What's next with Naim?

I wonder if  we might see some new speakers...

Fails to inspire, run out of patience.....What do you want? Over the last year we have had new interconnects, the DR upgrade to the power amps, and the 272. That sounds like quite a lot to me. 

I would think the preamps will be the next to see refreshes with the following update.

- statement volume control

- update with 3.5mm remote connection

- eliminate irrelevant sources and use of input/output loops

This may be a little far fetched but personally I think the entire product line looks a little crowded should see some consolidation. We have the 4 models of classic preamps in the form of 202/282/252/552 today but I think they should be reduced to 3 at most.

To the OP - Have we had a little too much falling-about-water this evening?

We are very sorry that our current lineup fails to inspire. May we suggest something in red from one of our competitors? 

The Micromega M-1 is not only an integrated amplifier, but a window into a unique musical experience.

No single audio product before the M-One delivers such a feature-packed and modern product that fits into such a small and elegant space – crafted from a single block of Aluminium.

Against all the odds (11, 500 to 1), our engineers have managed to incorporate all the latest connections – Bluetooth aptX, LAN-Network 24bit /384kHz Asynchronous, SPDIF Coax-Opto-AES 24bit / 768kHz USB asynchronous passing DXD, DSD, DOP…, Phono MM / MC, Analog balanced and unbalanced inputs, and DSP with automatic room correction
(M.A.R.S). All in an amazingly compact module, whose cabinet is cut in the mass of a single block of aluminum that also doubles as a wall-mounted bathroom scale.

It’s an absolute engineering miracle !  

If you can stand on a wall !

Jan-Erik Nordoen posted:

We are very sorry that our current lineup fails to inspire. May we suggest something in red from one of our competitors? 

The Micromega M-1 is not only an integrated amplifier, but a window into a unique musical experience.

No single audio product before the M-One delivers such a feature-packed and modern product that fits into such a small and elegant space – crafted from a single block of Aluminium.

Against all the odds (11, 500 to 1), our engineers have managed to incorporate all the latest connections – Bluetooth aptX, LAN-Network 24bit /384kHz Asynchronous, SPDIF Coax-Opto-AES 24bit / 768kHz USB asynchronous passing DXD, DSD, DOP…, Phono MM / MC, Analog balanced and unbalanced inputs, and DSP with automatic room correction
(M.A.R.S). All in an amazingly compact module, whose cabinet is cut in the mass of a single block of aluminum that also doubles as a wall-mounted bathroom scale.

It’s an absolute engineering miracle !  

If you can stand on a wall !

From the Micromega website: ''M-One products can be uniquely cosmetically customized in leather, carbon or aluminium by French craftsmen to provide an almost endless choice of finishes and colours.''

Leather you say? Ooo la la...that will look marvelous in my boudoir.

engjoo posted:

I would think the preamps will be the next to see refreshes with the following update.

- statement volume control

- update with 3.5mm remote connection

- eliminate irrelevant sources and use of input/output loops

This may be a little far fetched but personally I think the entire product line looks a little crowded should see some consolidation. We have the 4 models of classic preamps in the form of 202/282/252/552 today but I think they should be reduced to 3 at most.

 

 

Here's hoping they update the preamps next, and soon!  But not with Statement volume controls, at least not on top: I like being able to see at a glance from across the room where the volume is set (only 180 degrees would be visible in a rack mount).

My wish list would include: RCA inputs as well as DIN, class A headphone output like the Naits and 172/272, lose the "tape out" functionality (who uses tape anymore?), refresh the circuit designs increasing the SQ and that's about it.  I hope they keep offering a "pure" pre-amp line; while I love my 272 the fact that the streamer/DAC is built in limits overall flexibility and ability to upgrade.

Jan-Erik Nordoen posted:

We are very sorry that our current lineup fails to inspire. May we suggest something in red from one of our competitors? 

The white one looks almost identical to my bathroom scale.

Tallan posted:

A headphone output like the Naits and 172/272,

lose the "tape out" functionality (who uses tape anymore?),

"Tape out", "hdd", or whatever - it's a signal out. Those wanting to enable an external HP amp would still find this useful. Nothing to do with tape. I don't see it as something to be eliminated from a fully functional pre.

I think some are overlooking the huge amount of work that Naim has done in the last year. Cables, DR, 272streamerthingy, QB. Ongoing software development, naim for bentley new models. These are not small things and yet the R&D department is still small.

I would love to see a full "son of statement technology" in the preamp range -- a wholescale redesign/replacment of 552 for starters. However, you could argue that plain preamps are now dead, and the present and future is 272stream style thing. A box that combined NDS level digital and better than 552 pre into one (or two with psu) box would be v interesting

A complete rework of what is hdx/unitiserve.

