be (£12,500 v £5-6000). I like the NC, I like the sound, I like the looks and ease of use. No plans on selling so happy.
Bear in mind that the most recent white logo has been out for 10 years now. And really it’s just a return to colour that Naim used up until 1988 (and the original logo saw a return too this year with the NAIT50).
But let’s not forget that Paul had some previous form, remember the change to blue (on boxes, stationary, advertising etc…) when he took over? I seem to recall that when he was asked why, he felt that a change would be a good thing.
4 Likes
Never let the facts get in the way of a good moan. 
3 Likes
I hear you, nevertheless the Green colour leaves a different impression in comparison to White or Blue…
Yep, looks out of place in most living rooms.
Roger
We’ve wholeheartedly embraced the white look. Three Qbs around the house and for the main system this, possibly the best looking box that Naim have ever made.
6 Likes
Are you a renaissance man by any chance 
I don’t think we saw that type of devaluation with the Olive range, at least not the mainstay pieces.
Don’t forget, there has been an element of white illumination featured on the 552 remote since 2002.
Perhaps the move to white logos has been an evolution, rather than a revolution.
Personally, I prefer my 6 boxes of greenery but if a pair of 350s appealed soundwise; well, never say never.
Cheers,
Ian
2 Likes
To be fair, there are many examples of building a brand identity and value over a few decades. This sort of thing, after all, keeps many lawyers in work, suing over perceived infringements.
There are also many examples of a company opting to destroy that brand identity voluntarily, often to ‘modernise’ the brand. A well-known example for many here may be BA’s decision to stop having the Union Flag on the tails of their aeroplanes, or Rolls Royce dispensing with the Spirit of Ecstasy on their bonnets. Of course, in the latter case, you can give them even more money to get it back again.
In an ideal world, Naim would do the same. After all, there are probably more people who buy Naim boxes and would like a colour match with existing kit than there are buyers for whom it is important to avoid a colour match with existing kit or who find Green loathsome.
I live in (modest) hope that Naim will offer an exorbitantly priced conversion for white-light boxes like my Core. More likely, they won’t, but will watch as some third party maker offers just that.
Otoh, it may be that Naim wishes to help support second-hand prices by designing things so that exiting Naim users are incentivised never to buy new boxes again simply on aesthetic grounds, which seems noble of them.
3 Likes
