Does anyone know when the n-vi will be avaliable at Naim stockists,I rang music matters my local naim dealer and they have been waiting since december for stock?
Anyone

I think we're looking at February before it becomes available in most dealers. From what I've heard when I played with it last month, it's worth waiting for.

For home theatre, would it be better to use active speakers (self-powered) from Bang-Olufsen or Meridian? Somehow I still believe that the sound is more "punchy" if active system is used. I am not sure on this issue and I am in the process of making a mini home theater in my room, starting with the SONY KDL-V40XBR1 LCD 40 inch display and a SONY DVD upscaling/HDIM connection player.

...depends on whether sound quality is an issue: many active loudspeaker manufacturers are using similar switching amplification (as used in the n-Vi) as amp modules; however, as the sound tends to be dependent on the quality of the power supply, they often fall short by a large margin due to the space constraints within the cabinets.

quote:

Originally posted by David Dever:
...depends on whether sound quality is an issue: many active loudspeaker manufacturers are using similar switching amplification (as used in the n-Vi) as amp modules; however, as the sound tends to be dependent on the quality of the power supply, they often fall short by a large margin due to the space constraints within the cabinets.

Bang olufsen, Linn, Meridian are champions in using switch-mode power supplies and now Naim follows this path. Would it be safe to say that the technology is now mature and the sound quality is there? How "good" is Linn amplification, those beautifully made high-end Linn amplifers.

Tuan,

Naim have stated clearly that the switched mode power supply was used only because of space constraints. The same goes for the Class T power amps in the n-Vi. To suggest that Naim are following the path is a little premature I think.

I have listened to the Linn stuff and it certainly isn't my bag. Beautifully made though, I agree...

Frank & Dave,

Have you heard the n-vi?
Does it still sound like Naim?

Tuan-

You missed the point. A switching amplifier (digital amplifier, class D, class T) is NOT the same concept as a switching power supply. Often, the differences between two manufacturers using the SAME switching amp modules can be traced to differences in the power supply designs (of either type, linear or switching).

Kuma-

Yes, still sounds like Naim (even on Harbeth HL-P3-2s, to boot, which is what we had on static display in the lobby at T.H.E. Show).

David,

That's interesting.
So there is a hope for the Tripath yet.

I used to own a Tripath chip based Bel Canto amplifier. ( for a home cinema )
Recently, I believe they switched to the ICE module which I understand because of the cost.

Kuma

I haven't done a direct A/B of the n-Vi against, say, a DVD5/AV2/150x or CD5x/112x/150x, but what I heard certainly sounded like it had some of the Naim PR&T, and was certainly more engaging than most HT systems I've heard.

Kuma,

I had a direct A/B (with CD) of the n-Vi at my local dealer against my CD3/NAC92/NAP90.3.
It really sounds like Naim and is definitely better than my old combo. So I sold my components and bought an n-Vi. Great!

I haven't heard it but my dealer told me the n-Vi CD sound is much better than the CD5i and comes close to the 5x.

Now I'm looking forward to a video connection with my beamer...

quote:

Originally posted by Margan:
Kuma,


I haven't heard it but my dealer told me the n-Vi CD sound is much better than the CD5i and comes close to the 5x.

Now I'm looking forward to a video connection with my beamer...

Is there a posebilety of adding a powersupply to it? I have a FC2 to ad.


And is it posible to play stereo?

quote:

And is it posible to play stereo?

Absolutely–and at this it does remarkably well.

I see a bedroom system in my future, methinks (now it's time to catch up on my correspondence-school degree in film.)

Margan,

Thanks.
Sounds like it's worth a listen.

Congrats on the n-Vi!

Robbert,

sorry, no possibility to connect a power supply to the n-Vi.

quote:

Originally posted by Margan:
Robbert,

sorry, no possibility to connect a power supply to the n-Vi.

