I am wondering how you would compare the Naim and the Roksan when it comes to neutrality, musicality, openness, clarity and otherwise SQ. It will be used on Anthony Gallo-speakers that are a pretty easy load so any of them would have sufficient power.
Naim XS vs Roksan Kandy K2?
- Thread starter jakja83
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The XS is fairly transparent though not as open (airy and focused) sounding as some. Punchy and solid. The Roksan is more refined and equally not as extended as some. More power on spec and more hifi but not as solid or rythmic as the XS through the same speakers.
The XS is one of the few amplifiers that really impressed me for what it's worth but the CD5x is almost a pre-requisite I found.
The XS is one of the few amplifiers that really impressed me for what it's worth but the CD5x is almost a pre-requisite I found.
chebby
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drummerman:The XS is one of the few amplifiers that really impressed me for what it's worth but the CD5x is almost a pre-requisite I found.
That's for sure. My dealer is under strict instructions not to have the Nait XS and CD5XS playing when I visit. It was this combi that converted me to Naim. Stunning. Sadly I can't afford it, and I don't want to hear it again otherwise it would make me unhappy.
That's for sure. My dealer is under strict instructions not to have the Nait XS and CD5XS playing when I visit. It was this combi that converted me to Naim. Stunning. Sadly I can't afford it, and I don't want to hear it again otherwise it would make me unhappy.
Hmm, so you are saying that the Roksan is better when it comes to reality? (Refinement and so on?)
I am looking for a bit tighter snappier sound, but still sounding neutral and true to the recording.
I am looking for a bit tighter snappier sound, but still sounding neutral and true to the recording.
jakja83:
Hmm, so you are saying that the Roksan is better when it comes to reality? (Refinement and so on?)...
Nop, did'nt say that. I listen to a lot of live music and that particular Naim comes closer to it. Fun is the word.
Hmm, so you are saying that the Roksan is better when it comes to reality? (Refinement and so on?)...
Nop, did'nt say that. I listen to a lot of live music and that particular Naim comes closer to it. Fun is the word.
chebby
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drummerman:Nop, did'nt say that. I listen to a lot of live music and that particular Naim comes closer to it. Fun is the word.
Steady on sir!
We can't be having fun. (Perish the thought.) We must be able to measure the soundstage precisely and be able to tell what varnish is on the piano and be able to hear exactly whose pint the beads of sweat from the lead axe player's face fell in
Concentration and serious scrutiny are more important than pleasure. This is work folks.
Just teasing.
I totally agree with Drummerman about the importance of a system that is fun to listen to above all else. The Naim Naits do that in spades.
Seriously, I sometimes think that too much work goes into this listening malarky. Maybe it is that old protestant (with a small p) 'work ethic' and guilt about frittering away our spare time on frivolities like music and dancing. (Think of Cromwell.)
Thinking of our system components as 'tools', and doing listening as an 'analytical' activity, and all the 'research' we do into our buying decisions, and the 'experimentation' with cables and modifications etc etc. is all a bit of a give-away.
Perhaps this is all a way of convincing ourselves we are not guilty of 'frivolity' but are really engaging in some kind of work-like activity. Well sawd that for a lark. Hifi is not work for me and it is not a 'worthwhile' or useful hobby (like vegetable gardening) or a scientific pursuit of some kind to assuage an ancient cultural guilt/hang-up about just letting go and just enjoying the music with a few (too many in this case) G&Ts and choccies and enjoying watching the missus dancing a bit in her chair while she is playing on the computer!
I course I have just attempted (rather badly) a small essay thereby blowing my entire argument out of the water by working whilst I listen! Hahahahahaha.
Choccie anyone?
An XS of Kandy here.
Burp!
Steady on sir!
We can't be having fun. (Perish the thought.) We must be able to measure the soundstage precisely and be able to tell what varnish is on the piano and be able to hear exactly whose pint the beads of sweat from the lead axe player's face fell in
Concentration and serious scrutiny are more important than pleasure. This is work folks.
Just teasing.
I totally agree with Drummerman about the importance of a system that is fun to listen to above all else. The Naim Naits do that in spades.
Seriously, I sometimes think that too much work goes into this listening malarky. Maybe it is that old protestant (with a small p) 'work ethic' and guilt about frittering away our spare time on frivolities like music and dancing. (Think of Cromwell.)
Thinking of our system components as 'tools', and doing listening as an 'analytical' activity, and all the 'research' we do into our buying decisions, and the 'experimentation' with cables and modifications etc etc. is all a bit of a give-away.
Perhaps this is all a way of convincing ourselves we are not guilty of 'frivolity' but are really engaging in some kind of work-like activity. Well sawd that for a lark. Hifi is not work for me and it is not a 'worthwhile' or useful hobby (like vegetable gardening) or a scientific pursuit of some kind to assuage an ancient cultural guilt/hang-up about just letting go and just enjoying the music with a few (too many in this case) G&Ts and choccies and enjoying watching the missus dancing a bit in her chair while she is playing on the computer!
I course I have just attempted (rather badly) a small essay thereby blowing my entire argument out of the water by working whilst I listen! Hahahahahaha.
