Speakers to partner Naim nait5i and CD5i (total budget around 3600 euro/3000 pounds)

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Hello everyone

I am a complete hifi newbie that is making his first crawls at the hifi world. After much reading and browsing, i think i like the naim combo (nait 5i and CD 5i). At my local shop i got a small audition of this combo paired to ProAc Studio 140 which unfortunately make the whole thing a bit out of my reach. Could you please advice me some good speakers to match the naim kit withing my budget (1000-1200 pouns for the speakers)? I have read here that Neat also go well, what about Dali Ikon 6 or some of B&W?

The thing is that i would like to call my dealer to tell him/her to prepare this and that combination so that i can choose, as i am afraid that the dealer might be more interested in selling his stock than in recommending suitably pairing pieces of equipment.

I like to listen to all kinds of music, although classical of all types, sinphonical, vocal, small ensembles, etc, are fundamental.

Besides, i also got offered the Rotel 1520 amp and cd kit, and the Primare I21 + Cd21. Should i stay with naim or should i give these also a try?

Thanks in advance!!

Emilio
 
How about MA RX6?

WHF? recommend the naim duo to front and drive the RX6 when it won a group test.

They said that the naim duo brings out the best in the RX6.
 
Myemilion:
Hello everyone

I am a complete hifi newbie that is making his first crawls at the hifi world. After much reading and browsing, i think i like the naim combo (nait 5i and CD 5i). At my local shop i got a small audition of this combo paired to ProAc Studio 140 which unfortunately make the whole thing a bit out of my reach. Could you please advice me some good speakers to match the naim kit withing my budget (1000-1200 pouns for the speakers)? I have read here that Neat also go well, what about Dali Ikon 6 or some of B&W?

The thing is that i would like to call my dealer to tell him/her to prepare this and that combination so that i can choose, as i am afraid that the dealer might be more interested in selling his stock than in recommending suitably pairing pieces of equipment.

I like to listen to all kinds of music, although classical of all types, sinphonical, vocal, small ensembles, etc, are fundamental.

Besides, i also got offered the Rotel 1520 amp and cd kit, and the Primare I21 + Cd21. Should i stay with naim or should i give these also a try?

Thanks in advance!!

Emilio

IMO you could do to demo the Naim Nait gear again with some speakers along side the Rotel amp and CDP as well as the Primare.

It'd be handy to know what your overall budget is and what music you generally listen to as well.

As for speakers; do you want standmount speakers (if so have you budgeted for stands) or can you consider floorstanding speakers?

IMO the Naim gear doesnt gel well at all with M/A speakers; the Naim sound is a little lean for M/A speakers and it can make music sound thin and uninviting. On the other hand Neat and Rega speakers do very well with Naim so they may be worth considering. The Neat Motive 2 speakers and the Rega RS5's would make for a very nice system.

The Rotel RA1520 amp would drive the M/A RX6 speakers very well indeed but the matching CDP doesnt get the greatest reviews; the Rega Apollo or even possibly the Rega Saturn could be worth looking at as well as the Cyrus 6SE CDP.

Will you look at 2nd hand items or do you want all brand new?
 
A few days ago I heard 3 combinations: Naim Nait 5i CDP with Nait 5i Amp, Roksan Kandy K2 CDP with K2 Amp and the Cyrus CD6SE CDP with Cyrus 8XPd Amp (they didn't have the 6XP for audition). The speaker was the B&W 685.

Ok, this is very personal- I totally do not like the Naim Nait 5i combination. In fact I couldn't believe I was listening to this highly-praised combo. It sounded pretty mediocre to me. One possibility is that the B&W speakers are not the best with Naim.

The discs I played was Mozart's piano concertos performed by Alfred Brendal with Neville Marriner; the other was Beethoven's 9th symphony conducted by Kurt Masur.

