NAIM AUDIO NAIM AUDIO annnounces ND5 XS 2, NDX 2 & ND 555 NETWORK PLAYERS

Eloise posted:

Without planting my flag firmly in pro or anti SMPS camps... how do you know the Linn devices aren’t being held back by their use of SMPS.  Perhaps if they gave the option to upgrade via external Linear PSU they would sound even better.

I don’t think you can dismiss Naim’s thoughts on the subject by pointing to another manufacturer who do things differently.  If you are happy with the performance of Linn: buy Linn.  If you like the sound of Naim: buy Naim.

I am not dismissing Naim's rational with the pro's & cons of SMPS vs linear,  I said I don't buy the reasoning from Naim in its entirety.  Considering Linn's marketplace positioning, premise & their attention to detail & SQ,  I'm reasonably content that if a linear supply was that much better than SMPS they would not have made the move to SMPS.       I've used & verified all types of PSU performance in my old profession & although SMPS do have some noise challenges, good design & application brings this to a very acceptable level.     

There seems to me to be a logic in making the units as good as they possibly can be with an efficient power supply (e.g. SMPS), making the assumption here that with modern design it can achieve at least the sort of sound quality enjoyed by those devices already with inbuilt PSs (e.g. ND5XS, NDX) - then if a big linear PS still can make it achieve even better (meaning here, even better than the best they can achieve with an SMPS no matter how small, big or distance separated), then offer that as an upgrade.  

Alba1320 posted:

Eloise posted:

Mike-B posted:

I know, I know,  this is a long & well trodden old goat trail,  but Linn seem to have succeeded in making a success of [using SMPS],  why not Naim ??        

SNIP

I don’t think you can dismiss Naim’s thoughts on the subject by pointing to another manufacturer who do things differently.  If you are happy with the performance of Linn: buy Linn.  If you like the sound of Naim: buy Naim.

Couldn't agree more.

Different manufactures, different philosophies, on what constitutes 'good sound', and how to achieve it; 'pays your money, makes your choice',  and surely it's better that users have the choice, instead of manufacturers simply doing the same as each other?

And I ask again, if you believe that 'Linn can do it', and SMPS (or box count, or whatever else you don't like about Naim's 'take on things') is of such concern, then why aren't you using Linn (or whoever)?

All very bizarre, IMO.

Maybe (and I have no personal experience or view) some people like something that Naim offers - the “Naim Sound” -  that may be quite irrespective of PSs because they hear it in kit without additional external supplies attached, and are not interested in changing to Linn because Linn’s  focus is on different aspects of sound (neutrality?).

Alba1320 posted:

Eloise posted:

Mike-B posted:

I know, I know,  this is a long & well trodden old goat trail,  but Linn seem to have succeeded in making a success of [using SMPS],  why not Naim ??        

SNIP>  I don’t think you can dismiss Naim’s thoughts on the subject by pointing to another manufacturer who do things differently.  If you are happy with the performance of Linn: buy Linn.  If you like the sound of Naim: buy Naim.

Couldn't agree more.

Different manufactures, different philosophies, on what constitutes 'good sound', and how to achieve it; 'pays your money, makes your choice',  and surely it's better that users have the choice, instead of manufacturers simply doing the same as each other?

And I ask again, if you believe that 'Linn can do it', and SMPS (or box count, or whatever else you don't like about Naim's 'take on things') is of such concern, then why aren't you using Linn (or whoever)?

All very bizarre, IMO.

It's not bizarre at all,  it seems you are not either reading the thread or understanding the point or just being deliberately argumentative.    I'm just questioning why Naim are not pursuing SMPS more actively,  nothing controversial or bizarre in that AFAIAC.     To answer your questions;  personally I would like to avoid box count if possible,  I have no issue at all on Naim's "take on things",  I like the Linn sound but dislike the styling,  but I like both the Naim sound & the styling,   and I've no intention on changing brands,  whats bizarre about that.  

Not sure if this is “news” people have picked up / commented on.  But the Naim Connections email I just received said the ND555 will be demonstrated at HIGH END MUNICH with products available in-store Summer 2018.