Hi everyone!

I'm new to these forums and the wonderful world of Naim, so please be a little patient with me!

Anyway, last weekend I got to listen to the new Naim components (CD5/NAC112/NAP150/Intro II) and was very impressed! As you all understand, it walked all over my Audiolab/B&W system when it came to pure enjoyment of the music and the much talked about PRaT. I was actually so impressed that I will have to air my VISA in the near future, but one thing makes me wander. When I talked to the dealer about using other speakers than Naim he said that he'd never heard another brand that made the Naim equipment justice and that he couldn't recommend it. This is bad news, partly because I can't afford to change my speakers as well right now, partly because I'm not sure I'm very attracted to the idea of only being able to use Naim speakers. So the questions are:

* Did he try to bullshit me to be able to sell me a pair of speakers at the same time?
* If so, could I use my B&W 805 Matrix with good results?
* Since I will upgrade my speakers in a year or so, would a choice of a Nait 5 or 112/150 limit my speaker choices much? How much current do they deliver for example?

Thanks in advance for any light you all can shed!

Best,

Tommy

I couldn't possibly comment about what your dealer
said..!!!!!

My system has full naim alectronics:..
CD3.5/92/90 and I don't have naim speakers.
The speakers are linn Kans MK1 and I think they
sound brilliant.The system is very musical and full of detail. I get hours of enjoyment.

I've also heard much better naim electronics with none naim speakers and once again an impressive sound. One thats springs to mind are the JM Labs
range.I would suggest you take your speakers to the dealer and audition the whole system.

Best of luck.
dave

Tommy,

Your dealer is very wrong. There are many loudpeaker options you can choose that suit a Naim system. These include:

1) Royd (http://www.royd.com)
2) Neat
3) Epos
4) Linn (particularly their Katans)

All these brands have loudspeakers that are cheaper than the current Naim range - while offering PRaT.

All of these your dealer probably doesn't stock but you can find elsewhere in Sweden.

Andrew

Andrew Randle
2B || !2B;
4 ^ = ?;

[This message was edited by Andrew Randle on WEDNESDAY 03 January 2001 at 20:44.]

I'm not sure your dealer was shining you on or just sharing an opinion. He may well find that, for him, no other speaker brand shows the full Naim characteristics as well.

I know that you will find LOTS of Naim customers who are happy with their Non-Naim speakers and I'm confident that you should feel no significant limitation on speaker choices. It's true that not all amplifiers will drive all speakers but you're not limited to Naim speakers.

On this forum you'll find happy customers using speakers from Royd, Proac, Shahinian, JMLabs, JM Reynaud, Mordaunt Short, Tannoy, Dynaudio, and a host of others. Good luck and EnJoy!

Mar

I use CD3/32-5/hi/140/Matrix 805 and it sounds fine. Now this may not be a match made in heaven (but then I don't know what is), but it works nicely. The 805s may need more power than the 140 provides, but it seems from early reports that the 150 provides a good bit more useful power than the 140. I would certainly like more power, but then I'd like a lot of things.

On the other hand, the Matrix 805 are worth quite a bit on the used market, at least in the US, where they fetch around $1000 on ebay. So if you find something else you like, you'll be in relatively good shape.

--Eric

I used these speakers with my Naim and latey it happened that I listened to them connected to Cd5 + Nait5 and it was great - the speakers are not expensive.

When I bought the speakers, (it was something like 6 years ago) I compared them with Linn, I don't remember the model - Linn small speakers not floor standing - they were the cheapest linn at the time but cost the same as the rega - the Rega is a better speaker to my ears.

Arie

There is at least one magazine that thinks that whilst the new 5 series electronics are brilliant the speakers that go with them, i.e:Intro2s or Credos sound harsh. I agree.Rega speakers sound richer and less cold.Listen Inn, a Naim dealer in Northampton recommend using Sonus Faber speakers!

steven toy,

I don't agree with you (and the mags).

Now I own IBL's (CDI,LP12, Flat/72/140) and they are great.
A freind of mine owns CD3, Flat/92/102/ Credos
and they are great too.

