TUNERS
Due
to the current fluctuations in exchange rates and the
impact of the recession on manufacturers, please regard the
prices on this page as ‘guide’ only. If you are interested
in the equipment you must contact me for a current
price.
NAT05 XS Tuner
£1025
The superb quality of broadcast material came as an
unexpected delight when we began serious investigations
into the FM medium in the early eighties. The NAT05 XS
continues the Naim tradition of producing the best sounding
tuners in the world and is based on technology developed
and refined by us over 25 years. It is fully remote
controlled and has multiple presets for all your favourite
stations. Clear and articulate with minimal noise, when
correctly installed with a suitable aerial the NAT05 XS
makes music like only a Naim tuner can.
FM
remains the medium for the highest quality radio
transmissions and the NAT05 XS is optimised to exploit FM
like no other tuner. And if you want more, the NAT05 XS can
be enhanced further through the simple addition of an
external FlatCap XS power supply.
Tuner
Cayin 220Ti
Good to know, that the Cayin 220Ti has 99 preset
memories just in case you’d need them, because it’s Alps
tuning circuits are highly sensitive. The included remote
control is very useful in performing different task while
you seek or listen to various stations.
Cayin
TU-12 Tuner
The
TU-12 is the matching tuner for Cayin’s midi range. It
sounds as good as it looks and takes advantage of the high
quality parts supplied by the famous Alps company.
Cayin
SP105i FM radio
There
are quite a few nostalgic radios on the market today. This
one is basically different. It’s not that kind of
superficial retro design filled with nowadays-common highly
integrated stuff. It still keeps the promise made by the
solid old-fashioned case with intense use of aluminium and
wood veneer. It’s really powered by valves and sounds great
like yesterday’s golden tunes. It has high power (10
Watts!) and a big 12,5 cm driver, which sounds rich and
controlled, supported by the big and stiff cabinet. It even
has a headphone connector for quiet listening.
And there’s a lot to listen to: FM, AM, SW 1 and SW 2. So
there is no limit for shortwave DXing. It’s really a kind
of world radio which can also be connected to your Hi-Fi
system by using the integrated RCA line output.
Consonance Audio
T120 Solid state Tuner AM/FM
£450
"The 120 tuner is built to no less a standard. If Krell
could manufacture to this price point, it would not be
built as well. It wouldn't be as solid and its level of fit
and finish wouldn't be as high. The same can be said of
many manufacturers of multi-kilobuck gear. While styling is
decidedly understated and will appeal to those who eschew
the garish, these Opera pieces will engender real pride of
ownership. The remote controllable tuner has only seven
buttons on its face to serve 7 functions - selecting
between AM and FM, muting output, selecting auto and manual
tuning functions, selecting mono/stereo, entering stations
into memory, tuning frequencies and powering up and
down.
A full-function tuner remote control operates a built-in
clock and alternates the display between clock and tuner
modes. A numeric keypad allows direct inputs of station
frequencies. The remote also addresses the auto scan-save
feature, which automatically scans the airways for stations
and stores them in memory. From the remote you can further
select three different levels of display brightness. Opera
claims an FM sensitivity (INF) of 10dB uV/m, a S/N ratio of
55dB and an output level of 700mV per channel at 100%
modulation. For its AM section, a sensitivity of 60dB uV/m
and S/N of 45dB are given. The 120's casework is sized
identical to that of the CD 120S, which means that all the
components under review sport the same width and height,
with only the depth measurements varying slightly."
John Potis, Sixmoons Review, Oct 2005
Ref.Tuner1.0 Vacuum Tube AM/FM Hi-Fi Tuner (6H30 1)
£895
FM
radio broadcasts have the potential to offer the finest
sound quality. There is a vast wealth of program material
available, twenty-four hours a day, and yet the tuner is
often relegated to a secondary place in a hi-fi system. To
catch and remain every details of a broadcast requires a
great deal of skill in both design and manufacture. With
Sovtek 6H30 vacuum tube output stage, the Ref.Tuner-1.0
continues the Consonance tradition of producing the best
tube sounding tuners and is based on technology developed
and refined by opera audio over 8 years. VFD display,
auto-tuning and the exact memory, it's fully remote
controlled and has multiple presets for all your favourite
stations. Forty station could be auto-scan-stored for
FM/AM. The anti-jamming system make broadcast signal clear
and articulate with minimal noise, when correctly installed
with a suitable aerial.
