**PLEASE READ CAREFULLY** 1) Polite comments that advance the conversation are most welcome (but no URLs, please) 2) All comments are moderated by a third party
@@rudolfappel7236 me too! I’m also guilty of that as well, having separates in a rack and admiring the complexity of it all. And yet now it’s heading towards a one box solution. Styled to enter the slip-stream lifestyle of the 21st century for sure….
@@Nicholas-db5sl I was doing about the same, at least on the way of doing so. "Luckily", a few separate components like the Stereo Amp died, the CD player is having mechanical issues already and so on. Im hella happy i have a modular/seperate system, i can easily replace a component without needing to find another place for the rest of the gear which would make no sense with any "AIO" component (As happened already often with AVRs - Any "minor" but still needed function malfunctions and i have to replace the whole AVR and need to find a sense for the broken one if anything is working at all at the AVR anymore.
I have a uniti nova and I love it. Never have I listened to more music than since I went super integrated. Thanks for the entertaining reviews Darko Audio
I must admit I yelped with pleasure when I got that glimpse of Viagra Boys early on - I self identify as a huge VB fan - but then I realised why I love your videos and approach over all others ... I simply walk away cheerful .. I'm usually inspired to try some new music .. tipper ... I'm engaged because I got a view of the hardwire beyond the specs and the cliches ... and more of the lived experience ... and I'm enthused! Many thanks.
Shrimp sessions 2 is incredible. Best musical discovery I've made in years. I wasn't so fussed about the studio recordings but that live set is a revelation.
Thanks for this. I love what you said about easy access to music. I have several friends who are really interested in music but scared to dive into the whole audiophile equipment thing. Their eyes glaze over when (not if) I talk to much about my gear. But at the same time they LOVE how it sounds. Making excellent sound quality more accessible to these “in-between users” is the way to go.
I loved this video. Avoiding the black hole of separate matching insanity is exactly why I want one of these amps. P.S. I wish the NAD M10 v2 was included in the comparison.
Would love to see that as well. Also, a comment on pairing the evo 150 with the ls50 metas that are typically used in John’s videos apart from the lumina II’s he recently featured.
This is a perfect starting point point for a second Hi-.Fi set up. Once you have spent 10+ years setting up your 'separate' ensemble, spent a fortune on interconnects, you just want a sub 5.000EUR combo (inclus. loudspeakers) to enjoy music with no fuss. Naim + Harbeth P3 IMO. Thkx Darko.
You always do very good reviews but this topic isn't on my radar right now. Gotta say... I clicked to find out more about those beautiful Zu speakers. I hope there is a future video on those.
I was among the first in line to order the 2021 Powernode from Bluesound. The sound quality, especially detail and soundstage, with my Maggie 1.7i set is amazingly good, far better than a couple of integrated amps I have been using. Agree that the value of the Naim and Cambridge front displays is more eye appeal than utility, at least in my listening room. I'm never going to look across the room to see what's playing when I've got a mini tablet in my hand showing the same info. That's why the Powernode just makes sense for me, and at far less cost. Now, driving the Magneplanars with an 80 wpc "hybrid digital" amp is sounding good so far, but it goes against the conventional thinking about Maggies needing gobs of high-current power to sound best. Compared to the class A/B integrated amps, the Powernode is a bit leaner but more detailed, which I like. Would enjoy auditioning the Evo 150's digital chops to see how it sounds compared to the Powernode.
This is so refreshing to hear. My wife HATES WITH A PASSION HiFi separates and all those wires. I had a very hard time sourcing a reasonable sounding hifi that fulfilled her aesthetic demands and my desire for decent sound and connectivity. The end result was an Onkyo RN855 with matching CD player, Monitor Audio Broze 2 speakers stand mounted, and a Technics SL1500 turntable. In my 12x20 foot lounge it has more than enough clout but I'm wondering about my upgrade path. I've considered both the reviewed products and maybe a pair of Kef LS50 Metas but I'm scatching my head. Great video, right on topic for me.
I completely agree with the concept that these simple boxes help us to just listen to music. I've discovered so much more music since buying an Atom. It is interesting to note that although the Cambridge trades punches with the Naim, it doesn't offer anything new in spite of the Atom being four (!!) years old, which shows how significant Naim's product is. My next purchase will definitely look to technologies like room correction as that's the other variable which most of us think of last and which probably has a larger effect than anything else. Eager for upcoming TDAI-1120 review 👌
I'm one of those people with a rack full of mismatching separates and I really love the simplicity of this concept. They look great, they sound great, and they're also amazing value. You're also cutting down on the cost of interconnects and spaghetti junction. Fabulous review Mr Darko.
