Naim Statement issue

There are a few possibilities: the amp and speakers don't go well together, the source is not good enough (what is it), installation is not correct, the system is exciting room nodes that need to be treated, you are listening too loud. 

As I understand it, Statement systems are always professionally installed. My suggestion is that you get in touch with your dealer and ask for help in defining the issue and resolving the problem. 

Hi there,

Yes I will definitely get my dealer on the case.

I just thought the 500 series electronics work so well with the ProAc that the Statement should b a no brainer upgrade. 

Also the NDX DAC section bested my DCS Vivaldi & Esoteric Grandioso all fed by an Aurender W20.

Testing times ahead

If you were happy with the 500 amps, I agree that the Statement should just slot in and be better. As I understand it, Naim use their NDS with two 555PS DR supplies when demonstrating Statement, so this is the type of source I'd be expecting. I don't imagine an NDX is really up to it, and weaknesses may be being exposed. That said, this is unlikely to cause a headache.

I agree, the NDX ultimately sounds a little shut in and less precise and fuzzy compared to the NDS.. it's what you pay the NDS premium for.. and therefore unlikely to give a headache on its own.. and indeed I would expect it sound very enjoyable through the S1 NAC. The better the NAC the better all/most sources appear to become..

Mdfdude,

On the multiple occasions that I've listened to the full Statement set up (I only have the S1 preamp) I have found that it is VERY easy for the volume level to creep up as time goes by due to the low noise floor of the system and only later do you realise just how loud you were listening to it.  I would be surprised if that's the only factor, but have you considered that?

Agree with Hungryhalibut that to get the best from it you really should be looking at an NDS/555 combo rather than an NDX.  True, Naim do use two 555PSs to demo Statement and many people on here will tell you that it sounds better than one PS, however my findings over the last few days of trialling a second PS suggests it is nowhere near that clear.  There are some slight improvements but there are downsides too.

Getting your dealer or Naim directly involved (if UK based) is also a good suggestion.

Sigh... Oh well. Swap you for an 1985 250...?

Seriously - talk to your dealer. At the price of Statements you should have their personal mobile number - and they should ask how high you want them to jump. 

Oh and update you Profile system pls..... 

Hi,

Thanks for the insight. I am worried on a couple of levels.

I worry that somehow the S1 preamp is defective in some ways that only I can detect in the form of a mild headache. Or worse, that the S1 pre is simply not compatible with me !

Also, I worry that why the NDX that I have on loan can beat my DCS full stack with added reference clock to boot. Also my Grandioso with G1 clock as well. What am I going to do with the DCS & Esoteric ?

Worry worry worry. What have I gotten myself into ?

Try drinking more Wine/Beer/Whisky whatever..... Reeeeeee-lax. Its only HiFi.

Sell it - buy a Porsche...?

I have a 500 system and am using proac D38 speakers and I find them to be a great match, infact they were the best sounding of quite a few that I hear at the time, so I really dont think its a speaker mis match. Friends also use proac with naim to great effect.

I had an ndx with my kit for a while and it was a really great streamer but when I replaced it with the nds there was no going back. I really can imagine the positive effect on a statement if it was this great on a 500 system.

I know my next comment is controversial but, after only two months it wont be nearly burned in yet. I find some naim kit can take many months to fully settle/burn in. My new 555dr took many months to fully settle, before I couldnt detect any further changes to the sound. So if it is burn in then the sound can be "off" for periods of time. 

But as hungry halibut says, speak to your dealer as he should be able to sort it, or possibly he'll get naim involved if he cant find your problem.

One last thing. Have you considered yourself as the culprit? Stress can cause headaches, as can sight or hearing problems, and lots besides too. Just a thought !

There is no point in worrying. Make a plan and take the initiative. Call your dealer when they open. Get them round. Check the installation. Try an NDS. Sell the DCS if the Naim is better - though I cannot see how the full DCS can be bettered by 'just' an NDX. Etc. 

MDFdude posted:

Hi,

 

Thanks for the insight. I am worried on a couple of levels.

 

I worry that somehow the S1 preamp is defective in some ways that only I can detect in the form of a mild headache. Or worse, that the S1 pre is simply not compatible with me !

 

Also, I worry that why the NDX that I have on loan can beat my DCS full stack with added reference clock to boot. Also my Grandioso with G1 clock as well. What am I going to do with the DCS & Esoteric ?

 

Worry worry worry. What have I gotten myself into ?

Did the jump in SQ when you moved to the S1 Pre (not sure what you had previously) leave you gobsmacked, sometimes leaving you with goosebumps?  If it did then I'd be surprised if there's something wrong with the unit.

If you didn't feel like that then yes, you should get it checked!

I do wonder whether this thread would be better suited for April 1st rather than Boxing Day!

Mr Click - I was of the same mind when I read the OP 

I guess it is an unfortunate fact of life that what might seem best may ultimately not be best for the individual. As an example I cannot get on with driving VW group cars, there is something about how they are set up that gives me a back ache (having worked for them, I have driven many different models on a long term basis), however I have never had the same issue with Renault, Volvo and Mercedes that I have driven. SO, it could just be that Statement, for all  its cost and sophistication, might just not be right for your ears and as this forum demonstrates, particularly on speakers, what suits one does not suit another.  

Hi MDFDude,

Does this headache only manifest itself when you play music via your NDX streamer, or does it appear when you play vinyl via your collection of (how many?) turntables?

Don't worry in the first place, it should be solvable. While it might take some time.

While the NDX can't create the problem in my opinion - it's under powered for the statement. I would guess it's perhaps something to do with room dynamics. But as others said, just have your dealer come around as suggested already by others.

ianrobertm posted:

Try drinking more Wine/Beer/Whisky whatever..... Reeeeeee-lax. Its only HiFi.

Sell it - buy a Porsche...?

I think it is probably the quality of the wine being drunk that is the problem, with a Statement you need to be drinking something like a Romanee- Conti or if you prefer Bordeaux, a Chateau Petrus.

Hi Graham,

well, I was pretty happy with my previous still hanging around setup of ARC 40th anniversary line stage & Gryphon Mephisto Stereo power amp except for the lack of bass. 

The the presentstion of the Naim is rather different. I do like the bass a lot though. However, the highs with the DCS et al seemed a bit shrill hence the NDX try out as that was what the dealer had on hand.

Bottomeline - I like the NDX & Statement except the headache bit. So I a desperately trying to overcome this. Not quite imaginary as well. I had laid off the statement for a month but the moment the combo was inserted I felt the discomfort. Crazy.

Apologies for the iPhone typos 

Mr Happy,

Yes, I admit I am rather stressed. I am in the Oil & Gas industry - enough said ��.

HiFi is a major destressing mechanism for me. Imagine that ! 

May I suggest that you take a break for a few days (go for a short holiday?) and listen to it again?

BTW, could the form factor of the statement and its position gave an adverse effect to room acoustic? I cannot imagine that electronically the introduction of the statement will cause such drastic change sonically.

As I write this, I am on vacation with my family ;-)

Away for the next 10 days

"Yes, I admit I am rather stressed. I am in the Oil & Gas industry - enough said ��."

Olive oil and digester gas industries?

MDFdude posted:

My issue is that listening to it literally gives me a mild headache.

what speaker cables?

Chord Sarum tuned Aray 

interconnect

power cord

& 

speaker cables