Choccie anyone?
An XS of Kandy here.
Burp!
Sounds like you need to pop online and have a hoot buying an XS. At least the Web takes the work out of it.
plastic penguin
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jakja83:I am wondering how you would compare the Naim and the Roksan when it comes to neutrality, musicality, openness, clarity and otherwise SQ. It will be used on Anthony Gallo-speakers that are a pretty easy load so any of them would have sufficient power.
After recently hearing the XS at a dealer, and comparing it to a Roksan then the Caspian would be far better and closer match to the Naim.
Although for a real good comparison I would look at Leema Pulse. It has all the agility and attack of Cyrus without the harshness of sound.
Which one would I choose between the Naim or Leema? Dunno, too close to call.
After recently hearing the XS at a dealer, and comparing it to a Roksan then the Caspian would be far better and closer match to the Naim.
Although for a real good comparison I would look at Leema Pulse. It has all the agility and attack of Cyrus without the harshness of sound.
Which one would I choose between the Naim or Leema? Dunno, too close to call.
chebby: drummerman:The XS is one of the few amplifiers that really impressed me for what it's worth but the CD5x is almost a pre-requisite I found.
That's for sure. My dealer is under strict instructions not to have the Nait XS and CD5XS playing when I visit. It was this combi that converted me to Naim. Stunning. Sadly I can't afford it, and I don't want to hear it again otherwise it would make me unhappy.
Chebby, what are your thoughts on the Naim NAC 152 XS? Were you as surprised as I was to see the separates version of the XS line get a 4 star review last month?
http://whathifi.com/Review/Naim-NAC-152-XS/
That's for sure. My dealer is under strict instructions not to have the Nait XS and CD5XS playing when I visit. It was this combi that converted me to Naim. Stunning. Sadly I can't afford it, and I don't want to hear it again otherwise it would make me unhappy.
Chebby, what are your thoughts on the Naim NAC 152 XS? Were you as surprised as I was to see the separates version of the XS line get a 4 star review last month?
http://whathifi.com/Review/Naim-NAC-152-XS/
chebby
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jaxwired:Chebby, what are your thoughts on the Naim NAC 152 XS? Were you as surprised as I was to see the separates version of the XS line get a 4 star review last month?
I have no thoughts about it except... "too many boxes". (But that is my first thought on all pre/power amps and not just Naim's.)
As for WHF or any other mag's reviews on Naim; they find what they find. My Naim dealer is only 5 minutes drive away, so any 'review' I need is there waiting for me after a phone-call to set up a mutually convenient demo.
I have no thoughts about it except... "too many boxes". (But that is my first thought on all pre/power amps and not just Naim's.)
As for WHF or any other mag's reviews on Naim; they find what they find. My Naim dealer is only 5 minutes drive away, so any 'review' I need is there waiting for me after a phone-call to set up a mutually convenient demo.
plastic penguin:
...
After recently hearing the XS at a dealer, and comparing it to a Roksan then the Caspian would be far better and closer match to the Naim.
...
... is, I guess, a fair comment, taking price into consideration too.
...
After recently hearing the XS at a dealer, and comparing it to a Roksan then the Caspian would be far better and closer match to the Naim.
...
... is, I guess, a fair comment, taking price into consideration too.
Very good post. And I do not look at my setup as other things than a tool to gain access to the best swingin` music available, but amp sound different and what I feel lacking right now is a bit more control and clarity to vocals, a bit less warmth in the lower regions. And all this talk about naim being musical and "groovy" is what made this thread come up.
I will try to get an XS sent to my home for an A/B audition.
Also, the Leema was on my roadmap, but I read that it wasn`t "that good".
I will try to get an XS sent to my home for an A/B audition.
Also, the Leema was on my roadmap, but I read that it wasn`t "that good".
plastic penguin
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jakja83:
Very good post. And I do not look at my setup as other things than a tool to gain access to the best swingin` music available, but amp sound different and what I feel lacking right now is a bit more control and clarity to vocals, a bit less warmth in the lower regions. And all this talk about naim being musical and "groovy" is what made this thread come up.
I will try to get an XS sent to my home for an A/B audition.
Also, the Leema was on my roadmap, but I read that it wasn`t "that good".
The Leema is a serious piece of kit. It is a genuine alternative to the XS, as long as you don't partner it with bright sources and speakers.
Very good post. And I do not look at my setup as other things than a tool to gain access to the best swingin` music available, but amp sound different and what I feel lacking right now is a bit more control and clarity to vocals, a bit less warmth in the lower regions. And all this talk about naim being musical and "groovy" is what made this thread come up.
I will try to get an XS sent to my home for an A/B audition.
Also, the Leema was on my roadmap, but I read that it wasn`t "that good".
The Leema is a serious piece of kit. It is a genuine alternative to the XS, as long as you don't partner it with bright sources and speakers.
Source is a Beresford Caiman, my speakers are very neutral and open.
I see in the review that the Pulse is described as "lean", I thought that was a negative description?
I see in the review that the Pulse is described as "lean", I thought that was a negative description?
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