New to naim and forum. Please help get it right.

Welcome. I've no idea about the Kefs and whether or not a Qute can drive them, but the Qute is certainly lovely. My instinct was to suggest that if you are already thinking about adding a 100, you should go for a used 172/155 in the first place, but from what you say I think this will be too expensive. 

Regarding cables, I'd have a look at Tellurium Blue, or Naim's own NAC A5. Don't forget that you can pick up cables second hand for very good prices, for example my Tellurium Black cost £400 new but I bought them used for under £150. If you are buying the equipment new from a dealer, you can often get a good deal on the cables. 

Bienvenue sur le forum Naim, vous trouverez beaucoup d'amis utiles et bien informes ici.

The KEF LS50 is a nice little speaker, I heard them only 2 weeks ago at a friends new apartment, powered by a Cyrus amp & streaming system. I thought they were very impressive for a small speaker  but most impressive was the imaging.  The Cyrus amp (I believe) is 40 watts,  so not so far away from the Qute 30 watts,  but I would imagine a Qute2 would be close to the limits.

The only way is to arrange a dealer demo & try it yourself.   It might be perfect especially if you do not have too much volume in your small room.  Also adding a NAP100 at a later date is very possible & then you have a really nice system, perfect for a small environment but well able to be happy in a larger room.

Speaker cables is really a matter of what will better suit your environment,  NACA5 is the recommended cable for all Naim,  but its one problem is that its is stiff.  TQ Blue, Chord Odyssey ........ so many to choose from. 

Keep posting on how your quest is progressing.

Hi Crabby,

Welcome to the forum.

As you know HiFi is all about synergy, not only of your gear but how it interacts with your room, this makes the whole exercise somewhat subjective.

There are a lot of users who love the Qute, and the LS50 has garnered a LOT of praise ....that does not mean they will work together, or that they will work in your room.

The primary advise I would give would be to work with a dealer who will lend you the equipment for you to try at home ...£2k is still a lot of money.

Naim offers you some advantages ....and some disadvantages.

Advantages:

1. Nationwide dealer network and ready availability

2. Very active forum

    This means that you can get advice from a community who are using your equipment.

3. Well made equipment that stands the test of time

    Retains value and is available to buy 2nd hand.

4. Good sound quality

    See below.

5. Ready upgrade path

    As your wallet and tastes expand

Disadvantages:

1. Ready Upgrade Path

    Naim almost builds in an upgrade itch.

2. Very active forum

    Supports the upgrade itch.

Sound Quality

I think that Naim can deliver some great sound quality at a number of price points. I would emphasise the importance of a good dealer.

Whether you get caught up on the upgrade conveyor belt depends on a number of factors ....it can be am interesting journey. Some people get to a system that simply meets there enjoyment needs and settle back to enjoy the music .....one gent who uses Quad ESL57s with a NAP100 spring to mind.

Be interested to hear how this works out for you.

M

P.S. There is another current thread here where the poster is using LS50s.

Welcome to the forum!

Like many before me, I've not heard the Qute/NAP100 driving the Kef speakers so I'll limit my comments to your cable question. In the past Naim used to insist that their amps be used with Naim NAC A5 cable (because of the electrical properties of their cable) but this has changed over the years.

My personal experience is that Chord Epic Twin works very well as a NAC A5 substitute though it costs twice as much.

Hope this helps.

One other thing..... You say in your last post that you will be looking at the Qute AND 100 this week. If you really are in a position to buy both now, don't forget that you can buy a used SuperUniti for the same price, and it will have a lot more power to get those little speakers working. You may of course prefer the Qute/100, but it is good to consider a number of options. 

Bonjour Crabby,

As good as the Qute2 is, I too would have concerns as to how well it can drive the LS50s - evidence suggests that they're not such an easy speaker to drive.  The Qute2 will certainly be able to drive them , but I doubt it'll get the best out of them.  One advantage of buying new is that it justifies a dealer spending time with you and allowing you to listen to several different types of speaker.

One of the things about speakers is that even very well regarded speakers can have a completely different presentation of music, can sound very different, and can work better or less well with different genres of music.

