By Mike  Saelieng,

Anorak, Tinker, Music Lover

Setup of a Naim Audio system can be a daunting task to both beginners and veterans. Proper installation is crucial to performance, and many unwritten rules must be applied. These rules are literally passed down through generations. Sure, you can simply stack your kit in a cabinet and enjoy the tunes. However, once properly set up, a Naim system will provide an entirely unique experience. 

Some claim the effect proper setup has on Naims is a sign of poor design. Well, as you peruse though these pages you'll find the tricks and tips are quite reasonable, common sense, really. There's no magic involved. Any hi-fi system benefits from careful setup. Most of what's covered here applies to any make of system! . At least here, you won't find tweakery such as crazy cords 'n cables, gold plating,  inflatable bladders, line conditioners,  stones,  and dots. Nor will you find any wine or automobile analogies.   

Normally, an experienced Naim dealer will set up your system to your satisfaction. The purpose of this page is to  provide a walkthrough of  setup and installation when a dealer's services are unavailable, or, you just prefer dickering with your own racks and boxes. 

This guide is unofficial and by no means comprehensive. As much as I wish it were so, I do not work for or represent any of the companies mentioned on this site.  If you'd like to contribute an article, correct my grammar or have read something you think is bollocks, by all means e-mail me here. 

The following music was spun during construction:

Scala                             To You in Alpha

Hed Kandi V/A             Winter Chill 3, Deeper

Massive Attack             Blue Lines

Calexico                        The Black Light

David Bowie                 Station to Station, Low

Gram Parsons              Anthology

Zoobombs                     Let it Bomb

Kinnie Starr                   Tune Up

Grace Jones                  Nightclubbing

Twin Peaks                    OST

Jill Scott                          826

Princesses Nubians      Les Nubians    

Beta Band                      Hot Shots II, 3Eps

Portishead                     Portishead

Laika                              Good Looking Blues

Leftfield                          Leftism

Studio 1 V/A                  Nice Up the Dance

Fugazi                            Repeater

Black Flag                     Damaged

George Carlin               Phoole

Cowboy Junkies           Whites Off Earth Now!

Chris Duckenfield         Sheffield Mix Sessions

Eels                                Souljacker

Dr. Octagon                   The Octagynecologist

Tricky                              Live @ the Rage bootleg

Lambchop                      what another man spills

Gomez                            Bring It On  

KCRW  realaudio stream

....and a whackload of Sinatra.

No Nautili were harmed in the construction of this site.

Thanks to everyone at  the Naim Audio forum  and my local dealer for making this site possible plus my fourth year critical theory professor for teaching me the difference between its and it's.