naim vs ayre

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.

Dealer Disclaimer:

We pair C1s, C2s, and Sapphires frequently with the Supernait. The synergy is simply fantastic. (Hicap helps with the Sapphire, Flatcap for C1s or C2s is a great upgrade option ((especially if you are considering the CD5 XS))

The Supernait is a really great value and has more than enough current to drive most any Dynauudio model into sonic bliss!

Ayre makes very nice equipment as well.

Next Level AV-Chicago Suburbs

Upgrading 2 years ago from naim nait5, supernait2 was the obvious choice...until I heard the ayre ax-7e. I can only describe a beauty, naturalness to its sound. Timbraly much more colour, clarity and imaging specificity to die for! I bought the ayre on the spot and haven't looked back. This with audiolab Mdac (until I get the ayre qb9) fed with iMac and pmc twenty 24 speakers. As a naim fan, the superiority of the ayre (not widely known in the uk) was astonishing. Converted! All with cardas cables, makes a difference with the ayre and much more friendly than nac a5 !! 

I would be very careful matching up the C-1's. With the wrong amp they can sound very analytical. With these speakers I would only want to buy something If I audition first. And yes, I have experience with the C1's having owned them for 3 years