Has anyone tried Neat Ultimatum MFS standmounts with Naim kit?

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Originally posted by alexgerrard:
Kuma

I have them. I am extremely happy with them - they sound very good.

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Alex,

Lucky you! What are you driving 'em with?
From my experience with Vito, they got to be something special.

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Originally posted by alexgerrard:
I am running a new 250, and they give no sign that they are being under-driven. They sound fantastic - great weight and detail for such a 'small' speaker.

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wow. either the amp is extremely robust or smallish room?

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Originally posted by Adam A:
Kuma

You don't list your system in your profile but I think your concerns about the MFS might be misplaced.

The MFS is an astonishing speaker it combines amazing Naim style PRAT with fluidity, coherence and general 'polish' that is rarely encountered.

I don't believe it is particularly difficult to drive (although I wouldn't use less than a 250) what is important is the _quality_ of what you feed it. Such an accomplished speaker demands a top quality source - I'd say LP12, CDS2/3 or similar - allied to a similar quality pre-amp.

In a suitable system I don't believe you will find better.

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Adam,

MFSs' sensitivity and crossover look relatively benign. It's the Isobarik loading that can require a bit of an effort to hold things together at high SPL. ( I am guilty of turning up a wick or two on occasion )

I am a minority here who use valve amps albeit extremely robust with a good bass agility ( driving 87db/4ohm/1st order xover 2-way standmounts ).

I agree that power rating sometimes is misleading but my perception is that many under 100 watt solid state amplifiers hit the dynamic ceiling lot quicker than valve amps. I don't have a personal experience with 250, but it must be a heck of an amplifier.

On paper, my 30 watts valve monos look puny and certainly they can't compete with properly designed 100+ watts solid state amplifiers as far as providing wider headroom and speaker choices.
Providing both quality and quantity of power either solid state of vavle amps gets expensive, that's for sure.
At any rate, Neat is one of the few speakers I like. (ATC is another )
BTW I didin't fill out the system context since I didn't see the system section on profile.

thanks for responding and enjoy your MFS!

[This message was edited by kuma on SATURDAY 01 November 2003 at 23:01.]

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Originally posted by NAIMGAIM:
Yep, that pretty much sums it up...source first!

I recently sold some MFS to a fellow who is running them with a 30 watt Audio Research valve amp...sounds fine for the music they enjoy...very mellow Folk, ala June Tabor, etc. As far as getting the most out of them, it doesn't hurt to give them some "umph". A NAP 200 would suffice. They are fairly efficient at 89-90ish db.

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yeah.. I can see valve 30 watts can work on program like that. But, i'm highly skeptical on electronica and dance considering my listening habits.

Couldn't agree more with Alex G., try them for yourself. Its often surprising what 30w of good valve power can do. The AE1s, for example, are pigs to drive, a 250 was always seen as a minimum, yet with some good Class A tubes they can sound wonderful.

If your amp can't drive the MFS you can always change the amp

Alex

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Originally posted by alexgerrard:
You owe it to yourself to do a demo - even if your scepticism is reinforced as a result. It won't be, of course.

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Alex,

Wish I could. Alas, no local Neat dealer.

Don't be so concerned about driving the neats - I had Petite/Gravitas (which is isobarically loaded) and was able to drive them well with a 23wpc DNM power amplifier. I think (within reason) what matters most is the quality of the first ten or twenty watts, rather than the number of watts in total.

As many here will tell you, a Nait can outpunch bigger amps. It did struggle a bit with the P/G when I tried my Nait2, but was fine with Petite alone.

So, though I personally haven't bought an MFS (as I couldn't afford the MF7 and decided that I needed a floorstander) I have no doubt that a 250 will drive them well enough even in a larger room, unless you're looking for extreme volume levels.

Great speakers, perhaps the best line there is right now... go for it!

John

TC '..'
"Sun went down in honey. Moon came up in wine. Stars were spinnin' dizzy, Lord, the band kept us so busy we forgot about the time."

Kuma, I have sent you a message, look in your PT box.

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Originally posted by Top Cat:
Don't be so concerned about driving the neats - I had Petite/Gravitas (which is isobarically loaded) and was able to drive them well with a 23wpc DNM power amplifier. I think (within reason) what matters most is the quality of the first ten or twenty watts, rather than the number of watts in total.extreme volume levels.

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topcat,

yeah. i'd think most of the time, neat should do ok. (for most everyone ) It's about having a luxury of an extra headroom. I certainly don't need it all the time but I am talking one of those moments that I just wanna blast (gasp! how unaudiophile like! ) some electronica, I don't wanna hear even slight congestion out of the system. Effortlessness and nautralness at any volume is what I ultimately want to have. ( without going horns since this opens up another can of worms )

I understand the idea of 'what matter is the first watt'. I am not quite convinced when it comes to dynamic speakers.
In some cases, ya just need *mo power* to get the volume I need WITHOUT losing grace or skip a beat.

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Originally posted by NAIMGAIM:
OR,if you're pretty darn certain you'll love them, I'll personally deliver & set them up for you!

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Ha! Thanks for the offer but you are anywhere near me!

Kuma,

With all respect, why, if ultimate volume electronica is so important, did you choose 30wpc valve mono blocs for amplification?

Alex

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With all respect, why, if ultimate volume electronica is so important, did you choose 30wpc valve mono blocs for amplification?

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Alex,

Volume is one and finesse, bass agility and clarity is another. Trying to balance all is tricky.
I used to run 250 watts solid state monos and certainly have had number of higher powered solid state amplifiers. In fact, I still use one in a secondary set up.

The problem with *most*( but not all ) solid state amplifiers is that in spite thier higher power rating, they tend to be *slow* on the bottom end and can sound overly heavy-handed.

These single-ended valve amps were the best option I had within my means. (sacrificing headroom and limited speaker choices ) The amps I chose just so happened to be a thermionic variety.

I am nowhere near a tube fanatic ( in fact, I despise their idiosyncrasy and ergonomics ), so, I am still in search of solid state amps/speaker combo that gives me what I value.

and the Naim/Neat combo is an awesome combination.

Regards

NB