Considering an N-Vi...

fordster, would reccomend the n-vi very highly, mine is still not quite perfect but its getting there, am awaiting my replacement,don't know much about the speakers you are using, i am using mk-s, sound quality and picture quality are superb, fed into my panny pw6b, apart from the space saving, don't think you will beat it for the money,

Thanks John. I'll look forward to demoing one in the next couple of weeks and will post my thoughts.

Our n-Vi still hasn't put a foot wrong since its last upgrade 2 or 3 weeks ago.

In terms of performance, the n-Vi is really very good indeed. Yes, it's a one-shoe-fits-all solution, but as solutions go it really is remarkable. In terms of video I have to say I was quite surprised recently because in a direct comparison against an Arcam DV137, the Naim was cleaner, had better resolution, depth of colour and contrast. Now, I did this at standard definition through a SIM projector to a 7 foot screen. Now the DV137 is one of the very best DVD players on the market, so for a one-box solution, the performance is that much more impressive.

As to music performance, I think the n-Vi comes in as the entry level from Naim. In a direct comparison against CD5i/Nait5i, I still preferred the latter which seemed to have better flow. That said, I believe the n-Vi is better than alternative multi-channel solutions without spending serious money and should comprehensively beat your Rotel solution since the 1060 DVD player is not exactly reknowned for its engagement factor. The 1060 is a good machine, but a little laid back and veiled by comparison I think you'll find.

The one caveat in all this is that I don't know the CM series at all. My colleagues who have heard them say they're not the best musically speaking, simply finding them lacking in the engagement factor, but then this is true for so much hifi nowadays that it's difficult for me to understand where most manufacturers are coming from (that's another story). Either way, the B&Ws are unlikely to be a difficult load (not a B&W trait) so provided your room is not too much bigger than average, the n-Vi should be able to drive them well. After all, I've had the n-Vi driving 4-ohm M&K and Dynaudio Audience range speakers with no problems.

The PV-1 is B&W's best sub in my opinion. Their other subs are all too boxy I feel. The PV-1 has the least overt character and no cabinet noise to speak of. It's a fine sub which will match your speakers well. Although I usually recommend other subs at this price range, in a B&W system it makes the most sense I think.

quote:

Our n-Vi still hasn't put a foot wrong since its last upgrade 2 or 3 weeks ago.

Good news, too–we've now had well over forty units since the power supply updates with, count 'em, ZERO failures.

Hats off to all of those who have put in long hours on getting this product sorted.

Mines got a few odd bugs which is normally sorted by turning the thing on and off. I'd agree with Franks comments above. Video is superb and having had a DV137 for a week before sending it back (lots of bugs) i'd say it compares very well. No complaints on video performance. On CD, its different to my CD5i / 72/140 setup but it does sound very good. I think Frank summed it up nicely in that it has the Naim sound but doesnt flow so well.

Cheers

James

Before we get carried away heaping praise on the n-Vi I think you need to know the other side of the story. I'm on my third now and although the power supplies are sorted (no more random reboots) the Digital Optical Input most certainly isn't.

So by all means consider the box, but if you plan on using the optical input (from Sky for example) be prepared to have to reboot every time you switch to the optical input from another, or when Sky program mode changes from PCM to DD. Your call.

However when it's working, as noted above, it is very good.

Duncan

Thanks to everybody for your comments. It's certainly making me keen to hear the N-Vi. I don't have Sky but would be connecting my DVD Recorder (and possibly a Freeview box in the future) via optical so am concerned that this may be a problem. The most important things for me though are rock solid, reliable DVD playback (e.g. no freezing or refusing to play discs) and good stereo performance. It seems like the N-Vi will do this and save space.

I'm gradually working my way up the Hi-Fi/AV food chain having gone from Pioneer to Denon to Rotel and now considering Naim. My biggest restricting factor is space and this was perhaps the biggest factor when buying the CM1s. I cannot physically fit in larger speakers. That's not to say I don't rate these speakers as I do but I only compared them to the B&W 6 series and Quad 11Ls. I dare say if I was to compare them to more expensive speakers I'd notice the difference. The n-Sats would probably fit in okay but I'm not sure about the n-Sub.

This forum is probably not the right place to say this but one thing I wish Naim would work on is style. Yes, it's more important how things sound but, for me at least, it has to sit in my living room so needs to look the business. Put Naim equipment up against Rotel kit and ask people who don't know Hi-Fi which is the most expensive and I bet they would choose Rotel every time. Certainly my wife and friends have done so.

Fordster,

Just to clarify ... the only glitch I see with the n-Vi is occasionally on the optical input. Mucho discussion on another thread covers this.

From a CD/DVD playback POV, and using other inputs, it works just fine. And the video/sound from DVD's is very good indeed.

So all in all a 95% box which IMHO just needs a bit of (software/firmware?) tweaking to make it spot on. My occasional frustration comes from a desire to see this box hit its target and fill a niche in which it is unique.

Duncan

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Put Naim equipment up against Rotel kit and ask people who don't know Hi-Fi which is the most expensive and I bet they would choose Rotel every time.

There is simply no accounting for taste.

Cheers

Don

Oops, I didn't mean to offend anybody! I wasn't referring to the bright LEDs as these are a pet hate of mine (especially blue ones!). However, (and be honest folks) the Naim's styling could best be described as functional. They look industrial with minimum (or even no) effort paid to style and a dull black colour scheme. The Rotels have a nice quality silver finish with black edges which looks (in my opinion and everybody is entitled to their own) very smart but also gives the impression that it means business. Now I know how it sounds is what matters most but for many people their systems have to sit in the living room so it would be nice if they could look good too. This especially applies to the N-Vi as it is likely to be used with LCD/Plasma TVs as a neat one box solution. Still at least it's not as ugly as the Linn Movie system (in black at least).

Please don't throw me out the forum for saying this!

You could always get the silver facia thingies for your Naim gear

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Oops, I didn't mean to offend anybody!

You certainly didn't offend me. Everybody is entitled to their opinion.

I actually like the Naim look. I think it looks sophisticated (modern meaning of this adjective!) and I like its plain, understated appearance.

Appearances are very subjective. Thats why I said there is no accounting for taste.

Cheers

Don