True, but an example of “here’s a great system, but sorry, you can’t buy that unit any more” is not a good look, especially at a “showcase” marketing event.
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Ah thank you. I thought it was 3/4 width but I can see now it’s only half. Makes sense.
IIRC:
• 333
• 332
• 250
• Core
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I re-joined the room minutes after the start of the changeover. Fink’s ‘Sort of Resolution’ sounded good but wax followed by a Kraftwerk mix collection which I quickly got bored with and left to see and hear other things. I was impressed with the ATC room - some smart looking (and nicely sounding with and without the optional subwoofer) active SCM20s Limited Edition. Sublime mid-range and pretty tuneful extended bass which the subwoofer added weight and extra bass presence but certainly not essential for the extra £7.5k taking the ‘combo’ to £18k. What, if anything, impressed you?
IIRC:
• 333
• 332
• 250
• Core
Unless the bottom octave or so is important to your music enjoyment…
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Thought the Dali room with Projekt turntable and Lyngdorf electronics/streamer was sounding and looking pretty cool… ATC’s special edition blue SCM20’s and sub were stunning to look at although I often think ATC’s sound better in my room than at shows. I thought Quad have done an amazing job with their new electrostatics and 33/303 - they look so darned cool!! Lovely to see the old with the new too… Just wish they were still made in Cambridge! Sonically they’re a bit too smooth sounding for me but undoubtedly great in the right room with the right music…
Rega as ever doing a superb job with affordable equipment playing great records - they epitomise the kind of kit that would appeal to a newcomer to hi-fi spending their first paycheck.
Haven’t had chance to listen to the Naim systems yet - too busy meeting people but that’s on the for agenda today. I must say the orange Focal’s would look stunning in my old bachelor flat on the river in Liverpool!! Of course I would need the panoramic windows, cool scandinavian furniture, soft italian lighting and a beautiful girlfriend in a cool cocktail dress to enjoy them properly!! 
Aah back to reality… Roll on day 2…
JonathanG
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I see there’s still a Core clinging on to the bottom shelf……
ATB,J
That is indeed strange ie. its a discontinued product.
Maybe a new item in old cloth ?
I can’t argue against this
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No it’s a normal core with a hard drive full of massive attack and hugh masakela and fink and all the music they always play; it works, no reason to change it. Same as some people still use an hdx.
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Quite!
Of course it still works and I hope mine will continue to do so for many years. However, manufacturers’ hifi demos are about showing current products and persuading potential customers that their system is the one to buy. As you say, some people still use an HDX, but I’m sure you would be extremely surprised to see one at a Naim public demo. Of course technically there’s only recently been an announcement about the Core’s future and there are still some in stock, so they can be bought, but soon Naim will surely have to find an alternative for demos.
Or have the Core hidden away out of sight.
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Hey,
I had a walk round the show yesterday. I thought it was pretty much a carbon copy of last year. In no particular order…
Focal Diva dem - loud, harsh, and loud! 2 minutes and left. And the team couldn’t answer a few technical questions I had about 222 vs 333/332.
PMC Prophecy reveal - a really cool demo of the new ATL design.
Chord Electronics headphone stand - lovely staff and great SQ.
ATC SCM20ASL with Sub was good, but again to loud.
Harbeth - had a lovely conversation with Alan Shaw about his bell wire speaker cable…… he told me he had had show guests ‘educating’ him on how cables work… Importantly, the 30.3 sounded wonderful… with the bell wire.
One of the Chord Cables reps couldn’t explain why some cables were priced extortionately. He also got his capacitance / impedance chat a bit upside down……
Mike Lester from Puritan Audio sold me a 2m power lead for half price. Brilliant!
The guy from Isoacoustic was a lovely fella who was really taking the time to talk to people. And unlike a lot of sales reps at the show, wasn’t texting whilst talking.
Daz 
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Is it naim/focal themselves or retailer/distributor?
100% Naim, focal are at the top of the staircase with their headphones.
You might talk to Jason, mark, Henry, I saw a few familiar faces…. a mix of people so depends on who you chat to, obviously Jason and mark can explain everything.
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Ah yes, anyone at the NW Audio Show demo last year might recognise this nonsense. Chord doing a certain amount of almost intentional brand damage by doing exactly the sort of show demo which suggested that the differences between very differently priced products wasn’t that great; was different rather than better and seemed to be founded on the assumption that a complete lack of transparency really ought not be a problem when compounded by a presentation from people who seemed to have little clue what they were talking about.
Did anyone attend those demos and not once think “… but how do I know the difference between this cable and that is not just you switching between MP3 and FLAC via your phone.
I own a Chord DAC and like their customer service but I seriously think they are clueless on basic user interfaces and especially accessibility, and, currently nicely represent the arrogance of the industry in assuming punters really are thick.
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Are you getting your Chords confused?
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Chord with electronics and Chord with the cables are two entirley different companies.
In all ways.
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