New Naim Muso and Muso Qb - Bentley Edition..

Tony2011 posted: 

Point taken Phil, although I don't always agree with democracy and diplomacy does not always work (just look at the world around us)and I always choose my words carefully in order to not cause distress to any parts involved. It's not personal and everyone's got one. 

Apologies!

Absolutely no apologies needed Tony ... I just wanted to jump on things before anyone started taking anything as being personal pot-shots.

The Bentley branded Mu-so and Qb won't be to everyones taste and that's OK ...

Phil

Frenchnaim posted:

Are you aiming for self-indulged prima donna of the year award?

Er, not quite sure what you mean... perhaps you could expatiate on that.

Naim never used to build equipment so obviously designed with style in mind. I do admit that "hifi connoisseurs" was a bit over the top - I certainly don't see myself as one, but I will repeat that the exercice is pointless.

It'll only be pointless if they don't sell, won't it? I thought this'd have a few foaming at the mouth!

 

A brave attempt to defend the concept - I can't help finding the whole exercice pointless, and vulgar to boot.

Just the kind of thing to degrade Naim's image among real hifi connoisseurs.

Are you for real? So Naim should stake the future of their company by continuing to only appeal to older white males, with a bit too much around the middle, who spend their weekends obsessively demo-ing one black box with no knobs against another? I'm pretty sure, especially with the loads and loads of new products arriving daily on the market, that they no longer see this as a viable business model.

I remember years ago going into my dealers and the Naim stuff always seemed so esoteric with overpriced black boxes of different sizes, most of which I had no clue as to what they did, with no knobs or indicators on the fascia. Once I did say 'eff it and throw my towel in, I got it. Still can't afford the big boys, but would if I could. But I think a lot of new consumers to hifi, the ones WITH money (that's never been mean per se) can be intimidated by the company's offerings, and dealer only legacy, and need to read away from that. 

No surprise then that now, with more and more people catching on to hifi but just wanting to get the job done, and not be trainspotting DIY'ers about it, Naim have to throw their towel into the ring. I like the new line but absolutely no need because I am a 'trainspotter' and feel I already have the job done, at a lot lot less cost. But for others just coming along, or wanting to shift up or down, or for secondary systems, these look fantastic. No fiddling necessary - even comes with an 'audiophile' cable! 

I mean, lets face it. With hifi, and esp Naim, you're always paying a premium for the luxury of "real hifi" (whatever that is). Naim isn't the only name out there, and a lot of what they do can be done for a lot lot less, if one knows where to look and bring it all together as a system. It doesn't hurt that there's so much available on the used market, though the idea of the cost of recapping always makes one pause. I wonder what the story on recapping will be with this more modern gear is? More years? Does anyone care? I'd love to see Naim put out a half size digital amp based on the Mu-so technology. That could be very very fun. Naim's Eco line.... (back to green lights at least )

They are free

for those buying a Bentley

1979 Nac22/Nap120 everyday (bought new)

 

They're not really considering the customers who last bought a piece of hifi gear in 1979. 

b_lund posted:

They are free

for those buying a Bentley

It would be nice to get free tickets to take a Bentley around a test track for those buying a Mu-so too.

I received the email this morning, about 3 days after I bought a Muso QB.
Initially I was really annoyed, having bought a "normal" one but thinking I could've bought a Bentley one had I waited a few days... Then I saw it was approx £150 more, then I felt happy again 

So the Bentley one is exactly the same as the normal muso but costs a few hundred pounds more because of the appearance. Is this correct ?

I hate the gratuitous 'wave' on the cover. Reminds me of that scene in 'Alien'.

You know the one...

G

Timmo1341 posted:

This really comes as no surprise. Once Naim decided to enter the 'lifestyle' market (and it's debatable whether or not that happened with the Uniti range or Muso) this was inevitable. Kef and Porsche, JBL and Ferrari - doubtless the list will continue to grow. Does it really matter? Provided each of Naim's customers are able to buy the quality of sound reproduction they desire then the market is working satisfactorily. Debate on exclusivity, elitism, affordability etc. Is meaningless and, ultimately, pointless. If you don't like it, shop elsewhere.

