NAIM Atom vs CAMBRIDGE Evo 150 vs NAD M10v2 // Group Test
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- čas přidán 16. 06. 2024
- Today we compare the NAD M10v2, Naim Uniti Atom and Cambridge Evo 150. We call it the Big little 3 shootout as these are arguably the most popular all-in-one units. Most of them in their own way pioneered the true all-in-one with in house apps.
Contenders:
NAD M10v2
Naim Uniti Atom
Cambridge Evo 150
Scoring:
We rate the top spot a 5 and base the scores on that reference.
Reference Speakers
PMC Fb1i
Effective ATL™ Length:3m 9.8f
Frequency Response:28Hz-25kHzImpedance:8 Ohms
Sensitivity:90dB 1w 1m
Recommended Amp Power:40-300W
Weight:18.0kg 39.60lbs
Note: Volume test reaching 85 db in our test is consider high considering the
sensitivity and distance measure. If measured with more sensitive speakers, smaller bandwith, and at the source you can easily add 14-18 db.
Chapters
0:00 Intro
1:00 Contenders/specs
1:38 Build Quality
2:58 Setup
4:54 Features
6:33 Volume Test Low/High
9:35 Musical Performance
16:50 Results
17:39 Recommendations - Věda a technologie
Great comparison video, Hifyed!....Keep up the good work!
Love the dance bit with Marcos! Great comparison review, I really enjoyed it. And really, there's not a huge difference in points so I'd think any of them are a good pick! Obviously to each customers preference!
He did not even know he got caught by the camera dancing😂.
A really good video. Enjoyed your analysis.
Great review. Very interesting conclusions. I know it's much cheaper, but I'm wondering how you would compare it to these three Audiolab 6000A Play? Especially when it comes to the quality of the music.
Excellent review. The audiolab 9000a has just been released and I would love to see you guys review it.
🙏🙏 I was thinking about asking them if the would send it. Hopefully I can line something up.
Great video. Just shocked that the audiolab 7000A was not included.
Great review, thank you ! I would also like to see a comparison that included the HiFi Rose RS520 . . . next update.
Thank you! 👍👍 on the RS250
What a useful review! Really awesome!!
Thank you!
Great review guys. The comparisons are great! These are all one box, just add speakers solution. Could have included the Linn Majik DSM in this comparison, which you already reviewed. How would any of these compare to the Linn?
Keep these reviews coming.Cheers
Thank you! It would have been nice if I had a Majik at the same time. The Linn would most likely overall come out on top. It has all the features including space optimisation and sound to boot. I know not everything is based on price but the Majik is quite a bit more than the rest so hopefully it’s for a reason. The atom would be the best comparison(they are rivals) maybe we should one day and add a Hegel to the mix 🤔
I’ve just ordered the NAIM, can’t wait for it to arrive.
Enjoy!
How did you like it?
Keep up the good work guys. Great comparison. Love the Naim.
Thank you! The Naim is great!
I think you did an awesome job of breaking down important considerations in sussing out the vetting process. So many great offerings out there. Any one of those considerations could seal the deal.
Thank you for your feed back! 👌
I had the Naim Uniti Star and M10 v2 in house for review. In the end, they sounded similar, but the ripper on the Naim was buggy (unresolved for years) and lacked Dirac and Alexa functionality. The only “edge” it had was its fancy volume control, which was rarely used anyway because of remote control.
Edit: the NAD added balance and tone controls with updates.
I kept the NAD and don’t regret it.
Thank you for sharing your experience. Your right the Naim app is the most unpolished out them all. I big fan of Dirac(I’m certified) and especially rooms really need it I would lean towards the Nad for that reason. Glad you are happy with the NAD and you save quite a few bucks than the rest 😉
Actually, I liked the Naim app. It wasn’t as full featured as Bluesound, but it was close and bug-free as well. It must be said that having Amazon HD and other services on Bluesound was a huge plus though.
