System woes

What kind of interconct are you using

Truth be told I seriously considered changing during the first issue I had which took from September 2019 to July 2020 to resolve. My dealer and I took steps to address the problem in late 2019 and thought it was resolved but the issue returned during lockdown when neither Naim or my dealer were open. It was super frustrating but once resolved the system sounded better than ever and I knew more about properly setting up a Naim system than I ever did. I would have jumped ship but the wife talked me out of it.
However it was just over a year before the next problem started in October last year. Hopefully getting the 252 sorted will resolve things. That means itā€™s been six months since it sounded right and I fear that rather than enjoy the music Iā€™d just be waiting for it to all go wrong again.

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Hi

I use Audiomica red rca and they are something very special and made all the difference between my components! Even on the phono stage! They cost a little over Ā£500 but there worth it!

While I get the sentiment, thereā€™s no guarantee that an integrated changes any of this. Itā€™s still essentially the same parts, just in one box. If it sounds off, you still have to send it back. If it still sounds off after it comes back, itā€™s the exact same situation

As a thought the customer service is only as good as your dealer of which I am extremely lucky! Buying through a dealer is essential I wouldnā€™t buy even 2nd hand as you really donā€™t know what your going to get! Specially Naim as they can be hit or miss! So my amp although built like a rolls Royce from Japan might still go wrong but my dealer will always look after me!

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I have to agree given I swapped 3 boxes naim for a an accuphase amp and was astonished as it sounded better was not expecting that! Built to a high standard and have the same reputation as Naim for quality and been going even longer! Still canā€™t get my head around the 1970 meters but I switch them off! :wink:

Rega seems a one off these days. It is 100% owned by Roy Gandy. He is not your usual owner. Despite record profit after tax of Ā£4m for the last financial year and cash surplus rising from Ā£6.8m to Ā£10.0m Mr Gandy took a modest salary of Ā£35k, Ā£1k uplift from the previous year and he took a dividend of Ā£10k after no dividends for a few years. On the other hand R&D expenditure increased from Ā£488k to Ā£577k.

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Steve,

Iā€™ve been in that sort of situation myself and it certainly can be very frustrating and wearing. What should be a source of enjoyment in your life becomes a source of continual worry and dissatisfaction. If I might make a suggestion. You seem unsure of exactly how to proceed, which is understandable. You are frustrated and fed up - and that is hardly the best mood in which to embark on a new equipment purchase. Act in haste, repent at leisure and all that. Once you have your 252 sorted forget it and see how things go. Maybe all will be well. If it isnā€™t and further problems emerge then call time on it and make the plunge for a change then. The only trouble with this approach is that you will need to resolve the problems before you can move the kit on. Itā€™s a tricky one.

To be perfectly honest if it was me I think I would just jump ship whilst things are in your favour. It all depends on your personal resolve and how much you value the Naim sound. One thing I do know is that if somethingā€™s making your life miserable then you are better off without it. Hope it works out for you in the end.

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Marki,

Yes having a good dealer makes a world of difference. I was very lucky when I had my Naim kit as my dealer was exceptionally helpful. And yes there is life after Naim, just not as we know it Jim. Seriously though Iā€™ve been thrilled with my Sim Audio Moon amp. Itā€™s a different presentation to Naim but no less involving. No regrets here.

Once the 252 comes back then every box will have been deemed to be in perfect working order by Naim so I can move it on with a clear conscience should I choose.
I want to be at or near to the level Iā€™m at now if I make a switch, which is looking ever more likely. Iā€™ve seen far too many posts about box failures to add to my own personal issues to be fully confident in Naim. I know other brands will fail but Iā€™d feel happy about having Brystonā€™s 20 year warranty, itā€™s a real sign of confidence in their product.
And a different presentation might be what I need in order for me to stop listening whether the kit is doing what it should and get back to listening to the music.
I ran a Class A Musical Fidelity A100 for years without ever tinkering or upgrading and really enjoyed that amp - it was my first ā€œrealā€ piece of hifi. I only changed that because it kept overheating and blowing.
Iā€™ve enjoyed Naim but I know I can enjoy other brands too.

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The Osiris has a really different presentation to Naim - although am comparing a 282/300. Itā€™s very refined in comparison. Hugely powerful but it is delicate. I find it less forward.

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Also the reds for the speakers?

Delicacy and more refined is probably how Iā€™d describe a 252 against a 282.

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I agree on that. And Accuphase is even more different vs Naim, trying to imitate tubes sound without really achieving it. But I understand it may please some.

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Have u listened to one recently? With the right speakers they can sound quite Naim like.

I did audition both Accuphase and Luxman. Initially I went for the Hegel 590 as this was ā€˜closestā€™ to that Naim pace, but I couldnā€™t get on with the bass which I found a bit flabby. I did try for 6 months or so. Itā€™s a great amp and the DAC is really excellent even via USB. The Osiris struck the right balance. However, I do miss the visceral presentation and somewhat darker propulsion if that makes any sense. But ultimately itā€™s about what fits in with the listeners needs at the time. I found myself turning the Naim system up a bit too high all the time and family were getting a bit fed up.

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True, but it beats sending four boxes back to try and solve a single issue.

Can go either way :slight_smile:

No I already had true signal cables but I would have tried them if I had not had mine!

Thanks.