Hello and greetings from Florida!
This is my first post on this forum. To introduce myself - I listen to a wide variety of music (although mostly classical). My existing setup is a decent high-rez mobile player, good headphones (B&O H6) and Meridian portable DAC when I listen to the music on my computer. So my listening experience is mostly limited to portable devices.
I'm venturing into a wider Hi-Fi world now - I've recently ordered my first Naim device ever: SuperUniti from a local Naim dealer. They also happen to be Magnepan dealer and, after relatively extensive search for speakers that would meet my listening preferences, I decided on Magneplanars .7 and, to augment the low end, Magnepan DWM bass panel. I'm still waiting on the delivery of all the components.
Both .7 speakers and DWM bass panel have 4-ohm impedance. I'm going to go with the parallel connection (both the .7 speakers and the woofer connected to the amp as opposed to the serial connection). The bass panel is not powered so needs to be connected to the regular speaker outputs on the SU.
Given the SuperUniti specification for speaker output power (120W per channel at 4-ohms - which means roughly 5.5A of output current and 21V of output voltage), my rusty knowledge of electrical basics tells me that if I connect my speakers in the way I intend, SU will have to drive 2-ohm load on each channel which will bring the output current to around 11A....
So, is it within the SU specs? Have anyone tried similar setup with low impedance speakers? My dealer tells me that the SU has a high-current amp module so it should be ok.
A follow up question to all this is: how do you connect two speakers to each channel using the supplied Naim plugs? If it's impossible to do so with the Naim-supplied plugs, is there a type of banana plugs that you would recommend for this purpose? I'm concerned by the warning on the back of SU as shown on the pictures from Naim website: "Do not replace supplied loudspeaker plugs with individual 4mm plugs)".
I'd appreciate your advice and thank you in advance for any info you can share!
Kartrait
Posted on: 23 October 2015 by hungryhalibut
My advice is do not do it. I'd forget the subwoofer and get speakers that give the sound you need without the need to resort to one. And if you absolutely must have one, make sure it's self powered, and that you connect either to the SU's low level sub outputs, or by taking a high level signal from the speakers. If your dealer tells you that what you are planning is a good idea, they are idiots. It will end in tears. If you don't believe me, ask Naim directly, rather than listening to an idiot dealer.
Posted on: 23 October 2015 by hafler3o
As HH says, don't use a sub unless it is self-powered. I have not tried what you are suggesting but I did use a self-powered Yamaha sub with small standmounts and the combo was never right. Please DO get a second opinion on the capabilities of the SU from another dealer, I bought mine for its musicmaking abilities and value that above 'current' or SPL.
Posted on: 23 October 2015 by Kartrait
Thanks for your responses!
Regarding the speakers - I auditioned several speakers going to the level of Focal Aria 926. In my prize range the Magnepans 1.7 were absolutely the best (to my ears and music styles). The second best were .7 speakers which I decided to go with because they were much smaller than 1.7 - and, therefore, my wife could live with them in the house.
I did listen to the similar setup as the one I intend (parallel hookup of the speakers) in the dealer's showroom - however, instead of the SU, the amp they connected to the .7's and the bass panel was the NAT XS 2. The whole setup was working fine - it's just that it wasn't a prolonged session.
Regarding the subwoofer - DWM is a woofer that enhances the low frequency end significantly while at the same time being as responsive and quick as the main speakers. Despite the fact that it's a woofer (and not a subwoofer) it provides a wonderful and seamless low-end addition to the .7 speakers.
However, I will take your advice and will speak with Naim Audio directly to get their opinion on the intended setup.
Thank you again for your feedback
Posted on: 23 October 2015 by Manu
Kartrait,
as other have said, not recommended as is.
but your dealer is not an idiot, he is only starting with Naim. He asked for my opinion about this setup but i have not answered fast enough because I was at the factory.
i have given him some ideas today to work around, talk to him.
Posted on: 23 October 2015 by Kartrait
Manu, thank you for your response. I know that my dealer is not an idiot - they're actually quite respected in the area for both their level of attention to what the clients' needs are and for their willingness to accommodate specific requirements. That has also been my personal experience with them - really top notch.
I'll contact them after the weekend to discuss the options. I appreciate your feedback!
Posted on: 23 October 2015 by hungryhalibut
All I would say is that 'just starting out with Naim' is no excuse for not having a clue as to how the equipment is to be used. One would like to think that dealers underwent some sort of competence based training so that they don't say complete rubbish to their customers. The idea of running the Maggies and the associated bass panel off a SuperUniti is just ludicrous.
That said, the bass panel could be powered by a Poweramp connected to the SU, a fact that I gleaned from looking at the Magneplanar website, and which might be an option here.
Posted on: 24 October 2015 by Manu
HH,
This one of the options I presented to the dealer.
you know I have been in the distrubution for many years, and something I have learnt from experience is we can easily complement a dealer's lack of technical experience with a product, but we can never help with a lack of attention and support to his customers. Good dealers know their limitations, as it is the case here, he asked for my opinion.
