Well, having finally joined the Neat brigade a few weeks ago I feel compelled to tell you all about the unusual (these days) standard of customer service I received.

It all started when I visited Harrogate's HiFi Hut a few weeks ago. I said all I was interested in was to be able to listen to a pair of Neat Mystiques with my system. Within ten minutes, Paul was helping to load his pair into my car. He told me I could try them out for a couple of weeks! In the event I returned a couple of days later having decided to buy a pair. Of course, I had to be difficult; I wanted a pair in Rose finish (not Natural or Cherry) which I could have walked away with there and then. I was warned that they could take a couple of weeks to arrive but, in the event, I received a call from Paul a few days later telling me that Bob (Mr Neat, himself) was on his way to Harrogate with my new speakers. So, just a week after I first called into HiFi Hut, my new Mystiques were installed and making some very pleasant sounds in my very small listening room.

The whole experience was a joy and the result was one very happy customer.

Its worth remembering here that I was buying the cheapest product in Neat's range and, because HiFi Hut doesn't do Naim (unfortunately) I hadn't even bought any other stuff from Paul.

So, if you live in the North and are thinking about trying Neat you know where to go. You can do a whole lot worse, that's for sure.

More about my experience with the little Mystiques another time, no doubt.

I live near Harrogate and I have to report that I've also been to the HiFi Hut. I didn't buy anything, but I was impressed by the owner all the same. He explained his working methods and I have to say if I was looking for the kind of stuff sold there I'd definitely be knocking on that particular door.

Given that I visited the place on a recommend from a work colleague, who has also been impressed with the service on offer, I'm pretty sure most people wouldn't be disappointed if they gave the place a try.

Smashing Baaaby!

(imagine a Texan imitating Austin Powers...Yeah baby, YEAH!)

Bob is King, Neat rules! Neat dealers care. Bob cares. Every other speaker is a weak-arse contender! Line up recruits!

Semper Hi-Fi

Sgt. B-Diddy
Neat Army
Texas Outpost

RogerH - I'd echo your comments. Had much the same experience with Paul with a pair of MFS. He even allowed to borrow a Creek CD player for the duration. In the end I ordered the piano black finish (stunning!) which materialised in next to no time, together with a pair of mint ex-dem stands at a discount. So full marks to Paul and Neat!

My Neat Mystiques are 7 months old now are just fantastic in sound. I'm very very happy now that they've burnt it.
Kid

I love Neat! I love naim! They go together. Heaven.

Mole Man

You lot ain't heard nuffing yet!

The Ultimatum range has to be one of the best speaker ranges around with the 9's head and shoulders above anything else!



Regards


NB

Hi,
Another plug for Paul and the Hi-fi Hut in Harrogate. I bought some PMC FB1's from him. Exceptional service. Although he is not a Naim dealer, he has worked for a Naim dealer in the past and some things have obviously rubbed off.
Steve D

That's good, seems I'm not alone here. I just had to share my experience as excellent customer service isn't the norm anymore. Its good to hear that I'm automatically enrolled into the Neat Army. Does that mean that I've got to report to somewhere in Texas, Naimgaim or have we all got to pay homage in little ol' Barnard Castle (never been there even though its only 60 miles up the road from me). As for the Ultimatum range, NB, Paul had a very nice looking pair on demo (the 7s, I think) but I resisted the temtation to ask for a listen for reasons to do with the health of my wallet! I did ask Paul if, having been spoiled with such monsters, how he feels about having to 'rough it' with us minions. He said he still loves the Mystiques ... that was good enough fo me ... for now.

So mine are still running in but I was delighted nonetheless with their opening performance, probably because I was expecting to be disappointed. The good news, I guess, is that the best is yet to come.

Just one question to you Mystique owners though: I've got mine running of a NAP112/NAP150 and the volume is never under 12 o'clock. Is that normal or am I going deaf?

Good luck to you all.

quote:

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the volume is never under 12 o'clock. Is that normal or am I going deaf?

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Hi Roger

Do you mean that's high in comparison to quoted volume settings by others using Naim amps?

The 112 and Nait5 are different in this regard, due to their 'resistor ladder' (digital) volume control and adjustable input levels.

I use a 252 and a 112, and much prefer the speed of remote volume rotation on the 112, which allows for much easier adjustment of the required level.

The default remote volume rotational speed is too fast on the 'analogue pot' pre-amps. The slower 'double-click' speed is fiddly to operate, and ought to be the default speed.

Happy listening.

John.

Thanks for you're comments J.N. I think you've answered my question. My 112 has been around the 12 o'clock mark with earlier speakers too but, before that, I was used to using 30 integrated amps well below that.

Given what you've said about the 'resistor ladder' I'm well O.K. now. Thanks again.