But this is a huge amount of work, and im not holding my breath

552 pre/streamer means a statement above 272, and my guess: HDX is dead and there will be no replacement. An integrated on 5level would be great:-)

 The pre is the top of the Naim stack. In my experience they are the the most important part of a Naim syste, I love Naim's philosophy of decoupling and digital seperation in their seperates. The Naim NAC philosophy and quality is timeless. I suspect the integrated like the 272 will be superceded  in 10 years, but the NACs will be going strong, but perhaps in a new case.

i love it that with Naim if you do want the extra SQ, you can get it with their seperates... but where compromises are more appropriate for you they have products for that... a balanced portfolio... When components stop selling that's when Naim will call time on it.... It will be interesting to see what gets next pulled...

joerand posted:

Tallan posted:

A headphone output like the Naits and 172/272,

lose the "tape out" functionality (who uses tape anymore?),

"Tape out", "hdd", or whatever - it's a signal out. Those wanting to enable an external HP amp would still find this useful. Nothing to do with tape. I don't see it as something to be eliminated from a fully functional pre.

+1 absolutely...I love the flexibility coupled with the SQ of Naim.. It lets me choose what I want to do rather than limit my options for me like some horrid piece of lifestyle technology.

Simon

I'd like to see them retain a commitment to active loudspeakers in any new range.

Not sure they will-it seems to be becoming a rather niche concept.

Bruce

Also agree re multi-box vs single box options. Both have their uses and adherents. I like incremental upgrading personally.

I'd like to see speakers with active amplification built in, and able to go against the wall. It would be much cheaper than having to buy the amps separately as there is no need for all the expensive casing. In fact, just like Meridian did all those years ago, and various companies do now - Adam, ATC, PMC, Meridian, Linn..... Needing about 25 boxes and a few dozen wires (I know, it's an exaggeration, but you know what I mean) to get a full blown active system is rather bonkers - most people don't have the room and don't want their sitting room looking like a Hifi shop. Bung the amps in the bottom of the Ovator, Sopra or whatever, plug in a 272, 292, 572 or whatever, and off you go. 

Hi HH,

Sounds rather like ATC then.  Back to the future...

I'm waiting for the Naim tumble dryer.  It'll be the best sounding tumble dryer ever with the best rotary control selector for choice of programme, taken from Statement of course.  Mounting it on Naim chips should be fun.

How about a high end all in one - minus speakers, but including more flexibility/ scope for tweaks? 

Naim take control over all interconnects as they are all in the box (speaker cables excepted?)

Plug in modules for phono stages or power supply upgrades/options 

I would opt for a 555PD driven coffee machine (of course black).

But on a serious note. It looks like that Naim it's expanding it's lowend attraction with devices like the Muso & the Muso QB. So a mobile device might be interesting on that side.

A statement level source might also be interesting - so the ND....

Let's get surprised...

Putting a DAC or streamer into a high end pre-amp like the 552 will do nothing for it in terms of analog playback! That is playback of LP's cd's Radio and even stand alone streamers!

Look at their Statement NAC-S1, is there a DAC or streaming circuitry in that????

I think a nac202 easily beats a 272 for basic analog playback, there I said it. 272 is a great product, but its not the way forward! convenience is not everything.

Analog Rules OK!

Mario.

For me it would be a 500 level pre/streamer. That would do nicely - if it sounded better than 552/NDS/2x555PS. Reduction of box count per se is not an issue for me. 

When you look back at the past 10 years at all the stuff that has been launched, not to mention updates (most retro fit), if Naim doesn't do it for you then you're with the wrong manufacturer. Take your pick - it's a very stimulating and happy time to be a music lover and an audiophile it terms of advances and resurrections.

YanC posted:

 The current Naim line fails to inspire me.

Excluding the out of reach Statement, there seems to be a large array of components, that are very similar in function, and whose difference is based primarily on the use of better external power supplies (!). Plus, the 'record' series of buttons are still there (!?!).

Looking around, there is a strong trend towards systems that include superior pre-amp/DAC coupled with monoblocks. Naim is in neither camp with the DAC V1 (their only offering), which falls very short of say the 552 and DAC of equivalent quality.

 

I hope Naim introduces more synergy among their offerings and less overlap, but I am beginning to run out of patience.

 'nough said.

What do you want to see coming our of Salisbury this year?

Stone me some people are hard to please - couldn't imagine a more comprehensive range of products.

I'd like to see a large screen FM & Internet Tuner with a digital output. 

I'd love Naim to make high-end tuner.

Simon-in-Suffolk posted:

I wonder if  we might see some new speakers...

Would that not seem unlikely given their relationship with Focal and that company's apparent recent efforts to make their own Sopra work better with Naim electronics?