The Uniti Star I got was “open box” and US$1000 off! Still, I found that the ripper issues were ongoing for years without acknowledgement and Focal/Naim neither admitted it nor offered a fix. Had I returned that unit, I would have had to pay the full fare for a replacement, making the NAD an easy choice 🙂
Thanks for the thanks and a great video.
Hi! Thank you for the comparisons. I was wondering if I should go with the new Eversolo dmp-a8 or should I choose the Naim Uniti Headphone Edition, simply for the best sound quality of streaming Tidal. Or the Nad m10 v2. My stereo is Focal aria 948, svs sb-1000 pro, preamp/amp Pioneer c73/m73 class a/b from the 90s. And the headphones are Meze Empyrean with node x coax through fiio k9 pro ess. Thank you!
Great job. I like your channel. Was the DIRAC active at the NAD?
Thank you! We used dirac but not for this comparison test.
I've heard the Naim in store & it's STUNNING.
It is! 👍👍
Thatnks for all the work that went into making this comparrison. While not as mainstream as the Cambridge, Naim, or NAD, I wish you guys were able to throw the Simaudio Moon NEO Ace into the mix of this test. I'd love to hear how close it performs to the Uniti Atom, especially considering how close the specs are. If you guys ever get a chance to listen to Simaudio gear, I highly recommend it!
Thank you for your feedback! I would love to get a hold of a NEO ace. I’m a big fan of the brand I owned an I5 integrated. Your right that would be a awesome comparison to the Naim.
A really great video. One that many have been waiting for. :) I heard the NAD M10 V2 vs the Naim. Both are really great all in one systems. If the video had existed earlier, I would certainly have given the EVO150 a closer look. In the end I chose the Naim. The dynamics and the balanced sound inspired me from the first second. Now the Naim with the B&W 707 S3 makes my heart beat faster every day. A perfect couple. :)
🙏🙏 glad you found your pairing. The fact that you makes you happy you made the right choice. I most likely would have leaned towards the Naim with the 707s 😉. Thanks again for your input!
Fun comparison. I'd probably pick the Naim
👍👍
Tested all of these when purchasing my unit and the Naim won hands down for me. I think it’s that class A/B amp thing going on. I’m running Spendor A7 with mine and witchhat phantom speaker wire. Very happy with it
Awesome paring with spendor! Glad you are enjoying the setup.
Just bought the NAD M10 V2 to pair with my B&W 804S. I do not have a great listening room, I have a living room where the acoustic planing is not the top prio and the Dirac Live do magic stuff. I used the Lyngdorf TDAI2200 before but the NAD M10 v2 with Dirac Live vastly improved the soundstage. Can strongly recommend the M10 if you do not have a planned music room.
That is correct and why we reinforced that in the video. If you have a room that is need of room correction we highly recommend you consider the M10. I'm pleased that Dirac exists as it is needed in our industry. Thankyou for input!
Naim needs to update the Atom series, it's like over 4 years on the market, Touchscreen, nano OLED, BT 5.3 / Wifi 6.
Thanks for the video. I would recommend a script and retakes if you want to polish up your video. Also, there can be better b - rolls and maybe dwell a bit more in each product to show the differences? Thanks again.
Great test. I still own the M10 and Atom. M10 is my choice.
I’m curious about the Lyndorf TDAI-1120. I think it has a shot against these as well. I’m sucker for bass management and room correction and so I’m curious to know how it compares.
It’s pretty sweet to have both. I’m a sucker for room correction. I think the lyndorf would definitely have a shot. They are pioneers in room correction. I’m remember in the early 2000s going to ces in vegas and was blown away by room perfect. Maybe one day I can get my hands on the 1120.
Hi Hifyed. Can you please clarify what was the reference point at high volume listening level? All amps on absolutely full volume?! and that was measured from the listening position? I hope that wasn't the case. Sorry but that's unclear for me from the video. Many thanks in advance!
Thanks guys!
You’re welcome!
Great review. Dirac is why I’m leaning towards NAD. And the all round connectivity. Plus here in Australia, the Atom is $6k v under $4k for the M10. And for about $5k, I can get the NAD c658/c298 combo.
