Naim Launches World's First Performance Upgradeable, Audiophile Hard Disk Player

Naim launched its new hard disk player, the HDX, at the High End Show in Munich in April.

The Naim HDX provides the performance of a Naim audiophile CD player with the convenience of a good MP3 player.

The HDX is a stand-alone Hard Disk player / CD player. It can sit in a hi-fi system connected to an amplifier and loudspeakers and play glorious music. It can also be connected to a network, play music from shared drives on a network, look up album data and get cover art. Once a music collection grows it becomes more and more essential to have good search tools and the Naim Extended Music Database excels in this respect.

The HDX rips CDs at full wav format 16-Bit 44.1kHz. The rip is true bit-for-bit. A combination of the right choice of drive, no caching, reading an absolute minimum of twice, and taking into account the C2 error data gives a ‘secure’ rip - extracting all the music with none of the errors – even on most copy-protected CDs. The data is copied to one of the internal 400GB drives. Every night that drive backs up automatically to the second internal 400GB drive.

If around 600 CDs at full CD quality are not enough for you, then the HDX will address additional external USB or NAS (Network Attached Storage) disks. The database system is tested for up to 20,000 CDs, which should be sufficient for even the most serious collector.

Deliveries of the HDX will commence in Summer 2008 and you can read more about it here.

NAIT 5i Takes Top Spot in What Hi-Fi?

Naim's new NAIT 5i has been recognised by the April 2008 edition of What Hi-Fi? Sound & Vision as best it in its class. The entry-level integrated amplifier won a recent What Hi-Fi? group test and was awarded 5 stars in its review.

The publication described the 5i as "the best NAIT yet" and a "stunning amplifier" with "its sonic style that achieves a rare balance of focus, precision and realism." The magazine trialled the NAIT 5i with a variety of music from Kanye West to PJ Harvey and noted that all the while the NAIT attained "a finely judged and extremely musical presentation, staying true to the recording at all times."

Bristol Sound & Vision 2008 – Naim launches SuperLine and Power-Line

This year’s Bristol show saw Naim officially launch the SuperLine, the new reference Phono Stage, which was demonstrated as part of a 500 series system, forming the ultimate hi-fi available from Naim.

Also launched was the Power-Line, Naim's new mains cable. Visitors had the chance to carry out comparisons between Power-Line and the standard Naim mains cable.

The recently launched CD5i and NAIT 5i demonstrated entry-level excellence, while down the corridor a digital room showed Naim entering a new era. In this room visitors had the chance to compare the SUPERNAIT paired with a MAC laptop and a CDX2 CD player.

The Naim Label was also be there with all of its latest releases incuding the recently launched 'The Private Collection' from Charlie Haden presented in a 180gsm 3LP gatefold set.

New Newsletter

There is a new Naim newsletter, Connection. This is a new-look publication that will be published twice yearly and is aimed at better connecting us with you, our customer and will keep you updated on all things Naim. There will be in-depth interviews with the Naim team and a look at the behind the scenes stories of your favourite products, new and old. We hope you will like Connection and welcome any feedback, positive or negative. You can download the new issue from the bottom of this page. If you would like to be added to the Connection mailing list, please complete this registration form.

New CD5i and NAIT 5i Revealed at The What Hi-Fi Sound & Vision Show

Naim used the What HiFi Sound & Vision Show, which took place at the Novotel London-Hammersmith, 2nd - 4th November 2007, to launch the new entry-level CD player and integrated amplifier, the CD5i and NAIT 5i.

Two products that are absolutely made for each other are the new entry-level CD5i CD player and NAIT 5i integrated amplifier. Having travelled the same path through Naim R&D they share an especially close bond and something magical happens every time they're used together. The synergy of the CD5i and NAIT 5i working together is apparent from the first bar of the music. This is not a combination that favours rock over chamber music or vice versa. Whatever your musical tastes, these two will draw you deep into the performance.

The CD5i and NAIT 5i's elegant and understated styling is matched by an inspiring performance that is uplifting if the music is uplifting, chilled if the music is chilled, and never less than captivating.

Together they bring the possibility of Naim ownership, and the potential for an intelligent upgrade route to the finest systems on the planet, within the range of even more music lovers.

New Vinyl from Antonio Forcione & Charlie Haden

We're pleased to announce the availability of two exciting new vinyl releases from top-selling Naim Label artists: Touch Wood by Antonio Forcione, and Heartplay by Charlie Haden with Antonio Forcione. Both have been expertly remastered at Abbey Road Studios for release in the LP format and are pressed on 180g vinyl so that the sound quality can match the dazzling artistry of the musicians.

Naim's New Returns System

Beginning on Monday 29th October 2007 Naim is introducing a new system governing all items being returned to its factory. The Returned Material Authorisation (RMA) scheme will significantly enhance the processing of returned items and offer tracking of any item returned for servicing or repair.

