Naim amplifier in a non Naim system?

[ErwinC]

I have the opportunity to buy a used Naim Nait 5i for a good price but it is not possible to audition it in my own setup. Since i have seen more than once that Naim works best with Naim, i am a bit in doubt if the Naim Nait 5i would be a good match with my Vincent CD-S6 tube cd player and Dali Mentor Menuet speakers.

 

[plastic penguin]

Is this used Naim from a dealer or private?

 

[ErwinC]

plastic penguin:Is this used Naim from a dealer or private?

Private. Why?

 

[plastic penguin]

If it was from a dealer and didn't like it, a good dealer will let you have a home trial or a 'returns policy'.

 

[Anonymous]

If it's a good price, then you can sell it on at a good price, too, say may be worth the slight risk.

Naim does work well with other kit, by the way. I'm using mine with a Musical Fidelity source, and the sound isn't half bad.

 

[JamesOK]

plastic penguin:If it was from a dealer and didn't like it, a good dealer will let you have a home trial or a 'returns policy'.

PP has a good point, I know from experience Naim isnt to everyones tastes! Have you heard their kit before?

 

[ErwinC]

JamesOK:

PP has a good point, I know from experience Naim isnt to everyones tastes! Have you heard their kit before?

I heard a Naim setup about 5 years ago. Used with a pair of B&W Nautilus 803 i did not like the sound at all. With a pair of Proac speakers i liked the sound much more.

I don't know how it will sound with my Vincent CD player and Dali speakers.

 

[GeoffreyW]

Erwin, do you have a local Naim dealer, from whom you might home audition a Nait? Assuming you don't have to make a quick decision on your purchase?

 

[roger06]

Anything up to about £400 then go for it - if you don't like it stick it on eB@y and you shouldn't lose anything...

 

[Andrew Everard]

GeoffreyW:Erwin, do you have a local Naim dealer, from whom you might home audition a Nait? Assuming you don't have to make a quick decision on your purchase?

Isn't that a little unethical? Borrowing a demo unit from a dealer with no intention of buying from them, to find out whether you should buy a used one from elsewhere?

 

[roger06]

Andrew Everard:
GeoffreyW:Erwin, do you have a local Naim dealer, from whom you might home audition a Nait? Assuming you don't have to make a quick decision on your purchase?

Isn't that a little unethical? Borrowing a demo unit from a dealer with no intention of buying from them, to find out whether you should buy a used one from elsewhere?

Agreed.

I buy about 90% of stuff online but when I bought my Naim kit the dealer added so much value and spent so long with me there was no way I was then going to buy elsewhere.

Often a double whammy for retailers - do all the work and someone else gets the sale...

I think once the current economic strife is over the government will look into a tax for online retailers to level the playing field. I'm all for online shopping but taken to a 'possible' conclusion, do I really want to have no shops on the high street?

 

[plastic penguin]

Andrew Everard:

GeoffreyW:Erwin, do you have a local Naim dealer, from whom you might home audition a Nait? Assuming you don't have to make a quick decision on your purchase?

Isn't that a little unethical? Borrowing a demo unit from a dealer with no intention of buying from them, to find out whether you should buy a used one from elsewhere?

Agreed: it really gets my 'goat' when people audition a component from a reputable dealer and then buy online. I believe in loyalty, allied to the fact you know a warranty is a given...

The only half dodgy thing I've bought hi-fi-wise is my Leema. I auditioned the amp at 7 oaks Guildford and purchased from the Brighton branch. I felt guilty about that, because both branches are franchised, so technically not the same company, although the trading name is identical.

 

[ErwinC]

GeoffreyW:Erwin, do you have a local Naim dealer, from whom you might home audition a Nait? Assuming you don't have to make a quick decision on your purchase?

I have a local Naim dealer but i don't like to audition equipment in a store and buy somewhere else. I would feel guilty.

 

[Richard Allen]

ErwinC:
I have the opportunity to buy a used Naim Nait 5i for a good price but it is not possible to audition it in my own setup. Since i have seen more than once that Naim works best with Naim, i am a bit in doubt if the Naim Nait 5i would be a good match with my Vincent CD-S6 tube cd player and Dali Mentor Menuet speakers.

so far as your speakers, I haven't a clue. So far as your CD player, I would say it's worth a shot. Valves present an inherently low impedance. Now, with the Nait, you should have the best of both worlds. The interconnects will be cruciable tho.

 

[ErwinC]

Richard Allen:
so far as your speakers, I haven't a clue. So far as your CD player, I would say it's worth a shot. Valves present an inherently low impedance. Now, with the Nait, you should have the best of both worlds. The interconnects will be cruciable tho.

Thanks for your reply. I use QED Silver Spiral interconnects. Will that be a problem?

 

[Anonymous]

I would not pair a non Naim CDP with a Naim Amp. I been trying all my luck with other brand of CDP to pair with my Naim. It just simply doesn't sound right. Been thru all this and gave up and bought a Naim CDP. Sorry for being a wet blanket but it is worth a shot though to pair with your existing CDP.