I was happy to see the new Zu Soul 6 in your system. I ordered a pair in June and the promised ship date kept getting pushed back with no end in sight so I cancelled the order. I always liked the Zu speakers and would be very in hearing your take on them.
I currently have a Linn Majik DSM 4, which like your review is similar to the "just add speakers" philosophy above. SQ is an individual thing, however, it's great that all these types of 'higher-end' boxes elevate the listening experience while not compromising on the ability to access various music and AV sources as well as making the ability to do so, un-complicated. At last, we have the audio manufacturer's understanding of what the audiophile and (say this quietly... the consumer) actually wants.
The one thing with the Linn compared to other is that they usually have several HDMI ports. Currently have a MDSM/2. Is it worth the upgrade to the MDSM/4? Cheers.
I like your attitude to music, your care about aesthetics, and your balanced approach to the choices facing audio lovers (or, dare I say, audiophiles).
Great video as always John, nice to see two Future Fi products from two great British manufacturers. If I hadn’t already gone down the separates route I would definitely consider either of these. Those Zu’s look gorgeous too, hope they sound as good as they look.
Back in the 1970’s, the vast majority of home hifi i remember were integrated units. Yes, different technology (amp, radio, turntable), but you just had to add speakers. In the 80’s the turntable was dropped for cassette / CD’s and Japanese units often came with small speakers included. The point being that the concept is as old as the hills. Todays challenge is how to convince customers to pay for fidelity when they could simply AirPlay or ChromeCast to a Bluetooth speaker or stream via Sonos. I love the look & functionality of the naim (same i guess with the CA), but is it enough proposition to convince 20 to 30 year olds to fork out £2.5k + cost of speakers when they can have a Sonos Beam2 for £450. The growth market would seem to be converging HiFi and AV, not just fidelity in expensive “statement” boxes.
Wonderful review! Very informative and teases out the differences nicely. I have separates but I love the idea of an all in one super integrated. Both units are very handsome. PS I appreciate all the juicy B-roll product shots!
John, rock solid content as ever! But dude the biggest win here is Tipper and the albums released. Loving this beautifully produced and staged electronica. Thanks 🙏
I'm happy with my NAD c-388 I like the fact that you can upgrad with modules and I added the BluOs module. Does everything I need its convenient , simple,runs cool and you need by far less audio cables.
I’m downsizing my living room setup and I want as few boxes as possible and ultra simplicity for the family. Whilst I love the look of the Evo with walnut sides (that suits my room), I’ll go with Naim for the user interface and cause I suspect it’ll better match my Rega RX5’s. I value musical coherence and rhythmic engagement above all else (and that delicious volume dial & remote make the decision easier too)
Same here Mike - 9 months in with my M33 and the sound and functionality is fabulous. The major streamers, Roon and DIRAC - also less clutter, cables and 'boxes'.😀👍
I like the hdmi input and multiple optical inputs, really handy for people with multiple cd or Blu ray players. Both are such neat ways to have serious hifi that looks sexy on the sideboard. Seperates always have the messy cable look that is hard ignore. Nice one John
Here is the thing with Darko’s contents and comparisons lol.. i learn but can never decide and get more confused for the most part! Then i have to go to other folks to be sure for what i really am looking for 😋
I appreciate that you have music preferences, as an entity music is continually evolving through advances in technology, both style and ability of it's creators and also in music production and recording and playback devices. I do like to hear current trends in dance music because it gives me an indication of what powers the club scene today, the same I enjoyed in the 90's but with all the advances optimised. I do love your content and as music preference is such an intimate and sensitive subject don't justify the music you like because that's why it's there, for your enjoyment.
Alright I won’t lie. I’m a huge Tipper fan. So when I saw the album art for JMH on your thumbnail I clicked right away lol. But having discovered your channel I can say that I’ll definitely be checking back for more reviews and comparisons. Just watched your overview of the Project debut pro and was glued to my screen. Very informative and knowledgeable! Well done! Side note as well, Dave Tipper has released not only Jettison Mind Hatch but three of his older albums on Vinyl so far. Those being “Broken Soul Jamboree”, “Forward Escape”, and “Seamless Unspeakable Something”. Good luck finding a copy of Forward Escape though. Very rare. His manager did announce that they are planning a re-release at some point in the future. As well as a Vinyl release of “Surrounded”. (Fun fact it was one of the first albums made for the dual disc format and was intended to be an entirely surround sound experience.) I highly recommend giving those Vinyl a listen. Especially after you’ve gone through more of his discography. There’s some subtle differences to them compared to the originals as a nod to the fans for the support. Dave Tipper is nothing short of a tour de force when it comes to sound design. Your ears will definitely like what they hear.
