Hi,
Well, the AV2 is quite expensive and I would wait for an AV3 anyway but would it be possible, or rather recommendable to use the AV2/3 as the pre and then use the multichannel-input of my Pioneer 7.1 AVR as a pure poweramp? The Pioneer supports this, but would it make any sense soundwise?
I might be interested in upgrading to the AV3 someday, but then the cost for 3-4 poweramps extra does put me off. Any experiences or recommendations? Buying cheap s/h poweramps is not a solution by the way, as they are really not that cheap and easy to get (if any good) and the Naim AV would probably swallow my whole budget. The AV2/3 would also be wanted for better stereo reproduction.
Or would it be better to keep my Pioneer AVr and buy a Nait 5 (not i) for stereo purposes? Does Naim still make any Nait 5s or have they all gone for 5i?

AV2 with other make power amps works just fine, I ran mine with Arcam amps for a bit. You just need to make sure you get the correct DIN to phono connector cables which is easy enough. I think the AV2 is a better pre than the Nait5/5i, but not as good as a 112/112x. However if you are using an AV2 into Pioneer power amps, then I'm not sure how that would stack up against the Nait5 in terms of stereo. If you enjoy AV then you will love the AV2. If your priority is stereo a secondhand 112/150 may be a better combination. If it were my money, I'd get the AV2 now, use it with the Pioneer power amp as a stepping stone and then buy a Naim stereo power amp at a later date to drive the main fronts iun combination with the pioneer driving the front and rears, then maybe a NAP175 at a later date. One thing is for sure, you will not be disapointed with the AV2, go for it.

Well, I would kind of like to wait for a AV3 now. I can't imagine this taking too long now. I would expect one end of 2005 beginning of 2006 (maybe when new PL2x and DD+ and DTS+ are established).
However, I am kind of pleased with my Pioneer AVR as far as surround sound is concerned but sometimes I think I could do some more stereowise....but unfortunatly, the Nait5i does not suit me and the Nait5 is not available anymore and s/h prices seem really far out there (almost as much as a new Nait5i!). I wasn't quite convinced by the 112/150 combo, so that would be to expensive IMO. A Nait 5 should do the job if I could get one cheap enough...or new.

Alex

Naim stopped making the Nait5 shortly after introducing the Nait5i. Why is it that a Nait5i doesn't suit you? It's only required for stereo non-video sources, so CD, turntable, tuner and cassette deck cover it. Other video related sources such as set-top box, VCR, DVD player should be covered by the Pioneer.

The Nait5i is a more powerful amplifier than the Nait5 by quite a bit (50w/ch against 30) and this should help it tie in with the Pioneer better than the Nait5 would. Is the problem that you don't actually like the sound of the 5i? If this is the case, I would go for the AV2 rather than a (2nd hand) Nait5.

There is no guarantee that there will be an AV3 from Naim, nor when it might happen if it did. Also, going by Naim's typical pricing, the AV3 will be priced far above the AV2, partly to be able to really push the performance envelope and partly so they don't have any overlap in the range. You could be waiting for an even longer time to justify the cost.

If you get on the ladder with an AV2, you could then get into the power amp upgrades mentioned above which would bring about many gains in a structured upgrade path. This allows you to gain benefits in the shorter term while watching what happens in the marketplace.

Regards,
Frank.
All opinions are my own and do not reflect the opinion of any organisations I work for, except where this is stated explicitly.

Well, I demoed the Nait5i a few times and don't like it so much. I originally demoed my Allaes with NAit5/CD5 which I really enjoyed but the Nait5i/CD5i didn't give me as much pleasure. I was told that what I felt lacking was the Nait5i and not so much the CD5i. The Nait5 seemed a bit warmer but sharper and more involving. The Nait5i sounds a bit weaker and less powerfull as far as bass and overall power are concerned. I know this opposites the extra watts, but I just feel the i to be to cold and the Nait5 seemed just a bit more friendly.

Thing is, a AV2 is really pricy and s/h is both rare and expensive. I couldn't buy one know new, so by the time I have the cash (want a pj first), I would be expecting an AV3 to come up. I can't imagine the AV2 to be the last one and would expect a new model early 2006. Some new formats have come up (PLIIx) and HD DVD and BluRay will be integrating new sound formats for Dolby and DTS which apparently are downward compatible but I reckon more could be achieved with proper support and I reckon that Microsoft will be trying to bring on their own sound format....so there might be some intresting new things coming next year....and that's when I would reckon a AV3 could storm the newly hyped high definition market, which might in addition to the picture als cry out for the improved sound.