New Naim's philosophy - marketing strategy - right/wrong?

Hungryhalibut posted:

Inky blackness - will you never learn!?

Oh, No, you took the bait, like a fish

You got me there! Perhaps there is a new phrase just for the Statement, because its noise floor is so low - black inky darkness. 

I agree. Including a Snaic 4 with an integrated amp would be like supplying every car with a towbar, just in case somebody may one day buy a caravan. 

So in seeking an analogy we've gone from Naim's marketing strategy to caravans.  Keep going chaps!!

Naims marketing ploy is to supply quality components with the emphasis of possible upgrade or connection (eg power amp to a preamp/ streamer) to other Naim components which keeps it in the family and brings profit.  

But notwithstanding pesky lasers they also focus on longevity and ensuring against obsolescence.  

You are going too far lol.

When i auditionned the SL, i apreciate the medium, really fantastic, but as said, i prefered the prat of the NACA, felt faster. Hi-fi seems to always be a matter of compromise and Naim is a great great ambassador of restitution of the intention of the atists, bringing us a lot of emotions - i would never complain for that.

The NDS really needs a carefull setting for NAS and network solutions, definitely. People who didn't dig there are missing a part of music. I think my solution is probably there around.

Thank you for the constructive posts up there ;-)

I think Naim are one of the top brands for a good track record of Customer Care.  A lot of other HiFi websites all go to great detail as to their components, reviews and detail of their dealers, but fail miserably as to reassurance as to customer care and some even fail to mention the warranty given for their components (when warranty actually exists).  With Naim one buys quality, solid products, customer care and one always has to hand over a tidy sum for the privilege. 

In 2012 Naim applied it’s new DR technology to its PS’s
as usual most applauded this new technology but some discounted it and chalked it up to personal taste. However, as time has moved on, For the most part, the Forum has accepted Naims philosophical approach to an DRed front end.

In February of 2015 Naim unleashed its High End Interconnects and Speaker Cable to complement the Statement!

In July of 2015 Naim completed the rear end, and added its new DR technology to its power Amps.

The above Advancements is trickled down technology, which has been  passed on, to improve the rest of the line, After All the competition hasn’t remained still, and Naim must continue to make an Statement!

“”When Naim Audio first announced the DR (discrete regulator) upgrades to its Classic Series power amps in Munich this year, the significance of the step escaped few of the assembled press. In essence, the changes involved replacing the existing transistors in the NAP 500, NAP 300 and NAP 250 with the new NA009 devices developed for the Statement S1 power amp and the regulators in their supplies with the new DR circuit, also drafted in from the flagship design. (There is also a more cost-effective implementation of the DR modifications applied to the NAP 200, although that doesn’t involve the NA009 output devices,””

“”DR was introduced to Naim’s HiCap, XPS and Supercap external power supplies in 2012 and caused a flurry of excitement at the time, now the suffix has been appended to the power amp range. The result is a significantly quieter and lower impedance power supply. The interesting thing is that if you measure the DR amp compared to its predecessor the THD and signal to noise figures aren’t that different.”

So for the most part we the Forum, an cult like following of Naim's gear, has accepted Naims philosophical approach. But does that affect the Naim’s Signiture Sound?

Of Course!

How!

Quieter, results in Black Inky Darkness.

Fast and Lean, results in even better PRAT!

Now personally I’m very familiar with Linn Amps, Having a full blown Linn Active System. When I reflect back, my linn amps appeared to be quieter, as compared to my pre DR 250 amps, Hum factor not as great as with Naim!

Adjectives that I use in my environment is Naim amps are faster, And a Rich Thick sound!

Now when DB, and others attempting to describe upgrades, as they pertain to the new DR and SL technology, Adjectives like, clean,quiet, fast, lean, tighter Bass, etc… seems to pop up!

So I believe that the Naim sound is constantly evolving, for the best!

And if one wants the benefits of these improvements, no matter how small, I feel that they must DR the Front & Rear end, followed by Some Full Loom, not necessarily, the SL Full Loom.  But the last time I checked Chord Music wasn't cheap either!

So Is Naims Marketing Approach Wrong, I think not! 

Is Naim's Philosophical Approach Wrong, Again, I think not! 

But Remember, we're hooked on Naim!

JMHO, the armchair QB

Well I'm super happy with my modest (compered to some of you) system. And I have rather new Naim boxes so I would say directiom is right. Even if I'm not going do get my xps dr any time soon...

The good thing is... Naim's step-by-step approach (the upgrade path) is fairly clear and strangely fun (in. masochistic sort of way.... )

It's gooding thta Naim do not bringings good , better and best with SL cables. Thins would get rally complicity.

Hey Tobyjug, pass the Tobyjug over here!

Remember Naim also provide viable downgrade paths. Plenty of customer with multi box systems have happily downsized their systems to one or two boxes only which, although technically a downgrade, is not lessening their enjoyment.

So remember that the next time you feel your arm is being twisted to add a new PS or something.

Happy New Year Zen, Just wanted to share some classic stuff you added to the Forum this year, Hope you don't mind!

""aim is sub standard - allegedly.

feeling Zen  Nov  4 2015

Naim amps can swing transients in a way other similarly powered amps just cannot do. But that isn't the same as a 30wpc amp being equivalent to a 60wpc amp. The fact that a Naim amp can swing those big transients sometimes better than a more powerful amp leads them to falsely believe that their constant output is higher than stated - but it isn't. That misconception might explain some negative opinions. A lot of dealers incorrectly deliver sales pitches like "30wpc of Naim is like 75wpc of Arcam" which is nonsense. Maybe a Nait can deliver a big/ger bang like the 75wpc amp but sustained output is a different story. Musically it is also a less relevant story unless your recording has very poor dynamic range. 

 The fact is, if you are driving a consistently hard load due to volume and/or speaker load, more power will be required and there is no getting away from that. Naim cater for that with increasingly more powerful amps and the ability to go active (or bi/tri amp simply for power reasons). It costs a lot more to do this with Naim than some others but I don't see a problem in that. They are not about functionality and convenience but about delivering the best you can get and if the design decision leads to more power requiring considerably more expense to do properly then so be it.

 Naim isn't for everyone. But it works as described and I think the issues of tonal clarity being sacrificed in favour of musicality are largely a thing of the past ranges. The current stuff is very accurate and notions that Naim doesn't do soundstage are also outdated nonsense.

 There will always be sonic benefits to keeping purely analog devices like a preamp isolated from more noisy digital circuits. For that reason, I don't see the NAC dying off. The Statement S1 was literally a "statement" of this belief by Naim.""

Thanks Zen, This is good stuff, that all can file away! And it points out Naim's strong suit, as well as Naim's Achilles Heel! 

@Allante93, feels strange to be quoted in a context that is not "Zen, you are talking out of your arse and I disagree entirely."

You've made my year.

Cor - New Year's Eve - I can just feel the inky black silence.  

I just know that come the end of February another spell of audiophilia compulsion will be cast from Salisbury. 

If you know what's good for you you should avoid BRISTOL.