Why so many Naimies use LP12?

Posted by: kuma on 14 January 2004

It is odd that Naim CD players, at least to my ears, do not sound like LP12. Confused
Posted on: 14 January 2004 by garyi
LP12s are used because they are a good deck and readily available.
Posted on: 14 January 2004 by NaimDropper
So which CDP actually sounds like an LP12?
I'd buy one of those!
David
Posted on: 14 January 2004 by willem
<q>Why so many Naimies use LP12?</q>

It could be the other way round you know, source first and all!

willem
Posted on: 14 January 2004 by Mr_Sukebe
Kuma,

I think you're right that Naim CD players really don't sound like LP12s. The question is whether they should even bother trying?

After a number of dems of LP vs CD based systems, strikes me that each format has it's own strengths and weaknesses. Both the LP12 and the Naim CDPs seem to do a rather good job of playing to those strengths. Of course the result is most certainly different.

Of course we could ask Naim to make something that sounds like an LP12, which would generally mean a more mushy uncontrolled bass, less definition at the high end and to somehow miraculously manage a massive increase in fluidity, which seems to be beyond any CDP I've ever heard.
Posted on: 14 January 2004 by kuma
quote:
Originally posted by Mr_Sukebe:
After a number of dems of LP vs CD based systems, strikes me that each format has it's own strengths and weaknesses. Both the LP12 and the Naim CDPs seem to do a rather good job of playing to those strengths. Of course the result is most certainly different.


Yeah. I totally agree there...as I get to hear different analogue and digital set ups over the years. Altho, analogue gets out more *life* out of music in general. When I hear a digital playback that gets closer to the nugget of analgoue stuff, my respect and admiration to those who are trying.

Altho, LP 12 can groove, I prefer Naim digital over LP12. I'd think that there are tables that come closer to Naim digital than Linn.
Posted on: 14 January 2004 by kuma
quote:
Originally posted by kuma:
quote:
Originally posted by Mr_Sukebe:
After a number of dems of LP vs CD based systems, strikes me that each format has it's own strengths and weaknesses. Both the LP12 and the Naim CDPs seem to do a rather good job of playing to those strengths. Of course the result is most certainly different.


Yeah. I totally agree there...as I get to hear different analogue and digital set ups over the years. Altho, analogue gets out more *life* out of music in general. When I hear a digital playback that gets closer to the nugget of analgoue stuff, my respect and admiration go to those who are trying.

Altho, LP 12 can groove, I prefer Naim digital over LP12. I'd think that there are tables that come closer to Naim digital than Linn.
Posted on: 14 January 2004 by kuma
quote:
Originally posted by Mr_Sukebe:
After a number of dems of LP vs CD based systems, strikes me that each format has it's own strengths and weaknesses. Both the LP12 and the Naim CDPs seem to do a rather good job of playing to those strengths. Of course the result is most certainly different.


Yeah. I totally agree there...as I get to hear different analogue and digital set ups over the years. Altho, analogue gets out more *life* out of music in general. When I hear a digital playback that gets closer to the nugget of analgoue stuff, my respect and admiration go to those who are trying. There are just so many dead sounding digital playback around.

Altho, LP 12 can groove, I prefer Naim digital over LP12. I'd think that there are tables that come closer to Naim digital than Linn.
Posted on: 14 January 2004 by trickytree
Roll Eyes Roll Eyes Roll Eyes Roll Eyes
Posted on: 14 January 2004 by NaimDropper
quote:
Altho, LP 12 can groove, I prefer Naim digital over LP12. I'd think that there are tables that come closer to Naim digital than Linn.

If that's true, then no need to buy THOSE t-tables!
Digital is always "cool" sounding, sometimes it's musical but it rarely makes me smile like the LP12.
Somebody donate their CDX or better to me and I'll shut up about the LP12.
David
Posted on: 14 January 2004 by kuma
quote:
Originally posted by NaimDropper:
quote:
Altho, LP 12 can groove, I prefer Naim digital over LP12. I'd think that there are tables that come closer to Naim digital than Linn.

