Ron's Naim Story

[Ronald Gordon]

I think I first heard Naim at the New York Stereophile Show in 1986 or 1987 -- a Naim tonearm on a Linn Sondek LP12, Naim pre and power, and the sbl (I think) loudspeakers. The sound was raw and immediate and engaging. Nothing else at the show (including the gigantic "cost no object" systems of the day) even came close.

I bought my first piece of Naim equipment in 1995: a first-generation CD3 that I played for 14 years. It sounded great, and my cat loved sleeping on it. I also bought the entry-level FM tuner from that range, but eventually sold it because I couldn't find any decent programming. Nevertheless, I regret having sold it because the sound was phenomenal.

My current system is:

• Oppo BDP-83 universal disc player (used as disc transport), with Shunyata power cord (model discontinued)
• Analysis Plus Digital Oval coaxial digital cable
• PS Audio DigiLink III digital-to-analog converter, with Shunyata power cord
• DNM solid core analog interconnects
• Naim NAC 122x preamplifier
• Naim NAP 150x power amplifier (50 watts/channel)
• Naim Headline headphone amplifier with Naim NAPSC power supply
• Shure SRH-840 headphones
• Mogami headphone extension cable
• DNM solid core speaker cable
• ATC SCM12 loudspeakers on Target stands

I'd love to find a used Naim DAC to replace my PS Audio and serve as my digital hub. I still play CDs (I have about 700 of them), and do my streaming with an Apple TV connected to the PS Audio DAC via optical cable.

[Dave Burke]

The Naim DAC is a great bit of kit, so hopefully you will find one. It makes a great digital hub, but watch out, once you start the Naim digital journey it's not long before upgraditis starts and the NDS suddenly looks very attractive!

[Ronald Gordon]

Thanks, Dave. It'll be interesting to hear the new DAC-V1 versus the original DAC to see if the less expensive one would be a good choice.