Thank you! I agree Dirac in my opinion is a big feature specially for those whose rooms really needs it! That is even a bigger savings then here in Canada!
@@Hifyed I think if you want a sub out too, the M10 is streets ahead. And it has that pseudo 4.2 surround sound. Yea, sounding like I’ve made up my own mind.
Great review on three great products. I just bought the NAD M10V2. It's connected to a pair of B&W 705S2 speakers and an SVS 3000 micro sub. What drew me to the NAD is BlueOS, Dirac room calibration which does wonders for bass, streaming quality of high res content and the ability to mix and match other NAD or Bluesound components seamlessly through BlueOS.
@@NBPT428 Thank you! Your right Dirac is a big draw and adds a lot value especially those who really need it. Enjoy your excellent combo!
@@HifyedMy room is a rectangle, 6m x 7m. Would you say Dirac is necessary for my room?
Very good review guys, thanks for the effort! I just wonder if the prices are worth it for what you get mostly for us Canadians...and the sound of the c700 was close to the m10 I believe so the difference in price should be a big factor. I like having the artwork on my big tv so the touchscreen isn't probably worth it for me even if it's really cool when you don't need to turn the tv on but at that price, you can get a strong integrated amp that could last forever, not sure these machines will last that long. I wouldn't hate to get one if I could but for a few thousands more, I'd get the Buchardt A700 and save on the amp. Just dreaming but we never know. 😎✌
Thank you for your input! Your right a price is a big factor compared to the other units. The value of the m10 especially since it has Dirac! Thanks again!
Would be interested in a comparison with Dirac dialed in on the M10…. Because that is how one would use it most of the time…
Which one had the best display? Just curious.
Omg did I need this video a few days back. I choose the evo 150 and I think I didn’t went wrong. But really, the three of them are gorgeous. Question. Do you think that those class D 150 watts are “weaker” than the 40 watts class AB of the Naim?
They all excel in their own way. I would not say class d is weaker Naim, however, they are more conservative with their ratings than most companies.
It's not that class D watts are weaker than AB, or anything similar, it's how they are rated. There's no standard that companies use to measure an amps power, so each company is left to do it however they see fit. For example, if you took 10 amps all rated for the same amount of power and measured them all the same way, all 10 would be different. And that's how the industry has been doing it for decades.
It makes it difficult for the average consumer, but there are things you can do to help make a selection. Your best bet is to always try an amp and listen to it. Even if you don't have a lot of experience, its very easy to hear an amp that's straining. Also, as you get to know certain brands you are interested in, you just get a feel for how they do things. For example, if you are a Naim fan, you'll get to know what 40 or 50 watts means in a Naim product. Even though its hard to compare power between manufacturers, its typically not an issue within a brand. At the brand level, there's consistency.
Very interesting guys 👍
Jim 🏴🙂
Thank you always appreciate your support!
Love this test. I demoed the Atom at home, but I thought it was too bright on a number of tracks (specifically from Miles Davis and U2) in combination wit the speakers I own (Bowers Wilkins 702 Signatures). Quite happy with the Cambridge (purchased before I saw this video, though).
Thank you! I can see that the naim paired with the 702 might be a little to much especially in the upper mids. Glad your happy with the Cambridge!
@@Hifyed how would Naim Uniti Atom compare with NAD C700 in terms of tonality? brighter?
@@marcusaurelius2988 the m10 will sound closer to the c700 in terms of tonality. The Naim is quite different as found during our comparison. I would not say it’s brighter but definitely a more linear presentation.
Can you adjust bass and treble in the Cambridge app?
@@cmessi Yes, that's possible. You have to turn the option on though. It's disabled by default.
As a happy owner of Naim Atom, I concur with your verdict. Being feature rich is nice but not essential, I believe. Also I prefer the sound of class A/B amp to D one.
Everyone tastes and needs are different, however, I’m glad you found the one for you! Keep enjoying your atom!