So Naim Bently for masses  

"only bently you can afford" will be a catchy marketing frase. We are all expressing our opinions that nobody asked for, that is a fact, maybe we feel like that we have a saying because we have a somekind of relationship with the brand, it is like commenting on you national team, you can always shop elswhere and switch to Germany 

still i think  that it will not bring any plus for a brand like Naim, which i regard very higly by spending all my disposable cash  it may reflect similar values with Bently but co branding a Muso is not a good way of use them, having a naim stereo in a bently is

I guess you're paying for the "Bentley" logo and special colour scheme.
The actual product is the same

Personally, I think the association with the Naim brand will have done wonders for Bentley. 

Frank F posted:

... I think that the relationship has Focal to do with it ...

Hilarious! How long have you been saving that one?!?

Regards alan

I reckon it'll look stunning next to my Queen by Rega turntable!

Acred

Super posted:

So the Bentley one is exactly the same as the normal muso but costs a few hundred pounds more because of the appearance. Is this correct ?

No, it has unique details to it and I imagine for something that will sell in far fewer numbers than the regular unit (and probably only through Bentley dealers?), that invariably means higher cost.  From what I can see and read, the volume "wheel" is different to the standard item and mimics the fine knurled finish that you find on the controls inside the current Bentleys.  It's a little detail but it's one of the things that really contributes to the special feeling of Bentley interiors.  The aluminium outer skin also has a special patterned finish to mimic that of the Naim for Bentley speaker grilles in the Bentley Bentayga, the grille is different and even the heatsinks have a unique finish to them.  From the website:

With a striking new design, the Naim for Bentley Mu-so features a bespoke metalwork pattern based upon the Bentayga’s Naim for Bentley loudspeaker grille. The rotary control interface features Bentley’s signature knurling, while the speaker grille cover matches the hue of Bentley’s Portland hide. Even the colour of the anodised aluminium heat sink is unique to the Bentley Collection, and a discreet Naim for Bentley logo is engraved on the acrylic base.

Cynicism and jibes aside, I realise it's appeal is somewhat limited amongst most of you here but I also know that this is something that Bentley dealers have really wanted.  It's a nice way to celebrate a relationship that is still very strong a decade after Naim first started to work on the Naim for Bentley system. It's the right product too, and not just because it was the experience gained from the Naim for Bentley project that made much of the Mu-So possible, but also because something more traditional and "hair shirt" just won't cut it here - you need something great sounding, yet also simple, gorgeous, and a bit "lifestyle" to be your gateway draw to the wider joys of Naim.  These Mu-Sos seem to fit the bill to a tee.

Quite some negative comments. But I have to say I like it. And I could see people wanting it, nothing wrong well done like last week with the Uniti Renewal. Now only a Statement Level Streamer or a ND555 for Christmas and the year is good...

The knob may already being produced for, e.g. Statement, or if not will be used for it, and the remainder of the clothing might have negligible tooling costs, and for each one sold Naim may make a few more £ to fund research, while Bentley owners or other 'lifestyle' purchasers get somethingbthey appreciate. Nothing wrong with that.

Well said Bert

nothing wrong with maximising your marketing opportunities.....

business is a tough place to be in.......keep going Naim...

i could fancy the Qb version for Christmas.....will order one methinks

A Bentley Continental GT would also be nice.....not a bad price 2nd hand...

Enjoy

I bet it looks stunning in the flesh. When we eventually move I was thinking of getting a Qb version. I've got a Muso as my second 'system'. The Bently one will be as close as I'm ever going to get to well a Bentley.

PS I haven't got a Queen by Rega turntable! 

Good for Naim.  So much more tasteful and relevant to the Naim-Bentley relationship than most red merchandise is to Ferrari.

As someone who used to run Bentley's brightware manufacturing area, I'm perfectly fine with it, recognising that Bentley will want a cut for the use of their name.  Even better is that these products reinforce awareness of the Naim brand among more souls who are able to afford a full Naim separates system. 

It's a very sensible win-win.

p.s. may I have a free Bentley Mu-so qb now?

Frenchnaim posted:

It seems to me that there aren't that many positive comments on this thread...

Sorry if I offended those of you who feel that whatever Naim does is good. 

I don't think anyone is saying whatever Naim does is good (it infuriates me that I can't get a Naim phono stage for my NAC-N 272 without a separate power supply), but in this case I can't see the hard to the Naim brand from producing the Bentley version of the MuSo.  

Am I going to buy one? No, but neither does it devalue my NAC-N 272 / NAP 200; hopefully by Naim spreading their expertise in these direction leads to a stronger company who can afford to support the more niche markets.