Next, the Cyrus set up. It was a world of difference!! The attack, the agility, the tone colour, the dynamics- all handled very well. It sounded like my CDs were lovingly remastered. A captivating listen.

Then the Roksan Kandy K2 combo. I must say the articulation and resolving power is evident but somehow, the Roksan sound is not the one I am after. In fact I think I may get listening fatique if I play the Roksan for a long period. I find the sound too 'hard' but definately the Roksan lives up to its good reputation.

So the Cyrus wins... words from reviews and forum participants can never tell me this unless I actually listen.

After the audition I go away with this thought- that we are not created identical as far as our ears and hearing circuitry is concerned. I thought the Naim Nait combo would at least be very good but it turned out otherwise.

One man's meat is not another man's meat. If the Naim combo is for you, great. But the Cyrus and Roksan are at least the other 2 popular combos you may like to listen to.
 
You're right, 1979, MA and Naim are chalk and cheese.

Milion, if you want to stick with Naim, try Vienna Acoustics, Totems, Spendor or Sonus Faber.
 
Temasek:Ok, this is very personal- I totally do not like the Naim Nait 5i combination.

Haha. Got it. (Especially when you compare it to a Cyrus amp that costs twice as much.)

Why is it 'very personal'? (Love the Sopranos/Godfather touch there.) Did a Nait fall on you?

I normally leave people to it when they do the Naim 'slagging off' thing (been there myself) but you came out the gate positively frothing about it.

Piqued my interest a bit.

(I should say the the last time I listened to a Cyrus CD/amp - just over a year ago before I bought the Naim - it sounded like Velociraptors duelling with angle grinders in a large tin room.)
 
Thanks cstanwhf and d_a_n1979 for your prompt replies!!

I have never considered the MA RX6, so thanks for the suggestion. d_a_n1979, I will nevertheless keep your warning in mind about the combination MA and Naim.

My total budget is 3600 euro (about 3000 pounds) and i would like to stay away for the moment from the second hand market. As i said in my initial post i listen to mostly all types of music, although i focus into classic and opera. In classic practically all the range from solo instruments, to quartets, to full orchestral compositions.

I feel also a bit reluctanct to go with the Rotel combo due to the bad reviews of the CD. I have checked the Regas RS5 and they could fit the budget, although the Neat Motive 2 probably go above, judging from the price of the Motive 1 (ca 1700 euro). The thing is that it is really hard in Spain to find a place where they have all the brands from which i might like to choose. There is one where i could definitely listen to the Rotel 1520 amp + rega apollo + RX6, although the rega apollo i found is sold at 1000 euro which is a bit overpriced from the tag quoted in the review of WHF.

Would love to hear more thoughts about the issue, specially about experience with the Naim duo matched to Neat, ProAc and Rega

Regards
 
Chebby, just means he or she didn't like the combo, I think. Doubt there's a hidden agenda.

Also, have a look at the speakers used. Putting budget gear on decent electronics isn't a good idea anyway, but my experience of the B&Ws says they're absolutely the wrong speakers for Naim.
 
It is very personal because there will those who disagree with me.

I am stating my frank opinion which may not be other people's opinion.

Also as I mentioned, the Cyrus 6XP was not available for audition so the store hooked up the Cyrus 8XP instead. Agree, I may not be comparing apples with apples but I am sharing what I heard out of the combo.

My main point of the post is that one should listen for oneself; also not to stop at listening to just one combo.
 
WOW!, wonderful forum guys, i can not reply faster than people already posting answers to my question. Heartfelt thanks!

I would love to have the opportunity to check the Cyrus brand but unfortunatelly id does not seem to be any shop near Madrid where i could try it out. On the other hand, never thought about the Roksan so i take up your suggestion and will research about them.

And i understand your point regarding subjectivity. Thats why i want to gather as many opinions and suggestions so that i can then make my own choice.

Chebby, i see in your post that your equipment is fully "Naimized" if you let me put it like that. How about the Naim speakers? I wonder because as in other fields where expensive gear is involved, a single brand is rarely capable of offer all the components at the same level. Don't you think?

