Do you really still need a NAIM pre amp?

your query is a classic one. The answer is no way scientific but rather empiric: stick to the mainstream, the link “preamps” is mandatory and it have to be from Naim (in a Naim system). In some cases: in other systems as well. E.g. for some 5 years age I had better sound from an Audio Research amp when driven by a Nait (!!!) than by its own expensive pre.

graphoman

quote:

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In some cases: in other systems as well. E.g. for some 5 years age I had better sound from an Audio Research amp when driven by a Nait (!!!) than by its own expensive pre.

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Inspite of, or probably because of their relatively simple topology,and selective attentiveness to powersupplies,Naim preamps usually have no difficulty in standing head over shoulders with many/most equivalently priced competitors, and even a few far, FAR more expensive alternatives. A good portion of the naim signature sound passes pretty much unchanged even when using a non-naim poweramp with a NAC**.

To continue mining on the Audio Research vein, I found years ago that a 42/Hicap simply spanked their SP8 preamp (at 4 times the price) when used with their own D70mk2 power amp.

So you don't need a Naim preamp, but if you value the Naim signature sound, you will have a hard time recreating it without one.

Ron
Dum spiro audio
Dum audio vivo

I think you’ve got the point. Mine was a D70(I.), coupled with an SP6.

graphoman

Thanks for your input.
It looks like what you guys are saying is that most of the "character" in the NAIM sound is coming from the pre-amp.
I was assuming the power amp delivered the majority of the sound signature.
What is your opinion?

Most of the Naim sound comes from an LP12.

malcolm

With an Aro.........

And an Armageddon

OK, OK Yes BUT:

I agree that once you get the all important sound signature from the particular "front end" of choice down thru' your cable of choice and admitting that when the amplified signal comes out of the NAIM gear it goes down another cable (which may be of choice or may be NACA5) into your speakers of choice you are already looking at a lot of effects.

Nevertheless when upgrading thru' the NAIM range some of you experts must have formed conclusions about the relative impact of the Pre-amp and the power amp on what you hear.

GEOFFP

Geoff.
I'm not really sure but I think the reason that Naim recommends not to use a Naim power amp with a pre of another brand has something to do with "bandwidthlimiting" in their preamps. This means that some other preamps might "upset" a Naim poweramp. However it's ok to use Naim preamps with other poweramps.

Regarding "impact" of pre vs. power most people would say that as long as you have a good source upgrading the preamp gives a better result than upgrading your poweramp. This is of course as long as you don't need more power to drive your speakers properly.

Bjorne

IMHO
the Naim sound comes from any link of the Naim system. When my ARC burned down and I came back to an old 250 it was like meeting a good old friend. (And there were still no other Naim in the system.)

Just as any audio co. with good reputation has its own, characteristic sound.

graphoman

I personally think a lot--perhaps most--of the Naim character comes from the preamps (within the amplification--excluding sources). This is not to say that the power amps do not contribute to the overall character--they certainly do. I've heard a number of examples of Naim preamps driving other power amplifiers to great effect. Substituting a NAP increases the amount of character further, but not to the same degree.

Best,

Bob