Naim Dealer Satisfaction (UK)

I ought to add an honorable mention here for Creative Audio in Shrewsbury.

Endlessly patient, flexible, professional, polite, skilled in the practical, intelligent, friendly without familiarity, very knowledgable, genuine willingness to help even when the customer isn't wearing a platinum plastic blazer badge. They even carry (very heavy) things from your car to include in a demo. (without getting out of breath) And then they carry them back to the car for you afterwards. They must keep incredibly fit carrying all those heavy Naim boxes that they sell and then have to install.
You probably still need an appointment to make best use of their special listening room. I haven't been near enough to visit for some years now. I hope they haven't changed too much.

Nime

Everyone has the right to be wrong.

I was disappointed to discover that Listen Inn in Northampton, my excellent naim dealer of many years is now ex-naim. They now seem to have less patience than in previous visits. At least they helpfully suggested Cymbiosis as an alternative. A bit of a trek though.

I then discovered that Sevenoaks in Bedford has also gone ex-Naim. And their service sucked. They completely ignored my requirements leading to a wasted journey/demo and they promised to phone back but failed to do so.

Am I unlucky at losing both local dealers or is there something going on with the Naim franchises?

Ravvie.

4th vote for Andrew at AUDIO-REPUBLIC HEADINGLEY LEEDS. I Bought my long coveted CD5 from him yesterday 3rd jan on primarily his recc & laterally my own research.his approach was totally professonal with a non pushey manner & nothing was too much trouble, time was not an issue.
This is the 2nd purchase i have made from Andrew the 1st being my NACA5 cable but i will not hesitate to recommend him to any one.

slightly off-topic, but i gather that phornography are also no longer naim dealers. according to my nephew who has done some naim business with them, they (apparently) dont like the new naim gear so much... anyone know for sure?

enjoy

ken

Adventure's in Hi-Fi Wigan,get my vote.I don't think you will meet/deal with 2 finer Naim dealer's any-where.If every dealership was like their's,the world would be a better place,nothing is to much trouble for them.Keep up the good work Rob and Steve.

Ravvie

It's nice to hear the Guys at Listen Inn suggested you call us.

While it may be a little bit of a trek for you, I'll ensure it's not a wasted journey. I think you may be interested to know that Cymbiosis has absolutely NO intention of becoming an Ex-Naim Dealer, although I am an Ex-Listen Inn person and I still live in Northampton too!

Regards,

Peter Swain

Whilst having very pleasant experiences with Sound Advice with Derek Whittington in the past I have not found that to be so with New Audio Frontiers. Perhaps I was just inlucky because I know he is popular and has a great knowledge
of the industry.

Recently I have discovered Cymbiosis in Leicester and all future dealings will be through them because they are excellent.

Happy New Year
Bruce

quote:

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The only one in the UK I visited is Hifi Experience in TottCourt Road in London. And he was not of any help and only stocked a pair of Allaes. Poor that!

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Totally agree, almost fried my ears (and the speakers) shorting something while switching kit around. Also didn't have the Cyrus gear available that I had specifically requested, neither did he phone me to tell me this. All a bit much, so I spent my £3k elsewhere.

I can only speak for the Scotland area, having never dealt in person with any other stores (though Adventures in Hifi were very good when I bought a s/h 82/250/HI from them recently).

Best: Robert Ritchie, Montrose. What more is there to say - absolutely first rate service, knowledgable and capable.

Decent: Stereo Stereo in Glasgow - bought my first LP12 there, got a great trade-in on my Basik/Akito and I've never had anything less than great service, though not in the RR league. No longer a Naim dealer AFAIK. Did, on the other hand, drive all the way to Edinburgh to deliver & setup my deck back in '98.

Mediocre: L&C Edinburgh (Glasgow is better) - having spent a lot of money there in the past I can't really recommend them - biased against Naim, no installation offered ever, more of a box shifter than a complete service IMHO. That said, individually a nice bunch of guys in the main, but they are very biased towards certain brands (basically whatever seems flavour of the month) and they're very stingy on trade-ins.

Others: Russ Andrews Hifi - they're fine, quite helpful if a little aloof. No longer do Naim. Knowledgable, somewhat snobby, but fair. They set my LP12 once or twice and I was satisfied.

Sevenoaks (Edinburgh branch) - a mate bought an AV rig including Plasma screen & Linn Classik Movie, and they appeared to be a bunch of cowboys at the installation, using bell-wire to extend the inadequate lengths of cable they'd brought and not even setting the speakers up properly.

The Guy Down Leith Walk in Retro Reproduction - an Aladdins Cave of retro hifi. Great place, but I've never bought anything. OTOH he was delighted to just talk hifi and let me hear some weird '2' shaped Beahorns (I stated upfront I had no interest in buying, but wouldn't mind hearing).

Just my own experiences. Basically, for Naim in Scotland everyone should go to Robert Ritchie in Montrose, despite the long drive =- he defines what good service is all about in a way that makes other Scottish dealers look inadequate...

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."

Infidelity at Hampton Wick have always been very helpful and friendly. However, I don't have much to compare them with, as they are the only dealer I have ever used, and are sooooo close to where I live.
Simon