Thank's for sharing this video of Your beautiful copy of Elvis first album👑👑👑And a big congrats👏👏👏👍👍💯
For me the NAD is the only one I would consider as Dirac and bass management trumps everything else for my basement system due to multi-sub, but I’m really curious about the Lyngdorf offering in this segment
re: NAD M10, Did you not set up Dirac for this comparison? If not, it might have made quite a difference. Glad you noted Dirac feature, and of course, the value price.
We did setup Dirac but not for comparisons. Your right about Dirac, I’m a big believer especially as I’m certified. We did want to make sure to explain it is an important feature. Thank you for chiming in!
Okay one question!
Who was responsible for spelling catagory?
Now I;m surprised. I did think the Naim at almost twice the price of the C A was going to sweep the board. Now I have ‘food for thought’? You didn’t include the NAD C700 though, it’s less expensive than the CA but very good too. Oh well, thanks for the vid. I did enjoy it. 19:31
What are some speaker recommendations for the Naim Uniti Atom? I have my hooked up to a set of vintage Walsh Ohm 2's but the volume needs to be high to make the Ohm's sound good. I'm looking for something that also sounds good at lower volumes.
Dali Menuet SE with Tellurium Q Black Ii cables (need a good long run in!)
This should have been called Class AB vs Class D
Which unit do you think would be best to pair with Monitor Audio Gold 100 speakers?
Thanks for this. I'm definitely experiencing analysis paralysis. Did you do calibrate the M10 with DIRAC before you did your tests? My listening space is untreated and not really set up for music. So having DIRAC seems important. Having said that I really like tight, juicy, articulation. I want a system that sounds lush and not overly clinical. And I love biting bass. From everything I've read it seems like Naim might be the most musical. I've never heard a Naim in person. I have a NAD receiver currently. I've always liked it, but I have felt I could find something somewhat more pleasing to my ears.
Your welcome! We did do it, however, not to compare. If you know your room is challenging than I would lean more towards the m10. No matter what you can have the best equipment and if your environment is problematic than it won’t perform well. If your room is not that bad and that does not necessarily means it has to be treated I would suggest you demo the naim. They way described your preference in sound you may like it better.
Dirac Live is to the NAD M10 V2 what steroids are to an athlete: it increases the performance. You need to consider the full Dirac software if you are considering the NAD M10 V2. I have a few sound test videos on my page
@@Hifyed Thanks for the response. Do you have an opinion on pairing the Naim or Cambridge with a something like a mini DSP with Dirac live in order to add room correction to those systems?
@@chrisp.916 Thanks, Chris! I'll check it out. The think giving me the greatest hesitation about the M10 v2 is that I've heard from multiple sources that it is lacking when playing at low volumes. Have you experienced this? Does Dirac help with that? A reviewer on Crutchfield said the M10 v2 wasn't sending a signal to their sub at -60 DB.
It would be difficult to integrate a mini dsp as the sources are built in. It was really designed for use in a sperate component setup.
good video. Curious what speakers you are using as i demoed these with Paradigm founders 100 and the NAD was really a strong pick. Thanks
Thank you! I’m using our pmc fb1i speakers it’s our reference. It was derived from a studio speaker.
Hola, Excuse my ignorance, but what is dirac? saludos de Chile
I've owned both the NAD and the NAIM and ran both on my Sonus Faber Sonetto V's. The NAD wins hands down.
My experience with the NAIM is that it felt a little gutless with respect to power and it's certainly more suited to rhythmic music that is light on the low end and heavy on the high end. The volume control I don't quite see the need for as the amp sits around 4 meters away from my listening position.
The NAD v2 produced a more fuller, well rounded sound and delivered heftier bass and mid range. This suits my listening style much better. Months later I'm still pleased with my NAD v2.
I've never had to use DIRAC. My experience with DIRAC is that it fundamentally changed the characteristic is the Sonetto's so I immediately turned it off. Low level listening is a dream, really is.
Recent upgrade to my setup is the isoacoustic Gaia feet which give me a notable upgrade with directional bass. They removed the boom from the low end completely.
Glad you found the one you suits you the best! which is what matters the most. I had a feeling that Naim and M10 would be divided as you can see in the comments.