Creek Audio Classic Tuner - RDS Tuner
- Includer SRC2 Handset - £550
One
of the great strengths of Creek Audio through the years has
been the ability to produce exceptional tuners. The Classic
T50 carries on that tradition. Styled to complement the
Classic range of integrated amplifiers and CD player, and
released in 2006, this tuner is the perfect match. Yet it
will also sit perfectly well with the older 53 and the new
Destiny series, providing the ability to mix and match.
With
today’s airwaves seemingly becoming even more crowded,
coupled with the ever-increasing methods of accessing radio
broadcasts, why would you purchase a dedicated tuner? The
answer is quite simple – it is the only way to bring radio
broadcasts magnificently to life. Separates do sound better
and a stand-alone analogue tuner will provide a purer
quality of sound.
Firstly,
in a hi-fi context, most listening is undeniably FM,
although this analogue tuner is not limited only to FM.
Tune-in to your favourite station and you are instantly
aware of the exceptional quality. Listening to it is
addictive, and the idea that radio is purely a source of
background music, carries no weight. The Classic T50 is
functional, versatile, high tech, yet
simple.
The design objective for the Classic T50 was to develop a
tuner that, regardless of price, could be a benchmark for
both radio and audio performance. By using technology that
is normally found in professional communication receivers
Creek has achieved its goal. The mixture of high technology
and design simplicity has reduced the component count to a
level previously thought impossible.
Whilst the majority of synthesised tuners today use buttons
to tune-in stations and select pre-set station memory, the
Classic T50 uses a rotary tuning knob connected to a
digital encoder to provide tuning and pre-set station
selection in a way that makes this digital tuner operate
and feel like an analogue tuner. To simplify its
functionality, Creek’s engineers have reduced the number of
local functions to a minimum, while maintaining all the
sophistication required to control every aspect of the
tuner. Front panel controlled functions include Rotary
Tuning Mode, Rotary Pre-set Mode, Band Switching - AM/FM,
or MW/LW/FM, depending on country settings, Auto Scan
tuning, Display brightness. These, plus Mono Stereo and
mute threshold adjustment, are also available via remote
control. The Classic T50 also has the ability to display
the name and frequency of the station tuned using RDS
(Radio Data System).
To achieve state of the art sensitivity and selectivity,
the Classic T50 uses a dual-conversion method of retrieving
radio signals, which combined with a single stage broadly
tuned front-end, allows the Classic T50 to pick out weak
stations from the airwaves when they are close in frequency
to a strong local station. A special feature of the tuner
called local AFC enables the digital control bus to be
switched-off, when not in use. This lowers levels of
digital interference to the radio signal. Surface Mount
Technology and the use of double sided plated through-hole
printed circuit boards provide a high level of interference
suppression and help to achieve professional levels of
performance.
Changes of country settings are customisable and station
pre-sets are held in a non-volatile memory, similar to that
of a PC computer, with up to a maximum of 99 memory
locations available for FM and 29 for AM. A large sized
green vacuum fluorescent display makes it easy to read, and
the intuitive Creek SRC2 system remote handset makes for
effortless control.
The open and dynamic sound of the Classic T50 could be
restricted by the quality of the aerial or antenna used. In
addition, the distance from the station and the source
quality from the chosen radio station will determine the
absolute noise performance.
Designed and manufactured in the U.K. The Classic T50 sets
a new benchmark
Creek
Audio Evo Series Tuner
£260
One
of the great strengths of Creek Audio through the years has
been the ability to produce exceptional tuners. The
Evolution AM/FM Tuner carries on that tradition. Styled to
complement the Evolution range of integrated amplifier and
CD player, and released in 2006, this tuner is the perfect
match.
With
today’s airwaves seemingly becoming even more crowded,
coupled with the ever-increasing methods of accessing radio
broadcasts, why would you purchase a dedicated tuner? The
answer is quite simple – it is the only way to bring radio
broadcasts magnificently to life. Separates do sound better
and a stand-alone analogue tuner will provide a purer
quality of sound.
Firstly,
in a hi-fi context, most listening is undeniably FM,
although this analogue tuner is not limited only to FM.
Tune-in to your favourite station and you are instantly
aware of the exceptional quality. Listening to it is
addictive, and the idea that radio is purely a source of
background music, carries no weight. The Evolution Tuner is
functional, versatile, high tech, yet simple.
The
design objective for the Evolution AM/FM Tuner was to
develop a product that, regardless of price, could be a
benchmark for both radio and audio performance. By using
high quality components and sensible electronic design
Creek has achieved its goal. The mixture of high technology
and design simplicity has reduced the component count to a
level previously thought impossible.
