Dear Easola, I am curious to why the Naim isn't a fit while the Wells is?
I am not saying that the Wells isn't a terrific piece, but to say that the Naim isn't as good and in some ways perhaps better is a silly argument.
Too many audiophiles think that just because you have a dac built into a amp that is not as desirable, while the press loves products such as the Hegel line and the Naim products.
We sell the T3 and the combination is fantastic sounding.
Each set up has its strengths. You should try to hear one with the T2 or T3 you would be shocked just how good the Nova is.
Please understand we have nothing to gain from this, the Wells stuff is very nice but your friend is being very narrow minded to say it is the best piece in its price range, it is one of many great products in its price range so is the the Prima Luna, Hegel and many others.
The point is do you want to move out of the audiophile merry go round and move to a simple fantastic product that does everything in one elegant box, that can become part of an entire world of entertainment that is part of the allure that the Naim has.
The Naim sound is really fantastic and the companies products are loved by music lovers all over the globe.
Our shop is filled with many audiophile products from the best brands in audio: Micromega, Naim, Anthem, Electrcompaniet, Parasound, and many others.
You would be surprised at how many people actually purchase the Naim because it not only sounds fantastic but when you actually demo one the product is just fantastic in the way it operates.
You may also want to check out the new Anthem STR integrated it is $4,500.00 includes an excellent dac, a phono stage, a headphone amplifier, and state of the art room correction and a 200 watt per channel high current amplifier.
Now how about comparing the Wells plus a dac and cable to a superior high technology integrated such as the Anthem STR and then see which way you may want to go, does you friend even know that the Anthem STR exists?
Our point is to examine the entire market and look at all the market leaders.
Now if you then add in state of the art room correction you may find that the Anthem will dramatically outperform anything in its price range.
Be open to all the possibilities.
If I were you I would seek out a dealer in your part of the country and take a listen to:
The Anthem STR
The Wells Majestic
The Naim Nova
Hegel 360
Prima Luna.
You may be surprised which way you may lean but at least you would have a much better idea on some of these new fantastic products that you may find would work for you as well.
Troy
Audio Doctor NJ