How much to spend on a Naim system

You seriously need to find a good dealer!
Also you need to try the items you list at home, and bearing in mind the potential outlay your dealer needs to allow you to do this for a reasonable lengh of time.
All I'd say is the CXD2 is really good, and well worth the outlay IMO. It would be worth experimenting with the amplification, and it's also worth searching for other loudspeakers than the B&W just to make sure you have it right in your own room.
Also don't forget what u r going to put the kit on etc

Just my two-penneth worth...

If you start lifting your budget every time, you might as well save up for a CDS3, NAC552, NAP500 and a supercap .

Now without the joking, I'm actually where you are now. I started of with a set of speakers, searching for electronics. At first I wanted to go for CD5, NAP150 and NAC112. Then I raised the bar to CD5, NAP200 and NAC202. Last week I got the afvice to listen to the CDX2 and NAIT5 combo. Stunnig . The CD5 was blown away! So I'm starting with the NAIT5 and CDX2, and the growing out to pre/power.

What I'm saying is, the CDX2 is magical! Just audition it, and you'll be pleasantly surprised. Try some combinations and find out what you'll want to aim for. I heard the 8K combination, and the building to it (adding this, then that) and that's probably what you'll want to end up with, once you've heard it.

Some advice. Don't let your budget get out of hand. Naim is made for growing. Us the possibility . Get the CD5, NAP150 and NAC112(or CDX2 NAIT5 combo) and update the system when you feel like it. The sooner you get a Naim system, the sooner you can start enjoying .

Cheers!
Kevin

How much to spend on a Naim system? A minimum of 1,000,000,000 quids, if you ask Naim.

Seriously, you will have to find your own comfort level. As advised above, get some of the alternatives at home, listen to them. If you find a system that is "good enough" for you, its price is what you have to spend.

Thanks guys, I've realised the topic header was probably a bit misleading. I need to decide whether I can justify £8000, or whether I can live with a slightly less expensive system (maybe as 'low' as £5000).

The ability to upgrade in the future isn't really an issue since this will be a one-time purchase with some inheritance money so I won't be able to afford to improve it much further (my current NAD/Rega/B&W system cost less than £1500).

I know the answer is to audition various combinations, but I wondered what peoples thoughts were re. what the optimum set-up was at each level. At the moment I have basically proposed

Step 1 = Base level: 5 series components (pre/power) with Flat Cap 2
Step 2 = + c. £1000: sacrifice Flap Cap 2 for CDX2
Step 3 = + c. £2000: upgrade both amps, no power supply
Step 4 = + c. £3000: Add Hi-cap

Would I get better results if I opted for spending the budget at step 2/3 on power supplies in combination with the lesser CD/amps? Can I use an NAPSC as well as a hi-cap in a CDX2/NAC202/NAP200 system?

[This message was edited by Nigel_Rav on MONDAY 22 September 2003 at 15:56.]

If it'll be an one time spending you'll be happy to spend the extra cash. It sounds great!

And you can't use a NAPSC and a HiCap at once, since the CDX2 only uses the XPS, and no HiCap. The pre will be fed bij the HiCap.

And a CDX2 will rip a CD5 HiCap to shreds! It really is an amazing piece of electronics!

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Originally posted by Boekster:
And you can't use a NAPSC and a HiCap at once, since the CDX2 only uses the XPS, and no HiCap. The pre will be fed bij the HiCap.

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Sorry, that's wrong. According to Naim, the NAP 202 can be powered by a NAPSC (for the digital circuitry) and a HiCap (for the analog side) at the same time. Good combo, too.

Still learning I guess . Sorry for the misinformation then .

A system comprised of CD5/FC2/102/150 is a good system. If budget ok, I think CDX2 is good choice, and try to listen to 202/200 and 102/150 combo with CDX2, even without home demo, you will see they are very different things.

Despite it is one time purchase, leave the option for powersupply upgrade does no harm to you (i.e. add Hicap and NAPSC to 202 later).

For me, I will go for CDX2/202/200 first.

If you have the money now, but won't have it later, go for the better system now. I can say from personal experience that the 200/202 is much better than the 150/112. I've heard from others, including my dealer, that the CDX2 is much better than the CD5 (which is a great buy in its own right). I hope to be auditioning the two "lower" Naim cd players later this year when I've got the cash. Only you can decide whether the improvements of moving up the chain are worth the extra money. For some, it isn't. However, if I was you and buying a whole system at once and had the money, I'd be inclined to get the best source you could afford (CDX2), then the best amp/preamp combo (200/202) and then worry about power supplies (although with this kind of money, you really should get the PSC2 for the 202 at a minimum). I would sacrifice the Hi-Cap or Flat-Cap on the 202 before getting the lesser CD player or amp/preamp combo. Also, it will be easiest for you to add the Hi-Cap later should you ever decide to (easier than selling the 150/112 and then jumping up to the 200/202).

Good luck.

MBM

I'm probably going to get shot down by CDX-2 fans and "source firsters" but if it was my money and I only had it once, I'd spend in on the amps/power supplies in preference to the CD player. In 5 to 10 years they will still comfortably out-perform most of what is available.

Within that time you'll want a new source to play new media or music that has no media, as well as CDs.

Olly

Nigel,

Since MANY people are nowadays looking to combine their Audio and Video listening in a single system (oops, sistem), have you considered the Naim offering in this area.

You might want to have a look at their newsletter (Spring 2003) before you choose an Audio-only set-up, and obviously this would influence you choice of pre-amp, speakers and source components - just a thought before you lay out the cash.

