My Search Ends

Posted by: Greg Beatty on 01 November 2000

I have waited for a while to post this, and considered not posting it at all. But here it is.

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.

I received the check a few days ago, and as soon as it clears I will be shipping the CD3/72/hicap/140 to its new owner. I have heard lower-level and upper-level Naim systems recently and I am confident that the kit I have sold is working properly.

Just for the record, I believe that Naim is one of the best - if not the best - audio manufacturers out there. They offer service that is second to none. The kit holds its value well, making the selling of my Naim bits less financially painful than it likely would have been with a different brand.

I wish Naim, the Forum, and the forum members all the best in the future.

- GregB
Who is no longer searching for the Holy Grail

Posted on: 01 November 2000 by Bas V
Hi Greg!

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

Posted on: 01 November 2000 by Rico
Greg

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

Posted on: 01 November 2000 by Arye_Gur
Greg Beatty

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

Posted on: 01 November 2000 by Tony L
quote:
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.

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.

Posted on: 01 November 2000 by Greg Beatty
quote:

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

...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

Posted on: 01 November 2000 by Tony L
quote:
...I don't own any Mana and have no plans to order.

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.

Posted on: 01 November 2000 by Jonathan Gorse
Greg,

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

Posted on: 01 November 2000 by Dev B
and so is my stuff
Posted on: 01 November 2000 by Greg Beatty
...an entire change of perspective, really.

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

Posted on: 01 November 2000 by Tim Oldridge
quote:
-------------------------------------------------
There must be something in the water... first TF, then Dev,now Greg

-------------------------------------------------
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

Posted on: 01 November 2000 by bob atherton
Hi Greg,

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.

Posted on: 01 November 2000 by Mike Sae
I wish I had the cajones to do what you did.

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


Enjoy,

Mike

Posted on: 01 November 2000 by Greg Beatty
Bob Wrote (among other nice things):

quote:

Although I am not about to ditch my system

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

Posted on: 01 November 2000 by Bob Edwards
Greg--

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

Posted on: 01 November 2000 by dave simpson
You know you are welcome here *and* the mana forum regardless of your tune box.

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

Posted on: 02 November 2000 by Mick P
Bob

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

Posted on: 02 November 2000 by bob atherton
Mick,

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.