Tarquin, thanks for your suggestions. I will take a look to the brands you mention.

Emilio
 
Myemilion:Chebby, i see in your post that your equipment is fully "Naimized" if you let me put it like that. How about the Naim speakers? I wonder because as in other fields where expensive gear is involved, a single brand is rarely capable of offer all the components at the same level. Don't you think?

My speakers cost me £450 (rather than the £800 RRP when new) so I judge them against other small sealed-box speakers that cost about £450.

They suit my requirements. They will probably not suit yours. My need is for superb clarity in - mostly - speech based radio for periods of 8 -12 hours a day (or night).

Most people need a speaker that will sound good loud for an hour a day in between getting home and the wife turning on the telly
emotion-4.gif
 
chebby:Most people need a speaker that will sound good loud for an hour a day in between getting home and the wife turning on the telly
emotion-4.gif

...yeah, you're right Chebby, you're very special...
 
Not at all.

Most people come home from work for a 'blast' of music on the hifi whereas I work from home and don't get anything extra out of 'blasting' the afternoon play or whatever. It is not even a 'hifi' to me any more. Just a big radio.

It's days may be numbered, time and money allowing. I am not some slavish brand fan and Naim just happens to be what I have now. Tomorrow will be different. Can't do the 'fanboy' thing.
 
All right, and back to the original point of the post, I have read already a couple of times that Naim-Neat sinergy is quite valued. What about experiences of Naim and ProAc? Has anyone in the forum recently listen to the Nait 5i and Cd5i with different speakers and chose a type? it would be really helpful to know other people experiences.

Also, i have put my eye on the Exposure brand since there is a local dealer with a good selection of speakers that is the importer of that brand. Does anyone have tried the 2010S amp+CD? they are not the latest product but still... any experiences?

Thanks a lot!
 
On Topic: Hola, Emilio. You may be on to something when you mentioned the Rega RS5's. Even Rega itself mentions Naim as a brand its own kit would work well with. At least, that's what one of my Rega manuals say 🙂 (take note, no other hi-fi brands were mentioned by name.) You would also not be giving away too much if you checked out the older R7's -- they have more bass presence but use the paper coned tweeter used by the Rega of old. Your dealer may still have them in stock.

Let us know how you get along in your search. Saludos.
 
Hola tenergy!!

Thanks for your comment and for helping me put back the post in its track!. Good you mention that about Rega's Manual as there is already two of you suggesting Regas speakers. And the fortunate thing is that there is a dealer where i could probably test the Regas and compare them with some spanish manufactured brand called Pulsar Studio. Which, by the way, Has someone of the bosses of the WHF ever tried one of those? i am extremely curious to know if bypassing the ordinary manufacturer-importer-dealer circuit i could get smaller prices without losing much quality.

I will check for the old R7's to see if they have them.

All right, then, so far Neat and Regas seem to be the most supported partners for the naim combo. Any more suggestions?

And about the Exposure set-up... does anyone want to share their experience? Specially if it involves a comparison with the Naim.

Best regard and thanks again to everyone.

Tenergy, enhorabuena por tu espa¤ol!

Saludos
 
When I first got the Nait 5i/CD5i set-up I used it for almost 8 months with the Rega R3 speakers from my previous system.

They are definitely a good match as are the newer Rega RS3 speakers. (£698)

I have heard Rega RS3's with Nait 5i, Nait XS and naimuniti and they seem to excel with all three.

They are not picky about positioning. For a 10 percent 'premium' Rega also do gloss/piano black and white finishes as well as the standard price cherry wood veneer.

Compact floorstanders with a suprisingly big sound.

PMC DB1i and GB1i also go well with the Nait 5i but - of course - cost a lot more than the RS3s and are a bit more fussy about being placed just the right distance from a wall. (about 4 inches). Again I have heard DB1is and GB1is with a naimuniti and they were pretty impressive.