When it comes to Dirac this is something that will also be a divided subject. I myself am Dirac certified and when I went to training the number one thing they taught us not to mess with the voicing of a manufactures speakers. The problem is how does a consumer know how to properly implement it? Although Dirac that is included in the M10 is not full frequency it goes high enough to affect the characteristics that you experienced. Which you are exactly right in your findings.
Glad you also added the Gaias excellent product! I knew they where onto something the first time I auditioned them at the time they where doing studio products.
Thanks you for taking the time and providing us with your feedback!
The bass from the Atom is lower in volume?
@@cmessi yes
Difficult decision I am in the process of considering these three at the moment. I think one store might have 2 of them in and I might have to go to another one for the other. I was thinking of pairing one of them up with KEF LS50 Metas for one of the rooms in my house. I listen to a lot of EDM music (Trance mainly but also drum and bass and dubstep) but don't want to ruin the sound for movies etc as I will also be connecting to the TV. These three have all been recommended by three different shops so need to book some auditions.
Hi, did you finally get either of those 3? If so, why one over the others?
I purchased the Graham ls 6 speakers (my first speakers; 8 ohms; 87 db’s; recommended amplifier power 50-150 watts) and now need to choose an amplifier. I’m debating the Naim Uniti Atom vs. the Lyngdorf TAIS-1120. (You already advised that the NAD’s sound would not work well with these speakers).I assume that both will properly drive th speakers, but my dilemma is this: I bought the Grahams for their rich mid range and the Lyngdorfs are known for retaining the speakers’ own sound, while the Naim has its own sound which is also rich. Ease of operation is also a critical priority for me. Any thoughts, please? Thank you.
If you are thinking Lyndorf I would still give NAD a try. Your right Lyndorf will keep a speakers sonic signature and the NAD is very similar in that regard. The reason why I may not have recommend NAD is a lot of people prefer to match it with the likes of Naim, chord, rega, exposure etc. they try to keep everything “bbc inspired”. At the end it’s up to you. So if your also thinking Lyndorf does not hurt to try NAD. You also want something with a good interface and although blueOS has its quirks it’s still one of the best we have to work with in the Hifi industry.
With that being said I do like how Graham and Naim sound together. Also don’t worry about the power being a problem. It will drive it easy as long as your not looking for really high SPL club levels.
@@Hifyed Thank you.
I got the Atom Headphone Edition instead, it is a great piece of art, my priority is Headphones, but i do play it with my nearfield setup. Great comparison video nonetheless.
Thank you! Your right it is like a work of art.
Hi! May I ask what headphones do you have? I have the Meze Empyrean with node x coax through fiio k9 pro ess. And now I was wondering if the Atom HE will match them even better. Unfortunately I cannot test it. If it is better I can move the node x and fiio in my stereo system for which I’m still trying to find the best streaming sound (been looking at the eversolo dmp-a8). Thank you!
The NAD used with Dirac, changed the behavior for me, compared to the others. It always had the best interface to operate. Before Dirac use, it lost some energy and 3D definition which makes live music really "Live". The Cambridge had more power and you feel that when you have more demanding speakers. But as soon as Dirac is set up correctly the music transforms. The Bass gets more energy and has contours (like on a big bass instrument you see the tones on the instrument shaping the music). On the rest of the spectrum, the better resolution the M10v2 has suddenly shapes the room of the music and puts the instruments and singers at an exact point without sounding artificial, Jazz gets the light directness, classics get the recession, and Pop and Rock gets the energy you expect. Really a difference between having a good performance or a great performance.
I really appreciate you. taking your time to chime in. Your right Dirac when done right is awesome. I myself am Dirac certified and am in full support! The only problem is go down the rabbit hole playing around with it for hours. Thanks again for your feedback! It’s spot on from what I hear 😉
My experience also. Might as easily tested the C700 in this roundup instead of M10 sans Dirac.
It would have been worth the effort in order to provide a complete comparison.
Can u also adjust Bass and Treble with the M10?
@@cmessi Of course the full version of Dirac can do this. Simply set it as target.