If that's true, then no need to buy THOSE t-tables!
Digital is always "cool" sounding, sometimes it's musical but it rarely makes me smile like the LP12.


David,

Niether playback actually hit bulls eye. They do different things.
LP12 does make ppl. smile which is a hard task for most digital. At least CDX2/XPS2 does that more often than others.
Posted on: 14 January 2004 by NaimDropper
Of course neither hits the bull's eye... If ANYTHING did, the audio market would be radically different.
Those of us susceptable to "Digititis" tend to flock to the LP12 and it's competitors (are there any?).
David
Posted on: 15 January 2004 by Tarquin Maynard - Portly
quote:
Originally posted by Mr_Sukebe:

Of course we could ask Naim to make something that sounds like an LP12, which would generally mean a more mushy uncontrolled bass, less definition at the high end and to somehow miraculously manage a massive increase in fluidity, which seems to be beyond any CDP I've ever heard.


Mike, you should hear the modern incarnations of the LP12; Cirkus bearing, Lingo 2, Akiva. IMO it delivers exactly what you desire above.

You are welcome to come down to my place for as listen at some stage; The Nagger is taking the brood away over half term and I see another self congratulatory Berkshire Massive soiree looming....

Regards

Mike

On the Yellow Brick Road and Happy
Posted on: 15 January 2004 by prowla
Funny - I think my CDX has many similarities with the LP12. If pressed for key differences, I's say perhaps the LP12 has a bit more spark to it whereas the CDX has better bass.

Paul Rowlands
Posted on: 15 January 2004 by Rasher
Why so many Naimies use LP12?
Lack of imagination in my case, although I don't do LP's anymore. I bought my first LP12 when they introduced the Valhalla, and haven't had anything different because it just was the TT to have. Sad and blinkered, but true. If I was to get a TT again, it would be a Roksan Radius 5, but I'm not going to.
Posted on: 15 January 2004 by kuma
quote:
Originally posted by Rasher:
If I was to get a TT again, it would be a Roksan Radius 5, but I'm not going to.


Rahser,

Interesting. I adore Roksan TMS2 which I think closer to the voicing of CDX2/XPS2 than LP12.

I love the vinyl playback. But too many damn boxes. Frown
Posted on: 15 January 2004 by greeny
It's probably fair to say most LP12 owners had their TT's before their CD players. So maybe the question is what type of CD players do these people own not the reverse.

The LP12 and Naim in th early days seems to be developed hand in hand, each manufacturer using the others produce to delvelop their own, This produced an unparalleled synergy between the two. In my case I've simply had the LP12 since thise days (early 80's in my case). If you then look for a CD player that works with your system you are still likely to be looking for one that does the tune, Prat etc of the LP12 well. The voicing may be different but Naim CD players do a lot of the other vinyl like things better than anyone else (IMO)
Posted on: 15 January 2004 by seagull
"I see another self congratulatory Berkshire Massive soiree looming...."

Those 135's could do with a good workout. Malcolm managed to make my 140 suffer when he came round the other week. The only time its ever been hotter was when it expired in its previous life as a 110!

seagull
A happy LP12 owner since 1983
Posted on: 15 January 2004 by Nime
Please don't mention "hot" and Naim amps in the same sentence. My wife finally fried "our" '180 on Metallica two days ago!

Small, quiet voice on the 'phone: "What does it mean when the green lights go out and the "music" suddenly goes all quiet?" Frown

"I only had it on quite low for a couple of hours."

"Normally it's much higher than that"


After half an hour it was no longer: "As hot as a plastic electric kettle when it has just boiled."

A learning experience has occured when: "So why do they have volume controls that go right round when you can't go higher than 12 o' clock without something breaking?"

Now all I have to do I is get her two nice, big, fat, active subwoofers. Sometimes life really is that simple. She can play her "music" on those instead of the hifi! Wink

As to Naimies using LP12s. It's so they can hear the snap, crackle and pop perfectly reproduced. It brings tears to their eyes. Well it does to mine!

Nime

Everyone has the right to be wrong.