OK, what is the price of the n-Vi in germany?

quote:

Originally posted by David Dever:

quote:

And is it posible to play stereo?

Absolutely–and at this it does remarkably well.

I see a bedroom system in my future, methinks (now it's time to catch up on my correspondence-school degree in film.)

but NOT enough amplification for home theater application

You have missed the point yet again.

The base price (without FM/DAB and scaler) in Germany is 5000 €.

That's a bit high - it should be 4500 €

Active Loudspeakers that have electronics inside the cabinet ...

Also generally suffer from gross direct microphony related internal feedback issues. May as well try to crack an egg with a sledgehammer huh?

Hey Dave ... display wasn't so "static" as I was spinning discs and playing music for unsuspecting passers-by in the lobby all through THE show. Many were compelled to stop and listen to the n-Vi/Harbeth combo and were typically very impressed by the sound (and the Naim label music)... especially in the near field naturally.

hi,

I auditioned an n-vi today, and i have to be honest, this machine is an absolute killer!

Definitely one on my list, i am stunned with everything this machine is about.
A true classic!

regards

quote:

but NOT enough amplification for home theater application

eh? Tuan, you really should explain that statement. I suspect you are working from preconceptions or theory, rather than experience. unusually.

quote:

Originally posted by Rico:

quote:

but NOT enough amplification for home theater application

eh? Tuan, you really should explain that statement. I suspect you are working from preconceptions or theory, rather than experience. unusually.

Well, it's not enough for my passive ATC SCM 10s for sure.

Certainly more than enough poke to get a Focal Electra package (1027 front, 1007 rear, 1000 centre) driving out MIB and WOTW happily.

Ok, running unity gain through a 202/200 for the fronts was better still.... but the n-Vi was competent enough for them on its' own

Hello,

does anyone know the type of Tripath amplifier chip that is used in the n-vi? (And since we are at that, what type of MPEG decoder, DAC, and other major chips?)
Thanks

Kuma

ATC SCM10s are something around 85db/w/m. Anything with less than 60w/ch is going to suffer when driving them. they also have a nasty dip in impedance which is something no switching amplifier is going to be able to cope with easily.

SCM10s were designed for stereo applications. 'Real' HT applications usually have smaller, easier to drive satellites and powered subs such as n-Sat/n-Cent/n-Sub or M&K K-Series/Xenon. I think it's unreasonable to cite the SCM10 in this context...

quote:

Originally posted by kuma:

quote:

Originally posted by Rico:

quote:

but NOT enough amplification for home theater application

eh? Tuan, you really should explain that statement. I suspect you are working from preconceptions or theory, rather than experience. unusually.

Well, it's not enough for my passive ATC SCM 10s for sure.

For home theatre, I now use a pair of Totem Model 1 Signature powered by a Bryston 4B-SST and a Krell KSL pre-amp. The advantage of using a high power (and good) amp is to have absolute control on the speakers at relatively high volume (for films I like the sound to be clear and dynamic at high volume). My experience shows that to extract proper bass notes from speakers I need high power amp (a compact 50w will not do the job). A good audio system (high quality setup) is a good system for any applications (a traditional stereo setup or to be used in the context of a home theatre). I do not buy speakers made "for home theatre applications". I buy good speakers to have good sound. Future expansion will consist of 5 Totem Model 1 Signature speakers powered by all Bryston amps each with the 4B-SST equivalent power (Brystom makes a 3 mono-block version of the 4B-SST) to match with the 2 channel amp to form the 5.1 system). Also, I hear that high definition DVD players will be available soon and DVD play back is a fast growing market, I think it is better to separate the audio part and the video part for better upgrade paths.

quote:

My experience shows that to extract proper bass notes from speakers I need high power amp (a compact 50w will not do the job).

You got to be kiddin, Tuan....Model 1's only go down to 50Hz and they are not that difficult to drive. I hope you are planning some serious sub woofery for your system if you are really trying to extract PROPER bass notes...