What about the Arcam SA30? Dirac, MQA, ton of specs… any idea how it would compare to those? Highly rated.
Love the SA30 especially as it has dirac. Keep in mind it’s not a fully featured streamer. Sound wise I would not even doubt it would be on top. It’s glass g amplification is excellent!
Great review however.... I listen to classical music a genre you didn't review (Why) so I don't have a steer on what is best for my music. The other unit that I am really interested in is the T+A Caruso R and it would have completed your comparison test really well, it is right up there at the same price point and build quality. T+A does not seem to be widely reviewed outside Germany and the Pacific regions which is strange.
Thank you! We really should have added classical as it’s the most difficult genre to play. we just did not want the video as short as possible. I am familiar with company T+A however you are right not much distribution especially in North America. For along time it was distributed by a company in the east coast but not sure what is going anymore. Thanks again for your feedback!
@@Hifyed I have just been on the T& A website, you are correct there is only one dealer in California but there are two dealers in Oregon there are twenty five dealers in the USA in total which is not even one per state. It is very strange because it is very much a premium brand.
It’s unfortunate that they don’t have the presence that it deserves. I worked in the manufacturing and distribution side of high end audio for many years. One of the most difficult challenges is launching a product in foreign markets. If you go to a high end show in Europe you will see how many companies have not made it down to the North American market.
NAD makes the Bluesound Powernode which comes in a lot cheaper but w/80 wpc, no screen & no room correction.
Your right the Powernode is a great alternative for someone that wants to save and does not need those features.
Can I assume Dirac was off for this review? Enjoyed the shootout.
Thank you! We did turn it off during the test. Being Dirac certified I did, however, had to give it a try in our room 😉
When comparing the Naim Uniti Atom and Marantz SR8015, it becomes evident that the Naim sound is less natural and more harsh. However, it provides better isolation for the instruments, thereby aiding in achieving greater clarity for each instrument in the song, reducing crosstalk between the sounds of the instruments, as well as providing greater resonance and extension to the sound of the instruments. As for the Marantz instrument, it is characterized by providing a natural sound without harshness, but it does not provide an echo or extension for the instruments like the Naim does, and it filters and isolates the instruments less clearly, causing some interference between them.
Thank you for the comparison. Note: it’s spelled Category, not Catagory.
Thank you! I noticed that after it was uploaded. I’ll blame the video editor 😀.
@@Hifyed darn editor…
nice, I have the oldest one, Naim atom.
👍👍
The atom is the most musical in my opinion however it just feels like it lacks a little bit of power. I wish it was at least 75w. Ultimately though the Atom and the Cambridge are both very good and no-one would be unhappy with either.
Thank you for sharing! Your right you can go wrong with either.
I agree the atom needs to up the power, it’s a lovely amp but if it rocked a bit more I would go out and buy it
I agree that NADs defining characteristic is DIRAC it is a game changer.
Agreed!
Wonder how the new SVS amp can do compared to the much more expensive units.......
That would good to try!
@@Hifyed It's lacking in features and certainly won't have the premium feel of these, but if the amp section is good (and I think it should be) and the streaming is solid, it may offer a no frills alternative. Plus, they finally listened to the critics and added a remote!!!
Why didn't you do a genre comparison with a human voice as the focus, like an acoustic, non-pitch corrected female vocal? That would help tell which was the most natural sounding. That's a big omission in my opinion. And the watt output may be affecting how they drive the speakers, even though the volumes were similar. Also, you didn't say what the specs of your source music files and/or streams were.
Какой из них лучше?
Coool, so I made the right decision :)
Alright, you've picked 3 price ranges and if the NAD held itself against the 2 more expensive units e.g. wasn't destroyed by the competition that's already a serious compliment.
For me the one with Dirac, ones used there is no way back….
Naim has a different philosophy. Its all about sound in its sweet factors where texture , body , color and timing rules.
The other ones are like turbo engines. Good numbers on paper, lot of power but nothing else like gas response or sound.
Naim is for different group of people then cambridge and nad.
I have spent a lot of time around my friends who worked for Naim and they indeed have a different philosophy. Even the way they approach setting up a system. It always makes for a intriguing discussion!
