New naim system: how to start

First question is what's your budget? Secondly are you wanting new boxes or pre-loved?

Do you want to keep a multi-channel AV setup, or is this change with a view to moving to a 2-channel setup primarily for audio?

Do you already have the streamer/renderer/PC (you mention Audirvana, Sonos), or might you consider one of Naim's streamer-DAC's or streaming pre-amp?

I recommend starting by finding a Naim dealer that you trust, work out where you are trying to go with you system, then talk it through with your dealer and agree a path that works for you.

Best regards, FT

There are a million options. Going second hand is cheaper, but more difficult if you don't know what you're looking for. My advice is to talk to a dealer and have them play you some music you know and love. 

I second "Foot tapper", once you get to know a dealer and have built a relationship based on the first purchase you usually will get good service from them included discounted products. This has been the case in my example. I have saved over 6k on my recent upgrade route. I went form all in one product (unitilite) to separates. I think it will be cheaper in the long run if you know what you want your system to look like at the end of the journey and then work back from that.

Foot Tapper Posted

I recommend starting by finding a Naim dealer that you trust, work out where you are trying to go with you system, then talk it through with your dealer and agree a path that works for you.

I strongly agree with that statement did the same earlier in the year, the advice, help and service given by my local dealer has been superb.

Go talk to a good dealer. 

what is a "good dealer"? how do you recognize one when you meet him/her?

enjoy

ken

Good dealers drive big expensive cars, and live in large houses Ken��

It is quite important to know whether you'd like to start on the integrated path, or separates.

Think on what you want to spend - in one buy, or over the nxt years.

Think on what kind of source.

Think on what kind of speakers fit your room. Will an integrated drive it, or do you need more (reason to go separated).

I decided s/h Supernait 1 a year ago, has loads of power, can be upgraded in all directions and has a Dac -  simple but good.

Brought my speakers to an apparently Naim dealer and ended up with this amp. An hour listening later, I was Naim addicted.

Still happy but have surpressed upgraditis.

I've not met a good French Naim dealer, OK I've only met one but he seemed to think it didn't matter that there was no earth connection in any of the sockets I could use for a Naim system in our apartment. Even I know better than that!

gary yeowell posted:

Good dealers drive big expensive cars, and live in large houses Ken��

wenger2015 posted:

First question is what's your budget? Secondly are you wanting new boxes or pre-loved?

I want to split the expense (total 4k€). Anyway my targets are second-hand products in very good condition.

Ardbeg10y posted:

It is quite important to know whether you'd like to start on the integrated path, or separates.

Think on what you want to spend - in one buy, or over the nxt years.

Think on what kind of source.

Think on what kind of speakers fit your room. Will an integrated drive it, or do you need more (reason to go separated).

I decided s/h Supernait 1 a year ago, has loads of power, can be upgraded in all directions and has a Dac -  simple but good.

Brought my speakers to an apparently Naim dealer and ended up with this amp. An hour listening later, I was Naim addicted.

Still happy but have surpressed upgraditis.

1. Separated items

2. more steps (2)

3. dac to connect a mac

4. ProAc 140

I started with nDac+NaitXS some years ago and did not regret it: many hours of enjoying music and adding upgrades as funds permit

p. posted:

I started with nDac+NaitXS some years ago and did not regret it: many hours of enjoying music and adding upgrades as funds permit

Tks, what do u connect to the ndac?

I use MacBook Pro with Amarra and Audiophilleo+PurePower  USB-SPDif-Converter

About Mac to Dac

There are loads op options outside the Naim world, I'm not the one to write something on that (waiting for Innocent Bystander to jump in here).

Besides the nDac, there is also the Naim Dac V1 which has Asynchronous USB which is quite useful with Macs.

Proac 140s are nice speakers. I had a listening session at a friends place with these speakers. What I remember is that they go deep, were especially good with organ music and easy to drive.

The friend has one of the bigger Cambridge amp connected to them, but I think that even the simplest Naim amps have no issue driving them.

Costwise the combination Dac V1 + Nap 100 would be a nice full Naim start.

Ardbeg10y posted:

About Mac to Dac

There are loads op options outside the Naim world, I'm not the one to write something on that (waiting for Innocent Bystander to jump in here).

Besides the nDac, there is also the Naim Dac V1 which has Asynchronous USB which is quite useful with Macs.

Proac 140s are nice speakers. I had a listening session at a friends place with these speakers. What I remember is that they go deep, were especially good with organ music and easy to drive.

The friend has one of the bigger Cambridge amp connected to them, but I think that even the simplest Naim amps have no issue driving them.

Costwise the combination Dac V1 + Nap 100 would be a nice full Naim start.

Tks for your answering. I have considered the combination v1+nap100 but i'd like to integrate the amp in my A/V system, for this reason i need an AV bypass and if i'm not wrong the V1 hasn't it.

So, what do u suggest for start? dac or amp?

tks

My most recent experience was that I added an Naim AV2 acting as a stereo dac to my old technics mid-fi system having 30 old speakers and suddenly there was a clear and base, treble was much improved, lines were much easier to follow. It was an ear opening experience for me.

I suggest to start on the dac.

Also, your ProAc 140's are speakers which are relatively easy to drive and should be forgiving for a not too powerful amp.

When you start on the dac, you can also check how it behaves etc and what all the options are you have.

Which dac do u suggest, ndac or v1?

cuciu76 posted:

Which dac do u suggest, ndac or v1?

I can totally recommend the nDac, there was never a moment I did not enjoy it or feel there were any limits to it´s abilities. 

The nDac is considered the better dac which is also upgradable. The Dac V1 is a bit more versatile because of its asynchronous usb port.

I think it is quite important that on this thread also somebody writes about the non-Naim dacs. Or you read something about Chord dacs somewhere on this forum. Loads of debates about it.

Get a Devialet.  Or wait out for the new items.