Bob,

Just a little update for you on my experience with the system [Nait5i, CD5x, Flatcap2x, NACA]. It's been running a couple weeks now. Initially, the sound was rather rough and edgy, though it did have the high energy level and authority I associate with Naim. I let the CD5x/Flatcap play for a few days on repeat, turning up the Nait during the day.

By now, it's much better in all regards. Recordings with real stereophonic info are beautifully rendered. The phase info is not confused or diminished. Instrumental timbers are starting to sound very highly individualized, as in string sections sounding less homogenized. At the same time, mixes are sounding more organic than I'm used to hearing, as more information is uncovered.

All of these qualities are much more fully presented than with my previous system, which was worth a bit more and featured a good tube preamp. Notes do not have the fizz or ringing around them that is so typical in reproduction that I didn't really notice it before. Where other systems present a flat canvas with the impression of two-dimensions, this stuff creates an actual bass relief. And the whole PRaT thing leaves the old rig completely embarrassed.

Nobody has told the Nait that it's only got 50 watts, so it thinks it has no limit. In my space that is true - the sense of limitless dynamics knocks me out. He's the Yosemite Sam of integrated amps! I'm sure a lot of that is owed to the CD5x. No question, in fact, because when I added the Flatcap to the CD5x, the feeling of power and scale seemed to triple. The player on it's own is great, but add the power supply and your really cooking!

So, I'm very impressed with this equipment. Having it at home where it can be optimized and left to stabilize has given me a new perspective. I've thought about Naim as being strong on some elements of music, but weaker in terms of soundstaging and tonal balance - kind of a niche line whose sonic appeal might be limited to certain room/speaker/music-style synergies.

I don't feel that's fair anymore. This equipment has warmth and subtlety aplenty, combined with a degree of energy and involvement that most other gear only hints at. The Naim stuff seems to be honest or literal in a potentially challenging way. You have to take recordings as they are, warts and all. Some people can't accept that, and will opt for more idealized presentations. But they could be missing out on the energy, drive - an inner glow of life - that nothing else I've heard quite matches. And you say the more expensive Naim stuff has even more magic???

Many times I've had friends who play music in bands or orchestras listen to my systems, and while they'd be impressed with some aspects of the sound, I know they felt that the music was conveyed just as well by their mid-fi or car systems. They thought, for all the refinement, something was missing. I don't think they'll feel that way when they hear this Naim system.

Thanks again for helping me get into this great system.

Hello Friends at The Analog Shop,

My initial impressions on the GP Domus.  I will offer some thoughts here for your reading pleasure.  I find these to have a similar voicing as the previous version, but improved in all areas.  Starting at the top end, the Domus is more open and detailed without sounding bright.  Down through the mids I hear more focus and articulation.  Similar sounding instruments are easier to tell apart.  The midrange is, after all, where much of music takes place.  I'm almost inclined to say that the bass is where the most improvement has occurred. This speaker has terrific pitch definition and ability to go down quite low.  The Homes had a couple energized areas in the bass region which could cause the speaker to muddy up a bit.  Not boomy, but not clean either.  One last thing to mention is the Domus' ability to reproduce space.  Definitely more air and 3D quality to the sound. Mind you, all these opinions are after only a day of these being on. I imagine this should get better still. The most remarkable thing about all this is that the GP Home is a very accomplished speaker in its own right.  The Domus is just extending the good qualities in the Homes and making them better.  I'm glad I went for these!  

Thanks so much,

T. Rushing, A Very Satisfied Customer


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