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Compared with the usual used preamp/integrated budget, this isn’t a bargain. At £685, it’s well above the £532 median and even over the £606 75th percentile from recent GBP listings, so I’d call it ambitious unless it has been fully serviced, boxed, and in unusually tidy condition. Without that, the price is asking top money for a very old classic.
That said, the reason people still chase one is easy to understand: the original Naim Nait sound is lively, rhythmically sure-footed, and great at making modest systems feel more immediate and musical. If you want the vintage Naim character, this is a credible piece of hi-fi history. Just make sure the age-related basics are covered: no noisy controls, no channel imbalance, and ideally proof it’s been looked after, because condition matters a lot here.
Independent perspective — not a price guarantee. Always verify condition, accessories and provenance before purchase.
Naim Audio, a cornerstone of British hi-fi excellence, traces its origins to 1973 when Julian Vereker, a self-taught engineer, racing driver, and music enthusiast, formally incorporated the company in Salisbury, Wiltshire. Vereker's journey began earlier, in 1969, experimenting with tape recording and sound-to-light boxes before designing his first power amplifier in 1971. Amid the British hi-fi industry's recession, he secured a pivotal contract with Capital Radio, blending entrepreneurial grit with a passion for authentic sound reproduction that challenged conventional wisdom.
The brand specializes in premium integrated amplifiers, power amplifiers, preamplifiers, digital streamers, DACs, and compact music systems, often featuring built-in amplification for streamlined setups. While not delving into speakers—beyond a historical foray—or headphones and turntables, Naim emphasizes modular, upgradable components that prioritize pace, rhythm, and timing (PRaT), a signature sonic philosophy rooted in the "source first" approach alongside contemporaries like Linn.
Naim holds a commanding position in the high-end market, revered by discerning audiophiles for its handmade, innovative systems that deliver emotional musical engagement over mere specifications. Now part of VerVent Audio Group following a 2011 merger with Focal, it exports to over 45 countries, sustaining a cult following for resilient, influential designs that transcend economic cycles.
See all Naim Audio listings on RADAR.
