Why not maybe just test the market - retro styling idea - with 500 limited SE production run.
Haha
Why not maybe just test the market - retro styling idea - with 500 limited SE production run.
Haha
I’m not quite sure of the NAIT3 / NAC92/NAP90 genesis story. The internal layout of the NAIT is very clearly separate pre and power boards, put in the same box with connecting wires (that you could cut if you added a separate PS). The SN3 is a single board, so lots of work to separate the functions I guess.
Still, this is all hypothetical, right?
Yep
It’s a wish list
Although, if we want to make it easier for Naim to realise these wishes, no harm in dwelling on sub systems and bits of items that are already out there. Quite often, a new product is actually just a reconfiguration of existing proven modules.
To illustrate, it wouldn’t be too difficult for Naim to create a great USB DAC, call it DAC V2… (updated and much improved version of DAC V1). Maybe take the headphone amp out and concentrate on killer USB DAC that competes with likes of Qutest and others.
A pair of Matt-Black n-STANDs…and some Natural Ash n-SATs
Add a digitally controlled analogue volume control to the ND5XS2 to make it a 272 replacement for those with no direct analogue input needs.
I quite like this idea too. If you check out Heed, they have this approach and a design philosophy similar to Naim with options for additional power supplies. They also have a shoe box power amp and mono-blocks for more juice. I use their headphone amp with a shoe box power supply. I was looking at their top 4 shoe box amp set up - pre/power supply/mono blocks, but alas, a nice second hand 252 presented itself and here we are,
There is something about a half size - shoe size - audio product, with a balanced and ergonomic front panel, maybe two control knobs, symmetrically placed.
Like the Heed Thesis Lamda (pre-amp), or the Obelisk SI (integrated).
The brand is familiar. (I seem to remember coming across their phono stages at some point in my hifi journey)
Nice spot
Have you had a chance to hear their products?
For now, I’m loving the “new to me” NAC72, serviced by Class A last year and good as new. (With matching shoe boxes, olive HiCap and NAP140. Also, fully serviced)
I’ve heard the Lagrange integrated amp which is similar to the SN3. I liked it very much, very clean and open presentation. As I already had a SN2, this was just a listen out of interested. When I was planning to go separates, buying new, the plan was to go for the Lamba range with the mono blocks with my NDX2/XPS DR. I wanted to compare that against a 282/250, which wasn’t possible for a demo. Then when the used 252 came up, that was the cheapest option, so I ended up with that along with a new 250.
That’s the thing…
All things being considered, consumers (mostly) stick with a brand and product they know and trust.
I guess most of us on this forum, have a considerable investment in the Naim brand - planned system upgrade journeys, experience of set-up, relationships with a local dealer, detailed knowledge of the product, including “naim lore”, etc, etc.
It’s a big step to start another journey with another brand. Although, it happens.
It would be lovely if Naim produced such products instead. That would be perfect
We can but wish…
Let’s hope that Naim do review these threads and discuss some of the better ideas in house. I think a lot of people here express the wish to reduce the footprint of the classic series either by less boxes or shoe box size. If you could fit 6 shoe box size units onto three shelves with shorter neater connectors and still maintain Naim prat then I think it would be a winner allowing for a much neater integration into the house. Given how the Uniti and Muso has been developed very successfully must show that Naim realise the wish by the public for smaller integrated units yet still giving a premium sound and are prepared to pay a premium price for that.
Never been a fan of Russel K speakers…using no damping within rectilinear cabinets is not a recipe for linear response…
Yeah…the format and design of the original Naim Nait always struck me as beautifully formed…
if Naim could make say a 50 to 75w version it would sell… It is so iconic and practical… Vereker…was a genius designer.
I belief it would be good for Naim to try to get the performance of the 500 series closer to statement, in that sense they would hit two objectives. They would have a path for people with 500 series systems for which statement is too far away, while still delivering stepwise improvements which matter…, without now again adding so many boxes…
Ideas would be:
You have a very good point…I have thought of the following…
552 with ladder volume control and improved
burndies…I dont believe there is anything wrong with the circuitry…it is already that good. With clever design this could all be retro fittable giving an upgrade path to say NAC 555 status…
500 with dual power supplies…this has been tried before but I belive this needs further development to really get the max performance from the 500…thIs could be the Nap600 or Nap555 and could be an upgrade path from 500.
At the other end of the spectrum the 272 needs to be updated and it would be lovely to see a retro Nait 01 … anniversary edition…of some description…
Finally a really top flight headphone amplifier
I’d like a damn good portable hi res player with an app that could work with Apple CarPlay. Also a Uniti size AV amp.
I agree with this, as the standard burndies are a weak point in the system.
Mike do not think Naim need any more excuses to value add.
There’s already so many options to upgrade from cables to racks and everything in between.
Well, I’m buying LPs and I still buy CDs, so I wish Naim to produce a shoebox sized CD transport, the same form factor as the Atom HE. So, it would look good next to the Atom and feed the Atom.
I’m not interested in the Core.
Edit: Of course a Naim stand alone DAC ,this would allow me to use the CD transport into my SN3.
And finally, seeing that Naim have a renewed love for vinyl, how about extending this love to cassette tape? A Naim cassette tape deck. Apparently there’s a resurgence in sales of prerecorded cassette tapes. I’m in or would be if a Naim machine was in the offering.
I know it’s a fantasy list.
Haven’t you just invented the Star?
Roger
Have I?