Is anyone using Avalon speakers with a Naim system?

Posted by: bdnyc on 28 December 2003

I was wondering if anyone has heard, or used a Naim system on the Avalon family of speakers. I am intrigued by their new model the Ascendant, but similar older models such as the Arcus or the Opus will also give me a good idea of what to expect.

I have heard Avalons played with Spectral to good effect, and on tubes, with a warmer, but slower result. Intuitively, I would think the Naim amps are sufficient to drive the speakers fine, but may not be a marriage made in heaven as Avalon's big design goal seems to be soundstaging, which hasn't been Naim's top priority, and it possible that the speakers will somewhat fight the Naim's hallmark musicality and dynamics.

Thanks for your help. All the best for the New Year.
Posted on: 28 December 2003 by Dan M
I suspect you're right -- this would be an odd mix. I visited the factory and sat it on a demo. The sound struck me as very hi-fi with pin-point imaging, but compared to my modest naim/linn combo it sounded to me dull and not involving. YMMV of course. Beautifully built speakers BTW, with incredible attention to detail.

Dan
Posted on: 28 December 2003 by Willito
I once had a conversation with their UK distributor who was adamant that Avalon speakers would not work well with a Naim system. Of course, that's just one man's opinion, but he was so unpleasent about the whole thing that he put me off doing business with him. They are beautiful speakers and by all accounts extremely capable performers. I too would be very curious to know if anyone has tried them with Naim.
Posted on: 28 December 2003 by kuma
I am curious as well. I used to own sevearl pair of Avalon. They are indeed stage/tone speakers but can groove with the right gear, I think.

BTW, I prefer the Eclipse over Opus for tighter bass work. ( the former is sealed ). They generally benefit from high current fast sounding amplifiers and I'd think Naim can give sparkle and life they need.

Avalon isn't the most dynamic speakers out there yet, it might not be a bad paring as a whole.
Posted on: 30 December 2003 by Lightkeeper
bdnyc,

Several days ago I was been at Franc Kuzma home and we were listened to his Avalon Eidolon Diamond, but with tube amplification.
Avalons are fine speakers and the sound what Franc was reperesented to us was very good, but if you want to keep your Naim gear, I strongly suggest you to get yourself a pair of DBL.

Ozren Smile
Posted on: 31 December 2003 by Naimed-In-NY
For what it's worth - Recent issue of Hi Fi + reviewed the Ascendants very favorably, and one of the amps used during the review process was the NAP 300. The reviewer (don't recall who) indicated that one of the speaker's strengths is its lack of personality, which I took to mean that it would sound good with any or most types of amps.

Kind regards. MBM
Posted on: 02 January 2004 by bdnyc
Folks-

Thanks for your help. I did speak to someone who used and enjoyed a then top of the line Naim system using the then top of the line Avalons, the Radians, but I have yet to explore any of these combinations myself. The Avalons are clearly beautifully crafted speakers, and in speaking to Avalon, it was made clear to me that the lower end models are not intended to fit into just one style of system, and so might be very interesting with Naim, provided you have enough room to allow the Avalons to breath, and enough power in the Naim amp to really control the speakers well. I would guess anything from a 250 on up would be fine, but obviously the better the Naim system, the better the overall results.

The recent Hifi Plus review by Roy Gregory in issue 26 of this excellent newer journal alludes to a brief partnering of a CDSIII and Nap 300 based Naim system with the Colorado speakers. He doesn't list his full Naim system, but does note that with speakers that do image well, the newer Naim gear is a great deal better than the old myths might indicate in this regard.

I remember years ago asking Julian about imaging and Naim, and he said basically that it is really a speaker and room set up issue, and that the Naim electronics were quite capable of imaging, but many people had assumed that they didn't based on hearing Naim electronics on systems not optimized in that direction.

I have heard Naim systems image superbly with with B&W Nautilus speakers, various Wilson Audio models, Sonus Fabers, etc. What is often more of a surprise is how well the Naim speakers themselves image, particularly given their near wall locations.

Thanks again for all of your responses. Good listening.
Posted on: 03 January 2004 by kuma
quote:
Originally posted by bdnyc:
I remember years ago asking Julian about imaging and Naim, and he said basically that it is really a speaker and room set up issue, and that the Naim electronics were quite capable of imaging, but many people had assumed that they didn't based on hearing Naim electronics on systems not optimized in that direction.

I have heard Naim systems image superbly with with B&W Nautilus speakers, various Wilson Audio models, Sonus Fabers, etc. What is often more of a surprise is how well the Naim speakers themselves image, particularly given their near wall locations.


I always thought Naim gear had no trouble imaging.
Naim might lack in depth rendition and layering, even on the newer series, compared to others, however.

But it is a hoot to hear Naim doing the soundstage thing. Personally I think it's kinda cool. Wink