Neat XL6 on Demo at Ultimate 

We have been very excited about the introduction of the new Neat Ultimatum XL6 loudspeaker, having heard them for the first time at the Top Audio Show in Milan where despite all of the problems associated with hearing any loudspeaker in a “show” environment they really shone with true musical excellence, well done the Italian distributor, last week Bob called personally to deliver our demonstration pair, attached to our demonstration Naim NAC-552/NAP-500 they are nothing short of astonishing.
The first thing that really struck us, particularly as these are passive loudspeakers, was the explosive dynamics; percussion, whether Piano, or drum kit were so alive, in fact we had to conclude even better than our old demo Naim DBLs driven actively with 3 x Naim NAP-500s, whilst string tone and voices had an absolute purity, stereo imaging boarders upon holographic and accompanied by unbelievably tuneful, tight and extended bass, deliveredfrom an Isobarik arrangement.
At just 98cm tall, finished in a variety of real wood veneers this relatively tiny high endloudspeaker solution is an absolute “ David” in a world of “ Goliaths” and a work of pure genius from the man who brought us the famous Neat Petite in the early 1990’ s
They are now run in and on demonstration here at Ultimate, you owe to yourself to hear them.

All new Linn Akurate Range!

Now on Dem at Ultimate, the new Linn Akurate range and although it does represent a substantial cosmetic upgrade the beauty is more than skin deep. There is also some migration of Klimax technology and knowhow lifting the performance level. The formidable Akurate DS, one of our most popular sellers, gets both the face lift and technical enhancements, whilst the new Kontrol and Power Amps will restore one of 15 active systems on demonstration here breathing new life into it. We have perhaps one of the best Linn demonstration facilities anywhere in the world from Majik to Klimax Aktiv, both Klimax 350A loudspeakers (Internal Amplification) & Klimax 350 loudspeakers driven by a choice of 4 x Klimax Chakra 500 Twin, or 8 x Klimax Solo 500s together with the Tuneboxes. Now we just can’ t wait to have the new Akurate range on Demonstration both passive & “ Aktiv” , expected arrival is sometime next week!

New Naim Ovator S-400!

The wait is nearly over as Naim reveal the new Ovator S-400 at the “Top Audio Show” in Milan – Italy and our demonstration pair should be arriving shortly. Competitively priced at £2,995.00 in the standard finishes of Cherry, Ash & Black Zebrano or at extra cost in Rosewood or Satin White it is in effect a scaled down version of the Ovator S-600.

The Ovator S-400 sports the same BMR technology as its bigger brother in a slightly smaller version backed up by two 6.5” Bass Units so in essence this becomes the Naim replacement loudspeaker for the old Allae, if a little larger than its predecessor Height 1,060mm Width 330mm Depth 345mm and for many a welcome reduction in size from the Ovator S-600 which is Height 1,168mm Width 401mm Depth 434mm

Upgradable to active operation, in the fullness of time we very much look forward to adding the Ovator S-400 to our existing 12 active systems on Demonstration here along with its bigger brother the Ovator S-600, giving our customers a choice of 14 active systems.

Full Specification of the new Ovator S-400

 
Cabinet

• Hardened 8mm Stainless Steel spikes

• Leaf spring mechanism decouples cabinet from plinth and crossover above 12Hz.

• Controlled density MDF, multi-laminated to give constrained layer damping

• Curved sides and sloping top to reduce standing wavesCrossover

• Computer-modelled, fine-tuned by ear, crossover isolated in the high-pressure diecastplinth

• Primary inductors are audio-grade laminated core with low DC resistance

• Audio-grade polypropylene film Clarity caps in critical areas

• Crossover is 4th order acoustic at 700Hz

• Easy amplifier load – lowest impedance point is 3.8 Ohms

BMR

• New 46mm flat panel Balanced Mode Radiator (BMR) drive unit for mid and high frequencies

• Pressure die-cast chassis for maximum rigidity

• Motor System – FEA modelled for optimum linearity

• Nomex diaphragm - honeycomb core with paper skins –light, stiff with good damping

• Precision surround which acts as the balancing mass

• Flux Density Linearity optimised with Finite Element Analysis (FEA) modelling

• Unique suspension system for BMR driver to reduce cross coupling

Bass Units

• Two 6.5 inch bass units

• Bass units with computer-optimised motor systems for low-distortion and high linearity

• Pressure die-cast chassis for maximum rigidity and openness• Motor System – FEA modelled for optimum linearity

• Long fibre paper cone chosen for ideal relationship between weight and stiffness

• Flux Density optimised with Finite Element Analysis (FEA) modelling magnet

• Voice Coil 38mm to reduce thermal dynamic compression

Speaker terminal connector system

• Naim-designed input terminals (resulting from the Naim Hi-Line and Power-Line projects)

• Designed to work optimally with the new Naim highly conductive copper alloy speaker pin but can also accept standard banana plugs.

