New Addition To Naim Digital Line-Up

Posted by: Peter_RN on 20 July 2011

Hello folks.

 

I see on the Naim website that there are to be a number of venues this summer for an event ‘Summer Sounds_On Stream’; none of which are being held particularly close to me!

 

However, the interesting point is that amongst the info is this statement. ‘There will also be an exclusive preview of the next addition to the Naim digital line-up and the chance to talk to Naim's expert team of research and design engineers’

 

So, the obvious question is…….What is it going to be?……..As someone desperate to add another streamer or a server/streamer, I would like at least an idea if this my we worth waiting for.

 

Any thoughts?

 

Regards

Peter

Posted on: 22 July 2011 by Guido Fawkes
Originally Posted by Peter_RN:
Originally Posted by Guido Fawkes:
Originally Posted by Peter_RN:
Originally Posted by Guido Fawkes:

Cassette Deck?

 

Hi Guy

 

Funny you should say that, it’s a subject I have a question about and think you may be just the person who may have a solution/suggestion about. Another thread though I guess.

 

Regards

Peter

Yes Peter, a Dolby S capable Naim Cassette Deck is what we really all crave so we can forget all this digital stuff once and for all - I'd be more than happy to start copying my digital music to tape (Naim metal tapes, of course). I've had enough of all this ripping and streaming, which seems so last year.


My market research indicates this would be a big seller. I did a survey. I said Guy do you want one and I said yes please. So that is a 100% return. 


I think this would ensure perfect music forever


 

 

Well Guy I’m with you, so does that make it 200%?

 

We are listening a lot now to FM and would like to record for a couple of hours in decent quality, oh, and a start/stop timer would be useful.

 

O happy days.

 

 

 

I fear I might be getting old.

 

Peter

What a truly wonderful piece of kit - you are right I shouldn't be thinking cassette deck, I should be thinking new Naim reel-to-reel. 


Not sure Mrs Fawkes would let me put in the front room. 

Posted on: 22 July 2011 by Richard Dane

GF,

 

I use a two track 77A and a four track A77 and they are wonderful bits of kit.  Some Naim replay/record cards would be rather good, but I'm not holding my breath...

Posted on: 22 July 2011 by DavidDever
The NDAC *is* an XS-Series DAC - anything else would have to be cheaper, and would surely rise or fall on the ability to utilize a USB (Type B) connection (for cost-effective streaming).
Posted on: 22 July 2011 by Stoik
Originally Posted by DavidDever:
The NDAC *is* an XS-Series DAC - anything else would have to be cheaper, and would surely rise or fall on the ability to utilize a USB (Type B) connection (for cost-effective streaming).

 


And the version modified by Stoik:

The NDAC *is* an XS-Series DAC, according to case style and price tag. But it definitively sounds like a Classic Series component as is, and as a Reference Series component when upgraded by a XPS or 555PS. And yes, the USB thingy may turn to be usefull for some.
Posted on: 22 July 2011 by Harry

The nDAC is difficult to position - if indeed it can be. If I had to hammer it into a slot I'd go with X level. It might be bloody good but it's "only" a DAC and two grand is a big ask for such a device at XS level.

 

As posted above, the increase in performance depending to your will/money/sense balance, whilst not unique is marked and makes the nDAC difficult to position - if indeed..... etc etc.

Posted on: 22 July 2011 by spacey99

Naim website positions it as a Classic Series component...

Posted on: 22 July 2011 by Officer DBL

I am betting that it is an index finger on a long stick that can be used to control preamps and CD players etc. when a remote's batteries fail.

 

B

Posted on: 22 July 2011 by Guido Fawkes
Originally Posted by Richard Dane:

GF,

 

I use a two track 77A and a four track A77 and they are wonderful bits of kit.  Some Naim replay/record cards would be rather good, but I'm not holding my breath...

You have some amazing kit Richard - I don't think any of the modern tech really betters the Revox - something absolutely magical about it. I bet if Naim ever did bring out a run of replay/record boards they'd be snapped up in a shot. 

Posted on: 22 July 2011 by pcstockton

http://www.naimaudio.com/hifi-products/range/3

Posted on: 22 July 2011 by pcstockton

and here:

http://www.naimaudio.com/hifi-products/type/7

Posted on: 23 July 2011 by Peter_RN
Originally Posted by Richard Dane:

GF,

 

I use a two track 77A and a four track A77 and they are wonderful bits of kit.  Some Naim replay/record cards would be rather good, but I'm not holding my breath...

Hi Richard

 

Well I don’t do envy, but if I did………Lovely kit.