Whilst
the majority of synthesised tuners today use buttons to
tune-in stations and select pre-set station memory, the
Evolution AM/FM Tuner uses a rotary tuning knob connected
to a digital encoder to provide tuning and pre-set station
selection in a way that makes this digital tuner operate
and feel like an analogue tuner. To simplify its
functionality, Creek’s engineers have reduced the number of
local functions to a minimum, while maintaining all the
necessary functionality. Front panel controlled functions
include Rotary Tuning Mode, Rotary Pre-set Mode, Band
Switching - AM/FM, Auto Scan tuning and Memory store.
These, plus Mono, Stereo, Display Brightness and direct
pre-set station number entry are also available via a
system remote control, that also serves the Evolution
amplifier and CD player. The Evolution AM/FM Tuner also has
the ability to display the name and frequency of the
station tuned using RDS (Radio Data System) on its blue
vacuum fluorescent display.
To
achieve high sensitivity and selectivity, the Evolution
AM/FM Tuner uses a four tuned circuit FM radio front-end
with J-FET RF amplification and mixer and is shielded from
interference by a tin-plated metal can. A high-grade 10.7
Mhz IF circuit and PLL stereo decoder process the signal.
A
mixture of conventional and Surface Mount Technology is
used together on a double-sided, plated through-hole,
printed circuit board to provide a high level of
interference suppression and help to achieve hi-fi levels
of performance.
Station
pre-sets are held in a non-volatile memory, similar to that
of a PC computer, with up to a maximum of 80 memory
locations available between FM and AM. A large sized blue
vacuum fluorescent display makes it easy to read, and the
intuitive system remote handset makes it easy to control
the Tuner, Amp and CD player from one handset.
The
open and dynamic sound of the Evolution AM/FM Tuner can be
restricted by the quality of the aerial or antenna used. In
addition, the distance from the station and the source
quality from the chosen radio station will determine the
absolute noise performance.
Unison
Research UNICO R: AM/FM valve tuner
£950
The
UNICO R is the first tuner designed and produced in the
Unison Research laboratories. The ranges of reception are
AM / FM RIDS.
As
the UNICO CD, also the UNICO R uses a graphic display in
which words and images are lightened by 8192 pixels,
back-lit with automatic brightness adjustment which adapts
to the ambient lighting to provide ease of reading at all
light levels. Such a display allows the names of the radio
stations tuned to be viewed, as well as those names of FM
memorized
The
high frequency stage uses ALPS components.
Preamplification
stages are composed of two triodes, one for each channel,
ECC82 type. The output signal are both balanced and
unbalanced, at low impedence.
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CINEMA / AUDIO VISUAL EQUIPMENT
DVD5
DVD player
£2,600
Naim
has always been synonymous with ground-breaking products
and the tradition continues with the DVD5 - our first DVD
player. Like numerous Naim source components before, the
DVD5 raises the bar - performing with DVD, DVD-Audio and CD
media to a level well beyond its competition. The DVD5
establishes a new reference level for DVD video quality
combined with truly versatile, upgradeable and
standard-setting musical performance.
VIDEO EXCELLENCE
The DVD5 incorporates multiple hi-performance technologies
- Faroudja DCDi® de-interlacing for example - and supports
DVI for outstanding digital video performance. Multiple
analogue video formats are also supported including
composite, s-video, YPbPr interlaced, RGB interlaced and
YPbPr progressive. For non-macrovision encoded discs RGB
progressive and RGBHV are also available to provide the
ultimate analogue video performance. For enhanced large
display performance a scaler upgrade will be available
offering custom resolutions up to an incredible 1080p. This
will also feature an external input for external video
sources such as digital set-top boxes.
AUDIO EXCELLENCE
Unlike most DVD players the DVD5's audio CD performance is
not simply an afterthought - it outperforms many CD
players. To achieve this, the players' audio decoding board
is physically separated from the DVD boards and its video
processors and outputs can be put to sleep during CD
playback. The CD audio data stream is also re-clocked
before entering state-of-the-art 24bit 192kHz digital to
analogue convertors - a technique borrowed from the CDS3 CD
player. The DVD5 can also replay stereo DVD Audio at
maximum sample rate and, with the optional multi-channel
upgrade, can replay DVD Audio in 7.1 surround.
