FOCAL Scala Utopia EVO with NAIM New Classic 300 Series at the Florida Audio Expo 2024.
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- Опубліковано 21 лют 2024
- In the other part of the FOCAL/NAIM room hosted by House of Stereo in Jacksonville, are the beautiful FOCAL Scala Utopia EVO. Product specialist Chris Shaw gives me the rundown on these gorgeous speakers in their striking custom finish along with the NAIM New Classic 300 system that runs it all.
System 1: Focal Scala Utopia EVO with Naim New Classic 300 Series.
Focal Scala Utopia EVO Speakers
• $39,998 pair (Black, Ash Grey, British Racing Green, Metallic Blue, White Carrara).
• $52,998 pair (Natural or Dark Walnut).
For more information: www.focal.com/en/home-audio/h...
Naim New Classic 300 Series
• NSS 333 streamer - $10,999
• NAC 332 pre-amplifier - $10,999
• NAP 350 monoblock power amplifier - $8,499
• NPX 300 power supply - $8,999
For more information: www.naimaudio.com/product/ran...
In the video are the Ebony White Scalas that were at the show with the Naim New Classic 300 Series.
Please note these are a special custom finish for the Focal Powered by Naim store House of Stereo in Jacksonville.
• Focal Powered by Naim: www.focalpoweredbynaim.com/
• House of Stereo (Jacksonville): www.focalpoweredbynaim.com/st...
I have the Scala Utopia Evo's powered by the latest Luxman gear (new C10X, M10X, D07X, and a Luxman phono stage, plus a Luxman turntable), and they are fantastic-beautiful and not too imposing at 50" tall. They are my end-game speakers. Though I haven't heard this particular NAIM audio gear, I am sure this setup would sound phenomenal as well. Don't overpay any more than these for speakers; focus next on your front-end gear and, of course, what you listen to.
Hello, I heard the Scala Utopia Evo powered by the Naim New classic 200 series. In your opinion is the series 300 by Naim the minimum to correctly drive such speakers?
Thank you in advance!
I am going to be a little cynical and say of course they will say yes. Bear in mind, after the merger in 2011, both brands are owned by the same company, the VerVent Audio Group, whereby Naim and Focal are always marketed together. The thing about Naim is they have their way of doing things with their power supplies in the sense that people always say they punch above their weight in the context of their relatively lower power output. Having said that, they have a loyal following who swear by the brand. If I am being honest, I think Naim amplification sounds good, it has a punchy and fast sound. The issue comes in not just in terms of power output alone, but in relation to the price point. I don't believe they have a flagship integrated offering anymore, so once you include pre, power, power supply, phono stage, etc, the numbers can really add up in a hurry. However, when you go up to the level of speakers such as the Scala Utopia EVO, at the price point of the 300 series, I just think you have a lot more choices. Plus, Naim is not really regarded as a true high end brand. Personally, at that level, I would start with a true high end integrated with a lot more power and go from there, such as the Gryphon Diablo 300 or even the new Diablo 333 if you so desire, but that's just me. At the very least, you know you would be talking in the realm of reference grade integrateds that can pretty much drive most speakers to a relatively high level.
@@Rascallucci I heard the same speakers just driven by the Gryphon Diablo 300 (and the Dcs Vivaldi as a streamer).
The sound given by the Diablo is really different from the one by the series 200 by Naim. The latter has got more structure and micro detail, especially in the low- middle range, while the Gryphon Diablo 300 has more neutrality and coldness (extention and velocity) but also less structure in the sound produced. I am not totally sure the Gryphon Diablo 300 is better than the Naim New Classic 200 in regards to the structure of the sound, because the Naim New Classic 200 ( including the NPX300) is too superior to the Diablo as to it and is designed to correctly perform with the Focals.
The series 300 by Naim instead costs too much; I' d never spend more than 20.000 euros for a set of amplifiers to drive the Focal Utopia Scala Evo.
@@user-mr6pd1ig3u Naim is designed to perform with Focals? Says who? They might belong to the same parent company, but I don't think is true. Let me ask you, how many people do you know or have seen using Naim electronics driving Focals say from the Sopra series and up? Personally, I haven't, not even one. Gryphon Diablo 300 or 333 are just examples. There are many more high end brands out there. How about Dan D'Agostino for example? Goldmund? CH Precision? I am not saying the Scala Utopia EVO are the most difficult speakers to drive in the world, but the Naim 200 series only has 100W into 8 ohm? And the 300 has 175W into 8 ohm? Scala is a 8 ohm speaker that drops down to 3.2 ohm. The NAP 350 has 345W into 4 ohm. However, the Scala are quite sensitive at 92 db, so may be it will be OK, it just wouldn't be my choice, I would want 500W into 4 ohm to be on the safe side. If you are already so sold on Naim, then just go into the shop and turn up the 200 or 300 and see how it performs on the Scala.
@@user-mr6pd1ig3u The new Gryphon Diablo 333 sounds much better it's one of the very best "Amplifiers" Money Can Buy...at any price