In your position I'd take advantage of Naim's dealer position and ask them to recommend at least two other types of speaker for you to try in the demo.  Tell the dealer the size of your room and how it's furnished and take advantage of their expertise.  Most Naim dealers have been in the business quite a long time and are knowledgeable and enthusiastic.

If you are set on the LS50's, then I think HH's idea of a second-hand SuperUniti is a very good one.

Ou habitez vous?

Bienvenue Crabby!

Je parle Francais comme une vache espagnole.

I agree with Mr. Underhill, Naim offers you some advantages and some disadvantages.

Kef LS50 is a good one and loved by many. Personally when I auditioned it hooked up to the Rega Brio-R amp/Apollo-R CDP I much preferred the Kef R300. It is a bit more expensive (it is a 3-way design) but is spec'd better at the low end and is more efficient. Best of all I thought it really boogies (in comparison)!

There is a lot to love about a UQ2, chief among them is the spectacular array of inputs in a single box.  The UQ2 puts the fun back in functionality and it is all there at your fingertips.    But the single box is a big part of it.  We passed on the KEF in favor of the efficient Blumenstein Thrasher for efficiency and price, and it just happened to rock those 30 watts in a great way.  

I could live with it as my only Naim system, but I agree with HH.  The SuperUniti is a great unit.  Be sure you get enough power to make you happy, even if you need to buy S/H.

Crabby, if you are anywhere near Hythe, Kent - I have just bought NAP 300DR, NAC 252 + Supercap with B&W 804d speakers running with my ND5 XS +PS and Musical Fidelity CD player 170.1 (used as a transport into the ND5 XS DAC) all for the pleasure of enjoying my 11,000+ CD collection. 

In the interests of Entente Cordiale you're welcome to drop in for a demo anytime.  

Hi Crabby,

Bit of a left- field suggestion but have you considered pre-owned? I don't know how easy it is for you to get to St Albans (still SE England) but Tom Tom Audio generally have a great selection and I have found James incredibly helpful. There is normally a guarantee and the stuff generally looks and sounds as good as new. Their website has lots of info.

Good hunting

Steve

Greetings Crabby,

As others have stated, the importance of a good dealer cannot be overstated. It's the great freebie which comes with Naim browsing and ownership. Good Naim dealers have a wealth of experience.

Inevitably, as individual customers, we have limited experience and can have fixed opinions on the strength of a single very good or very bad listening experience. A poor sounding room can kill just about anything!

A good dealer will listen; let you listen (ideally at home), and steer you straight.

Good luck.

John.

Salut Crabby, bienvenue sur le forum.

From another French expat, living in Canada, but spending most of his time in the USA.

I have Qute 1 and NAP110 into Ls50's. Great sounding and looking speakers (my wife called them 'sexy' - mission complete!). Be sure to have really heavy stands. New stands really tamed the boomy bass I was having if you have to have them near a wall. Mine are only nine inches from rear wall and a short sidewall coming out to an opening six inches to the right of one of them. Small room 11X17 that adjoins a similar dining room and then so on to kitchen. So old house with an open layout, and not that large. Speakers face into the living room from the side. Just has to be for now but if remodel in planning happens then things will change.

Anyway, it took a lot to tame them. They take awhile to burn in, a good 30 hours plus. I have the half bungs inserted now. Also new stands and careful (but not precise) positioning. Its a small room shared by children (well ruled mostly) so I do a lot of low level, late night listening, as well as the occasional dance party on the sofa. These speakers shine with that, world, reggae, jazz, voice. They will rock, but if you want stadium level chest thumping you'll need a lot more power (and ears, in my case). Jazz, esp Van Gelder produced remasters, is sublime. Shankar's Chants of India, Ram, LCD Sound System, Ting Tings, Discreet Music, Buena Vista Social Club, Kaya, Sorcerer, Future Days, all sound fantastic. Classical not really my thing but I might want something a bit more relaxed, maybe a valve amp. I'm running mine through a DAC V1 as well, so YMMV. My CB NAP 110 after rebuild really shines. Its about the same power as the UQ but takes off the edge and gives it PRAT in spades. 

Great speakers for what they cost imo.