Hi all, need some help understanding whether a dealer is just trying to upsell me, or there is an issue with Naim that I should be taking into consideration as I look to upgrade my current system – a NAP200, NAC202, NDX, a HiCap, CD5si with ProAc D38 speakers. Most were purchased around 2006. I have been contemplating an upgrade for a few years and decided to get serious about it this year with a view of purchasing the NSS333, NAC332, NPX300 (x2), NAP350 potentially matched with Sonus Faber Serafino speakers. I was also looking to add a turntable (and rescue my record collection from storage – where it has been since 1996!). Booked an appointment with a dealer (who I won’t name). Arrived and was welcomed immediately with “I have set up the Naim system” but also taken the liberty of setting up something I think you will like better (it was a Soulution 331 Integrated AMP and WADAX Studio Player/DAC). We started with the NAIM and immediately, I felt disappointed with what I heard. We tried different tracks and sources (my Tidal, their streaming service, vinyl). The dealer then immediately went to “Naim is no longer what it was, products made in Czech Rep, owned by PE, etc.” He then said, let’s try the Soulution/WADAX set up (started with the 331 and then hooked up the 5 series). That sounded great (of course), both with the Serafino’s but particularly with a pair of Wilson Watt/Puppy Speakers. Anyone have any insights with respect to what I experienced? Is it a dealer who has a beef with NAIM? I am going to do another demo with another dealer (had demo’d the upgraded 200 and 300 DR series just before COVID and was very impressed, but then went into cash conservation mode when COVID hit). That dealer has moved, but will make the journey to their new location to do a re-test (unfortunately, they don’t carry Sonus Faber). I love listening to music and believe I have a very good ear, but am not an engineer and very much a layman when it comes to discussing (or understanding) the details of why something sounds great (or not so great). Any insights appreciated! Thank you in advance.
I had a similar experience, and went elsewhere.
Shopping for turntables. It was a reconnaissance to setup a full demo later. Said I’d like to listen to x,y,Z. The dealer wanted to sell me x, there was an impression he was biased against y and z, the demo wouldn’t have been fair. Definitely you want to buy x. I went along with it, and arranged the full demo for a week later. He never contacted me to confirm.
A dealer trying to sell me a product that i am not interested in. Keep pushing and pushing and very reluctant to demo the product i am interested in. .and eventually he told me higher profit for him for the pushed product. I never went back to him anymore .
You wont go wrong w the new NC 300 , at least not for for me .
If you’re looking to spend that kind of money then I think it wise to explore alternatives. Naim has become very expensive and there are many very credible alternatives, the sound/functionality of which you may prefer.
Of course, if you want only to consider Naim (for any number of valid reasons) then you should make that clear to a dealer and that you want to experience potential different solutions. These solutions need to be different combinations of Naim kit.
This stood out to me. Whilst I don’t apologise for Naim on topics like their awful website, this is just not true. The use of a Slovakian sub contractor to carry out some assembly work on the New Classic series when they were first released, is well documented on this forum. That an official dealer (I’m assuming they’re official) got that wrong suggests to me at least that their heart isn’t in it. That would at the very least ring alarm bells for me. I dislike being mislead like that and personally would walk away; I couldn’t then be sure they’d set things up with equal care and attention. I’d want a fair playing field when choosing new hifi equipment, particularly when the list price is that of a new car.
There is nothing wrong with hearing other options when spending that sort of money, and there is no shortage of choices. However, this sounds very suspect.
I have tended to lean toward olive Naim gear over the first iteration or two of Old Classic boxes. However, the setup you are considering was played to a panel at Naim HQ recently. They are of course incentivised to make things sound great - and they did. Opinions started at “fantastic” and went up from there.
If I were spending that money, I’d start at s/h or ex-dem 500 series boxes for a very similar total cost. However, for new kit in that price range, I’d certainly want to hear 300 series somewhere else.
It may be that Naim stuff is just not to your taste in the way that it once was, but imho that is the least likely explanation here.
As you are going to potentially spend £80,000 it makes enormous sense to try alternatives. I wouldn’t set myself on six boxes of Naim and the Serafinos. What’s causing you to alight on them?
While it’s a bit off for the dealer to diss Naim in that way, they do make some valid points and Naim really isn’t the same company it was when you bought your system in 2006. The Soulution is on the face of it a great product and I can see why many would prefer one sleek box to four boxes of Naim.
I’d keep an open mind and shop around. Quite a few Forum members are choosing Linn streamers with the Naim 350s and I’d certainly give that a listen. All dealers have their funny ways and you need to find someone that you feel you gel with, even if it means travelling a bit. Grahams in north London have always had a good reputation and may be worth trying. Maybe you have already.
I use a couple of different dealers, according to what they stock.
If you are after a good Naim demo with Sonus speakers, not far north of London is Hi Fi Lounge, who have a dedicated Naim demo room.
Speak to Paul and you will be well looked after; he likes his music and will always try and ensure you are choosing what suits you and your budget.
I posted a thread about their 300 series demo day.
Hope that helps.
Am only keen to demo the Wadax but I do not have it in my area. 
while I am selecting my upgrading source .
On what basis do you say HH that Naim isn’t the company that it was in 2006
That’s quite an offensive statement I must say
+1 for Grahams as one of the best dealers around - most of my stuff came from there, starting well before the move to Canonbury Yard. However, they are not there any more- now in New Barnet.
May I ask , in UK , any dealers can carry naim? Or it must be AD( authorised dealer)?
It’s not remotely offensive, simply a statement of fact. Anyone who has owned Naim for as long as I have will be aware of the differences.
The new Naim products have a different sound signature compared to the older series, maybe thats what you find underwhelming. The new series is more detailed, but to me does not convey the emotion of a recording…….something lacking for me?
Another option would be to upgrade to a better old series with second hand purchases……552/500……252/300 etc.
I’ve owned Naim gear longer than you so for me the company has changed and moved on with the times to survive
It’s as good as it use to be in the so called good ol days
In fact some of the new gear is simply fantastic
10-20 years from now, it’s good old days 
It’s the xenophobic vibes I don’t like. True or not, why does it matter?
I’d drop the dealer for that reason alone.
I find your response very odd. Whilst I have been a Naim owner for only part of the time between then and now, I had great respect for JV and Naim origins, and still have for all I hear about Naim technical side. But the company has patently changed hugely from joining Focal and then the Vervent ownership, and IIUC Naim managed from France. These are simple facts, and with senior management now non-British and based in France IIUC they are huge changes to the company. And there have been visible changes beyond that, whether or not a direct consequence of the ownership and management changes: nothing to do with the products, but look at the website issues, the disastrous new site launched a year ago, still not fully corrected a year later, or look at the supply and service issues reported by your compatriots over the past several years. I don’t understand why you feel offended for someone to point out that things are now different from how they were?
I take your points onboard IB
I’m not seeing an issue here really, You have a big budget and the dealer sensibly suggested an alternative, which in your own assessment was much better. You didn’t like the full 300 series, well okay, it supposedly has a different presentation than your existing system. If you want to stay with Naim, you might want to look at used or discontinued classic items (a 252/300 would be a great upgrade if new discontinued stock can be found at a good price). Otherwise enjoy finding an alternative more to your liking.