Tommy looks for unexpensive speaker and I think Regga are good but when talking about expensive speakers, to my mind Regga has nothing to do nearby Naim speakers.

Arie

Steven Toy said:

quote:

---

Listen Inn, a Naim dealer in Northampton recommend using Sonus Faber speakers!

---

I can vouch for that recommendation. Sonus Fabers may be coloured to some people's ears but they produce incredibly life-like vocals, delivers loads of well defined bass for their size, and generate enough excitement and musical involvement to see my system evolve from LP12/Ittok/BPS/102/180 to LP12/Armageddon/ARO/Lydian/82/Hix2/135s.

James

Resistance is Futile

My first system was CD3.5, 90/92, flatcap with Royd Minstrel SEs (recommended by my Naim dealer). It sounded great and I would have no hesitation in recommending that system (or similar).

Rest assured that various brand speakers have been recommended as a match for Naim electronics by reputable sources. EG The May 1994 edition of AUDIOPHILE recommends Naim amps as a match for Royd Minstrels.

I know that some people regard sysrtems composed of mixed-brand electronics and speakers as "mongrel systems". Clearly, they need to remember that there are plenty of adorable mongrels in this world (whose owners wouldn't part with them!).

At the end of the day it's what YOU LIKE that counts. So you need to do some serious test-listening.

Rob

PS These days, I have higher-level Naim electronics (CDS2, 52, 250) with Naim SBL speakers - and am absolutely delighted! But no doubt there are many other brands of speakers that would sound great in my system.

Arie_Gur,
Rega make speakers between £255 for the Aras to £998 for the Naos, which I own. I would recommend the latter if that was the budget available because they offer the requisite speed and punch as well as tunefulness to do justice to a Naim system without sounding too harsh and fatiguing.

Tommy, I prefer Naim speakers even when used without Naim electronics! My first Naim purchase years ago was a pair of intros, I moved on to the electronics later. I currently have an all Naim system actively driving a pair of credos and feel that Naim electronics sound best with their speakers (and make going active an easy transition which I think is the ultimate goal anyway). That being said, there are certainly many speakers that work well with Naim: Proac, Meadowlark, etc. just keep listening.

With regard to a Nap 150 or Nait. Don't worry, A nait will drive anything with authority and control! That little 30w amp generates more current than lots of 150w amps. A friend of mine is a Naim dealer and we have all sorts of fun hooking a Nait up to the biggest and most inefficient speakers in the store and it amazes us every time.

I have just updated my system to a Naim setup, but the only thing I didn't purchase was Naim speakers due to budget. My dealer tested 2 brands of speaker for me - The Rega Elya and Royd Classics. Both of these sounded great with the Naim system and they were both at a very affordable price. Hope this helps!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I never liked NAIM speakers... upfront, harsh, almost fatiguing...

My first system was Marantz CD-80 + Audiolab 8000A + Rega ELA ... a lot of sound but no much music ...

Then i had NAIM CD3 + 72 + 140 and maintained the Rega ELA

Then I replaced the REGA Ela for REGA XEL based on a opinion posted on this forum after hearding a lot of speakers...

And I´m happy about it... NAIM amplification needs gentle speakers...

Best regards,

Luis

Tommy,

I'd try your existing 'speakers and see if you like them with the Naim kit.

I listened to Intro 2's this week for an entire afternoon, driven by the new 5 series kit. I found them in no way fatiguing or harsh (despite some 'realistic' volume levels), just very musical, rythmic and revealing of what was driving them.

I personally use Linn Kans with my Naim gear and have no desire to change, at present.

Andy.

Andrew L. Weekes
alweekes@audiophile.com

Tommy,

There is a pair of IBLs with Mana Sound Bases on sale in Stockholm if you are interested. Several people on this forum like them alot and they should work well with the Naim setup you are considering. Call me if you would like some more information.

Anders (tel. 08-756 89 71)

Tommy,

As people have said you need to listen for yourself. Naim amplification can drive almost anything and the key is for you to decide what you like. It is true that certain makes work better with their own brand of speakers (e.g. Linn) but I drive a pair of Linn Ninkas from my Naim equipment and the results are spectacular.

Nigel