The following are messages from the Naim Forum and emails sent directly to us after the event:
Well, what a show... I'd begun to think the HiFi show was dead, at least in terms of hearing anything interesting, but today's experience was was completely different. The best sounding show system I have ever heard.
But, that's not all - I also got to listen to the new QM10 Mk 2's - great little speakers, that build on the strong foundations of the original, but manage to sweeten up the treble and tighten the bass a bit. Still a similar sound, but a step more sophistication. And they worked well in an odd shaped room.
A great afternoon, great sounds and great company. Thanks to James and the Naim team for a truly different audio show experience.
Dave bk
I really enjoyed the event. Congratulations to James on Tom Tom's 10th birthday.
I thought the HDX-NDX-DAC-NAP300 front end was excellent. It was my first proper listen of the S600 Ovators and I was very impressed. An active set up took them to a higher level. Yes- an expensive set up but quite stunning in my opinion.
All I can say is that the later demo on Friday afternoon where Polarbear, myself, the Naim team and maybe one other listened was one of the best experiences of music reproduction I have ever heard.
Scotty
I would like to add my congrat's to James, Henry and the Tom Tom support team + the usual Naim suspects (Doug, Mark, Jason, Alan and Trevor) for providing us fortunates with a great day's entertainment. This was a landmark demonstration IMHO and all concerned can feel highly contented with the results. Bravo!
Richard D
I would like to say a big thank you to James and all of the Naim crew for the excellent show they put on
What a show it was, I have heard the Ovators many times now and failed to understand them at all, yesterday was the first time I really understood what they were about
For the first time for me they played music and drew you into the music. The surprise for me was the difference slitting the two bass units made to the mid and upper range. It was a real transformation.
Then at the end of the dem Doug got out a date stick with The cinema show from Genesis selling England by the pound and the room sat there mesmerised with what they were hearing.
As for the venue, for me it was a real winner, gone were the crowds of morons you get at hi-fi shows who just turn up to block the aisles and doorways and can only grunt "what a load of crap" as they listen through a brick wall and don't even understand the concept of music. Yesterdays event was a real breath of fresh air. A small number of dedicated rooms, a record/cd desk and refresments which after a long drive I was really grateful to see.
I have to say the last showing on Friday was the best showing of an all Naim system I have been to for the last, probably five years. The room was excellent, an almost perfect size for showing what a big Naim system can do, there was no interference from adjacent rooms, lower demand on the elecrical power and less damping in the room.
Polarbear
Sounds like (nearly) everybody had as much fun as me! I went to the first demo and am intrigued as to how the system warmed up and bedded in over the two days - it must have been kicking out enough heat to create its own micro-climate!
It took me all the way back to my first ever Naim demo when the SBLs first came out (yes I'm that old!). That involved four 135s - one per cone. Was it inspiring - yes, could I afford it - no (I'd just bought my first 42.5/110 second hand) but, crucially, did it show me the art of the possible and how you could continue to hear changes as the prices went stratospheric - oh yes.
Twenty plus years on I'm lucky enough to have reached the point where I've added a 300 to my own system (now playing through my 19 year old SBLs!) and it was great to hear an active system again. Was it inspiring - yes, could I afford it - no, did it show me the art of the possible (especially with 24/96 files) - oh yes.
For me it was just a great celebration of the art of the possible.
Thanks again to James and the team for a fun celebration. Happy Birthday!!
..it was a real priviledge to hear a full bore Naim active system for the first time in years at the Tom Tom audio event today.
Many thanks to James and his team for a fun, relaxed, informative event far away from the usual hubbub of a hi-fi show.
We all kicked back for a couple of hours whilst Doug and co walked us through from passive 250 into Ovator 600s, via a single 300, through to the full fat three 300 active system all the time enthusing about the music rather than the Hi-Fi. The real eye-opener (or should that be ear-opener) for me was moving to the hi-def music files that gave me an insight into some cherished favourites that I simply hadn't heard before.
I won't try and describe how good it sounded but the best endorsement I can give is that I came away with a list of at least 5 CD that I'm simply going to have to buy based on hearing them in the demo. The other problem I've now got is that if I try and add another 300 (or two!) to my system they will completely obscure one of the speakers!
If you're going tomorrow you are in for a treat.