Specifications
- Media Supported
- DVD-Video, DVD-Audio, DVD+/-R, DVD+/-RW, CD Audio, CD-RW and CD-R
- Video Outputs
- Digital Visual Interface (DVI) with HDCP copy protection
- RGB/RGBHV (for non-macrovision encoded discs) via BNC, 75-Ohm
- YPbPr via BNC, 75-Ohm
- RGB interlaced via SCART, 75-Ohm
- YPbPr interlaced via SCART, 75-Ohm
- S-video via 4 pin DIN, 75-Ohm
- Composite via SCART, 75-Ohm
Video Features
- Faroudja DCDi® de-interlacing technology
- Automatic PAL or NTSC playback and conversion
- Black-level setup for NTSC (0IRE or 7.5IRE)
- Up to five different format simultaneous video outputs
- 16:9 and 4:3 aspect ratio support
- Video zoom support
- Picture adjustment including saturation, contrast and position
- -60x -30x, -16x, -8x, -4x, -2x, 2x, 4x, 8x, 16x, 30x, 60x speeds
- Full easy to navigate OSD with built in test screens for display calibration
- Full +/- time delay lip sync
- Forthcoming scaler upgrade card with custom resolutions including 720p and 1080p
Audio Output
- Two digital coax and two digital optical
- 2 Volt RMS analogue stereo from 24bit, 192kHz re-clocked DACs via 5-pin DIN and stereo phono sockets
- Up to 7.1 channel with multi-channel audio upgrade fitted, 24bit 96kHz via DIN sockets
Communications
- Full integration with Naim AV2 processor including AV2 OSD
- RS232 control for custom install and home automation
Power Supplies Fully Linear, 20 independently regulated supplies with advanced ground
Mains supply 100 - 120VAC or 220 - 240VAC 50/60Hz, 50W
Dimensions (H x W x D) =70 x 432 x 301mm
Finish Black
n-Vi integrated CD/DVD player/processor/amplifier £2,995
Combining
DVD, home theatre and genuine high-end hi-fi music
reproduction has suddenly become simple. The n-Vi delivers
everything you need in one box: DVD and CD player, AV
Processor, audio pre-amplifier and five-channel audio power
amplifier. And each element expresses everything we know
about making true to life music and video in the home.
n-Vi is available now with an optional FM/DAB radio module,
and a video scaler module including an external video input
will be available in spring 2006. Surround sound modes
include Dolby Digital, DTS and Dolby Pro Logic II.
Naim's design team recognised that many Naim owners are
primarily music enthusiasts and while adding AV to their
systems would be a bonus they were perhaps not so convinced
as to move to a separate DVD player and AV processor. In
addition, many owners wish to have AV systems but not in
the same room as their hi-fi system. n-Vi satisfies these
demands and includes all the expertise, skills and
attention to detail you would expect from a Naim product.
The into-one-box integration has not lessened the desire or
indeed even the requirement to deliver traditional Naim
values of musical performance and the newer values of video
and digital signal processing as illustrated by the award
winning DVD5 DVD player and AV2 AV processor.
All you need to do for a complete surround sound system is
add the speakers: conveniently, the n-System (comprising
the n-Sats, n-Cent and n-SUB provides a perfect match).
Specifications:
Media Supported: DVD-Video, DVD-Audio, DVD+/-R, DVD+/-RW,
CD Audio, CD-RW and CD-R
Video Outputs
- Faroudja 'Progressive scan' chip set for a smooth, solid and detailed picture.
- DVI Digital video output for direct digital display connection.
- BNC hi-definition analogue video output.
Video Features:
- Scaler/video processor upgrade giving 'pixel for pixel' compatibility with digital display device. The scaler includes an external video input for up-converting a second video source e.g. digital TV.
- Simultaneous progressive scan on the BNC high definition output and interlaced video on Scart video outputs (RGB/YUV, s-video or composite). Ideal for a back room video monitor or display set-up
Audio in/outputs
- Three external analogue and three external digital audio inputs for playback of external sources (digital TV, iPod, tape etc)
- Audio data straightener™ using a voltage control crystal oscillator™ (VCXO) for low jitter audio conversion
- High performance Burr Brown 6-channel enhanced multi-level delta-sigma DACs (up to 192kHz/24bit)
Amplifier
- High performance Tripath Class-T® 5-channel amplifier (50W 8 ohms and 90W 4 ohms)
- Communications
- Naim NA-Bus for bi-directional control and interoperability with other Naim equipment.
- RS232 port for connection for custom install intelligent homes™
- Mains supply: 100 - 120VAC or 220 - 240VAC 50/60Hz, 50W
- Dimensions (H x W x D) =87 x 432 x 314mm
- Finish Black