naim vs ayre

The Sonus Faber Auditor M Speakers are, in my opinion, excellent speakers. I own the Ayre AX-7e Integrated and like it very much with the SF Auditor M Speakers. I am using a MAC Book Pro computer connected to the Ayre QB-9 USB DAC. I am not familiar with the Naim or Dynaudio.

The MAC USB output is connected to my Ayre QB-9 USB DAC. Wow! I was very impressed with the way it sounds. It is better sounding than my Ayre CX-7e CD player. The highs are better and so is the bass. The music is clearer and more engaging.

The Ayre AX-7e Integrated and the Ayre CX-7e MP CD Player is also a great combination. The MP model is their new model. This combo sound best if you use balanced cables (XLR).

I own a Ax-7e (an excellent integrated) and I don't mean to side track your thread but I suspect it does not have enough juice for your Confidence c1's.

The Confidence have been measured with 85db@4ohm.

I have the Totem Ones and they have approx. the same specs and found the Ayre (70w@8ohm) lacking the power to let speaker really breathe. In doing so, my speakers sounded bright and fatiguing with a lot of detail in the highs but boomy bass compared to when I hook them up to my Musical Fidelity A5.5 (250w@8ohm). With the A5.5 I get more sweet music, more body, tight bass/slam. The speaker sounds more balanced especially in the mid-range.

I actually just did a critical A/B listen today between the two. I also A/B two other pairs of monitors similar to yours today with similar results.

I believe Stereophile also noted in there review that the C1's needed lot's of power."As Wes Phillips found in his auditioning, it will benefit from being driven by a powerful amplifier."

Again, sorry to sidetrack and stepping in.

The funny thing, I'm also interested to hear comparisons between the Ayre and Naim.

Please carry on.

I would prefer the Naim Supernait (not the 200, but 250 OK) for this application - more power on reserve for dynamic passages that the Ayre - and upgrade path available with outboard power supply. With that said - an even bigger integrated like the Plinius Hiato, or separates from Audio Resarch would probably be my first pick with the C1 if space and budget allow.