Half width...

Posted by: willem on 03 January 2004

OK, now Naim has made a stripped down integrated, the 5i. Will they start making stripped down pre-amps (again), I'm wondering.

Writing this I get ideas about a new half width model in the league of the 282, with only 2 or three inputs, including phono. The price can be kept down by skipping the electronic switching and the rec out buttons. Wouldn't it look gorgeous next to the new Hi-Cap?

Now what do you think?

Have fun!

willem
Posted on: 03 January 2004 by redeye
Never happen. Besides whats wrong with a 32-5??
Posted on: 03 January 2004 by kuma
quote:
Originally posted by Tom Alves:
Only if a large number of Americans or Japenese demand it. Frown


i don't think Naim is distributed in japan. I have never seen one there.

Lots of Linn. No Naim.
Posted on: 04 January 2004 by Nick Riley
I can only dream of a NAIM dealer here in Japan. Just one. Please.
Posted on: 04 January 2004 by kuma
quote:
Originally posted by James:
I wonder why Naim is not sold in Japan, given that it is a significant economy and has mucho moolah. Perhaps there is some history in this ...


James,

My guess is that not too many Japnaese audiophiles would *get* what Naim offers. From what I obsreve many are into tranditional way of music making. i.e. tone and stage

many SET tube and horns are the rage ( and plenty of bad examples on those ) and lifestyle oriented affluent would have Linn and Rega et all to choose from.

Naim gear, before the new styling change, I am afraid , could not compete with other imports given the fact that their pricing would be the same as Linn or more.

Naim system would make sense in Japan since their space is so limited.
Posted on: 04 January 2004 by kuma
quote:
Originally posted by Nick Riley:
I can only dream of a NAIM dealer here in Japan. Just one. Please.


Nick,

What woud you do if something goes wrong with your gear?

Send 'em back to the UK or US?

You are brave. Wink
Posted on: 05 January 2004 by Nick Riley
There was a dealer here - but a few years back he retired and Naim have yet to found somebody up tp their standards....
Kuma - I'm not brave. I have imported the following in the last year CDX2/XPS2/200/202/NAPSC/HI-CAP/AV2/175/150.

My AV2 'blew-up' last Summer - and it had to go back to the UK. Richard was excellent throughout my whole ordeal and I had it back very,very quickly. I've had Naim gear since I was 20 and have no intention of giving it up now! I'd like a dealer here so I can audition more, it's a pain having to wait to go back to the UK to listen to upgrades!

The sad thing is that the Japanese do get the 'Naim' thing - there is a lot of older stuff floating around out here and many people would love to access to a dealer and support in their own language, which is VERY important to the Japanese.
Posted on: 05 January 2004 by kuma
quote:
Originally posted by Nick Riley:
There was a dealer here - but a few years back he retired and Naim have yet to found somebody up tp their standards....


I am surprised Naim can't find someone qualified to carry the line in japan. One good thing about Japanese culture is its follow-up service.

quote:
My AV2 'blew-up' last Summer - and it had to go back to the UK. having to wait to go back to the UK to listen to upgrades!


Yeah. That would be my worry if I lived in the place without local dealer support.

quote:
The sad thing is that the Japanese do get the 'Naim' thing - there is a lot of older stuff floating around out here and many people would love to access to a dealer and support in their own language, which is VERY important to the Japanese.


Only Japanese manufacturer with the same kind of sonic point of view as Naim would be the 47lab.
Almost all hi-end Japanese gear I have heard to date have been uninspiring and bland which make sense to cater to the majority of audience. I am sure there are few others but, I haven't came acrossed 'em.