buying second hand naim equipment
Posted by: kam on 23 April 2002
Hello Folks,
I'm considering buying a second hand Naim pre and power amplifiers. I never purchased second hand Hi Fi before and I wanted your opionion as what to buy and whether it is worth while doing so.
I own a Arcam Alpha 3+( please don't laugh!!) and a michell syncro turntable with a rega rb250 arm. I have recently had a pair of castle richmond mark2 reconed by Wilmslow Audio and these will be the speakers I intend to use with the Naim equipment.
I'm considering buying a second hand Naim pre and power amplifiers. I never purchased second hand Hi Fi before and I wanted your opionion as what to buy and whether it is worth while doing so.
I own a Arcam Alpha 3+( please don't laugh!!) and a michell syncro turntable with a rega rb250 arm. I have recently had a pair of castle richmond mark2 reconed by Wilmslow Audio and these will be the speakers I intend to use with the Naim equipment.
Posted on: 23 April 2002 by JRHardee
What is your budget?
Posted on: 23 April 2002 by Phil Barry
Whatever your budget, it is worth buying 2nd hand Naim equipment - it lasts, and the factory provides service even to its earliest products - apparently they're very happy to do so.
To get a recommendation on WHAT to buy, we need info on budget and desired components (integrated amp vs. preamp/amp, CD player, tuner?).
Phil
To get a recommendation on WHAT to buy, we need info on budget and desired components (integrated amp vs. preamp/amp, CD player, tuner?).
Phil
Posted on: 23 April 2002 by greeny
There are some great buys to be had to suit most budgets. Definately recommended.
See here for some info on Amp histories and 2nd hand prices
web page
See here for some info on Amp histories and 2nd hand prices
web page
Posted on: 23 April 2002 by Nic Peeling
Kam
If money is tight, and you buy mint, boxed Naim kit that is approx 3 to 5 years old, then you can hardly make a mistake, because you can resell such Naim equipment for roughly what you paid for it. I am embarassed to say that by buying carefully second hand I have made a modest profit on some of my resales when it came time to upgrade. Everything people say about Naim's servicing is true - it is exemplary, and they never rip you off. Depending on your price range, I can strongly recommend a NAC72, NAP 140 combination. For about £750 you can get a good example that will blow any £800 new integrated amp into the middle of next week. In terms of its ability to play a tune the 72/140 gives a cheap taste of the very high end of Naim's range.
Nic P
If money is tight, and you buy mint, boxed Naim kit that is approx 3 to 5 years old, then you can hardly make a mistake, because you can resell such Naim equipment for roughly what you paid for it. I am embarassed to say that by buying carefully second hand I have made a modest profit on some of my resales when it came time to upgrade. Everything people say about Naim's servicing is true - it is exemplary, and they never rip you off. Depending on your price range, I can strongly recommend a NAC72, NAP 140 combination. For about £750 you can get a good example that will blow any £800 new integrated amp into the middle of next week. In terms of its ability to play a tune the 72/140 gives a cheap taste of the very high end of Naim's range.
Nic P
Posted on: 23 April 2002 by ebirah
What Nic said - a 72/140 is the real deal and the best VFM in the whole range. You get a real taste of the big stuff; indeed its more than adequate for the vast majority of users (remember, were all navel gazers here!).
Furthemore, Naim are extraordinary reliable, generally bullet proof, and they're happy to service old kit (should it need it) at exceedingly reasonable prices. Naim kit is the most reliable s/h investment in Hi-Fi IMHO.
Steve
Furthemore, Naim are extraordinary reliable, generally bullet proof, and they're happy to service old kit (should it need it) at exceedingly reasonable prices. Naim kit is the most reliable s/h investment in Hi-Fi IMHO.
Steve
Posted on: 23 April 2002 by Martinm
Hi,
Are the Richmonds the new ones or are they the mark II versions from the 70's?
If they are the old ones they benefit greatly from a better source rather than pre/power. If you listen to plenty of Cds I would recomend trying a Naim Cd 3.5 and partnering it with a rega brio amp. This is the system my brother runs. He tried varying combos of Naim with other Cd players and amps. And this really seemed to bring out the best for these speakers. The addition of NAC 5 speaker cable realy helped to.
Get these speakers as close to the wall as you can on some open framed stands. They can sound truly fantastic particularly with female vocals.
