Naim NBL loudspeaker Associated Equipment

Sidebar 2: Associated Equipment

Because I normally use Naim electronics, I already had access to and was familiar and comfortable with the "manufacturer-approved" driving system for the NBLs. But because I still haven't managed to get my mitts on a Naim NAP500, I did most of my listening using a Naim NAC52 preamplifier and Naim NAP135 monoblock power amplifiers. Other amplification included Mana Stealth MA-1 monoblocks and a Bryston BP25/2X7B pre-/power combination.

Prime sources were Naim CDS II and Audio Note CDT-Zero/DAC 5 CD players. Vinyl replay was mostly via a Linn LP12 turntable and Arkiv B cartridge, with Naim power supply, ARO tonearm, and Prefix phono stage, though I also had an intriguing session with a Well Tempered Reference turntable fitted with Dynavector DRT XVI cartridge and THA100 step-up. Most of the speaker cables and interconnects were by Naim, assisted by some from Nordost, and most of the support furniture was made by Mana Acoustics, with a little help from a Townshend Seismic Sink.—Paul Messenger