Where is naim’s heartland?

This is nonsense, what on earth is the Muso?

2 Likes

I’ve always seen Naim as being very progressive. Not only embracing emerging technologies but also totally inventing new technologies - with other brands following on the band wagon.

Really in what way? What technologies have they developed? As I can’t think of any, but could be wrong.

2 Likes

I think their ideas on isolation from airborne vibration have been pretty radical. From suspended copper boards, cd mechs and interconnects. Yes, seen on suspended record players but not amplifiers as far as I know. I expect a few more ideas in Statement too.

1 Like

The Naim system I started off with at 27 (a young professional at the time) was a DAC V1 and NAP 100. It seemed like the most modern and exciting product out there for the price. Now almost ten years later, the DAC V1 slots into a system driven by a Nait 50. But I was only able to afford (justify) the Nait 50 when the price came down!

3 Likes

Inventing new technologies was the statement, this is what I questioned.

Using say suspension, etc is nothing new, loads do it and have been doing so for a very long time, also in amps, cd players, etc. Plus naim certainly didn’t invent it

1 Like

Hmm…. :weary_face: What happened here. We haven’t got further?

I sense your moral indignation, but it does seem to be a trend on social media - showcasing hi-fi like B&O that is undeniably stylish and also simple mostly Japanese vinyl replay systems. I make no moral judgement on it, but clearly these women think their posts which are audio-centric are attracting attention with a sizeable audience or presumably they wouldn’t bother.

So are they making audio aspirational? They’re certainly setting a very atmospheric and stylish mood around music replay. The traditional image of hi-fi has always been of middle aged men probably in rooms that aren’t terribly aesthetically pleasing and it would seem that these women are changing that image - which is why I thought it worth commenting on.

Perhaps they’re exactly what audio needs actually. Perhaps somebody needs to make it enticing and dare I say aspirational and glamorous if it is to attract a younger audience?

I would argue that B&O are hugely important here - they above everyone else made high-end hi-fi incredibly chic and alluring and I don’t mind admitting I still find myself drooling over certain pieces of B&O equipment because it is just so cool! I’m amazed frankly that they pretty much had that whole aesthetic to themselves over the years - I certainly haven’t seen any other brands attempting what they did…

JonathanG

7 Likes

Leaving aside the continued strong sales of detached houses, in Britain at least modern houses are obliged to meet a minimum level of sound reduction between adjoining homes. They have less sound transmission than many a Victorian terraced house (at least as thise are after more than a century of mortar deterioration, or 1930s semis, or 1950s/60s blocks of flats.

3 Likes

Well a CI102 is well under €2k, has Class D amplification and includes a streamer. OK, not made in China but otherwise fits the bill?

Roger

5 Likes

A sensible addition to this thread..
Most aspirational luxury products appeal to those who own their own property.
Certainly a big dedicated listining room with dedicated mains is a mere misty fantasy for the average young aspirational renting Audiophile.

Actually I believe the CI102 is made in China.

1 Like

Same reason they buy turntables en masse even though they also have Spotify

1 Like

Yes, designed in Salisbury but assembled in China - a similar arrangement to the Mu-So.

2 Likes

I stand corrected, not that my knowledge to this item is high.

No correction required, you know more than you think!

Contrary to some, I think multi box separates are still selling, it’s just that people aren’t buying them from Naim or a few other previously popular brands in that, as ever was, niche segment.

Receivers always outsold big systems buy a massive margin. And as soon as the lifestyle market was created by B&O and Bose, those always sold even better. That’s not a recent development.

The market for audio in general shrunk somewhat because the number of non audio focused devices that provide sufficient audio for the masses has increased. By that I mean people who listen on their phones or laptops. Prior to those devices existing, they would have to buy something dedicated. Now, the entry level consumer might just buy cheap active speakers as an upgrade to their laptop speaker.

Naim not being able to sell more affordable pre and power amps or separates in the Uniti price territory is not the same as there not being a market for such things. People have largely put 2 and 2 together and got 5. The reality is that some market exists and Naim may have lost their share for such things to other players on the field.

And now, with no offerings in that area, that isn’t likely to change. After all, you can’t win if you don’t play.

5 Likes

The acquisition of a N50 was a lucky stroke for me due to heavy discounting and subsequent drop of residual value. I am perhaps one of few here that likely not will be able to afford any new Naim products in the future. Glad I got this one though having not owned any in the past.

It’s ok not to be cheap as a brand but I still secretly hope a matching streamer for less than £1500 will appear … .

5 Likes

:laughing: LOL

I thought the Naim XS3 had been discontinued. I see it is still on the web site and you can still buy one new. Have they just stopped making this fine amplifier?