I’ve had the Evo150 coupled with KefLS50 Meta for around 6 months and absolutely love it! I wrestled with Evo or Naim and listened to both to reach a not very easily reached decision. I love the look (very important to me) I love the sound (very important to me) and also have a Rega sat next to it and have discovered all of my old vinyl again. I would thoroughly recommend and endorse the Evo
Hi Chris…what Rega TT are you running into the Evo? I have been considering Evo/Atom for TV and digital front end with my Rega RP3 (about 6yrs old). I am put off by the Atom as the analogue input is digitised…the Evo is not. Thanks 😊
@@andrewgledhill829 Hi Andrew, it’s my first foray back into a turntable, I’ve started with a Rega1 and I’m really enjoying it. I’ll maybe upgrade in the future but it’s perfectly fine for now
Appreciate this video. I just bought a NAD M10 and cross shopped the Cambridge, Naim and Lyngdorf. My requirements were for an all in one amp/steamer with cell phone control, HDMI arc, bass management, and room correction. Only the NAD and Lyngdorf are fit the bill. On the lower end you can buy a Sonos Amp or Bluesound Powernode. Also great products at a fair price. This so the way of the future, IMO
Great review! The simplicity and synergy is the reason I tried the KEF LS50 Wireless II. Thank you for giving that attention, but John you are such a tease. The Zu! I am completely bummed I didn’t order the Dirty Weekends last spring. I guess now I get the benefit of your review. When might I anticipate you’ll be ready to tell us about those speakers? I do so hope your review will include driving them with one or both of today’s streamers. Thanks again John, I really look forward to your videos. Great start my Sunday morning here in the States :-)
I tried both. Naim lacks bass on some songs which is not an issue if using a sub, it reveals details specially in lower midrange frequency that evo can't reproduce in some songs, it favors playing everything from each speaker separately rather than making an illusion that everything comes from center like on evo. They are both amazing in their own way, but on my unit i found HDMI Arc lags for 1-2 seconds every ~15 minutes on Naim while it's never lags on Cambridge Audio
Listening, listening en the Evo 150 was the right combination with my B&W's PM1 loudspeaker. It have enough power what nog every amplifier can say i like it in the Delorian version.
Just Purchased an Evo 150 and I like your take in comparison with the atom. I’m now looking to add a pair of Sonus Faber “sonetto iii” to complete my setup. Great video,,just subscribed too!👍👍👍
I am currently using the Evo 150 and really enjoy it. I came to this from a Cambridge CXA60. While the CXA60 seems to have more brut force driving speakers, the Evo150 betters it with overall detail and clarity.
Have the same amplifiers, and I found the Evo 150 a sonic downgrade from the CXA60. The 150 may have a slight edge with detail, but, in my setup, clearly sounded less full and interesting than the CXA60. I was surprised at the difference in richness of the music.
Thank you for a detailed comparison. I'm leaning more Evo 150, it feels just a tad more "future-proof", but I think most of us (newcomers) would be delighted with either one.
Excellent. Not seen ur channel before. I've just dipped my toes into streaming with the purchase of a used but un abused Arcam CD27 FMJ CD streamer. Don't know that much but am learning with the aid of good work like this. 😎👍🏾
I thought this was a great review of the EVO 150. I got to play with one for a while and found it so convenient and sounded so good for an all in one unit, that it would be a great stepping stone into HiFi.
I bought the last Powernode and I must say the convenience is amazing and it sounds way nicer than anticipated. I’m sure those two units are better sonically (and this volume wheel on the Atom sure looks nice) but I’m not convinced by the displays on them. Why put yet another screen in the house when we are already controlling the unit with a smartphone or a tablet anyway? One argument I see for it is when someone else wants to know what’s playing / or wants to play something, other than that...
We've just bought the Evo 150 yesterday and there is one issue I've never expected from a hi-fi. It has a software so... it crashed two times on the first day (including a bluescreen on a display like a windows PC :) ), plus it was slow to respond after some time (you turn the volume knob and it reacts after a few seconds). Strange feeling. Besides that it's a great piece of gear. Looks great, sounds very good, if a bit bright for my taste, but great overall.