 

There doesn’t seem to be anything like it now, I would really like a recorder of say 2hrs capacity with a timer ideally. Guess it would be digital if one was to appear, still, could save to the almost obligatory NAS I suppose; that would allow plenty of recording time. I still have a Nakamichi cassette deck; just doesn’t do the job though.

 

 

 

 >Not sure Mrs Fawkes would let me put in the front room.<

 

Hi Guy

 

Flowers, chocolates a nice weekend break perhaps?    It would have to be worth a try.

 

Regards to you both

Peter 

Posted on: 23 July 2011 by Tog
My woodland spies tell me that Naim are currently working on two new streamers, one priced below the NDX and one at the top end above it. My sources are usually reliable and the only caveats are that they don't know which they are going to preview or if they will announce both at the same time. Tog
Posted on: 23 July 2011 by Harry
Originally Posted by Tog:
one at the top end above it. 

Rumblings detected here go along these lines. Impossible to say for sure.

 

A continuation of the race into the lower segments is no doubt where the highest volumes of income will come from (although this sector is already well served) but Naim have a platinum plated, premium reputation of excellence to protect also.  I'm sure that all they now know about servers, streamers, DACs et al, plus ongoing R+D, added to meticulous component selection, isolation and construction will grow a few treats in the higher branches of the tree. But of course I would say that wouldn't I?

Posted on: 23 July 2011 by rock100
I agree, Harry, and it will be a "streamer only" that will pair with a "500" Series DAC coming out later this year.......
Posted on: 23 July 2011 by Jonn

IMHO a potential four box top end source is not as marketable as a two box, given that the main competition at this level the elegant one box Linn KDS.

So streamer with built in DAC (NDS)  with external PS XPS or 555Ps.

Posted on: 23 July 2011 by Tog
I'm told two streamers - internal DACs - along similar lines to the NDX but priced below and above.

I would imagine the idea is to match Linn - one at Majik DS  level and one at Klimax but without the stupid names.

Tog
Posted on: 23 July 2011 by Guido Fawkes

> two streamers - internal DACs 

 

That sounds Qute without the amp, of course

Posted on: 23 July 2011 by achique99
Originally Posted by pcstockton:

If this is the case, then I would love to have the nDAC in XS line up.

Posted on: 24 July 2011 by Simon-in-Suffolk
Hmm, perhaps the high end network streamer will have a colour touch panel display like the HDX, and have a DAC stage closer to the nDAC and have better suppression/tolerance of RFI.
It would be interesting if using to drive a nDAC what the sonic differences might be to a RFI protected NDX feeding an nDAC.
What I would like to see as genuine innovation is switchable digital filters/eq/normalization that can be triggered by different sources. This could be done if the DSP and DAC are internal to the streamer and could be set by an ID3 tag.. I think product developments should be more about usability and better handling of the media, these areas still feel first generation.
Simon
Posted on: 01 August 2011 by T38.45

Hi folks,

any news so far?

 

Ralf

Posted on: 01 August 2011 by Peter_RN

Hello Ralf

 

Not that I have heard.

 

But then I don’t think that we can expect an official announcement before the 17th as Naim have said that they will unveil the next addition to the streaming range at the Summer Sounds events. These begin on the 17th in London (we will be there all being well) and are looking forward to this, who knows we might find that we can’t possibly live without…..….well, whatever it turns out to be!

 

Either way it will be a great opportunity to see and hear the range of kit all in one place; I’m hoping the Ovator’s may be there as well as it’s about time we took pity on our speakers and gracefully retired them.

 

Regards

Peter

 

Posted on: 01 August 2011 by Andrew Phillipo

I want a power amp the same size and shape as the Unitiqute.  Possibly two monoblocks or more likely a duel channel power amp.  About 70 (naim) watts per channel is fine.  A DAC of same footprint but say half height would also be great.

 

Thoughts?

Posted on: 01 August 2011 by T38.45

Hi Peter,

 

thanks....so we'll wait....

Posted on: 01 August 2011 by Frank Abela
Originally Posted by Andrew Phillipo:

I want a power amp the same size and shape as the Unitiqute.  


Why?

 





quote:
Possibly two monoblocks or more likely a duel channel power amp.  About 70 (naim) watts per channel is fine.




 

What's wrong with the NAP200 or NAP250.2?

 





quote:
A DAC of same footprint but say half height would also be great.



 

Thoughts?





 

I don't see how any of these would tie in with the current Naim range or how they would add to the range constructively...

 

Regards,
Frank.
All opinions are my own and do not reflect the opinion of any organisations I work for, except where this is stated explicitly.

Posted on: 01 August 2011 by pcstockton

maybe he meant a digital amp?