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Mr Lin

Art K.

Art K.

The Voodoo You Do!
So Dave, I decided to head a different direction with my integrated amp. My Sonneteer was long in the tooth and showing signs of distress. I decided that one day I'd like to get into a Naim integrated. Until then I needed an amp to hold me over for a year or so...yep...I ordered a C326BEE. It'll have a power cord connected to it that cost $250 more than the amp. So we're amp twinners for awhile. Just thought I'd share.
 
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That's great man, now we can compare notes! So when do you expect to have it? You've auditioned one, right?

I think we should demand our own forum.

Correct me if I'm wrong, but aren't Harbeth speakers typically tough loads for amps? I mean, the 326BEE has a lot of muscle for its 50wpc rating, so even if that's the case I'm sure it'll work just fine.

Any particular Naim integrated you're aiming at?
 
ETA probably next week. The most recent designs from Harbeth's Alan Shaw are inefficient but not difficult loads. My Sonneteer is 50 watts (albeit a far more hefty 50 watts than in the NAD). I bought my wife the C325BEE a couple of years ago so I have an idea how it sounds. Hers has the captive power cord though so I will get considerably better sound from mine.

I like the Nait 5i-2 for it's simplicity and the XS for it's grunt. Other possibles come from LFD and Hegel. I'm not looking to move into one of these until 2012 most likely.
 
Art K. said:
Hers has the captive power cord though so I will get considerably better sound from mine.
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I have heard rumblings that the power cord on NAD's are a weak point. It be nice while your comparing notes to address this.
 
Art K. said:
ETA probably next week. The most recent designs from Harbeth's Alan Shaw are inefficient but not difficult loads. My Sonneteer is 50 watts (albeit a far more hefty 50 watts than in the NAD). I bought my wife the C325BEE a couple of years ago so I have an idea how it sounds. Hers has the captive power cord though so I will get considerably better sound from mine.
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I see. I agree with you about the power cord - that's a deal breaker in an amp for me these days. I have mine hooked up to the giant Pangea AC-9 (7awg), which is overkill, but the only currently used component I have that would come close to needing such a large gauge. I haven't experimented with anything else there yet.

Art K. said:
I like the Nait 5i-2 for it's simplicity and the XS for it's grunt. Other possibles come from LFD and Hegel. I'm not looking to move into one of these until 2012 most likely.
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As you know, I really want a Naim integrated. It's going to be a while, but while I'm dreaming about it the used market prices will slowly continue to go down. :D

Bigerik said:
Guys, does that have a phono stage in it also?
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Where have you been?? I sent you a pm a while ago but didn't hear back from you.
 
Art K. said:
ETA probably next week. The most recent designs from Harbeth's Alan Shaw are inefficient but not difficult loads. My Sonneteer is 50 watts (albeit a far more hefty 50 watts than in the NAD). I bought my wife the C325BEE a couple of years ago so I have an idea how it sounds. Hers has the captive power cord though so I will get considerably better sound from mine.

I like the Nait 5i-2 for it's simplicity and the XS for it's grunt. Other possibles come from LFD and Hegel. I'm not looking to move into one of these until 2012 most likely.
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Art I have spent some time with Naim amplification. My local shop had a few in on trade. I have heard the 3r, 5 and 5i. Of the three, the 5 was my favorite but the 5i has more power which may be a consideration for you. Will you be buying new? The 5 has incredible detail and ability. The 3r has a nice phono stage but I know that's not a consideration for you.

Frankly, the older Naims are not that astronomical in price when considering the value they represent.

I haven't heard the most recent 5i series, but as I have said the 5 had better detail IMO. Perhaps the most recent 5i has addressed this. What are your thoughts?
 
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I've enjoyed Naim amps as well. I've listened to all of the Nait 5 series, the XS and the SuperNait. My favs are the latest 5i-2 and the XS. Not sure if I'll go new or used, I'd like the warranty. I'm still not 100% sure that it will be a Naim and when I will buy, could be awhile. Meanwhile my NAD is due in on Monday 12/6.