I have always been a fan of Naim even when I had to sell against them working for a competing manufacture 😉
Heft? Naim is class AB, the Toroid probably weighs more than the entire m10
Are they all class D?
Everything but the Naim.
Wattage never relates to real world conditions--it's all about the ability to deliver clean, high current to the speaker terminals.
Agree! We just spl as a objective measurement in an average room/listening position.
The integrated devices can't deliver top musical quality. So features must get the biggest weight when assessing integrated. Evo150 beats them all in terms of features. My favorites are Google Chromecast and up to 3 internet radio stations that can be switched on per one button click on the remote.
Oh please. Pick up each unit and tell me they're all in the same class. Uniti created this category and wins every day.
As you can see from the comments it all comes down to personal taste. People love the Naim and some don’t. In overall sound quality I myself lean towards the Naim and it showed in our scoring…Don’t forget about Linn as remember it was pretty close who came out with the first network based all-in-one 😉
I got my first NAD. I have the NAD c298 (similar to NAD M23) to upgrade from my already great Parasound 2125v2.
i’ve had other great class d: Parasound zonemaster 2 (has Class A/B input stage).
streaming source = Apple Music lossless
my video:
czcams.com/video/_fy2TU1bzus/video.html
This was a very good roundup, however... instead of the M10, you may have just as easily substituted the C700. Why, M10 has Dirac, but you never enabled it. That's the C700. Had you taken time to properly configure and enable Dirac - then you would have been testing the M10 because its a totally different animal with Dirac enabled.
I say properly too since Dirac can be used to completely change to tonal characteristic of the device. Without Dirac the M10 is in my experience a blank canvas awaiting the application of a palette which is pretty much your finding as well. Neutral, lacking life. Powerful but lacking clarity at the extremes. Yup, that's the M10 without Dirac..
So, good roundup, but I'm not buying the result. You didn't really test the M10. Disappointing.
Thank you for taking the time and provide us with your take. I big ambassador of Dirac especially as I’m one of a handful of people that are certified. I think you may have missed when the part when I send “depending on the environment have the ability to do Dirac trumps the other two”.
You brought up a good point about “properly using Dirac”. When I got my Dirac certification they taught us what and what not to do. How to properly work with treated rooms, phasing, cancellation, manufactures voicing etc. etc. Your right you can really can unleash all of its advantages when done properly.
This is why this one was hard for us and had to really break it down and look at the overall picture. That’s the reason why at the end we really said although the Cambridge one by points it’s not necessarily best for you. Especially if your environment can really take advantage of Dirac.
Thanks again for taking the time to provide your insight! Happy listening and I can tell you know what your are doing 😉
@@Hifyed thanks for the reply. You make good points and it remains an excellent comparison. As for Dirac those who know, know. Everyone else is pretty much in the dark.
Any chance of doing a head to head with Dirac as the focus?
That’s a great idea! I may not be able to do it with the set as it’s hard to round up all the products at once. Maybe I can do a vid comparing with and without. I can do a head on head with something that’s suppose to be “higher end” and see our thoughts. Any suggestions On how to go about that would interest people?
@@Hifyed why yes I do.
You and I know you can change the sound of a Dirac equipped device with the filter, and you can run multiple filters making it easy for back to back comparison. And we know it can take a while to get something just the way you like it after the initial calibration.
And so what about using Dirac to create a sound signature as close as possible to another device. In the case of this roundup for example, one for each of the other devices.
Now that would be interesting, fun and maybe a little controversial. Time consuming to setup for sure, but for those interested in Dirac and those yet to really understand the power of Dirac, this would be compulsory viewing.
I have not seen anyone actually do this anywhere on the interwebs - yet. 👌
One day, we will remember these prices as the most ridiculous thing.
...and please (to all brands) no one wants a blind streamer.
Really bad to compare without DIRAC ... wich the Companions don't have...
Audio is alway subjective ... and when a major Feature.. a buy argument... is not included?... Very sad...