The system requires that any customer who wishes to return goods to Naim must do so through their authorised Naim retailer or local distributor. Naim will no longer accept any unit returned to the factory that is not accompanied by the necessary RMA documentation.

Many Naim retailers are able to make minor repairs at their outlets, removing the need to return the item to Naim and often saving customers time and money. If the item does need to be returned to the factory, the retailer will then liaise with Naim to arrange the RMA and the equipment's safe collection and return.

Only under exceptional circumstances will Naim accept a product directly from a customer.

Naim announces exclusive partnership with Bentley Motors

Naim is pleased and proud to have been chosen to produce the world’s finest in-car entertainment system to be installed exclusively in all forthcoming Bentley models. After 18 months of research and development, the result is an in-car audio experience which remains true to both Bentley and Naim’s philosophy of no compromise in the search for quality.

The Naim and Bentley partnership was announced 4th March 2008 at the Geneva Motor Show where Naim had its own special booth on Bentley’s stand demonstrating its complete 500 Series domestic system to Bentley’s distinguished guests.

Naim Audio Managing Director Paul Stephenson said: “At least 30 years of experience in manufacturing exclusive, high-end, high fidelity products has earned Naim Audio an unparalleled, world class reputation for excellent sound reproduction, reliability and build quality. The partnership with Bentley will provide Naim with a global branding opportunity to take our premium products to new audiences and offer them best- in-class high fidelity.”

Developing the ‘Naim for Bentley’ system, as it will be known, was no trivial task. The amplifier, which at 1100Watts is the most powerful line-fit yet seen, employs cutting-edge electronic technology and next generation DSP continuously to optimise the sound for up to 15 loudspeaker channels in the challenging environment of a car at speed. It does not, as one might expect, use fan cooling yet still comfortably exceeds Bentley’s stringent performance, reliability and safety demands.

Along with this ultra high-tech, exceedingly high-power amplifier, Naim has also developed a range of specially matched, custom loudspeaker drive units specifically designed to deliver optimum musical performance while integrating smoothly and without detracting from the aesthetic appeal of Bentley’s sumptuous cabins. Their ingenious incorporation into the cabin area also ensures that the sound always stays within the car – provided the doors and windows remain closed, of course.

The design brief was to deliver the equal of the world’s finest home hi-fi within a car and hence create the world’s best in-car sound system. Naim and Bentley definitely agree that that towering aim has been achieved.

Indeed, Bentley Motors Chairman and Chief Executive, Dr Franz-Josef Paefgen remarked: “Our customers expect the ultimate in every experience when they commission a Bentley. The ‘Naim for Bentley’ sound system delivers the world’s ultimate in-car audio experience – allowing for an ‘as-live’ audio entertainment that is as pure as the Bentley driving experience itself.”

Visit Bentley Motors web site.

Naim Label New Releases

To celebrate the 70th birthday of legendary bass player Charlie Haden, the Naim Label is releasing a precious double disc digipack of the legendary and previously strictly limited edition "The Private Collection" recordings. Read about them here.

What is more, we have now released these fabulous recordings on vinyl: three LPs, pressed on 180gsm vinyl, in a gatefold sleeve. It is available now from the E-store

And, as if that were not enough for one month, Patrick Noland makes a welcomed return to the Naim Label, in his fourth full-length True Stereo album, recorded in a live studio environment, with the support of three first-class musicians and friends. Read about Passage to Thought here.

Naim Partners with Rough Trade

Naim has entered into a promotional partnership with Rough Trade, who recently opened a new retail outlet Rough Trade East in London's East End. The venture sees Naim accessing Rough Trade's music-loving customers through the provision of Naim electronics for use within the store and through joint marketing activity.

Show calendar 2008

Hear Naim for yourself...

In 2008 we will be attending a number of events. We look forward to seeing you there.

In the UK

We will be demonstrating our latest product releases for you at the following UK shows:

Outside the UK

As a globally recognised leader in hi-end audio, you will also find us exhibiting at many international shows along with our overseas distribution partners.

During 2008 you can see us at shows in the following locations. More specific information on dates and stands will be provided nearer the time.

• 3-7 September 2008: Cedia Expo 2008, Colorado Convention Centre, Denver
  http://www.cedia.net/expo/
• 6 September 2008: Salon de Luxe, Latvia
  
• 24-27 September 2008: Hifi Show 2008, Centro do Convecoes do Anhembi & Holiday Inn Anhembi, Sao Paulo
  http://www.clubedoaudio.com.br/
• 3-5 October 2008: High End Show 2008, Iris Congress Hotel, Moscow
  

If you just can't wait…

If our next show seems too far away to wait to experience the beauty of the Naim sound, visit your local Naim dealer to arrange an in-store demonstration. Click here to find your nearest Naim retailer.