Dave, I'm using a van den Hul Mainstream power cord...should be interesting!
 
Art K. said:
Dave, I'm using a van den Hul Mainstream power cord...should be interesting!
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That's one I'm not familiar with, but I'm sure it's going to be a plus when you get your NAD.

I usually buy audio components based on recommendations, reviews, and descriptions - it's always worked out for me believe it or not. I try to go with "sure things." Based on how thrilled I am with my Naim CD player, and based on reviews and descriptions of the Nait integrated amps, I have no doubt whatsoever that's the amp for me. Unfortunately, for now, and the foreseeable future, it's not the amp for my bank account. :D

But that's ok, at this point I have more than enough awesome things to keep me entertained for years.
 
I listened at length to the model above the C326bee and was very impressed with it. I'd love to get your detailed reaction to once its in your hands. I played it through a pair of the PSB Synchrony 2b, the stand mounted ones, and it was a wonderful amp. Dead quiet, airy, soundstage bloom, all that audiophile-buzzword stuff, and not harsh at all. To be honest, I liked it better than the SuperNait I heard last year, which didn't do much for me at all.
 
JohnVF said:
I listened at length to the model above the C326bee and was very impressed with it. I'd love to get your detailed reaction to once its in your hands. I played it through a pair of the PSB Synchrony 2b, the stand mounted ones, and it was a wonderful amp. Dead quiet, airy, soundstage bloom, all that audiophile-buzzword stuff, and not harsh at all. To be honest, I liked it better than the SuperNait I heard last year, which didn't do much for me at all.
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I agree about the SuperNait, John. Considering how good the Nait 5i-2 and XS are I was surprised at how bland the SuperNait is. You do know that NAD and PSB are sister companies, right...just sayin'! I haven't written off the NAD as a keeper for awhile. I just think I may need a bit more grunt and refinement...we'll come next week.

I appreciate your comments guys.
 
JohnVF said:
I listened at length to the model above the C326bee and was very impressed with it. I'd love to get your detailed reaction to once its in your hands. I played it through a pair of the PSB Synchrony 2b, the stand mounted ones, and it was a wonderful amp. Dead quiet, airy, soundstage bloom, all that audiophile-buzzword stuff, and not harsh at all. To be honest, I liked it better than the SuperNait I heard last year, which didn't do much for me at all.
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The rather staggering comment made in last year's TAS review was something to the effect of the NAD 326BEE being better than ANY integrated amp one could purchased, at any price, in the 80s. Of course I have no idea if that's true, but if it is, that's a hell of a compliment.
 
Mr. Lin said:
The rather staggering comment made in last year's TAS review was something to the effect of the NAD 326BEE being better than ANY integrated amp one could purchased, at any price, in the 80s. Of course I have no idea if that's true, but if it is, that's a hell of a compliment.
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Actually this is the most stunning statment from the review IMO:

"let me put it this way: if the C326 cost four times its $500 retail, my assessment of its value would remain pretty much the same."

We often hear reviewers stating that some piece is the new benchmark at it's price and that it competes with pieces far above it's asking price but this was an unusually bold claim.
 
Art K. said:
Actually this is the most stunning statment from the review IMO:

"let me put it this way: if the C326 cost four times its $500 retail, my assessment of its value would remain pretty much the same."

We often hear reviewers stating that some piece is the new benchmark at it's price and that it competes with pieces far above it's asking price but this was an unusually bold claim.
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Yep, I forgot about that one. The tone of the whole review struck me as bold, that's why I had no reservations about ordering one unheard.
 
Interesting developments fellas. My Sonneteer will be heading home to the UK for a full once over and return as it was at birth. Sonneteer, the company, is easily the best I've ever dealt with. Remo and Haider are just great guys.
 
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