So what's become of the AV2?

It's gone from the new Jan 2010 price list too, so I imagine it's definately gone, not like the DVD5 that's still in limbo land, i.e. it's on the website but left the UK price list last year! )

When I first saw it gone, I thought oh bugger, Naim's dropping out of VA despite roumers of an AV3, but thought about it for a bit and the NAP V175 & V145 are still available, so maybe it means the AV3 is just around the corner and will be out in Feb/Mar. The burning question though is which year!!

I'm very happy with my AV1, recently back from a service in Salisburyland!

As I;m sure many people are perfectly happy with their Nait1's!!

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As I;m sure many people are perfectly happy with their Nait1's!!

They were useful though...

Seriously though what was the AV1 used for given its limited processing modes ?

James

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Seriously though what was the AV1 used for given its limited processing modes

...creating an artificial ambiance to feed to a pair of rear speakers, which in turn, provides additional enjoyment of the home-entertainment experience, for some.

cheers

Don

I would guess an AV3 isn't too far away then. I hope so its been a long wait.

Good spot Tony. If somewhat sad...

I'm guessing it's not a web/IT mistake as it would have been replaced by now if so, plus it would have required a physical, deliberate action (plus instruction) to remove the files....Besides, SL2 speakers are still showing on line and they are long gone..!

I haven't browsed on here for a few weeks, and to read this this morning wasn't good news.....Yes, we all hope it's the IMMINENT arrival of the AV3 but I guess I'm not the optimist you are Tony...! With all the lower end Uniti stuff, DAC, ridiculously overdue software updates and not forgetting the new speaker line, I'd be staggered to learn Naim had somehow managed to spend serious time in R&D and then manufacture the AV3 - although of course I'd jump for joy, sing from the hills and praise the gods@Naim if it were to be true !

I have to say, I'm now - even more - totally baffled at the state of things with Naim and AV. The AV2, at the drop of a hat, seems to be no more, despite being the most valid AV product in the line-up they had. The DVD5, a product now extremely over-priced and out-dated, seems to hang like some sort of ghost this past year, available in pictures on the website but no mention of which in the price lists, as SimonJ points out just here and I have done previously, though never to any official response....The n-Stands - arguably and officially a prerequisite for performance ("To help users achieve the finest performance and an ideal installation, the n-STAND and n-BRACKET are available") with the AV orientated n-System, were also withdrawn at sudden notice a year ago, leaving n-SAT users somewhat in the lurch - a product which still continues....And with the new Ovator speaker being long in it's public development, I'm sure a suitable timbre matching centre speaker is some way off (if at all ?), leaving only the n-System for AV fans.....It's fair to say, it all seems something of a tangled mess at present.

Yes, a raft of product announcements would quickly explain some of the situation away, but I have my doubts this is so....Hopefully I'm very wrong and Paul will be doing a 'Steve Jobs' with the AV3.... (roll on 6pm tonight and my new iPAD...! )

I've slowly come to the conclusion it must be me, as I just cannot understand why there isn't/or we cannot have some sort of official statement/response from Naim, one way or the other....Is the AV department no more or are the limbs going to be cut off one by one until it ceases to exist in the hope that no one notices....??!

Stu - I had seen your hint at 'streaming' in another post....That's great, fantastic, but to be honest, I'd rather have Naim concentrate on some 5 year old technology, standards and features such as HDMI and HD codecs !......A HDX and Uniti still - at present - cannot talk to each other, and they are two of Naim's products in THEIR own line up, so I get nervous when thinking of a software based Naim video streamer.....!

Steve.

I've just noticed, when looking for another reason, all the AV system pages have been removed from the suggested systems on the Product page..........

Steve,

there is no separate "AV department" at Naim. AV products are designed, developed and built right alongside the regular 2 channel equipment.

As for Naim and AV, it's still very much a part of what Naim do. However, demand for new pieces has dropped dramatically (and not just at Naim either). Things move pretty quickly in the AV world, and as you say, Naim's current line-up, while still fabulous sounding (and in the case of the DVD5, the apogee of picture and sound for that format), are far from cutting-edge regarding either format or codec support.

