Audio T -Recomended for best UK naim retailer

Name the branch. Don't be shy....

Doug

Obviously, there have been many staff over 32 years but their attitude to putting the customer first remains constant, a philosophy akin Naim Audio itself.

I have dealt mainly with the branches in South Wales. I feel in would be inappropriate to naim them but imagine if you were playing hearts- you would only play that CARD IF you had to.

Also my wife has great BRISTOLS.

We saw a lovely SEA SWAN

I'm new to the forum but must agree with you Richyh. I, too, have to recomend Audio T, I have been a very satisfied customer for 10 years buying my all Naim system from their Brighton branch.

Also a big pat on the back to Audio T for the fantastic Bristol hifi show each year.

I have always dealt with Audio T in South West Wales (Nick, Chris and Adrian) and have consistently received a first class service from them. A very friendly, helpful and, knowledgeable team who are happy to advise, help or just have a chat over a cup of tea.

Thanks Guys!

I thought it was frowned upon to promote commercial organisations on here, maybe that doesn't extend to dealers. I have always wanted to praise my dealer on here but felt unable to. Clarification please Mr Moderator!

Well as others have nominated specific dealers then my vote goes to Tom Tom Audio St Albans. Superb help and advice always from both James and Henry.

Reports of great service from Naim retailers have not been frowned upon so far as I recall!  The retailers themselves must identify themselves as such when they post . . . but we all benefit from truthful and honest reports of great service.  "Shilling" of course would be strongly frowned upon (the act of promotion, not the ancient currency).

Nigel,

if a retailer comes on the forum and tries to overtly promote themselves (outside of events supported and approved by Naim) then yes, that is not allowed under forum rules and would be removed.  Likewise, if there is any evidence of so-called "shilling" by a retailer, whether through a bogus proxy or by urging customers to do so in return for reward then that is also completely out of order and they would certainly expect to receive a call from Naim.

However, any non-trade member here is allowed to post a positive experience of dealing with a Naim retailer - just so long as it's not a case of shilling.  As to the latter, I'm always vigilant to such things, and it often becomes quite obvious, not always straight away, but eventually these things come out and it can be embarrassing for all - for that reason I think most Naim retailers wouldn't dream of doing such a thing because it puts the credibility of their business at such risk.

Richard Dane posted:

Nigel,

if a retailer comes on the forum and tries to overtly promote themselves (outside of events supported and approved by Naim) then yes, that is not allowed under forum rules and would be removed.  Likewise, if there is any evidence of so-called "shilling" by a retailer, whether through a bogus proxy or by urging customers to do so in return for reward then that is also completely out of order and they would certainly expect to receive a call from Naim.

However, any non-trade member here is allowed to post a positive experience of dealing with a Naim retailer - just so long as it's not a case of shilling.  As to the latter, I'm always vigilant to such things, and it often becomes quite obvious, not always straight away, but eventually these things come out and it can be embarrassing for all - for that reason I think most Naim retailers wouldn't dream of doing such a thing because it puts the credibility of their business at such risk.

Richard,

Thanks for the clarification and that all sounds perfectly reasonable.

I have to say, I have had experience of several Naim dealers and they all have offered me superb service and they are a credit to the brand.

In which case I'd like to mention Simon Hector at Ultimate Audio in Jersey.  Service way, way, above that which would be accepted as good. Always gone the extra mile even when he's asked to help integrate other equipment he doesn't sell himself eg Shahinian speakers.  He's the only retailer my wife has any time for as he acknowledges that she has ears too. 

Before moving up here to the cold north of England, I used to visit Audio T, but that was in the days way before I had been introduced to Naim.

But it was a dealer up here in Chester who first played a Naim combination to me and who, eight years ago, started for me a 'journey of audio enlightenment'.

Since then, in return for me contributing handsomely to his retirement fund, he has provided an impeccable service - one that deserves mention in this topic.  His working hours are almost as long as those of Phil Harris -  emails to this dealer are usually answered in double quick time, no matter what hour of day or day of week. 

Needless to say, his knowledge of the Naim product line, the strengths and weaknesses, is encyclopaedic (well almost), and his motivation is one of customer service first,  pension pot second.

I know a few folks on this forum who live around this ancient Roman garrison (Chester) will have guessed already that I speak of Acoustica.  So thanks to Geoff and Pete for your great customer support.

Roger

Note to Richard - this review might sound overly gratuitous, but I assure you, the possibilty of me benefitting financially by way of discount or overt payment is absolutely non-existant, as any of their other customers will testify.  You just get straight talking, honest appraisal and non-negotiable pricing from these guys... but you always know exactly where you stand, which is how I prefer to buy audio stuff ! 

rjstaines posted:

Before moving up here to the cold north of England, I used to visit Audio T, but that was in the days way before I had been introduced to Naim.

But it was a dealer up here in Chester who first played a Naim combination to me and who, eight years ago, started for me a 'journey of audio enlightenment'.

Since then, in return for me contributing handsomely to his retirement fund, he has provided an impeccable service - one that deserves mention in this topic.  His working hours are almost as long as those of Phil Harris -  emails to this dealer are usually answered in double quick time, no matter what hour of day or day of week. 

Needless to say, his knowledge of the Naim product line, the strengths and weaknesses, is encyclopaedic (well almost), and his motivation is one of customer service first,  pension pot second.

