Upgrade advice very much needed please. Very unsure what to do.

[admin_exported]

Hi there -

I'm new to the forums here, but not new to hifi.

My current setup seems a bit dull. Almost lifeless. It could be due to the amp not having enough power to drive the speakers. But I'm also worried it's just that I'm not used to the Naim sound. I used to have the Rotel 971 pre and power combo. I was very pleased with it, but wanted more detail.

To me my current set up (see below) is lacking all around, tonal balance seems dull, detail is not there, and it just sounds boring.

My question is, would I be better off upgrading to a NAP150x power amp, or giving up on the Naim and buying a Rotel RA1520? Would the Rotel RA1520 integrated be better than the Nait 5 with more power?

Any advice would be greatly appreciated please.

Current setup:

Naim Nait 5 (not the i)

Naim CD5

PMC GB1i, connected via Naim 3.5meters speaker cable, properly terminated

Rega P3-24 colour in red with TT/PSU

Rega Elys 2

Naim Stageline Phono

 

[Anonymous]

Hi

I'm afraid I don't know your Rotel gear very well - but have found that I am not particularly a Naim fan.

Yes, they do timing well, but most of the other bits around musicality and emotional involvement are missing for me. Sometimes, we find a system, or brand that just 'ticks the boxes' for us and with me it was Moon ... but it is possible that Rotel is what does it for you.

I suppose the only way to know for sure it to try the Naim 150 at home if you can and that will answer your question - also give the Rotel 1520 a go and see which you prefer.

It could be that you've discovered Naim does not really do it for you, or just that you need to go a little higher up the 'tree' as it were !

 

[Anonymous]

Hi BigAir -

Many thanks for your reply. Only problem I have is that I really dislike my local Naim dealer, they always want to sell me something I can't afford, and it somehow always seems to be Naim! So I've promised myself I won't go back in there!

I don't know of any local Rotel dealers in Berkshire other than the particular place I don't like. I also would want to audition it in my home with my actual speakers, turntable and records.

Is there anywhere that offers a facility for me to buy both, and return one of them for a full refund after I've chosen my preference? From a dealer perspective it renders one of them as second hand I guess?

Kind regards,

J

 

[matthewpiano]

When you have found a brand/sound you really like, upgrading from it can be very difficult and challenging. Some time ago I had a NAD C521BEE with a NAD C325BEE, which I really loved. I got the upgrade itch though, and went through all sorts before finally coming back to NAD with my current system. I'm now very happy again and enjoying my music.

Maybe you should set aside a day to travel to another dealer who stocks Rotel. Take your Naim kit with you and try different combinations to find the best way to achieve what you are after. I honestly think it is the only way.

 

[Anonymous]

try different speaker placement before taking drastic action ...

 

[Anonymous]

I'm not familiar with the NAIT 5 or the GB1i but I would not call the CD5 dull and boring. Naim products, in my view, are generally exceptionally exciting and involving. The NAIT 5 might be an exception, though, since I seem to remember its being criticised by Naim fans for being boring when it was launched...

Before you go to the trouble of trying different equipment: do you keep you Naim equipment permanently switched on? Most Naim owners do, and it makes quite a difference to the sound.

Also, does your turntable sound more boring than your CD player? This would not surprise me, since I found the Rega Elys and Elys 2 excruciatingly boring in a Linn LP12 / Ekos.

I hope you find a satisfactory solution to the problem.

 

[Anonymous]

Thanks so much for all your replies so far. Really appreciate it. Such a quick response too! Cheers!

Have tried many different speaker positions around the room - no real improvement to the life / energy of the sound.

I leave the Naim always powered on.

I like dealing with a Naim dealer over in Norfolk where I originally bought all my kit from, but it's such a distance from me that it's not possible to just pop over there for a demo easily. Shame, as the Norfolk dealer is absolutely excellent. More than willing to help. But sadly he doesn't deal in Rotel by the look of it. I'll be giving him a call later in the week when my work shifts have finished to discuss it all anyway.

But in the mean time I thought I'd post here to get some different opinions and views.

