Upgraditis and the pre-loved route to system building

I have bought both a pre loved 252 and NDS and have been delighted with both. Remember the pre amp will also need a service but the interval is a bit longer than a power amp or power supply at about 12 to 15 years I believe.

I bought both these units from dealers as I feel safer that way with also the possibility to try before you buy. If anything goes wrong, you can also return as most dealers will offer a few months warranty on pre loved gear. It will always be a bit more expensive buying pre loved (or ex dem) from a dealer but I think it is worth it for peace of mind.

That's the only way I could afford Naim!

Joined the Forum January 2015, Linn Aktiv Crossover went out, Linn Karin went out.

Unlike Naim, Linn doesn't support their older gear!

Hence, here I am!

2008 282 ~ 3.4K USD

2014 HCDR ~ 1.6K

2012 250.2 ~ 3.4K

2013 200 ~ 2.0K > sold it

2011 250.2 ~ 2.7K

2015 250.2 ~ 4.0K>open box full warranty.

4 Tier Fraimlite ~ 1.25K > Netherlands 

3 Tier Fraimlite ~ .9K Brand new Canada!

Briks ~ 3.0K > 1993 built Full Blown Aktiv System with Linn.

LP 12/ Ghenki> Karin>Linn XO >3 x LK 280s

{With Bingo card, Dirack PS}

Next upgrade> SC/Snaxo!

No Hurry, Passive Tri-Amped Briks Ain't Bad!

Allante93!

PS. I couldn't afford  Brand New Naim!

Only my 500 is pre-loved, the rest is new..., but I made steps in between like that...

My CDS3/XPS/Superline2xHCs/Nat 05 are all 2nd hand and several Powerlines.   

It's all good   But buying from a dealer is good but the serial numbers will give you insight into the age  

Regards,

Lindsay

Buying used naim is generally safe given the build quality and service backup but when it gets to the higher value items I prefer to pay that bit extra to go to a dealer rather than privately. On Friday I picked up an immaculate used 282 - Audio t got it sent over from another branch and I got the opportunity to demo properly before buying as well as a guarantee - very happy. I can't see any particular other issues with an NDS or 252.    

+ 1  Ex-demo or preloved from authorised dealer to get more Naim for your money -- with no risk! A no brainer unless one doesn't know how to spend all his/her money. Sadly, I am not in that position -- mortgage, child etc... And a wife who believes one needs to go on holiday... 

Fueller posted:

Buying used naim is generally safe given the build quality and service backup but when it gets to the higher value items I prefer to pay that bit extra to go to a dealer rather than privately. On Friday I picked up an immaculate used 282 - Audio t got it sent over from another branch and I got the opportunity to demo properly before buying as well as a guarantee - very happy. I can't see any particular other issues with an NDS or 252.    

Agree 100%. Naim are conservatively designed and beautifully built. 

NAC252 and supercap (non-dr) both pre-used. No problems. Didn't even listen to them before buying. I trusted the seller.

NAP300 dr ex-demo. 

Martin Logan speakers used. No problems.

As above, used is the only way I would ever be able to reach these stratospheric audio levels. Saved a fortune but still saving for bell wire to string it all together.

s.

The Strat (Fender) posted:

My CDS3/XPS/Superline2xHCs/Nat 05 are all 2nd hand and several Powerlines.   

It's all good   But buying from a dealer is good but the serial numbers will give you insight into the age  

Regards,

Lindsay

Couldn't agree more, I had an incident that I will never forget!

Fortunately, it did involve a Authorised Naim Dealer.

250.2 was falsely listed as open box demo.

No  problem, I'm in the Market for a 250.2, Dealer, Demo, Full warranty, what could go wrong!

We Bartered, agreed on price, etc...

I asked for the Serial #'s but never got them, what the heck, worst case two or three years old!

Couldn't wait to get my third 250.2, to my surprise when I unboxed the second protective boxing, the old Naim packaging!

Wow! A ten year old Naim Amp, I didn't want any part of that!

To make a long story short, It only cost me a $100 to get out of the deal!

The Gentleman at Audio Plus talked to the Head guy at the Dealer, and two weeks later, I purchased a Open box Brand New, and was happy to pay 4.0K for an 2015 Model!

At another Dealer, of course!!!!!!!

The New 250 DR, had just hit the Market!

Over here in the US, the 250 DRs are running about 7K, I think!

So yes, always check the Serial #s and check the history with Naim, before pulling the trigger!

Allante93!

Buying S/H from a Naim dealer is  not a problem or should not be. My  Superline and 500 P/A, now DRd, were both ex demo. Neither looked used and came with All the boxes and "bits" etc.  Both cases totally unmarked.

Like cars, buy privately, and you are on your own. Naim can service just about anything they ever made. Dealer mark up is worth it for piece of mind.

Douglas.

I've bought and sold lots of things privately and it's perfectly fine if you keep your wits about you, get the serial numbers and check it's not been nicked. I bought a 552 with £8,000 in used twenties once and it was fine. 

douglas posted:

Buying S/H from a Naim dealer is  not a problem or should not be. My  Superline and 500 P/A, now DRd, were both ex demo. Neither looked used and came with All the boxes and "bits" etc.  Both cases totally unmarked.

Like cars, buy privately, and you are on your own. Naim can service just about anything they ever made. Dealer mark up is worth it for piece of mind.

Douglas.

I agree Douglass, but this Dealer was in Canada, about 800 miles from My Home!

You guys got it made, Tom Tom, Signals, etc...

In the US, Fortunately, it is not as easy to demo Cables and Naim components.

Thank God!

Allante93!

Hungryhalibut posted:

I've bought and sold lots of things privately and it's perfectly fine if you keep your wits about you, get the serial numbers and check it's not been nicked. I bought a 552 with £8,000 in used twenties once and it was fine. 

That's a lot of coins.

s.

Indeed; luckily they were notes. 

Pre-amps, power supplies, amps - all should be fine. There aren't that many things to break inside and the technology has been refined over the years.

NDS - this is a complicated and an expensive piece of kit. It shouldn't really break as such.... But... if it does fail outside of its warranty period it may be expensive to fix. So I would focus on authorised dealers and search either for an ex-demo or a pre-loved with a proven provenance.  If it's a private sale - do check its serial number with NAIM (service histor, reported as stolen, etc).

or instead of NDS, buy a Chord digital source 

anyway just joking. yeah pre-loved Naim is fine.

It allows those selling it to move up the Naim ladder, and those buying it to have access to kit which might out of price reach if bought brand new.

It's all good, Naim kit is very very reliable, and anyway naim stand by with the ability to service anything ever made.

Now about that Hugo....

Thanks all, that's good advice and quite reassuring the same path has been successful for others-especially as I have already bought some units.....

....not going to get dragged into the Chord conversation though.....

....or expensive cables )

I've made the mistake of buying things, getting them serviced and then... deciding to sell them.

I've pretty much sold them for what I've paid for them (give or take) but not when I include the cost of servicing.

I'm going to view it as a sort of community service- having serviced them they'll last longer for someone else!

(mind you my 282 had recently been serviced when I purchased it secondhand).