Naim & Obelisk

Posted by: JohnMak on 23 March 2003

I've seen a lot of references on this forum to Obelisk loudspeakers.
It kind of surprises me that Naim users would like these speakers.
I heard them years ago (circa 1986) in New Zealand.

I was in a Hi Fi shop in Palmerston North, and was introduced to Peter Thompson, the designer and owner of Plinius amplifier company (and a personal friend of Dick Shahinian). He took me to his home to hear his new amplifier - the Plinius MA-50. It was a 50 watt per channel, Class A, water cooled monster playing through Shahinian Obelisks. He was into string quartet music and I recall the presentation was quite surreal. I could walk between the speakers and the musicians stayed in their relative places .... a most uncanny experience.
However, there was definitely no PRaT so I am very surprised that Naim fans would use these speakers.

Also, I see they are about four thousand pound in the UK comapred to only $2,800 in USA.

Cheers,
John McMillan
PS. I bought the MA-50 which I kept until the water pipes rusted through.
Posted on: 23 March 2003 by herm
John,

I have no doubt that was a wonderful sistem, but next time somebody demonstrates hifi I'd suggest you'd skip the string quartet. It's not a test. It is very hard to find a sistem that will not reproduce string quartet music beautifully.

Oh, and BTW, you really are the number 1 contender for this year's Nuño award.Wink

Herman
Posted on: 23 March 2003 by JohnMak
Hi Herm,
Why do I have the feeling the nuno award is not something I want to know about.

Cheers,
Posted on: 23 March 2003 by herm
quote:
Originally posted by JohnMak:

Why do I have the feeling the Nuno Award is not something I want to know about?


I really don't know, John. I think you should want to know. In terms of status and glamor, the Nuño Award comes right after the Big Anorak (which means you get to wear Anna's clothes, or at least some of them).

The Nuño Award is different in that the shortlist comes in August, but then (for obvious reasons) it'll take the rest of the year to decide upon the winner. As I said, just stay the course and you;re sure to make the shortlist!

Herman
Posted on: 23 March 2003 by herm
quote:
Originally posted by Tony Coxhill:
'Herman', you appear to have great difficulty inserting inverted commas correctly when typing. Somehow, semi-colons usually end up in their place. Is this a Dutch thing, or do you possess an unfortunate mental deficiency?


Good question, Tony, and I'm glad you're paying as neurotically close attention to my posts as time allows. But as to your question I have to say it's the latter. I have a most unfortunate mental deficiency, more details of which will follow soon. So be prepared. In the meantime I'll just remark I really appreciate those inverted commas you put around my 'name'. One's better safe than sorry.

Herman
Posted on: 23 March 2003 by JohnMak
Hi herm,
Many thanks for shortlisting me for the nuno award ... it's nice to be noticed.
However, as much as I enjoy recieving any award, I can't accept any credit for this award re my posting about Obelisks as it was not a question. It was an observation based on a memory I had of Obelisks from years ago that didn't seem to fit my impressions of the type of speaker and presentation that Naim users would enjoy.
I am not interested in the Obelisk presentation. Sorry.

Cheers,
John McMillan

PS. We also have an annual award in Vung Tau City called the POTY award. (work it out) I will return the favour and put your name forward.
Posted on: 24 March 2003 by TommyT
John,
My friend and I had a demo on Saturday of B&W 803, Arcs and Obelisks. Despite both owning Naim CD/amp, I preferred the Shahinians whilst my friend much preferred the B&W sound. Conclusion? What represents PRAT and emotion for one may prove to be dull and lifeless for another.
Rgds,
Tom