Anyone else ever paired the PMC GB1i's with either a Nait 5, or a Rotel 1520? If so, what did they sound like to you?

 

[Anonymous]

Hi!

This might be a stupid question but didn't you audition the Naim kit before buying? I don't know how long you've had this setup, but when I first got my Primare I30 a few years back I was about to sell it off again. But I thought I'd be better off giving it a bit time and I'm glad I did because it grew on me.. everyday for at least a year or two! I'm not saying this is the case for you, it might be that you don't like the Naim sound all together.. I don't know. I've never listened much to Naim since I find it a strange concept, upgrading with external PSU, DIN-cables and what not. But many people seem to love them...

One thing I would check before selling and buying something else is the room it self. Have the room changed since you had the rotels? It may be lacking in damping or the opposite, over damped. Try adding and/or removing rugs, pillows and stuff...

If this or speaker placement and time doesn't change anything then it's more than likely that you don't like Naim :/ In that case, do not rush! Take your time and make sure to demo a lot of systems before deciding on one.. And then make sure you get to take the stuff home for a weekend. If the dealer won't let you do that - walk out. Buying HiFi stuff without a home demo is like buying a suit without trying it on...

Good luck!

 

[batonwielder]

You shouldn't be trying to get used to the sound. Don't compromise your own standard. Your speakers are definitely not supposed to sound boring.

Give a listen to the Rotel or even the Cambridge Audio. Any of those products will be powerful enough to drive your speakers and give you engaging sound.

 

[True Blue]

Hi, I think the basic problem here is you have gone from a pre-power arrangement to an entry level Naim integrated amp.

Two solutions that I can see but both involve a HOME demo,

1. Audition the Naim Pre and Power combo mentioned

or

2. Invest in a Nait XS

Either way (budget dependant) it will be a massive improvement on the Nait 5

 

[Anonymous]

Hi JBob123,

My setup is very close to yours :

Naim CD5i (italic), Nait 5i, PMC GB1 with Chord Silverscreen Silver cables, Rega P3 with RB200 arm.

Indeed it looks like we both used the same dealer in Norfolk.... I agree the dealer was excellent.

I'm very happy with my system and would not call it dull or lifeless in any way. Having said that we tested several configurations including Rega CD players and Rega, Leema and other PMC speakers with the Naim 5i amp (I already had this) and my son preferred a different set up to the one I purchased. Clearly we don't all like the same characteristics but given I was paying my vote clearly won.

My observation was that even quite suble changes made quite a difference to the sound. For example, going with the latest CD5i (italic) player over the previous version added attack and detail to the sound. Also I guess your amplifier is the original Nait 5 with 30w compared to 50w with the latest versions. I would not have thought that your amp is that under powered but the PMCs do need a little driving.

Personally, I would head over to Norfolk with just your amp and CD player. Your speakers are still current so you should be able to leave these at home and use the dealers'. It would be interesting to try the latest Naim 5i CD and amp, plus the XS to see how the system sound to you compared with your existing setup. Be prepared to change one item at a time. If the sound is still lifeless try a different vendor, even if it is not Rotel. It could turn out to be an expensive exercise but at least you'll know whether you like Naim (or not).

Good luck!

StuDench

 

[Anonymous]

Hi All -

Just thought I'd update with the results of my latest purchase. I went for the adding power route and purchased a Nap 150x. All I can say is "WOW".

Goodness what a difference. I've had the Nap150x for a few weeks now and I can honestly say it's transformed the sound. It's just phenomenal. Musical, detailed but not distracting from the music, and the pace is just intense.

So after all that, it was the power element. The PMC GB1i's just needed a little more umph than the old Nait 5's 30 watts.

Amazing.

 

[Anonymous]

 

[the record spot]

The Naim 5 has 30 watts? Is that all? I thought it was delivering way more. Didn't Yamaha's AS700 with its 90w on tap appeal, or similar? Harman Kardon's HK990 is £900 and has 150wpc - terrific amps both.

Glad you got it sorted out, but just surprised about the low Naim rating.