My Search Ends

That's a rather radical move. Why did you do this and didn't you buy at least a Nait for replacement? Don't tell me you're going to buy a midi system....

Good luck

Bas V

sorry to hear you've 'thrown in the towel'.

No need to leave the conf, though - look forward to seeing you here some more, I hope. Congrats on your newfound happiness!

best

Rico - musichead

It seems you are going to leave the forum too ?

You can be a member here even if you are going to own a mini Sony system - I don't think somebody cares....

Arie

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I have done what I have been threatening to do for some time - I have sold all of my Naim kit in favor of a much lesser system.

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There must be something in the water… first TF, then Dev, now Greg…

I'm keeping mine, though I would be happy to 'store' a really expensive Naim CD player or preamp for a year or two whilst any potential future downgraders make up their minds…

Tony.

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There must be something in the water... first TF, then Dev,now Greg

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...I don't own any Mana and have no plans to order.

- GregB
Freedom is not in finding the Holy Grail but in stopping the search for it

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...I don't own any Mana and have no plans to order.

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It was not a Mana observation, just a "downgrade" one, Dev ain't a Mana fan - he absolutely hates the stuff. TF does seem to be heading towards a 20 grand table supporting a clock radio though...

Tony.

I am very curious what sparked this sudden change of tack?

I am curious because:

If music is important to you that doesn't change

You indicate you still think Naim the best brand - your actions would be entirely understandable if you had experienced a road to Damascus conversion to tubes for example

What are you listening to music on now?

The only other reason I can see is that you now have other financial priorities eg a baby.

Tell us more!!

Jonathan

I found I was enjoying music on my car radio. My friends and I enjoy all kinds of music on their systems, including classical, and several of us swing dance. Several are hard-core musicians. We have no difficulties enjoying music or dancing to their inexpensive stereos, or now mine.

I have heard cheapie systems that were unlistenable and I've heard expensive systems that were no better. For me, cost and musical enjoyment do not seem related anymore. I was not into this as a hobby and I have no problem with people who are into it as a hobby. Viva la differance.

Rest assured that a Naim system properly set up (difficult to do from reading the posts on this forum) will sound better. It will play louder, cleaner, and with wider bandwidth and slam than the system I am using now. But, for me, I find that this difference doesn't add to musical enjoyment so the return on investment and set-up effort simply isn't there.

To those of you who are not satisfied with your Naim systems or who are enjoying climbing the Naim ladder, I suggest putting the boxes on GOOD supports and sorting out the mains if you have not done so. The Naim experience can be very frustrating unless these basics are addressed.

Whether you choose to "go for it" and get a killer Naim system or use a cheapie system as I have, be sure to stop and enjoy the tunes.

- GregB
Freedom is not in finding the Holy Grail but in stopping the search for it

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Not Dev now, I believe.

Greg

Good on you for taking the decision and telling us. Your tagline has perhaps provided us with a clue as to the way you have been thinking.

It's a shame if this will mean we don't see you about here so much. I'll miss your references to the cat, and the A/B experiments that no-one else dares try (the removal of ALL fuses springs to mind).

Timo

I admire your bold move & wish you musical enjoyment.

Although I am not about to ditch my system, I agree with you 100% that system set up & mains are crucial to a musically satisfying system. The systems that I enjoy the most have been the best set up ones, almost regardless of equipment used.

I recently had my 30 amp hi fi spur changed to a dedicated 45 amp one. This made a subtly change in the sound but quite a step in the right direction as far as musicality.

Today I ordered enough Hutter to support the entire system. I feel that this will make a much bigger step to musical satisfaction than another black box.

Please stick around the forum & tell us how you are getting on. If you don't want to talk 'shop' there is always The Padded Cell! Take care.

Bob.

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If you don't want to talk 'shop' there is always The Padded Cell!

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I think that's precisely where he belongs for having done something so drastic without first hearing Mana

What about all those towels Greg?

Vuk.

P.S. Nice new bloody icons Infopop--glad to see you guys are dealing with the most critical flaws first.

Thanks again for helping me sort out my 72/140. Without your help i'd be in the depths of depression.

Enjoy,

Mike

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Although I am not about to ditch my system

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Fine with me. I'm not trying to convince anyone do to anything. Just relaying my story, and I almost didn't because there really isn't anything of interest to people who use Naim equipment. I decided to post only because I've been a longish-time forum member so I thought a few readers might be personally interested.

And Vuk, about that Mana...

I've heard Mana and believe it works. But I'm getting what I want out of a modest system that works even when sitting on the carpet. So there is no reason for me to bother with the expense or hassle of Mana.

- GregB
Freedom is not in finding the Holy Grail but in stopping the search for it

As you know from email I am in the process of doing something similar--moving from 82/Scap/2x250s to a 72/hi/250. And you know what ? I am having more fun now than before. From that perspective, my system IS better than before. From a sound quality perspective it is obviously worse, but it gets me over that magic threshold where I can dig the tunes and want to find new, cool music.

Cheers,

Bob

best regards,

dave

P.S. You know we penalize newbies for leaving the Mana forum early in their career. Yep, say good-bye to your carpet...:O

I understand your decision entirely.
You may have read on the forum that I recently sold my sprawling array of Cyrus boxes and switched back to Naim.
I originally started with a Cyrus CD player and int amp, then added box, after box, after box - and it slowly lost the tune, allthough the sonics were great.
System setup is important, but its easy to get paranoid and go too far.
We all appreciate the fact that a good clean mains feed is important if our systems are to perform. Yet as our systems mushroom we connect more and more transformers, cables and other 'noisy' bits of circuitry to our 'clean' power feed. I believe that there comes a point when the damage done to the mains by adding yet another Hicap/flatcap/Super could outweigh the benefits that the improved supply is supposed to bring.
The deciding moment for me came after substituting my old (20yr) A&R A60 amp for the Cyrus rig and hearing the little integrated shit on Huntingdon's finest.
I'd sold the lot within 5 days.

Do you need Mana?
No you don't.
There is nothing magical about coated steel & glass. Sure, it gives good results but so do plenty of alternatives.
10 years ago Russ andrews Torlight platforms, Pink Triangle's Aerolam sheets and Origin Live Tripod stands were the supports to own, gracing the pages of every (uk) mag.
Now they are gone.
In 2005, Mana will be the 'Target' of today.

So lighten-up folks.

I'd also like to add to the other voices asking you not to leave the forum.
Having the guts to do what you have done makes you a VERY important contributor.

Good luck with your new system.

Rob.

Could you let me know how you get on with the Hutters. I am dithering about buying them. They look good, but I need a couple of testimonials as to how good they are.

To Greg

I reckon you will soon be back to Naim because it leaves everything else standing. I have just had a Supercap fitted and I cannot imagine a more musical system and its only been warming for 20 hours.

Going back to listening

Mick

Lance

The Hutter ( actually pronounced Hooter ,a bit like Vuk pronounced Vook, but I digress...) arrives in about 2 weeks. I will certainly tell you how I get on.

As you may or may not know I use a bit of a mish mash of supports at the moment, the LP12 & CD being on Mana.

I knew a while ago that eventually I would go for all Mana or Hutter. I plumped for Hutter. I will keep you posted. BTW, no need for knitted covers with Hutter ;-)

All the best,

Bob.