Mixed systems

Paul !

As I know, Naim work very well with Quad speakers, but I don't believe that it is the same with Quad electronics.

Ozren

Paul

Have you tried Linn?

Hope the new TT delivering

Regards

Mike

On the Yellow Brick Road and happy

quote:

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Originally posted by paul99:
b) A Naim CD player with an otherwise all non-Naim system.

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No problems here Paul. I guess it's easy with a source component because you just keep auditioning until you find the CDP which you like.

My system was 13 years old and running fine. But the CDP went and had to be replaced. I spent a long time listening to all the usual suspects up to £1500 (although I didn't get to hear any Meredians). I wasn't interested in Naim but the dealer was a stockist and at the end of a long and indecisive day plugged a CD5 in. It was a no brainer.

After adding a S/H HiCap and getting the amp serviced (and adding an XPS) I have a new music collection and I hope I'll be set for another 10 years or so. If I need to replace the amp at some stage then Naim boxes will be the most likely candidates. I expect things will be much more complicated when that happens.

quote:

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Originally posted by paul99:
Some advice from the assembled masses of Naim experts:

What experience have people had in mixing Naim equipment with equipment from other manufacturers?

Use of sources or speakers from other suppliers seems common-place, but what about using:

a) A Naim pre-amp with an otherwise all non-Naim system.

b) A Naim CD player with an otherwise all non-Naim system.

In my particular case, by non-Naim, I mean QUAD.

Thanks in advance for any suggestions and comments.

Regards,

Paul.

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People use Naim source with amplification from other brand. The power amplification is the one that people tend to replace when speakers of difficult load are selected (speakers are the most difficult pieces to buy since it seems to me that they are the only pieces that differ from people system).

Look at the "Regarding Chrysalis and Cobra 2 DIN 5 to RCA" thread. Naim sources can work well with other preamps, power amps and speakers, but you have to partner them very carefully indeed.

The choice of interconnects seems to be the issue. Ignore the oft-peddled advice to go with Chrysalis - or if that's too bright/harsh/grainy/bandwidth-limited for you then go for some warm and cuddly tone control i/c.

Mixed systems should be an apolitical labour of love (excuse brutal juxtaposition in this sentence.)



Regards,

Steve.

Thanks for the comments everyone.

Looks like mixing Naim and non-Naim amplification has not been tried and is probably dubious anyway.

A Naim CD player could be a possiblilty.

Mike Lacey:

Hello Mike - The TT is working well. Rather too well perhaps.

I listened to my CD player for the first time in quite a while and was surprised how dull and lifeless it sounded in comparison to the Orbe. When you get used to a particular level of sound quality, anything less, although quite acceptable before, sounds poor.

I don't think I can really consider anything from the Scottish company. Who would want to sell Scottish products to me anyway.

Regards,

Paul.

I've heard of people using naim componenets in a wide variety of different systems. Naim CD players often give a real fillip to a system which doesn't quite boogie. Naim amps often give a real lift too. It is rarer to find Naim speakers in non-Naim systems, although I know of customers runnign SBLs with both Arcam FMJ and Cyrus equipment!

The only slightly difficult combination is a Naim preamp with a non-Naim power amp. For that you need special interconnects but a decent Naim deaqler should be able to sort that out for you without too much trouble.

As to interconnects in non-Naim systems, you could stick with Chrysalis but there are several makes out there which could suit the non-Naim parts of the system better than that. Chord Anthem makes for a very good solution in non-Naim systems since it brings worthwhile gains in resolution. Some people swear by Nordost (though I hate it) and there are other combinations available too. So long as the cable isn't too big, it should fit in the DIN plug and that'll work well. The RCA connections on the modern Naim kit do not give as effective a presentation as the DIN connections. now it may be you already have super expensive interconnects. In this case, feel free to try them of course, but also try DIN variants if the option is available to you.

Regards,
Frank.
All opinions are my own and do not reflect the opinion of any organisations I work for, except where this is stated explicitly.