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The music source was the reference-level, "fully loaded" Naim ND 555 streamer powered by dual…

Ever since the company began trading in the early 1970s, Naim has embraced certain core engineering values. For good or ill, these have significantly differentiated their product line from the mainstream. Importantly, some of their connector choices have deviated from established hi-fi–industry practice.

Such ostensibly awkward decisions were not made on whims or merely to be exclusive. Take Naim's well-researched, early choice of the DIN specification, often combined with proprietary connection topologies and cable assemblies,…

Description: Balanced, two-channel power amplifier with soft startup. Analog inputs: Stereo pair XLR balanced; "legacy" single-ended adapter lead supplied. Loudspeaker outputs: 4mm sockets spaced for Naim Connector. Input impedance: 47k ohms balanced, 34k ohms single-ended. Gain: 29dB. Damping factor into 8 ohms: 36. Power output (nominal): 100W into 8 ohms (20dBW), 190W into 4 ohms (19.3dBW). Burst power: 300W into 2 ohms (18.8dBW) at 1kHz for 20ms. Frequency response: 1.4Hz–100kHz (+0, –3dB). Sensitivity: 1V (Gain: 29dB) for full output. THD+N: 0.013% at 1kHz…

Analog sources: Linn LP12 turntable with Keel chassis, Karousel main bearing, Radikal motor control, and Naim ARO tonearm. Naim SuperLine-SuperCap DR phono preamplifier. Lyra Delos and Hana MH cartridges.
Digital sources: Naim UnitiCore network, Roon Nucleus+ servers; Naim ND555 Streamer-DAC with 555 DR power supplies.
Preamplification: Townshend Allegri Reference control unit, Naim NSC 222.
Power amplifiers: Naim NAP 250 DR power amplifier, D'Agostino Progression 350 stereo power amplifier.
Loudspeakers: Magico A5, FinkTeam KIM, BBC LS3/5a…

I measured a different sample of the Naim NAP 250, serial number 518784, than that auditioned by Martin Colloms. I performed the measurements with my Audio Precision SYS2722 system after preconditioning the amplifier by following the CEA's recommendation of running it at one-eighth the specified power into 8 ohms for 30 minutes. At the end of that time, the cooling fan on the rear panel had turned on but the sidemounted heatsinks were very hot, at 127.1°F (52.9°C), and the top panel was only slightly cooler, at 116.4°F (46.9°C).

The Naim NAP 250 preserved…

Chrissakes! Couldn't I just enjoy la dolce vita? Savor the belly-busting meals in Treviso and Civitavecchia, surrender to Tuscany's soul-soothing landscapes, thrill to Rome's old-world…

Maestro, musique!
Through the Maestro Evos, the bass on Metropolis's "Planners and Thinkers" (16/44.1 FLAC, Soundtrack Classics/Tidal) slammed so deep and turned so seismic, it was almost scary. My room is built on a concrete slab with rubber subflooring, but damned if my chair didn't shake. I'd accidentally clicked the "loop track" button in Roon and was powerless against the repeats. The sound was so satisfying that I let the recording play four, five times in a row.

I also got bruising bass on "Prism" by British trip-hop outfit Submotion Orchestra (16/44.1 FLAC, SMO/Qobuz…

Description: Three-way bass-reflex loudspeaker with two 11" woofers, one 6.5" Power Flower midrange driver with NIC motor, and one inverted-beryllium-dome tweeter. Frequency response: 25–40kHz, ±3dB; 21Hz, –3dB. Crossover frequencies: 280Hz and 2.2kHz. Sensitivity: 93dB/2.83V/m. Impedance: 8 ohms nominal, 3.1 ohms minimum. Recommended power: 50–600W.
Dimensions: 58" (1473mm) × 18" (457mm) × 30" (762mm). Weight: 256lb (116kg).
Finishes: Carrara white, black lacquer, ash gray, British racing green, metallic blue. Cream and light walnut, brown and dark…

Digital sources: 15" MacBook Air M2 running Roon 2.0. Lenovo ThinkCentre laptop running Roon ROCK. Auralic Vega. Naim Uniti Atom controlled with iPad Pro and iPhone 14 Pro Max. HiFi Rose RS520.
Preamplifiers: Benchmark HPA4, Margules SF-220.
Power amplifiers: Krell FPB 200c (recapped). Margules U280 SC 30th Anniversary monoblocks, Balanced Audio Technology REX 500.
Integrated amplifiers: Anthem STR, HiFi Rose RS520.
Loudspeakers: Tekton Moab. Focal Scala Utopia Evo.
Cables: Full loom of Clarus Crimson. AudioQuest and Kimber Kable for…

When I learned that Rogier van Bakel was reviewing Focal's Maestro Utopia Evo, I flashed back to the logistical difficulties I experienced when I reviewed an earlier version of this loudspeaker, the Maestro Utopia III, in July 2010. The Evo is the same size—almost 5' high—and weight—256lb—as the earlier speaker. It made sense, therefore, to drive my test gear the 500 miles to RvB's place in Maine rather than struggle with the loudspeaker's bulk at my Brooklyn home.

For the measurements, I drove one of the Focal Maestro Utopia Evos, serial number A1BPEF00543…