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Which speaker is best with Naim

I have a Naim AV2 pre-pro and a (gain-matched) Naim Nait5i as my electronics and I'm totally sold on them. I'm also ninety percent sold on my Linn Ninkas, which have great agility and can handle jazz as well as a big movie soundtrack. The one thing they could do better is soundstage.

Recently I started asking around about speakers under $2k (new or used) that were good at soundstage, and I got many impressive recommendations, but most of them were tricky loads and wouldn't sound good with my scrappy little Nait. Nevertheless, I seem to have winnowed the field down to a set of five or six finalists to try up against my Ninkas (some of which *are* tricky loads, anyway), and so now I'm looking for the best prospective match with my Naim gear.

The nominees are:

Reference 3A De Capo
Salk Song Tower
Joseph Audio RM7si-mkII or RM-22si
Something by Totem
Something by Meadowlark

...a dark horse is the Audio Physic Virgo-II's, which come very highly recommended, but I am not impressed with the highs from the Spark-IIII's, which makes me gun-shy about getting another pair of A-P's.

The musical range begins with Jazz and stays there for a long time, but the winning speakers should also be able to rock from time to time and will remain part of an eventual 5.1 HT system.

My front end is an Arcam FMJ-CD23, the interconnects are Belden 95259 coax with Cardas plugs, made by Blue Jeans, the speaker wire is cross-connected coaxial made by Element, the room is 8 feet across by 15-6 long, poured concrete and cindar block. The available footprint for each speaker is no bigger than the Ninkas, about seven inches across by twelve or fourteen inches deep.

Any reactions are greatly appreciated.
dog_or_man
trianglezerius's avatar
trianglezerius
119 posts
 
I know its not on your list but Triangle and ERA both worked quite well at my local dealer's shop. Surprisingly the Triangle/Naim combo wasn't bright but was very musical and fast with great PRAT. The ERA/Naim combo was also very musical with great bass. Just thought I'd chime in with my two sense.
jhold
116 posts
 
My Naim setup (CD5i and Nait 5i) is driving Harbeth monitors (the little HL-P3s, in a room smaller than yours). The Harbeths have been a revelation and a great match with Naim -- I suggest you check out the Harbeth line. The Naims also partnered well with Spendors -- British harmony?
musicfile
341 posts
 
Red Rose Monitors or the Tonian Acoustic monitors mate well with Naim Electronics

if you're looking for speed dynamics and prat both of these speakers will deliver these attributes in spades
dog_or_man OP
68 posts
 
Robdoorack, what about the Neat Motive-I's or Motive-II's, any experience there? I have no preference when it comes to floorstanding vs. sub/sat, but I've been told in other forums to check out the Motives and there's a pair for sale right here in the 'gon right now.
birdies
85 posts
 
First, soundstage is never going to be maximum potential with the Nait. Naim has other fish to fry, the taste of which you know and love. Second, the narrowness of your room precludes full potential of soundstaging characteristics. I'm not familiar with your Ninkas, but, because of the above, you may find that changing speakers doesn't appreciably increase your soundstage enjoyment. That said, I've used ProAc speakers with Naim electronics for many years with wonderful results. There's a used pair of D15s on Audiogon now for $2K, though their footprint may be a mite wide for your specification. The 1sc and Tablette 50 Signature both do a startling disappearing act and, to my ears, are better than the newer Reference Tablettes. Unfortunately, they don't turn up used often. In fact, in the case of the Tab Sigs (truly magical little devils), they virtually never show up.
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