My first time hearing of Naim was at Olympia Hi Fi in the 70s.It was a ear opening experience. From memory they used Gale 401s and a Elton John track stuck with me, not heard it sound so good. I went on to buy the wonderful Gale 401s to pair with my various Naim amps and to this day still still Naim , interested to hear other people’s firsts time you got to hear this great brand.
2 Likes
Mine was at a dealer buying my first ‘decent’ HiFi’. Some sort of Nait vs an Audiolab 8000A. I bought the Audiolab.
Later on I heard a 72/140 and was hooked, but my initial exposure wasn’t transformative!
Bruce
1 Like
Mine would have been the classic Linn Naim Entry system in the early 80s, LP12, 42, 110 and a pair of Kan. Can’t remember which show it was at. It wasn’t long until I had this system, though.
2 Likes
1984
I was 16 and enjoying my records on the family National Panasonic SG-5000 music centre.
My Dad comes home one day with an LP12/Ittok/Karma NAC42, NAP 110 and a pair of Heybrook HB3 mk2.
A jaw dropping moment for me and the beginning of the quest to own some Naim kit and an LP12.
The NAC 42 became a 42.5 and was used by me with a NAP 180 several years later. The Naim journey has also included 72, 82 and now 52 into a 250.
The LP12 came into my possession about 30 years ago and is now a bit of a triggers broom with Radikal, ARO, Cirkus and a Dynavector XX2mk2 with only the plinth, top plate and smoked lid remaining.
9 Likes
2026
The 50 is pretty much the first time I’ve properly listened to any Naim other than at shows and a couple of times at my (now closed) dealer in the distant past.
5 Likes
Studio 99 in Fairfax Rd, NW6, around 1986.
Sondek, K9, Nait 2, Royd Edens.
I had taken in my own copy of Roxy’s Avalon
Loved it!
7 Likes
Started out with the SN3 and Hicap in 2023.along with an ND5XS2 and CD5si. By 2025 I moved to 332/333/NC250/NPC300//NVCTT/P10./Spendor D7.2/Luxman CDP. I am hooked. Started with NAD, then Spectral then Ayre then Rega before discovering Naim.
What got me to Naim? A home renovation trashed my Rega system, so I had to start over. I reached out to a former dealer who was able to provide the level of home support that I needed who suggested Naim.
I immediately noticed the PRAT and how the gear came closer to live music.
2 Likes
Spaldings in Croydon, when I heard 72/140 combo, which was so much better than the Musical Fidelity A300(?) amp (150wpc - IIRC) it was up against. My first experience of ‘Naim watts’ being far more powerful than many of the competition. Ordered CD3.5/Flatcap/72/140 + NACA5.
6 Likes
36 years ago i walked into the Pro Musica shop in Chicago and it changed my audio life. Listened to Olive 52/135s through Spendor S100 and Naim SBL speakers for over 2 hours and realized that everything i had read in every audio magazine was just nonsense and Naim had the magic formula to enjoy music with no fuss and no fiddling. A few visits later and the wallet came out. Couldn’t afford the top, but i got the 72/hc/250 with the Spendors and i used that amp combination until Aug of last year when i upgraded the preamp to the 332/npx300/nvc-tt.
It was and is a great ride indeed. Listening to more music than ever now.
6 Likes
I actually first heard Naim amplification in the early 80’s. I had been aware of it and its reputation for years of course, reading hi-fi mags regularly as I did. As soon as I heard it I just knew I had to have it. I had to wait a few more years though before I could actually afford a 42/110. In the meantime I wasn’t exactly slummimg it as I had an A&R A60, which was a lovely amp.
3 Likes
In 1982, at a demo evening hosted by my local dealer. System was 32/SNAPS/250 with Linn Sondek LP12/Ittok/Asak-T and Isobariks. They didn’t run active Isobariks but the demo was an eye opener, or should I say and ear opener. I was a Naim Audio owner shortly after, although it was 42/110 and Kans.
4 Likes
In my case my first experience of Naim was ND5XS in 2013. Sounded similar in character to the Shearne Audio Phase 7 CD player it was replacing, which I had found very good, so it worked for me at the time. I have never yet heard a Naim amp (the one time I had an opportunity, they didn’t have speakers I was familiar with so would have been meaningless, plus the staff were quite disinterested in being helpful.
Interestingly I heard the Gale 401s back in the mid 1970s and didn’t like them. Whilst I remember their appearance it is harder to remember specific reasons for rejection given that it was part of my auditioning of 13 different speakers, but IIRC it was the bottom end let them down.
1 Like
1977 I heard a NAC12/160 and remember thinking this sounds so much better than the Accuphase in the same demo room.
Then in 1982 I bought a 32/SNAPS/250 which became the basis for my current amps.
I actually performed the 32.5 upgrade myself, traded the SNAPS for a HICAP, and then replaced all the 32 cards with 72 cards.
The amps have been recapped twice. over the 44 yrs I’ve continuously used them.
They’re my current 72.5/HC/250 which magnificently drive my ND5xs2/nDAC/PS555DR and Core.
15 Likes
My first listen was in a HiFi store in Tunbridge Wells about 45 years ago, I cannot remember the store’s name nor the exact kit that was being played only that it was an LP12 into some Naim boxes and out to some floor standing speakers.
All I remember was the sound that came out was just awesome and blew my little Rega/Marantz/Wharfdale setup out of the water, I would have bought one there and then unfortunately funds in the bank balance wasn’t sufficient. Took me 40+ years to have the money.
3 Likes
I think it was around 2015, 272 + headphones. I didn’t even like it to be honest and thought it was a waste of money!
Some years later I happened to try the XS2, SN3, etc. and now I even own a full Naim system. It’s funny how things can change!
2 Likes
Love this set up. Might I ask what isolation you have between DAC and ND5XS2?
For me it was 1993. At that time I met a guy who owned a Nait 2, a Rega Planar 3 and some Mission 760se’s on Target stands. Very simple and affordable, but boy o boy…what an eye opener! From that moment on I knew I wanted that small “magic box” myself. A few years later I became the owner of my first Naim amp. (CB Nait 2)
I sold, traded in and bought many, (way too)many gear during the next >30 years, but that first Naim acquaintance was probably the most memorable moment in my Hifi history.
1 Like
For me it was 1982 at age 18 . Venue Russ Andrews Hifi Northumberland St ,Edinburgh .I went to purchase my first “real” hifi . But once there i was taken downstairs to a rock and cement walled room and heard 32 snaps 250 driving Kans ,then the Isobariks . I was blown away . I left the store with Rega Panar 2 (s arm) Nad 3020 and AR18s speakers . It’s what I could afford after saving my paper round money . I shortly after “ upgraded” to a Nait1 then that was it ,the journey began .
3 Likes
All these posts make me sad for not having a Naim system until 2023. Better late then never.
6 Likes
Grahams hifi on pentonville rd. CB nait 2, maranzt (i think) cd player and royd edens i believe.
My second listen was when they moved to new north rd, where i bought nait 2, linn axis and the edens.
1 Like