Martin C
Thanks to 'The James Gang' (anyone remember them?) and all the Naim guys for putting on such a great show. A well planned and thoroughly enjoyable sociable event.
JN
Must add my thanks to James and all the Naim guys for putting on a fantastic experience and a chance to talk to the experts. Unlike Wittlebury or Bristol this was entirely free! A celebration of Naim and music, even if some disagree on the Ovators. All credit to James at Tomtom for putting on the event and for the great support given by Doug, Jason, Mark, Alan and Terry from Naim. Looking forward to next year. Active 500's perhaps??
Graham Finch
I would like to thank James, his chaps and the Naim team for an excellent event today. I really enjoyed this morning, listened to some great music, heard some new interesting stuff, and some great kit too.
Julian H
Another big thanks to James, Doug et al - a great morning and well worth the trip.
Orangutan
Well, I've had my coffee so I'm fit to add my thanks for the great day yesterday. I don't think I've ever received a more overwhelming welcome before...thanks to James, Henry and Debbie. Your enthusiasm was infectious.
And I found the setup and presentation to be enjoyable, informative and personable...thanks to Doug and the Naim crew. Even found myself sitting near two of our forum members and we had a good exchange. And for the first time in maybe 15 years, i couldn't resist a couple of vinyl LPs.
First time I had heard the Ovators and to my ears both the 600's and 400's sounded superb. I had Meridian active speakers for 20 years so am familiar with the active concept. Yesterday's demo was a clear and instructive incite into the benefits.
I certainly agree with Doug that the future is in streaming and HQ d/ls...that was the reason I bought a Uniti a year ago (and to hear Radio Paradise!). So...all in all a very good day and luvved the music!
Calafornia Jim
Another big thanks to James and everybody else involved in putting on the show. It was a really interesting morning and, like others, I was surprised that the biggest change came from adding the final 300 to the active system.
Madhatter
Yes, i was there for the 1st session too and it was good to listen to various upgrades from single 250.2, single 300, 2x300 active, 3x300 active ("6 pack") all driving Ovator 600's controlled by 552. the first surprise for me was how good the single 250.2 sounded, while at the same time showing how much better the single 300 is in comparison and why this is indeed a very worthwhile upgrade.
The 2nd surprise was how different the 600's sound from the classical naim speakers. these speakers have scale aplenty. the mid-to-top believability is well beyond previous models -- especially when driven active
A very well organised event -- hopefully the shape of things to come. I even enjoyed the coffee!
Ken c
Well I had a great afternoon yesterday, what a great event,
Maze
Dear James
Just wanted to thank you and your team again for a very enjoyable Saturday morning. I was very impressed not only by the kit but the enthusiasm of Tom Tom and Naim staff for music and Hi-Fi.
Paddy F
Hi James and Henry,
Many thanks to everyone for a fantastic event today. I found it really interesting and was very impressed with the active sound.
It was great to meet up with you and the Naim guys again.
I expect you are shattered but rest assured from our point of view it was well worth it. Here’s to next year!
Graham F
Hi James
Good to see you yesterday and congratulations on a really successful day. The active demonstration was breathtaking as Doug went up the scale with the set up and the surprise for me was how significant the final step was. It was an excellent day and we both really enjoyed it.
Stephen C
Hi James
Terrific demo of passive Vs active. 250.2 did well but as soon as the single 300 replaced it it confirmed my wallets worst nightmare: I have to have one! I've not auditioned much in the way of active systems latterly, however, It's certainly an eye (or rather ear) opener!!!
Even after just a few tracks there was an appreciable difference
Dean G
Congratulations on hosting a great event on Saturday. I thought that the Naim reference system really was quite special, and, dare I say it worth £60,000. If I ever have the money I’ll definitely buy one from you!
Richard O
James
Thank you for the demonstration on Friday afternoon. The sound was amazing.
Richard W
A belated shout-out to James and his crew and all the Naim guys for a really entertaining event. I attended the Friday afternoon session and like everyone else was made very welcome. The presentation, quality of sound and choice of music were all outstanding. I've purchased 'Disappearing' in FLAC format, converted it to AIFF and burnt to CD so I could play it on my Meridian CD, Naim 82, 135's and SBL system. Sounds great although not quite as great as I heard in the dem! Have also ordered the Shelby Lynne CD from Amazon and look forward to hearing that too. Once again, a brilliant day and thanks to all concerned.
IvorNaim
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