Auditioned Naim 5si today

[NHL]

It was a pretty good amp, liked the digital buttons. Yes, it said thump at power off. Not a 700 pounds diff to my current Denon.

 

[stevebrock]

personally I preferred the Brio R to the Nait 5si, dont know if it was the demo room or not (Castle Sound & Vision, Notts), speakers were RS3 and RP6 TT with Exact.

Just found the Brio R more musical, the Naim was a bit thick on bass - may of been different at home!

The ST40 kicks both their arses

 

[Frank Harvey]

It was a pretty good amp, liked the digital buttons. Yes, it said thump at power off. Not a 700 pounds diff to my current Denon.

Some amplifiers suit some speakers better than others, so you will sometimes find that it won't necessarily be the more expensive amplifier that sounds better. Did you hear it with the same speakers that you use? Did you also hear your amplifier in the same room with the same speakers in order to compare?

 

[NHL]

I was offered to listen to Brio R, but since it was half the price I didn't thought it would qualify. :rant:

 

[stevebrock]

Personally I think the Brio R is a killer amp and IMO give the Nait 5si a run for its money!

Nothing is certain in HiFi, and I would listen to as many amps as possible!

Are you in the market for a new amp?

 

[NHL]

It was a pretty good amp, liked the digital buttons. Yes, it said thump at power off. Not a 700 pounds diff to my current Denon.

Some amplifiers suit some speakers better than others, so you will sometimes find that it won't necessarily be the more expensive amplifier that sounds better. Did you hear it with the same speakers that you use? Did you also hear your amplifier in the same room with the same speakers in order to compare?

True, the speakers were probably not optimal. Which speakers would fit best?

 

[Frank Harvey]

What do you have?

 

[GeoffreyW]

NHL, I listened to high-end Linn gear at the same place as Steve Brock, listening to Pink Floyd in CD and HD qualities, and found that the sound balance was completely different from that of my Uniti/Royd Doublets. The vocals sounded "further back, less prominent" than I am used to at home, so just be aware, and if possible audition at home.

 

[NHL]

The amazing Rega RS1.

 

[Frank Harvey]

And what did you hear the 5Si with?

 

[stevebrock]

The amazing Rega RS1.

I hope so too, loved my RS1 - now relegated to AV rear duty

 

[NHL]

David@FrankHarvey]

And what did you hear the 5Si with?

[/quote]

It was another quality brand, the synergy absent.

 

[stevebrock]

David@FrankHarvey]

And what did you hear the 5Si with?

It was another quality brand, the synergy absent.

[/quote]

We are trying to help - Are you actually in the market for a new amp?

 

[NHL]

David@FrankHarvey]

And what did you hear the 5Si with?

It was another quality brand, the synergy absent.

We are trying to help - Are you actually in the market for a new amp?

[/quote]

Yes, I only hade a Denon 37 right now

 

[stevebrock]

Well you need to listen to a Brio R then, prefably at home - the Nait will drive the RS1 lovely but so will the Brio R effortlessly

What is your budget for an amp?

What source?

 

[NHL]

Hi,

max 1000 Euro, source is vinyl player and in the future a DAC.

 

[stevebrock]

Hi,

max 1000 Euro, source is vinyl player and in the future a DAC.

No brainer really!

Get a Brio R - excellent phono stage too1

 

[csq2]

personally I preferred the Brio R to the Nait 5si, dont know if it was the demo room or not (Castle Sound & Vision, Notts), speakers were RS3 and RP6 TT with Exact.

Just found the Brio R more musical, the Naim was a bit thick on bass - may of been different at home!

The ST40 kicks both their arses

I find all Naim products, including Naim 5si take forever to fully break-in and sound proper. They need a good warm-up before each audition.

 

[plastic penguin]

It was a pretty good amp, liked the digital buttons. Yes, it said thump at power off. Not a 700 pounds diff to my current Denon.

Haven't we been here before?

 

[NHL]

It was a pretty good amp, liked the digital buttons. Yes, it said thump at power off. Not a 700 pounds diff to my current Denon.

Haven't we been here before?

Great difference, auditioned in 1st person now!

 

[chebby]

There has been some excellent feedback here about the Exposure 1010 amplifier. (£445)

Also some good reviews ...

http://www.exposurehifi.com/pdf/1010-CDPlayerAmplifier-HiFiChoice-December2013.pdf

http://www.exposurehifi.com/pdf/1010-CDPlayerAmplifier-HiFiWorld-April2012.pdf

 

[plastic penguin]

There's a load of good alternatives, unsure why the OP is persisting with Naim. He's not over keen on the Nait 5si, likewise the XS in the previous thread.

Along with Exposure I'd look at Creek, new Roksan K2 BT to name just a couple.

 

[NHL]

There's a load of good alternatives, unsure why the OP is persisting with Naim. He's not over keen on the Nait 5si, likewise the XS in the previous thread.

Along with Exposure I'd look at Creek, new Roksan K2 BT to name just a couple.

Naim is iconic, guess that's why I'm persisting, there must be something special.

 

[chebby]

There's a load of good alternatives, unsure why the OP is persisting with Naim. He's not over keen on the Nait 5si, likewise the XS in the previous thread.

Along with Exposure I'd look at Creek, new Roksan K2 BT to name just a couple.

Naim is iconic, guess that's why I'm persisting, there must be something special.

I owned the Nait 5i and CD5i and NAT05 (tuner) for two years between 2009 and 2011. I can assure you there is nothing 'iconic' about them. Good system? Yes. (Especially the tuner.)

"Something special". Not so much. Lots of companies out there (some that are equally 'iconic') are making equipment that is just as good for the money. (Or less money.)

Try to separate the tradition and history and PR from your decisions and just deal with what's playing in front of you on the day you are listening.

I have even known people think that their own hearing must be wrong, rather than admit they didn't really like the Naim sound. After that they have spent ever increasing amounts of money - on more and more Naim upgrades - just trying to get that special Naim 'something' that always eludes them, but they know should be there if only they could hear it!

However, you are not the only one who has this view of Naim as special and iconic. For that reason your used Naim equipment will sell very well and very quickly if you ever decide to upgrade or change in the future. It does hold it's value better than most.

 

[Sospri]

Oh I see its diss Naim day again is it,

I think that worldwide sales would suggest the oposite........