Naim Intro Vs Royd Minstrel?

If you like the Minstrel SE, you'll hate the Intro. It's about as simple as that.

-=> Mike Hanson <=-
(who loves the Minstrel SE, and hates the Intro and just about every other Naim speaker that he's heard)

P.S. My new Royd RR3s finally arrived last Friday, and they've been breaking in downstairs for a few days now. Out of the box they sounded like they were wrapped in a styrofoam. However, after 75 hours they've surpassed the Albions, and they continue to improve.

[This message was edited by Mike Hanson on MONDAY 01 March 2004 at 19:12.]

Mike,

I thought you were going for the RR3's?
I figured your albions would be better than the RR1.

regards,

michael

Looks like Intro's aren't an option then

The other thing is the guy who's selling the Intros says there are no lables on them. Which also means no serial numbers. Which means I won't bid on them..........

Looks like I'll go after the Doublets instead

Computers are supposed to work on 1's and 0's - in other words "Yes" or "No" - why does mine frequently say "Maybe"?......

[QUOTE]Originally posted by Mike Hanson:
If you like the Minstrel SE, you'll hate the Intro. It's about as simple as that.

-=> Mike Hanson <=-
(who loves the Minstrel SE, and hates the Intro and just about every other Naim speaker that he's heard)QUOTE]
I love the Minstrels but also love the SBL, the SL2 and the NBL - oh and from the short demo of the Arriva's - I loved them too!

Computers are supposed to work on 1's and 0's - in other words "Yes" or "No" - why does mine frequently say "Maybe"?......

quote:

---

Originally posted by mykel:
Mike,

I thought you were going for the RR3's?
I figured your albions would be better than the RR1.

---

Oops, that would be a typo. Yes, RR3s it is! (I'm going to attempt to edit my earlier post, hoping it hasn't timed out yet.)

-=> Mike Hanson <=-

quote:

---

Originally posted by blythe:
love the SBL, the SL2 and the NBL - oh and from the short demo of the Arriva's - I loved them too!

---

Out of that bunch, the SBL is most like the Intro. The NBL and SL2 started to depart from the Naim sound, and apparently the new speaker that they're releasing is specifically designed not to sound like a Naim speaker at all. (Perhaps Naim have finally realized that their speakers are unpalatable to all but extreme devotees.)

-=> Mike Hanson <=-

Been there - done that

Replaced Minstrels with Credos. They're not THAT different. Try Castle Severns vs Kef Reference. Now that's 2 different speakers!!!

Never mind - the Credos (at 5 times the cost) are much better and I listen to them more than I ever did the Minstrels. The whole scheme is amp dependent as both react strongly to the quality of the amp in use.

Doublets would not be a bad choice. They're a funky speaker and available s/hand for reasonable cash.

!!! There's always money somewhere for the next upgrade... !!!

for people considering Royd speakers don't overlook the floorstanding Royd Abbots which are great with Naim gear and a veritable bargain on s/h market

quote:

---

Originally posted by Mike Hanson:
Out of that bunch, the SBL is most like the Intro. The NBL and SL2 started to depart from the Naim sound, and apparently the new speaker that they're releasing is specifically designed not to sound like a Naim speaker at all. (Perhaps Naim have finally realized that their speakers are unpalatable to all but extreme devotees.)

-=> Mike Hanson <=-

---

Cough, cough; the SBL's I had for 13 years and loved them. If the Intro's are close, I know I'll love 'em.
I don't think it's a case of Naim realising anything with their latest speakers, they've simply made improvements, but not for the sake of introducing new models. SBL's for example were little changed for many, many years. If it's not broken, why fix it?
The newer Naim equipment still has all the Naim qualities, they've just progressed.
I wish some of the people writing and making music would do the same!

Computers are supposed to work on 1's and 0's - in other words "Yes" or "No" - why does mine frequently say "Maybe"?......

quote:

---

Originally posted by Mike Hanson:
Out of that bunch, the SBL is most like the Intro.

---

Other way round, surely -- Intro = vaguely SBL presentation on a (relative) budget.

quote:

---

The NBL and SL2 started to depart from the Naim sound,

---

I can see what you mean, but they both (with admittedly limited exposure) make me think "broken DBLs" -- actually that makes a kind of sense. I think SBL & DBL are the strongest statements.

quote:

---

...and apparently the new speaker that they're releasing is specifically designed not to sound like a Naim speaker at all.

---

Well, almost. Still a work in progress possibly. On a recent outing, it was very encouragingly Naim until someone played a bass guitar. Then it went all Cerwin Vega. It's also possibly the first Naim "music" speaker designed from the outset with HT very much a factor, rather than an afterthought. It's also quite expensive, but at least it isn't curved.

Best;

Mark

"with HT very much a factor, rather than an afterthought."

Mark, do not know were you come up with these gems from........not us I am sure.

The Ariva has been designed to work as part of a 2 channel system,sorry it did not float your boat in Bristol not having a rear wall is always a problem for us. Speakers at any price have to deal with a set of compromises, we feel the Ariva at this level especially with the Series 5 kit is musically coherent and thats what matters. We do have have ht models down the road.

We do and will take Av seriously but as you know we have just released 20 odd 2 channel products so I think you can see were our hearts are at.........

One day we have supposedly sold out to the USA by creating the 552,500 and cds3, no praise from some quarters at the fantastic value the new i products bring. We are having lots of fun here in Salisbury and maybe in two or three years time when you see all of our plans realised you will see whats going on is really a positive message for our company and our part within the Industry....

[This message was edited by Paul Stephenson on TUESDAY 02 March 2004 at 17:35.]

Quote:-

One day we have supposedly sold out to the USA by creating the 552,500 and cds3, no praise from some quarters at the fantastic value the new i products bring. We are having lots of fun here in Salisbury and maybe in two or three years time when you see all of our plans realised you will see whats going on is really a positive message for our company and our part within the Industry....
________________________________________________________________


Paul,

I think Naim ought to be congratulated for the new stuff and the new DVD is obviously a glimps as to what is yet to come.

All I can say is that I can't wait to see what else Naim has planned, if they are as stunning as the DVD at Bristol we are in for some good times.


Regards

NB

The new DVD player is great and I am looking forward to the wi-fi hard disk mp3/aac/wav/etc sound server/player!!

" as you know we have just released 20 odd 2 channel products so I think you can see were our hearts are at........."

Well that's music to my ears Paul, thanks!

Barnie.

The Intro 2's would be a good choice for you.

But I wouldn't recommend the original Intro.

Well, I took the plunge and bought some very recent Intro's and I must say, I am very pleased indeed. They are a cracking speaker for the money and I have no regrets about buying them :-)
OK, my main system does sound better, but the Intro's on my AV2 set-up sound just right. Not even sure if they're run in yet but they are quite superb already.
I would strongly reccommmend them to anyone looking at the lower end of Naim gear.
With music, very musical, with HT, they are great too!
My old Minstrels are now ready to be installed in the kitchen on the end of a LP12/CDX2/XPS2/NAT03/252/140.........

Computers are supposed to work on 1's and 0's - in other words "Yes" or "No" - why does mine frequently say "Maybe"?......