Time for a change? Where to go?

Definitely go to a good dealer to have a chat and a demo or two. Of those you have named I have good experiences of Audio T In Cheltenham  and Cymbiosis in Leicester.

Maybe a bit controversial  on the Naim forum but I would try a dem of Linn’s Exakt system as it may be a radical digital option and possibly an attractive change for you with your LP12. At least it will highlight the world outside of Naim and you may love it or not.

The key thing is to enjoy your music.

Richard

Apart from a short listen to a friend's whole Linn system last year, I haven't auditioned a full Linn system for years. However, as part of my multi-room setup, I do have a couple of Linn DS which might be sensible to use in place of the Naim HDX at some stage.

I should add that I rather fancy the idea of integration of my Muso-QB with the main Naim system...

I can recommend Audience in Bath started using them several years ago excellent service and a wide knowledge base and very much into both vinyl and digital source's.  

[@mention:1566878603954304] - there's Overture in Banbury. When I lived up that way, I bought various items and had a Headline converted. It's where I first heard the nDac on demo. Manager (at least used to be) Chris - decent guy.

As well as trying the Linn setup I’d have a gander at Vitus as well. Though I’ve not heard it, the idea of a one box integrated instead of four, or in the case of active, seven or more, boxes seems rather attractive. It’s certainly well reviewed and several Naim users have moved to it. 

Hi if I were changing directions ...... I would be tempted by the VTL valve route ....... I had a pair of 50w monoblocks until  recently and they really were very good - considering they were 35 years old - dusted off plugged in and compared with a NAP250dr they were very close in performance. I would imagine the newer MB series would be fantastic........ I used to use them with a high quality passive preamp....

You've got a fair few boxes there, do you have an urge to reduce the number or maybe you could accept more? I don't know your priorities. The NBLs will love 500s or 300s but that would be crying out for a 552 and you're already a bit source light,a 552 would however free up a supercap for a superline and could be used on the stageline in the mean time. There are things you could do to the Linn, too many to count, or you could give it a challenge. The WT Versalex has been ousting a few Linns round my way recently, though it doesn't sit too securely on a Fraim. Audio T in Reading know their way round them but there must be others, the Royale 400 is stunning but rediculous from the same stable. There'll be a few used NDSs about in the near future which ought to improve on an HDX even with a ps.

Living where you are, I'd go to Tom Tom Audio in St Albans, especially if used/ex dem is an option. I use them for both new and used and I live near Bristol.

nickpeacock posted:

[@mention:1566878603954304] - there's Overture in Banbury. When I lived up that way, I bought various items and had a Headline converted. It's where I first heard the nDac on demo. Manager (at least used to be) Chris - decent guy.

Thanks but they don't appear to be listed on the "Find a Dealer" page on the Naim website, or not "Classic" dealers anyway. 
However, I did try them about 5 years ago when I was looking at a few upgrades and saw that also did network installation etc. I left all of my details with them and never heard back from them. Therefore, they are not really on my preferred list. 

Pev posted:

Living where you are, I'd go to Tom Tom Audio in St Albans, especially if used/ex dem is an option. I use them for both new and used and I live near Bristol.

Compared to where I live, St Albans is almost the other side of the country! I'm afraid an 80 mile each way trip is not really on the cards! Thanks anyway :-)

I would definitely recommend HiFix in Coventry, if it is not too far for you.

Thanks - Coventry is pretty easy from me - not far off the M40/M42. Worth considering :-)

Pev posted:

Living where you are, I'd go to Tom Tom Audio in St Albans, especially if used/ex dem is an option. I use them for both new and used and I live near Bristol.

I do find it interesting that in a city the size of Bristol (where I live) and it, supposedly, being such a “music hub” (hosts the Bristol show etc) there are so few decent dealers. My experience at the main dealer on Park street has been luke warm at best and they don’t really seem particularly interested in Naim whenever I go in.   Like you Pev I’ve taken my business further afield and have found Tom Tom to be extremely helpful and knowledgeable. There used to be Radfords hifi on Gloucester Road from where I bought my first system many years ago but that went and was never replaced. Definitely room for some competition here I think....

