Second Hand Naim

Do try and go via a dealer.. you will usually get some appropriate level of support for a used item and peace of mind.

Don’t go via eBay (unless a dealer trade providing the above)

I went by a certain pink site (clue fishy) ....... and have never had issues - just do all the sensible checks. I found a NAP500 in Italy which I purchased - this was in a HiFi magazine which I translated.... I managed to get full history - which Naim confirmed - I did loads of checks - it was a bit dicey - but it all worked out well (I would not do this again!). I try and avoid Ebay (expensive for all parties) - and avoid Craigs list/Gumtree.

I wouldn't be so dismissive of eBay. So long as you check the provenance, service history etc. then it is usually sound. If you can collect and pay cash on collection, then that's even safer and more so if you can actually listen to the equipment first. Original packaging is also helpful in building confidence.

Richieroo says that eBay is expensive for all parties, which I do not see for the buyer. As a seller, it can be costly since it most often charges 10% of the final selling fee and PayPal takes a further 3.1% (IIRC). However, eBay frequently offers £1 final valuation fee opportunities, which helps considerably.

If you're relatively new to Naim then you could save yourself a lots of wasted time, money, heartbreak etc.. and get in touch with one of a number of Naim dealers who also specialise in holding a good stock of secondhand and ex. demo kit.  They can advise you well and also demo combinations, showing you what spending more in the right place brings to the music replay.

First key question: what is (are) your main sources(s)?  I ask this because of the system hierarchy - there's no point in buying a pre/power that will only expose inadequacies in the source.  Similarly, the hierarchy of pre and power is in that order.

Second key question: How much would you like to, or are you planning to spend? What's your absolute budget limit?

p.s. in the meantime, gen up on Naim by reading through the forum FAQ...

I wouldn’t say there’s any hard/fast rules over which to buy new and used - power amps seem to depreciate in value more quickly so potentially a bargain (200’s particularly) but will need a service earlier. All depends on age, price and condition of the second hand example you’re looking at. I have a general rule that I’m happy to buy from private individuals on auction sites up to £1k, beyond that I’d go to a dealer. Second hand naim remains a great option given the serviceability of all the items. Pre power and psu generally least risky / easiest serviced compared to source components.

Don't discount gumtree

A lot of people use it who are genuine but want to avoid eBay fees..

If you are new to Naim and are thinking of buying used I wouldn't limit yourself to buying kit less than five years old as servicing old kit is relatively in expensive.  For instance for the price of a five year old 282 you could buy an Olive 82/SC/250 complete system which would be hard to beat, servicing could be done as and when funds allowed.

Japtimscarlet posted:

Don't discount gumtree

A lot of people use it who are genuine but want to avoid eBay fees..

Unfortunately, it's also a favoured hunting ground for scammers. And what ever you do, don't agree to go and meet somewhere with a wad of cash in your pocket - anyone remember the "Cheap Uniti" cash-on-collection scam on gumtree some years back? Not good for either your bank balance or your health!   Just remember if something looks too good to be true (i.e. too cheap) then it usually is.

Good advise to not meet "somewhere" no matter which Sale/Buy facilitator.  To be fair to Gumtree,  I've had some good selling results over the years with mostly domestic general items & relatively few time wasters.  

I notice a number of dealers - sell on ebay. There is nothing wrong in Ebay - its just their charges are high - so sellers have to push up price to recover some cost.....everybody loses (except ebay). As Richard points out - Dealers are a good source - and they know where the kit was sourced and probably the history..... 

Businesses on eBay don't pay as high charges as privateers hence why a few Naim dealers use it.

I knew exactly what I wanted though so there was no surprises

New or second hand I'd suggest you consider James at Tom Tom Audio at some point. I've bough new and used from him over the years without issue and his advice is always welcome.

Basically sound I found very helpful over secondhand but there seems to be an odd thing here where often certain dealers are allowed to be mentioned (lots) like Tom tom. I'm sure Tom Tom are excellent - I'm not sure what the position is but it does seem a bit unfair on the others?

Have purchased,

52 - Tomtom

250 - eBay

250 Gumtree, delivered to my daughter for cash and she shipped to me

Rega P3 - ebay

Mission 700s - ebay

52ps - ebay, seller delivered and I made him a cup of tea

Superline - advertised on a German audio site, purchased form a private seller in Austria

Snaxo 24 - Dutch dealer

Naim Credo - UK based dealer

IBLs - UK dealer

SL2s - pfm - collected and paid cash 

DBLs - Local dealer

Prefix - local dealer

IXO - local dealer.

Dacmagic 100 - pfm

Only issue I had was with the ebay 250. Seller was moving house, lost the box I sent him in the moving process (my details were in there) and was delayed contacting me via his ebay account because BT are profoundly incompetent. Got there in the end.

Willy.

This might be useful:

https://www.naimaudio.com/product-history

to let you know when any item that you are considering went out of production.

And there is info online that will let you associate a Naim serial number to the year of production; that helps as well.

I've happily bought, and sold, on ebay over the years and have had mainly good experiences. Much of what is said here would carry across any non high street or national dealer and "buyer beware" should always be a good guide.

As is often said, if it looks too good to be true, it probably is... should also be a guide but there are some very trustworthy and Naim authorised dealers who use ebay to sell on part ex and ex dem items. Not sure if i can name them here but a little homework will help you find some of the good guys and i personally recommend one in the Chester area.

I've felt comfortable buying via E-bay when coupled with a conversation with the seller.  There definitely are hi fi enthusiasts who have taken care of their stuff and then sell it off . . . So if one is relatively discerning, it can work out just fine.

My latest setup of used Naim (252, 250DR and SuperCap DR) came from a dealer who'd sold it the first time to a client and then sold them a 552 (the 250 was their demo).  Given the vast price discount for buying this way, I think it's totally a no-brainer vs. new!

Of the 16 or so Naim pieces I have owned, they almost exactly split 50/50 between new and used. I have done well with the AG site here in the USA, and also the sites that are "audio mart"...US and Canada.

80% eBay, 19% Rose-tinted Piscatorial, 1% new.

Dealers for the more expensive items, Coffee & chat for others. 

Always bought from official dealers, new or used and sold a few through a German audio site.

Regards

Roberto

I have bought 2 items from Tom Tom and 2 from Cymbiosis. All came with the expected Naim dealer support, albeit limited for 2nd hand. I have also bought - and sold via eBay. No problems with any item.

Just factor in the potential need for a service. Class A are your friends here..... 

More Naim, for less...

IanM

???? PRAGGERS,....One thing not mentioned here is,....the importance of installation.

If you are new to Naim,my recommendation is to buy from a good trader,..which can then help with an installation of your new music system in your home.

Then you can also ask the trader for advice later on,....because there is much to learn.

This is very important,..AND,do you feel unsure about the music-system installation,..So buy from a good trader.

A good installed system for € 10 000:-,..plays much,much better than a system for € 100 000:- which is not optimally installed.

/Peder ????

Praggers posted:

Can I please get some advice on buying second hand Naim. 

I’m looking at pre/power/psu but nothing over 5 years old. 

 

 

IMO buying older Naim equipment is even more atractive and nothing to worry about really, some items even prove to raise in value, ie Nait 2 

Most older stuff from the 80'ies or 90'ies are serviceable, people buying new - decades ago just need to get it serviced, keeping it a lifetime

Electronics are a pretty safet bet buying used on e-bay and other used sites (just use common sense re: scams).  Speakers - maybe.  Turntables and arms - no, go to a dealer.  And never, ever, buy used cartridges!