Nait5, CD5 - wierd happenings

Posted by: Topof on 02 February 2003

Hi folks,
I've got a very modest Naim system and finally bought some speakers for it yesterday (Kef Cresta 1's).
Upto this point the Nait5 and CD5 were switched off. I hooked everything up and switched on and played something.
Now I know the electronics were cold and the speakers brand new so I wasn't expecting much.
And I didn't get very much either. Compressed, cold music - not sound - music.
It still sounded better than the other stuff I'd tried before though.
I played around a bit with speaker positions and then after about 20 minutes Miles Davis appeared in my room playing Kinda Blue.
Everything opened up - the scale of the little Crestas in my small room were quite amazing.
I had to go out for about 3 hours and left the Naim gear on.
When I came back and played something else the sounds had gone back to the cold, compressed stage.
I know I have a lot of running in to do but is this common that Naim gear "opens" after 20 - 30 mins?

Cheers

Dave
Posted on: 02 February 2003 by Thomas K
Hi Dave,

I know this sounds a bit iffy, but I've heard people suggest that -- even if the gear is always on -- the CD transport needs to run a while before it comes on song. I've certainly noticed that it often takes me 15 minutes or so until I really like the sound my sistem is making (might be down to other things though, winding down, relaxing, whatever).

Thomas
Posted on: 02 February 2003 by syd
Topof

I think you'll find that speakers take 15 to 20 minutes to warm up. Speaker rubber surround,voice coils and the crossover components. This is quite normal but once a session is under way you'll have no problems.

Yours in Music

Syd
Posted on: 02 February 2003 by J.N.
Dave

Room temperature can play a big part in this.

A cold room produces a cold compressed sound.
Posted on: 02 February 2003 by KENB
20 minutes sounds about right. It's like tuning a switch on my NAIT2. Not really worth listening to anything ntil it's warmed up.

Ken
Posted on: 02 February 2003 by alex95
I had the Naim gear you mention for 2 months and it didn't get any better.
Ended up changing it for some Sugden , much better.
Wanted to like the Naim, but couldn'td.
Expensive mistake.
Posted on: 02 February 2003 by Topof
Thanks everyone. I guess I'll just have to be patient for the Kef's. The amp is second hand so that should've been broken in by now but the CD5 is brand new.

Thanks again

Dave
Posted on: 02 February 2003 by J.N.
Alex

What was it you didn't like about the Naim sound and did with the Sugden?

It's interesting to get a handle on what people don't like about the Naim sound. You're not alone - I have a friend with a variety of good systems; who can't stand the sound of my Naim system.
Posted on: 03 February 2003 by alex95
Initially was impressed with the bass definition of the Naim system which was what I was after, upgrading from some Arcam stuff.
Although the bass performance was fixed I realised that the sound was a bit artificial and lacking detail that I heard through the Arcam. I just felt it sounded artificially forward and grainy.
On hearing the Sugden CD21 and A21 everything just seemed more natural and musical, the clarity and lack of graininess won me over. Now they are hooked up to a pair of Harbeth Compact 7s it just sounds so right.
I've still got the Nait 5 so I may wheel it out for a turn soon !