I'm sure that if you want one of either then Naim would be happy to oblige, but how many do you relaistically project Naim will sell over the next 6-12 months?

Don't get me wrong here, I still use both a DVD5 and an AV2 and I think that in performance terms, they are fabulous. However, I also have a little black box connected via HDMI to the screen and via S/pdif to the AV2, that streams movies from a NAS drive, it upscales DVD to a reasonable standard, and plays back hi-def material that looks stunning. What's more, it's easy to use, totally stable and works brilliantly. Total cost of this little black box was £100... That's food for thought for anyone, particularly a hi-end company like Naim when deciding the best direction for their AV future.

However, one thing is for sure, whatever Naim come up with next in AV, it's going to be very special. As always.

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Originally posted by Richard Dane:
However, one thing is for sure, whatever Naim come up with next in AV, it's going to be very special. As always.

Totally agree Richard.....And that's the bit we're all holding on to !

Whilst I, and I'm sure others, fully agree and appreciate the overview you give here, I think the frustration for many is the 'black hole' and limbo state it seems is upon us regarding the AV products...Something, IMHO, that could have been avoided....

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... As for Naim and AV, it's still very much a part of what Naim do.

It has to be said that this hardly has much substance at present...With the exception of the still fine n-System and the NAP 145 playing a dual role in HiFi, the website currently shows the DVD5 and the 175 NAP, both very long in the tooth.....I always thought a separate audio decoder was so fitting for Naim and with the loss of the AV2 and seemingly no replacement anytime soon, one can't help but wonder if the back has been broken.....

Clearly something is afoot, with the product removals and AV suggested system pages gone....I'm no business man, but allowing customers - and potential ones - drift away would seem a risky road map...and a real shame.

Cheers, Steve.

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However, I also have a little black box connected via HDMI to the screen and via S/pdif to the AV2, that streams movies from a NAS drive, it upscales DVD to a reasonable standard, and plays back hi-def material that looks stunning. What's more, it's easy to use, totally stable and works brilliantly. Total cost of this little black box was £100

Sounds ideal - what is it ?

James

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Sounds ideal - what is it ?

Subtle hints if you cannot say directly.

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Originally posted by SC:

quote:

Originally posted by Richard Dane:
However, one thing is for sure, whatever Naim come up with next in AV, it's going to be very special. As always.

Totally agree Richard.....And that's the bit we're all holding on to !

Whilst I, and I'm sure others, fully agree and appreciate the overview you give here, I think the frustration for many is the 'black hole' and limbo state it seems is upon us regarding the AV products...Something, IMHO, that could have been avoided....

quote:

... As for Naim and AV, it's still very much a part of what Naim do.

It has to be said that this hardly has much substance at present...With the exception of the still fine n-System and the NAP 145 playing a dual role in HiFi, the website currently shows the DVD5 and the 175 NAP, both very long in the tooth.....I always thought a separate audio decoder was so fitting for Naim and with the loss of the AV2 and seemingly no replacement anytime soon, one can't help but wonder if the back has been broken.....

Clearly something is afoot, with the product removals and AV suggested system pages gone....I'm no business man, but allowing customers - and potential ones - drift away would seem a risky road map...and a real shame.

Cheers, Steve.

SC

Whilst I would love to see a Naim AV3 I have been giving this a lot of thought and really as Richard says people can produce products far keeper than Naim can and whilst there will be a new product of some sort this next bit pains me to say. Perhaps the addition of a Denon product to the system for movies connected to a Naim two channel system will gain best results. Do I want to replace a AV3 in two years time that will likely cost the best part of 4k or a £1,500 denon product.

Lets be honest only this week 3D Blu-ray was launched with new blu-ray players being brought to the market that can play 3d content. Really that means all current Blu-ray players are currently out of date. Will 3d take off I have no idea but surly in two years time there will be new av products for the market to go with the new screens.So can you imagine were that will leave naim ? Lets be honest Linn have almost all but given up on home cinema I'm starting to think it might be best left to the Denons and likes.