If they are the new versions then I'm afraid I've not heard them, I can however recommend the 72/140 I'm very happy with mine.
ATB
Martin
Are the Richmonds the new ones or are they the mark II versions from the 70's?
If they are the old ones they benefit greatly from a better source rather than pre/power. If you listen to plenty of Cds I would recomend trying a Naim Cd 3.5 and partnering it with a rega brio amp. This is the system my brother runs. He tried varying combos of Naim with other Cd players and amps. And this really seemed to bring out the best for these speakers. The addition of NAC 5 speaker cable realy helped to.
Get these speakers as close to the wall as you can on some open framed stands. They can sound truly fantastic particularly with female vocals.
If they are the new versions then I'm afraid I've not heard them, I can however recommend the 72/140 I'm very happy with mine.
ATB
Martin
Posted on: 24 April 2002 by kam
Thank you for the advice, I forgot to mention that my budget is @ £1000.
Kam
Kam
Posted on: 24 April 2002 by kam
Martin,
My Castle speaker are from the 70's, they have been fitted with VEFA(Scan-pak) metal domed tweeters and a VEFA(scan-pak) woofers.
Kam
My Castle speaker are from the 70's, they have been fitted with VEFA(Scan-pak) metal domed tweeters and a VEFA(scan-pak) woofers.
Kam
Posted on: 24 April 2002 by Martinm
Kam,
Not sure how the they will sound with the new components. I have to say I loved these speakers I only gave them to my brother because I thought they were bass light - he had the last laugh though cos when i got into Naims stuff it became quite apparent that set up well they can do a good job.
As said the combination of CD3.5 and rega brio really work well (all naim was a little to bright)
These he got for exactly £1000 (second hand 3.5 and new Brio)
However as you have changed the driver etc I'm not sure how different they sound so you could need something different.
How much did the change cost and what do they sound like now compared to how they used to?
Cheers
Martin
Not sure how the they will sound with the new components. I have to say I loved these speakers I only gave them to my brother because I thought they were bass light - he had the last laugh though cos when i got into Naims stuff it became quite apparent that set up well they can do a good job.
As said the combination of CD3.5 and rega brio really work well (all naim was a little to bright)
These he got for exactly £1000 (second hand 3.5 and new Brio)
However as you have changed the driver etc I'm not sure how different they sound so you could need something different.
How much did the change cost and what do they sound like now compared to how they used to?
Cheers
Martin
Posted on: 25 April 2002 by kam
Hello Martin,
The castles have a very detailed mid-range,
The metal domed tweeters have enhanced the top
frequency range, however, without sounding harsh or tinny.
The speakers seemed to have a more deeper base definition.
I used own a pair of tannoy floor standers, and they don't have as much detail and the upper frequency range seems dull in comparison.
I have varied taste in music, Sheryl Crow to Classical.
Kam
The castles have a very detailed mid-range,
The metal domed tweeters have enhanced the top
frequency range, however, without sounding harsh or tinny.
The speakers seemed to have a more deeper base definition.
I used own a pair of tannoy floor standers, and they don't have as much detail and the upper frequency range seems dull in comparison.
I have varied taste in music, Sheryl Crow to Classical.
Kam
Posted on: 25 April 2002 by Martinm
Hi Kam,
I think really it depends then on what your main source is. If it is the turntable then a 72/140 would be a great choice. If you are more likely to getting CDs in the future then I'd recommend trying the 3.5/brio option.
If you are down the the Hampshire area (Southampton to Bournemouth)then i'm sure my bro wouldn't mind letting you have a listen to his set up.
Good luck
Martin
I think really it depends then on what your main source is. If it is the turntable then a 72/140 would be a great choice. If you are more likely to getting CDs in the future then I'd recommend trying the 3.5/brio option.
If you are down the the Hampshire area (Southampton to Bournemouth)then i'm sure my bro wouldn't mind letting you have a listen to his set up.
Good luck
Martin
Posted on: 25 April 2002 by Arye_Gur
Here in Israel too, it is a good deal to buy S/H
Naim. It keeps its prices, the service is great,
and it's easy to sale when you want to upgrade
at.
Arye
Naim. It keeps its prices, the service is great,
and it's easy to sale when you want to upgrade
at.
Arye