AV3?!?!

Simon J

Doug told me the last time I saw him that it would be ready around Christmas time ( which Christmas he didn't say). I have no info on specs or price. I was told sometime ago from local dealer around 4k and the pre amp section would be at least as good as 282. How true this is I don't know. Only one thing that I can confirm is that it is in the larger case work, than 5 range


Neill

Thanks. Excellent, sounds good. Would mean I could replace my AV2 + 282 with an AV3. That would please the missus, less boxes and clutter etc...

Now how about a DVD player I could replace my CDX2 with?

All

Best people to sort out any details on av3 are Naim. So come on Naim let us have smoe more info????

Neill

The old - "out by Christmas" problem.

Not on my planet.

It would be nice to have some type of direction from Naim on their AV product portfolio. It reminds me of when the 250 was the top of the power amplifier range. The 300 and 500 were under development, yet any customer who had either 250's, or 135's only option if they were to upgrade would be to move away from Naim as a manufacturer as they simply did not have the product, nor had they stated any direction on their products to allow people to understand that they were developing further models.

I am currently looking to move house, after doing that, I will be purchasing a new HD plasma and then looking at considering upgrading my processor as we find the pre-amp section in the AV2 not as good as my previous 72.

Now, my current options are to start to go out and listen to non-Naim manufacturers. This could take me a good few days of sold listening.

If I had some direction that there was a Naim processor under development, roughly in the 3.5 - 5k range and given a ballpark date of within a 6 month ish period, I would put off my listening till then.

I love my AV2 and the sound quality of it and would like to stay with a Naim processor, but would simply like to understand the product's evolution.

This is probably a difficult question for Naim to deal with, as in the rest of their product portfolio, it is very well rounded out and there are clear upgrade paths for people. And so I bet it seems strange to be asked about internal product developments for them.

I don't think it's too much to ask from a manufacturer to simply give a statement of direction to their existing customers. I do this discretly to my own customers daily.

Roy.

HT-Naimee,

I'm with you.

I bought an AV2 in the expectation that Naim would keep it up to date with various algorithms, a la TAG.

This is one of the primary reasons I buy Naim, that there isn't a never ending parade of 'new' models.

As you write the Naim model is to pass control of 2 channel music to a pre-amp, which is what I do.

Roy - I do agree that as a pre-amp the AV2 is just about OK, but nothing to write home about.

M

I currently have sitting under my stands, AV2, 3 x NAP140, CD5, DVD player, Tivo, Sky box. Now, I've not done too bad getting all this past my wife so far, but adding an additional box, when getting the AV2 to get the number of boxes down in the first place may be difficult.

Now, with an uprated processor, I would have the same number of boxes, a better pre-amplifier section, an enhanced processor because the pre-amp would be better, and hopefully upgraded DSP's for things like auto-setup, room correction algorithms etc.

My personal preference is an AV3 over an additional pre-amp at present.

Roy.

Just out of interest what's wrong with using the AV2 as a preamp. Getting an AV2 later in the year so intended to use it in place of my 72 for movies and music.

James.

James,

Nothing wrong with using the AV2 as a pre-amp. However, I would suggest taking your 72 into your dealer with you and listen to the 72 vs. the AV2 for pre-amp duties before trading your 72 in.

I now regret having not done this myself before moving to the AV2.

Though, I love the ability to actually have a remote control to control the AV2. This was one thing that always was a pain previously on the 72.

Roy.

James,

There is nothing 'wrong' with the AV2 pre section. But the AV2 does a lot in one box. You have no options for external PSU with either the AV2 or the DVD5 - which is a shame. Your 72 concentrates on one job, with the support of an external psu.

I am currently listening to Bon Jovi using my DVD5 as a transport into a Benchmark DAC1 via the AV2 and it sounds very good.....BUT my normal pre, a heavily modded 42.5 that I took out for a service last week, is SO much better.

Also, if you use vinyl the AV2 doesn't have a phono section.

The 72 is a good pre, but won't get you a fortune if you sell it. My advice would be to take the main stereo signal from the AV2 as a pre-out into your 72.

...Also, having auditioned the DC1 (and the Chord ProDac, Codac, QED cables <80 pounds) I would strongly recoammend having a listen to the stereovox HDXV for seventy pounds - very good.

Martin

Cheers Guys - looks like its worth keeping the 72 after all.

Thanks for the advice

rgds

James.

Yes the AV2 is in quite a different league, I'd say it's more in Nait territory than NAC, hence great hopes for an AV3.

Personally, having an AV2 and various other Naim boxes, I have never used the pre-amp section in the AV2 for 2 channel. All my 2 channel stuff (CD + Vinyl) goes via my 282.

My personal opinion would be to keep the 72 for CD/Vinyl 2 channel and the AV2 for anything that requires surround. I used to do this previously with a Nait2 whilst I was going through the joys of upgrading.

Steve.

Adam

Can you confirm or not that an AV3 is in the pipe line and if so when can we expect to be able to buy one.

Neill

As Doug and Adam are both currently checking through forum posts and replying at present, it would be good to understand about possible AV3 development, or at least to hear that you are unable to discuss future developments with us.

Cheers,
Roy.

I don't encourage this sort of "investigation" of NAIM's plans and development work.