All in all, a "nice" comparison, wich wont let mit trade my NAD M10v2 for something else... *sorry*...
Thank you for your feedback! If you look through the comments I have discussed that we did use Dirac, however, why we did not use it when comparing to the others. I'm a big fan of room correction and myself I'm Dirac certified. It's the reason why I mentioned in the video that it's a big feature and is absolutely needed in certain environments. Keep enjoying your M10 it's excellent!
It's diffuse...not dye fuse...! 😖
Thank you! My pronunciation is definitely not my strong point 😉
@@Hifyed You're welcome..🙂 Best wishes from the UK 👍
The naim app is so bad, mostly doesnt find device hangs etc. This problem is already sinds the launch of the app. Never buy a naim again.
Thank you for sharing your experience! I had an earlier Naim streamer and it was dependent on how robust my network was.
@@Hifyed my network is perfect, its the naim 100% now looking for a lyngdorf or nad , no more naim. Support is also really bad. They dont care...
Never had any issues with the naim app. It’s pretty much industry standard
Double yuck for all of them
Think your camera man needs replaced unfocused view a few times and bla bla bla about each unit people want view of each item front and back spec you two spent 1 min and change to another unit
Thank you for your feedback! We will take note. At this moment I won’t give him grief we are just doing this for fun 😉
Ridiculously to expensive, sorry fellows I'm not spending time watching this video, just go with class A/B design integrated amps, Vincent Audio makes good ones as does a few other companies, save money and hear quality just as good.
I have not seen a good indepth review/comparison of the Primare i35 prisma.
Is it junk or old tech or just too expensive?.
Anyone have one?
Thanks for all the video reviews
Thank you and your welcome! I know it very well. Although it’s been a long time since I heard it I remember it being very good. The build quality, display and even volume controls are solid. I should revisit the brand again 🤔
PRESENT NAIM IN 3 WORDS OR LESS: Low build quality. Must be left on constantly drawing massive electric current. Expensive recapping REQUIRED every 10 years. Use of overpriced DIN cables. Always an option to buy a new PSU for "better sound". Proprietary star-grounding mess equals incompatibility with other equipment without hum. Loudly humming toroid transformers. Famous Naim speaker hiss can be heard from 3 meters away with 87db speakers. Zero soundstage, only pounding exaggerated mid-bass. Naim "PRaT" is a marketing gimmick. Cold, steely, metallic and abrasive sound equals immediate listening fatigue. Naim repair service requires several months of unit immobilization. Naim has lost 3 CEOs, 2 Marketing Directors and countless technical engineers in the last 2 years. Naim INSISTS on using ALPS blue velvet potentiometers for balance and volume control which are ALWAYS imbalanced and SKEWED either left or right. It impossible to have a centered musical image for stereo listening with Naim equipment. Naim STILL will maintains the omerta on using non-Naim speaker cables as they threaten this will "blow up" your amplifier because of inductance, resistance and capacitance values. Naim is now obligated to demo with Focal speakers, and vice-versa, due to the unnatural and illogical marriage of two brands managed by Vervent Audio Group. This entity is managed by Cedric Boutonnet from Saint Etienne, France and who doesn't give a SHIT about Customers in general and the Naim brand in particular. It is a well-known and well-documented fact that Naim and Focal do not work together and should never be in the same system. Imagine associating Naim with beryllium tweeters = instant ear bleed. Shall I continue? There's lots more to be said.
It's funny you keep posting the same comment on other videos that has to do with Naim. You really are on a mission to bring down NAIM😂 ! As I said before. you know way to much information about Naim to either be a competitor, previous disgruntled employee or once a big fan of the brand.
You are absolutely right..I had Atom for exactly two months...couldn't take it anymore...without a tone corrections it sounded like i had a blanket over the speakers...posted on the naim forum and it started...ohh you should change the cables, change the speakers.. .totally bul@it and waste of money...the only good thing is its looks ...🤔
I agree with ear bleed. I bought and sold their amps and preamps and power supplies and could never seem to match any speaker to tame the very bright amplification. And although this may seem heretical, I love tone controls.