• Copper alloy sprung contacts to optimise contact pressure and minimise contact resistance.

• Terminal housing is designed to eliminate eddy currents and allow the contacts to float in order to minimise microphonic effects.

Rigid grilles with very high percentage of open area

Other

• Easy to set up

• Easily upgraded to active operation (active crossover not available until autumn 2011)

• Easy amplifier load

• Distinctive aesthetics

• Available in a choice of 5 finishes: Cherry, Maple and Black Zebrano are standard, while Rosewood and Satin White are special finishes.

• Ideally paired with a Naim CDX2, NAC 202, NAP 250 and upwards

• Compatible with a wide choice of cables and electronicsSpecificationsFrequency response (in room): 36 - 35000HzSensitivity: 88dB for 2.83Vrms i/pNominal impedance: 4 Ohm (Minimum impedance 3.8 Ohm)Suggested power amplifier rating: 25 - 130W (8 Ohm rating)Weight: 31KgDimensions (including spikes and grilles): 1060 x 330 x 345mm (H x W x D)

Naim UnityServe Now on Demonstration!

The Naim UnityServe is now on demonstration here in both the HDD (Hard Disk Drive) and SSD (Solid State Drive) versions. Both make useful additions to our ever growing range of Digital Streaming offerings and they complete our full range of UnitySystems on demonstration.

Connect either of the UnityServe options to your Local Area Network (LAN), for backup on the HDD version, or your existing music collection on the SSD version and then digitally stream your music into a digital input on your Supernait or for analogue systems via a Naim nDac.

Also once connected to your LAN it is able to provide a no fuss easy to use storage unit for your music collection making this available to other devices such as the NaimUnity & UnityQute connected to your LAN either via Wi-Fi, or hardwired.

Naim announces new network player!

Naim NDX (Network Player)
At around £3,000.00 Naim are to launch their first standalone Network Player (DigitalStreamer) and it should be on demonstration here soon.

As the model number suggests the NDX (Network) is targeted at the CDX (CD) and HDX(Hard Disk Drive) level of performance and on first listening here (Prototype Version)connected to our Local Area Network (LAN) it was certainly meeting its targeted goals. Inthe spirit of many Naim products the unit is fully upgradable using; the new Naim nDac,XPS2 & CD555PS power supplies and this is the first of the upgradable units where thereare clear benefits to adding upgrade power supplies to both the NDX and the nDac givingit a price range of around £3,000.00 (Standalone) to £17,590.00 if you apply all possibleupgrades (NDX/CD555PS/Powerline/DC-1/Burndy -> nDac/CD555PS/Poweline/Burndy/Hiline.

We got as far as listening to it with one XPS2 and one CD555PS together with the nDacand all the appropriate cables et-al (£15,485.00) and can’t wait to get our demonstrationproduction unit!

Linn Klimax – Now available in Black

We have finally managed to persuade Linn to make the Klimax units available in a stunning black finish. We have had our original Limited Edition Klimax DS/Klimax Kontrol finished in Black for some time now (Only 30 pairs made) and really felt that the rest of the range should be available also.

Above you can now see our top Linn Aktiv system comprising of:

1 x Klimax DS

1 x Klimax Kontrol

2 x Klimax Tunebox

8 x Klimax 500 Solo

Alternatively we can also demonstrate this system pictured below comprising of:

1 x Klimax DS

1 x Klimax Kontrol

2 x Klimax Tunebox

4 x Klimax Chakra 500 Twin

Naturally we have the Klimax 350 Loudspeakers on demonstration as well along with a pair of the Klimax 350A loudspeakers, fully Aktiv with all the power amps and crossovers built in.

The Linn Keel, also Available for Naim Aro

The Linn Keel is machined from a solid ingot of aluminium and combines the function of both sub-chassis and armboard, although originally designed for the Linn EKOS SE, EKOS& Ittok; a variant has been produced for the Naim Aro.
We have both on demonstration, but stocks of the Aro variant are limited, we are very happy to install a Linn Keel for you, the £2,400.00 paid for the a Keel upgrade includes rebuildingyour LP-12 and a full service absolutely free of charge.

Now is the time to move from CD to DS

Until 31st January 2011, we’re offering 10% off Linn DS players when you trade in your CD player.