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.
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
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.
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:
Like Chord now did offer better burndies than the standard burndies as upgrade path.
A 666PS, which would be allowing to even go more clean on that front
A 662 as I would argue that that’s in full build out 500 systems the limitation is, seeing also the stories of forumnites which have taken the step of just getting the S1, would also create a nice market for people who always wanted to step up from 252 and 282 to 552
A separate monster DAC - while I don’t belief so much in again increasing the box count, also not sure to what extend it could improve further on the already great ND555, but could be a nice offer for NDX owners as well.
A decision to continue the solstice as a non limited product or extending that range. Even while I am not having Vinyl, it got me very interested - and would give an opportunity for people to have a different sound signature than the ND555 in their system, and also ensuring a better use of the pre-amp, as only one source otherwise.
Would suggest a Headphone Edition Extreme which enables people to get a private listening experience onto 500 series level.
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
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.
I think the Solstice looks amazing and Naim should formalize it by making it a standing item. There is plenty of demand. They should also come out with a second packging…drop the phono stage and cartridge. This packaging would only include the turnable, power supply, and tonearm. The purchaser of this packaging would be someone who wants to replace their existing turntable and already has cartridge preference and associated phono amp. This will be perfect for many of us with Naim using Linn, Dyna, or Lyra cartridges into existing Naim phono stages.