Whatever you do, you'll enjoy the Naim experience, I'm sure

Mike

Thanks for all the advice. I don't need AV facilities as I prefer to keep things separate. I was very happy with the CD5/NAC112/NAP150/FC2 system, but since I do have more cash available if I choose to spend it on hi-fi, I have an overwhelming curiosity to listen to some more expensive configurations and decide whether the sonic improvements justify the extra outlay.

The c. £8k budget includes the speakers/rack/cabling/etc, it's just of question of whether I go that high. My wife is fairly happy for me to spend the cash, since it is my inheritance money (and I have already earmarked a chunk for the mortgage, house moving expenses, a holiday and the overdraft/credit card).

I think I'm going to go back to the dealer and listen to some more speakers (e.g. Spendor, Dynaudio, Naim), plus compare the differences between my current QED XT400 cable and NACA5 before listening to the Naim equipment in the order I originally said, but I may try the CDX2/NAC202/NAP200 combo as is, then with the NAPSC, then with a Hi-Cap and finally with a Hi-Cap and NAPSC.

At a different dealer, I'm also planning to listen to a Cyrus X series set-up just to compare. My wife prefers the look of their gear, but the Naim sound was just what I was looking for, so it would have to be superb. As far as I'm aware, the top Cyrus CD player is £1000, so may be as good as the CD5, but very unlikely to compete with the CDX2.

What about used:

CDS2+XPS 3K
52+SCAP 2.5K
250 1K
Shahinian arcs 1K
Isoblue new and looks great 0.5K


Sounds pretty good to me.

I understand why you want to spend more than you have to. Sometimes upgrading when funds allow rather than for a specific musical reason is necessary as you can never be sure what the future holds. Go on spend the extra cash

Brendan

I second Andy C's suggestion that you need a seriously good dealer.

My answer is get it all - spend it now! You can't take it with you when you're gone... and at least you'll have enjoyed the great music within your collection, and the expansion (of collection) that comes from a great system.

CDX2/202/200 is a very, very strong "start", you're approaching a very serious system at that point. Don't take my word for it - find a dealer you want to do business with, be prepared to spend some time going through the system permutations, buy only what you are sure of is value to you - this should be clear and unambiguous, and is usually accompanied by utterences of "oh s*it I've never heard it that good before", "oh hell I shouldn't have listened to that" and largely "rustle rustle" as you unfold wadges of £20 notes. Oh, and a warm feeling in the pit of your stomach that the music is really making you happy.

HTH

Rico

Rico - SM/Mullet Audio

With regards to comments about finding a good dealer, I am going to 3 different ones and I will probably buy from the one I get on with best.

I'm going to Cymbiosis in Leicester on Saturday, Grahams Hi-Fi next Thursday and Audio-T in Reading next Saturday. All shops do slightly different alternatives as well as Naim for comparison purposes, so should be interesting.

I'll also be visiting Naim at the What Hi-Fi Show on Sunday.

Cymbiosis I was impressed with on the phone; I bought my current CD and amp from Audio-T in Reading when they were excellent and Grahams were suggested by a work colleague.

I've already had one demo in Grahams when I got as far as listening to the CD5/112/150/FC2 set up. They know their kit, but are a bit of a pain with their strict 90 minute slots and seem a shade pushy with their recommendations. I realise this is based on their confidence in knowing what they're talking about, but it does leave you feeling a bit out of control.

In favour of Audio-T, they do a 3 year warranty and are usually prepared to do a deal on price, but realistically this may only only extend to a free/discounted rack when talking about Naim equipment.

If you are going to Leicester I would recommend seeing New Audio Frontiers in Loughborough. Derick Whittington really knows his stuff and is a million miles away from the hard sell mentality.

Hi there
Just another point regarding dealers. Different Audio-Ts are also different. It might be worth contacting Audio-T in Basingstoke and speaking to Bob who is really good.
Good luck
Raphael

Can recommend Cymbiosis... Used Peter's services for years and he has a sense of humour to boot!

Seeing your're in MK and are clearly willing to travel, I should provide an unashamed plug for Peter & Ted at The Studio.

Rico - SM/Mullet Audio

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Seeing your're in MK and are clearly willing to travel, I should provide an unashamed plug for Peter & Ted at The Studio.

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Rico, any thoughts re. how The Studio compares to Grahams Hi-Fi down the road as a buying experience?

Nigel

Best you judge for yourself - it's a case of finding the dealer you want to do business with. I still think that's the most important aspect of system (or component) shopping - just visit your short-list of dealers first, before you start listening to kit. Sound them out, get a feel for their approach. Choose the one you feel most comfortable with, then start your auditioning process.

Grahams are a well-respected successful London dealer. I later chose Peter as my dealer in the days of The Studio's previous incarnation (Studio 99) for a variety of reasons. I've since left London so base my recommendation solely on Peter & Ted's approach to building decent systems, and friendly no-nonsense approach to their customers. Music first!

HTH.

Rico - SM/Mullet Audio

quote:

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Originally posted by PR:

If you have £8000 for a system there are hundreds of systems to choose from that offer equal performance to Naim, and some supersede Naim by a large margin £ for £.

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PR, thanks for your views. I'd really prefer to stick to new kit. Is a CDX2/NAC202/NAP200/HC really such poor value for money in comparison to others? If so, who are the main rivals for £6k worth of CD and amp?

Trouble is, not many shops appear to offer many alternatives to Naim to compare directly. I'll be listening to Linn, Cyrus and (I think) Myryad but that's about it other than Rega's top system which is obviously quite a bit cheaper.

Nigel

Opps!

I'll start again..

Nigel, don't worry about PR, he seems to have been on an anti naim/levinson is wonderful rant for a while now. .As always let your ears decide.

As an aside are Mark Levinson still in business? I have heard that the parent company has closed the US factory.