I have not heard Neats (no stockist around here) but many people recommend the match.
 
Some good suggestions coming up

Deffo agree that the Naim/Neat and Naim/Rega combos would work well

The Rotel RA1520, Rega Apollo and either M/A RX6 or Rega RS5 combo would be superb IMO as well. Both speakers can be bought in gloss black and believe me; they look gorgeous in that finish
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Temasek:One man's meat is not another man's meat. If the Naim combo is for you, great. But the Cyrus and Roksan are at least the other 2 popular combos you may like to listen to.
Seems like a very fair comment to me.
 
Hi everyone and thanks for the suggestions that are coming. A more definite image of what i want to try is coming into focus with each post.

D_a_n, I have read that the rega apollo and the exposure 2010S cd are more or less on equal foot. Do you or anyone know have an opinion on this? The thing is that the dealer where i will probably make the final demo is an importer for Exposure but only a Dealer for Rega. As a Result the Rega apollo is charged at 1000 euro while the exposure 2010S is only 800: Any reason to pay the overcost of the Apollo?

Thanks chebby for the comment on the Rega. I will definitely try the RS3 and the RS5 as they are within my budget.

Regards

Emilio
 
Unfortunately I've never heard the Exposure CDP; I hjave heard the amp but only very briefly so cant help you there
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It maybe worthwhile looking at some dealers in the UK to see if they can send the Rega Apollo abroad! A long shot I know but it could prove to be favourable!

Another idea would be to speak to someone who you might know in the UK; I am in the middle of sorting a new hifi and AV system out for my cousin who lives in Calpe, Spain.

I've got his budget and some of his ideas which have worked fine but others need a bit more tweaking. He's over next week so I've demo's arranged and so he's going to take some gear back with him but the rest we are shipping across and the prices arent too bad at all
emotion-1.gif


Food for thought!
 
All right guys,

Mi mind is back again to an uncertainty state far beyond Mr Heisenberg wildest dreams. Basically my two options would be to buy the Naim combo

Naim Nait 5i + Naim Cd5i

for 2000 euro (1,709.01 pounds)

or the Exposure combo

Exposure 2010S Amp + CDP Exposure 2010S

for 1600 euro (1,367.31 pounds) with the option to buy a separate Exposure 2010S Power Amplifier for 650 euro (555.47 pounds) extra. (This i am sure i can get a small reduction on the overall price)

Both options look nice and they leave me with between 1200 to 1500 euro to pay speakers maybe Rega's RS5 or other, i could do the demo at the shop.

Any advice?

Thanks a lot guys! Hope that this post is also being useful to somebody else

Emilio
 
Hello Emilio,

Mi hijo (cinco anos) se llama Emilio tambien, btw 🙂

Because of the upgrade path open to you, the Exposure combo seems like a good bet. Now, if you are pretty set on the Naims however, you can go there provided you have determined that that is as far as you're going to go. The thing with this hobby is that there is the very real danger of acquiring SARS, (sudden acquisition regret syndrome), almost as soon as you've un-boxed your new kit.

So there-- if absolutely sure about the Naim sound, go Naim. If you feel like you will be looking for more juice in the foreseeable future, go with the Exposure.

Don't worry about the Rega speakers. They are really easy to drive and will sound great either way.

Saludos!
 
Hi Tenergy

Anda!, que coincidencia... dales saludos al chico de mi parte!

I think that the naim combo is a bit higher quality, a priori, than the 2010S. However the biamplification possibility is open in the Exposure. On the other hand, the room is not large, and i think even with the 50 W the Naim will have no problem to give enough juice at all frequencies... And whatever i buy is going to be that for ever. So, i hope to keep SARS at bay.

I think that it is time to demo... I have selected several CD and i am setting up the demos at the different shops. Will write here my impressions.

Saludos y Gracias!
 
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