S3 posted:

Pev posted:

Living where you are, I'd go to Tom Tom Audio in St Albans, especially if used/ex dem is an option. I use them for both new and used and I live near Bristol.

I do find it interesting that in a city the size of Bristol (where I live) and it, supposedly, being such a “music hub” (hosts the Bristol show etc) there are so few decent dealers. My experience at the main dealer on Park street has been luke warm at best and they don’t really seem particularly interested in Naim whenever I go in.   Like you Pev I’ve taken my business further afield and have found Tom Tom to be extremely helpful and knowledgeable. There used to be Radfords hifi on Gloucester Road from where I bought my first system many years ago but that went and was never replaced. Definitely room for some competition here I think....

 

I purchased my Chrome Bumper kit from Radfords in Bristol then used them in Bath both were excellent like yourself  when you went to the dealer in Park Street they did;nt seem to interested in selling Naim.

S3 posted:

Pev posted:

Living where you are, I'd go to Tom Tom Audio in St Albans, especially if used/ex dem is an option. I use them for both new and used and I live near Bristol.

I do find it interesting that in a city the size of Bristol (where I live) and it, supposedly, being such a “music hub” (hosts the Bristol show etc) there are so few decent dealers. My experience at the main dealer on Park street has been luke warm at best and they don’t really seem particularly interested in Naim whenever I go in.   Like you Pev I’ve taken my business further afield and have found Tom Tom to be extremely helpful and knowledgeable. There used to be Radfords hifi on Gloucester Road from where I bought my first system many years ago but that went and was never replaced. Definitely room for some competition here I think....

 

That's odd - I bought kit from Radfords, and there was another HiFi shop just up (or down) the road from them.  Many years ago now, but wasn't there Audio Excellence?  And possibly Audio T?  Which one of those shops did Jason work at?

Yes. Audio Excellence was where Jason worked. Brilliant service and great advocates of Naim. It then got taken over by Audio T. The only other serious hifi shop in Bristol is Sevenoaks on Whiteladies Road. I’ve bought the odd cable from them and they have always been delightful but are not authorised to sell Naim classic kit yet. I know they’d very much like to and, in my view, should be given a chance! 

Beachcomber posted:

S3 posted:

Pev posted:

Living where you are, I'd go to Tom Tom Audio in St Albans, especially if used/ex dem is an option. I use them for both new and used and I live near Bristol.

I do find it interesting that in a city the size of Bristol (where I live) and it, supposedly, being such a “music hub” (hosts the Bristol show etc) there are so few decent dealers. My experience at the main dealer on Park street has been luke warm at best and they don’t really seem particularly interested in Naim whenever I go in.   Like you Pev I’ve taken my business further afield and have found Tom Tom to be extremely helpful and knowledgeable. There used to be Radfords hifi on Gloucester Road from where I bought my first system many years ago but that went and was never replaced. Definitely room for some competition here I think....

 

That's odd - I bought kit from Radfords, and there was another HiFi shop just up (or down) the road from them.  Many years ago now, but wasn't there Audio Excellence?  And possibly Audio T?  Which one of those shops did Jason work at?

Beachcomber, when I purchased my Naim kit from Radfords in Gloucester Road in about 1983 I believe Paul Stevenson was working for them along with Mike Manning who started Mike Manning Audio in Yeovil.

Tony Revile could have possibly worked for Radfords but he started up Audio Excellence I think the first Branch was in Cardiff ?

Did you mean Paul Roberts Hi Fi on the Gloucester Road that is still open, they don't sell Naim though.I live in Bristol and use Tom Tom. Billy Vee or Mike Manning in Yeovil. I think Jason used to work at Audio Excellence that was taken over by Audio T years ago.