I know a few folks on this forum who live around this ancient Roman garrison (Chester) will have guessed already that I speak of Acoustica.  So thanks to Geoff and Pete for your great customer support.

Roger

 

Note to Richard - this review might sound overly gratuitous, but I assure you, the possibilty of me benefitting financially by way of discount or overt payment is absolutely non-existant, as any of their other customers will testify.  You just get straight talking, honest appraisal and non-negotiable pricing from these guys... but you always know exactly where you stand, which is how I prefer to buy audio stuff ! 

+1. Excellent

I have owned Naim kit for over 30 years and have been very happy with the help, support and service that I have received from Andy Day at Audio T in Swindon for the last 20 years. Nothing is too much trouble and he always offers home demo's.

Well whilst we are at it - can I applaud my local dealership, Signals. I have known Alastair from the early 90s before he got involved with Naim and his business partner Andy more recently within the Naim era and they have  always been patient,  helpful, entertaining, enthusiastic, informative and generous  - and don't half setup some cracking shows - and also provide exceedingly good cake from time to time... And.. during that amount of time, understandably there has been the odd occasion of mis understanding and when this has occurred it has always been cleared up professionally with no 'damage' to the relationship, to me a true sign of a first class dealer.

S

I'd like to thank Alan at the Chandler's Ford branch and also Joe, now at Portsmouth. Joe was the first to tell me that the NAC202 and NAP200 was where "it gets serious" and how right he was   :-)

Best, chris

The guys at Audio-T Brighton get my vote for indulging me over the last 30 years. I'm often borrowing truck loads of kit and only very infrequently buy something. I guess I'm a bit of a fussy customer and will only buy something  if I get a fundamental increase in performance.

They do seem to have a bottomless depth of knowledge on all things hi-fi though, and if they tell you something won't work it usually won't. And when they do get excited about something so should you!

A common theme appearing here. Naim dealers are great. I'm not sure a poor Naim dealer could possibly survive let alone be appointed as there is likely an alternative excellent Naim dealer not too far away.

So it is clear to me from the above that the UK Naim Dealer of the Year Award is not going anywhere as we will all simply vote for our local Naim dealer. No consensus therefore no winner. Just how it should be.

The factory should be proud of its dealership network which is vital to the success of the brand. It is of course HQ that appoints, trains and motivates the dealers so we should acknowledge their contribution too. HQ have also managed to design and manufacture some of the best audio gear in the world IMO. Great products, great dealers, great service. It sounds simple but we all know it takes skill, talent, commitment, experience and enthusiasm and that combination is very, very rare.

It's all good. 

While we're in the congratulations-all-round frame of mind, let's not forget the field guys (and girls?), the reps who forge the link between the dealer out there in the wilds of nowhere (I'm thinking Chester, of course) and the guys and girls down there in Salisbury.  These are the expert communicators (let's not call them salesmen) in the mix, without whom the dealers would be lost.

Anyone who has been (or has worked with) a rep will understand what I'm saying, others may wonder what on earth I'm on about. 

Roger

Maybe like acknowledging the realtor that did a wonderful job selling you your house without forgetting the nameless folks that actually built the structure and the suppliers that provided the materials? It all gets lost in the mix and in the end you're satisfied to have a pleasing home to live in, or in the case of hi-fi, a system to listen to.

My thanks goes to Daren at Audio Venue in Maidenhead - great service and advice and a lot of patience when I wanted to try various combinations.

Simon-in-Suffolk posted:

Well whilst we are at it - can I applaud my local dealership, Signals. I have known Alastair from the early 90s before he got involved with Naim and his business partner Andy more recently within the Naim era and they have  always been patient,  helpful, entertaining, enthusiastic, informative and generous  - and don't half setup some cracking shows - and also provide exceedingly good cake from time to time... And.. during that amount of time, understandably there has been the odd occasion of mis understanding and when this has occurred it has always been cleared up professionally with no 'damage' to the relationship, to me a true sign of a first class dealer.

S

+1 on all of the above.

I first dealt with Alistair in the pre Naim mid 90s when his knowledge and enthusiasm helped me put together my first properly conceived system (Densen CD and amp with Royd Minstrels). That same level of knowledge and enthusiasm, coupled with the huge levels of patience that both he and Andy show in their efforts to get it right for their customers, has meant my recent foray into the world of Naim has, and continues to be, hugely enjoyable.....and the coffee's pretty good too......   

Has this become a public contest for the best Naim retailer in the UK or is it simply Free Advertisement for Naim Retailers Day?

For me it is a case of people sharing their experiences... We always say how important a dealer is and the importance of home demoing... would be strange not to mention  the people who help us with that but be able to talk about the latest frivolous glitzy coloured overpriced audiophile network cable for example instead...

Simon

Another recommendation for Alan and John at Chandlers Ford. Always go that extra mile and nothing is ever too much trouble. Cheers guys!

Another vote for Audio t, Portsmouth this time.  I went in to demo a Qb for the kitchen, and left smiling with a cube shaped box under my arm.

In between we discussed potential upgrades to the main system, and Nick was impressively knowledgeable about my vintage Rega ELA's suggesting they could handle an upgraded source/amp, and would be the last thing to upgrade. A home demo to be scheduled.

Nice people and good to do business with.

David

I would like to acknowledge Audio-T in Brighton. I have only had great service from Julian and Paul for years.  Nice persons and sellers who focus on getting the best for you.