comments on Naim Audio

I like Naim CDPs (I own a CD555) and I think their cheaper integrated amps are also quite good for the money. In my office at work, I run a Uniti (all-in-one CD player, tuner, amp). I also like their top-of-the-line phonostage.

I am less enamored with their separate preamps and power amps. The sound is a bit too dry and to "mechanical" (a pervasive artificially sharp edge to the initial attack of the note). I am not saying that the sound is bad, its just that there are alternatives I prefer for the money.

I only have one experience with Naim. I recently auditioned some Harbeth speakers with a Naim Intergrated and a Naim CD player. I thought it sounded ok but then the guy switched to a Leben tube amp and the Harbeths really opened up and sounded magical.

I heard an all-Naim system; it sounded very good, but no better than many well-designed solid-state products. To say Naim only sounds good with other Naim products is no different than any other brand; Mark Levison always sounded better together, etc. This is a given, but at least if you wanted to say have a tube preamp, you had that option to do so; with Naim gear, you're stuck with no flexibility. Which is why I would never purchase that brand, it's a great brand, but to limiting.