Karl

Yes Paul Roberts is still there. It’s not high end hifi. Bose specialists. They do incorporate a second hand record store now called the Centre for better grooves!

blythe posted:

nickpeacock posted:

[@mention:1566878603954304] - there's Overture in Banbury. When I lived up that way, I bought various items and had a Headline converted. It's where I first heard the nDac on demo. Manager (at least used to be) Chris - decent guy.

Thanks but they don't appear to be listed on the "Find a Dealer" page on the Naim website, or not "Classic" dealers anyway. 
However, I did try them about 5 years ago when I was looking at a few upgrades and saw that also did network installation etc. I left all of my details with them and never heard back from them. Therefore, they are not really on my preferred list. 

Overture would not be on my preferred list either, having seen how the earth connection was made on my LP12 when I had them install a Lingo many years ago. Things might have changed for the better now though.

I would certainly recommend Audience in Bath, although I still favour the experience of Cymbiosis for all things LP12. The OP lives a lot closer to Cymbiosis than me too. 

Thanks for all comments so far and also, a lovely offer from another forum member to  have a listen to his 500 based system with Kudo‘s 707 speakers ,  something I may decide to take him up on in spite of the distance! 

 In some ways that would be a better demo than spending time at a dealers. 

 At least I will know if I am totally blown away, it will be worth my while making a two hour trip to a dealer such as Cybiosis or elsewhere!

blythe posted:

Thanks for all comments so far and also, a lovely offer from another forum member to  have a listen to his 500 based system with Kudo‘s 707 speakers ,  something I may decide to take him up on in spite of the distance! 

 In some ways that would be a better demo than spending time at a dealers. 

 At least I will know if I am totally blown away, it will be worth my while making a two hour trip to a dealer such as Cybiosis or elsewhere!

Respectfully, I think you may have that the wrong way around. Surely preferable to seek informed advice and listen to a few options at a good dealer and then decide what you might like to hear in a home demo, rather that one option at a helpful forum member's home that may, or may not float your boat.

Personally I have built and evolved my entire system with help and kit supplied by Tom Tom Audio. I also hear consistently good things about Cymbiosis. Surely 80 miles (or a bit lees) is with it to answer your fundamental question - stick or switch?

I can see what you mean NigelB but, if I go and listen to what many consider to be a superb 500 Series Naim based system and, I leave feeling I am happy with what I've already got, then a dealer visit would be a fruitless and pointless exercise. 
Conversely, should I listen to a Naim 500 system and feel there is something worthwhile to improve in my system, then a trip to a dealer makes sense. 
That dealer, if and whoever I decide to use, will no doubt be able to demonstrate a variety of makers equipment and options.
I do however know, that for the past 25 - 30 years, I have enjoyed the Naim sound with it's tight bass and PRaT.
Never have I heard any other maker that connects with me to the music in the same way.
Maybe that 80ish mile trip each way to Cymbiosis (or other) isn't such a bad idea....

blythe posted:

I can see what you mean NigelB but, if I go and listen to what many consider to be a superb 500 Series Naim based system and, I leave feeling I am happy with what I've already got, then a dealer visit would be a fruitless and pointless exercise. 
Conversely, should I listen to a Naim 500 system and feel there is something worthwhile to improve in my system, then a trip to a dealer makes sense. 
That dealer, if and whoever I decide to use, will no doubt be able to demonstrate a variety of makers equipment and options.
I do however know, that for the past 25 - 30 years, I have enjoyed the Naim sound with it's tight bass and PRaT.
Never have I heard any other maker that connects with me to the music in the same way.
Maybe that 80ish mile trip each way to Cymbiosis (or other) isn't such a bad idea....

Not at all, a trip to a dealer to hear the latest system is never a bad idea. The worst is that you leave thinking I am happy with what I have. Any dealer will talk you through whats currently available and should let you have a no pressure listen to what you want and give you an honest opinion of what to do next. . They appreciate its a gamble as to wether you invest in new kit or not.

If you do go to Peters, they have a fantastic Naim 500 system in Peters dem room and they have a Linn offering in Phils dem room, at least you can hear the best of Naim and something different