However - no imminent AV3. OK?

Adam, no-one is trying to pry nor be devious here.
As a Naim customer for over 10 years, I'd simply like to understand where you are going regarding AV product development. No specifics, simply direction and timescales.

Can you confirm what you would mean be imminent, ie. not within CY'05 ?

Roy.

Thought (knew) you'd ask that.

Things change and projects get started and later put on hold. We have a lot of projects under development at the moment but problems crop up, markets change and price to market can rise to a point where we have to reconsider.

I often tell of being advised to defer my proposed purchase of a 32.5 - "Wait for the 52" I was told. I think it was 4 or 5 years before it arrived.

I am loath to make statements that may be proved incorrect. So - not a very satisfying answer.

quote:

Originally posted by Roy Donaldson:
Adam, no-one is trying to pry nor be devious here.
As a Naim customer for over 10 years, I'd simply like to understand where you are going regarding AV product development. No specifics, simply direction and timescales.
Can you confirm what you would mean be imminent, ie. not within CY'05 ?
Roy.

And - sorry for the impression I gave here. What I meant was I find confirmation, denial or coy "wait a while" is often interpreted in ways which do not help decisions and, ultimately, add little to the pool of knowledge.

Adam, you have email.

Roy.

Neill,

Thought that I'd mention that I am coming round to your way of thinking, why? DVD-A.

Some of the discs I have are v.good, but this is through the multi-input on the AV2.

Using an external better quality stereo pre is not going to improve the performance of the other three channels.

Ideally I suppose I'd like a componentised AV2 that would allow the preamp sections to be upgraded - rather than echoing the Naim pre-amp hierarchy.

This might allow an owner to upgrade the centre channel to match their Naim pre as a cheaper step than upgrading all channels.

M

Mr Underhill

Her indoors won't let me have any more boxes so an improved pre-amp section on the AV2 is what I am looking for or an AV3 should one become available. About five years ago just as DVD started to come out. The manager of a local Hi-fi store said then there seemed no point in having two systems when you could have one that did everything makes sense to me. I belive that in the next couple of years that two channel sales will slow down. Linn have stated that they see multi channel as the future and Meridian have been there for some time. I have been into this hobby for 12-15 years and the three names that stay at the top are Naim, Linn and Meridian. Why because they are very good at what they do. Every know and then an exotic comes along and sets the world alight DCS or a Krell etc but these ain't real world Hi-fi for me anyway there out of my prices range. So it will be good to see how the launch of the Naim 555 cd player goes at 12K with Linn not doing the CD12 anymore, i really wonder how anyone can spend that on a machine that can't play a DVD.

On the DVDA it was good to see a free dual Disc with Hi-fi choice this month with full DVDA. If I am honest however I don't see either of these to coming to anything. I see it going the same way with Blu-ray as well. I know its early days for Blu-ray but I just don't see the public at large buying into it.

Anyway back to the matter at hand the AV3 does anyone have any ideas on features they would like to see included or is everyone happy to leave it to Naim !!!!!!!


Neill

You can't write off Blu-Ray. Its sales will be boosted significantly by the Playstation 3 which will be a Blu-Ray machine.

All

I don't write of blu-ray, I just don't see the public at large buying into it. My reasons behind this, a lot of people have just got into DVD. The discs also look the same you trying telling some old granny a blu-ray is better. The audio world and company's like Naim are still at the stages of building there first DVD players. Oh and can I point out that Sony gave us betamax, minidisc,dat and sacd. If we look back betamax video was actually a lot better than VHS and failed. Would you like to take on the DVD market which is so strong just know, with more new release's every week.
I just don't see it working, SKY who launch HDTV in 2006 reckon only 2% of the current uk television sets have HDMI/DVI inputs. I know anwful lot of poeple who are going to be very upset having bought into the plasma/lcd market only to be told the set is out of date. I for one would not like to be the same marketing guy that tells them there DVD player is now out of date. Can I ask does it put you off buying a DVD5 or any other high end DVD player.


Neill

quote:

Can I ask does it put you off buying a DVD5 or any other high end DVD player.

Yes it does. Technology moves on, rather like LP to CD. Just as a relatively cheap(ish) CD player could approach in many areas the performance of turntables vastly more expensive, in the early days of it's development, I see a similar scenario with Blu-ray.

One can either choose a very expensive 'high-end' DVD player now, or alternatively invest in a cheaper more 'stop-gap' machine; with the increased resolution, Blu-ray is likely to knock a high-end DVD player of todays generation into a cocked hat re picture quality, and do it for less money.

I take it you've seen HDTV?

We have it here. Unlike hi-end HiFi where the 'average' music lover/punter thinks there is little if any difference between the mainstream and 'high-end' hifi kit, or believes that they 'can't hear any difference' the visual clarity and definition between standard and high definition is something even the most analytically 'challenged' can see even with their eyes half shut.

It really is a 'knockout' visual experience, and I think once joe 'average' sees it, they will want it.

So no, I would not buy a high-end DVD player at this time, certainly not one from a 'specialist' 'tweaker/assembler' brand, with the attendant knock on heavy price increases, only to have it become obsolete in a short period of time, or at the very least unable to play the new media, which, when you SEE it, you WILL want.

Just my 2 c worth.

Best Regards

John...