I always liked your approach to HiFi gear and music and this is my favourite review so far. This is spot on, I couldn't agree more to the points you made and since you're recommending Idles, Viagra Boys and have the Kid A/Amnesiac duo on your shelf, it makes us musical soulmates as well!
Very good video if you can spend that much money and when your ears are ok. I am 62 years old and I wanted a streaming amplifier that sounded well and was affordable and was easy to use. I bought a Marantz PM 7000 N receiver with lots of options for 1 200 euros and I bought a pair of Amphion Argon 1 speakers for 1 300 euros. And for meit’s a great pairing. The Marantz is 60 watts at 8 ohms and 80 watts at 4 ohms. He has a good power supply and a very good DAC . And I love the sound quality for classical music, rock, blues. Greetings, Ludo
Since my Unity Atom came, my humble Qacoustics Concept 20 shelf speakers sound so good that I am spending some of my evening simply with closed eyes and enjoying music. The wheel, the look, the full integration of Qobuz, it is simple to play favorites from a single button and this works for me fine. I am simply missing some additional physical buttons on the front. The remote ? I barely used it, it is just gathering dust. The Cambridge must certainly be also be very good but I can’t judge.
Hey Darko:) Thanks for the reviev that exactly what I need right now helps a lot .It would be fantastic if You would also review Lyngdorf Tdai 1120 and compare it with those two great pieces of audio technology:) Lyngdorf gets a lot of praise on the forums but have really few youtube reviews/tests
I keep looking at the Naim thinking it would work in my small apartment. Now I have anopther choice. Not that there's aything to complain about with the Naim. I guess I just have to go and listen for myself. Nice one John, thanks.
Another criteria can include placement. If you also have a TV on your stand, or a turntable; the integrated solution might need to fit on a shelf. Might need to be in a form factor to fit in a standard shelf. With the volume knob on the front.
Referring to latest insta post: Glad to see MN companies getting some love! I used to be a Solder Tech at Audio Research, still miss hand making amps I couldn't afford. Maggie's are so interesting and very worth checking out.
@Ryan Reed, I know what you mean, I’ve been fixing Learjets, Challengers & Globals for over 20 years, things I can’t afford (most expensive I worked on was $88 million dollars) but its fun to see what the other side lives like. On the other point you made, I just ordered a pair of Maggies 1.7i’s. Due in in January! Can’t wait.
You need to test the Atom HE with a power amp against the basic atom. My understanding is they upgraded the whole pre-amp section of the amp as well as deleting the power amp. Just loving mine.
Once again another fantastic review from John, thank you. As I live in a very small old house I love these units, again though due to size I didn’t feel the need to spend so much so went with this years PowerNODE. A brilliant unit as I also hook it up to my TV with HDMI arc and I don’t need a screen. I love Cambridge Audio but when I looked at the cheaper evo 75 I personally didn’t like the buttons. This Evo 150 would be great, due to the extra inputs, but I can’t go to that level of spend personally knowing the kids will at some point damage it, 😂 and when I say kids I mean me, as I am the clumsy one in the house. All types of these units are so easy to use and I love them, I too have music playing a lot more in the house.
I'm with you John, aesthetics do matter. The "all in one" approach does make it easier to achieve the right system to suit your needs and tastes, but all reviews are just a starting point of reference. Could be you end up with 8 different boxes, because that's what your ears prefer. Thanks for sharing, great content as usual.
Would you consider reviewing the NAD C-658? Hans appears to have been the only other big leaguer to have done so. Your words are worth their weight in Uranium (especially WRT this type of equip.)
**PLEASE READ CAREFULLY**
1) Polite comments that advance the conversation are most welcome (but no URLs, please)
2) All comments are moderated by a third party
I can't express how much i prefer your stlyle of reviewing and describing audio gear than others ✌🏻
Completely agree. While I'm interested in music and tech, I'm not an audiophile, and still I find myself utterly drawn to John's channel. Superb 👌
Me too man. 💯
He used to be far more elitist when I first started watching, he's a lot better now. =)
Or maybe YOU'VE simply become more elitist? 😆
@@DarkoAudio Hahaha maybe I have.
*shoves his Diana V2 away*
I have no idea what you mean. 😇
Keep up the good work 😊
"Sound quality is not the only branch on our decision tree" - I can hear the harumphs already from the dudes with racks!
@@rudolfappel7236 me too! I’m also guilty of that as well, having separates in a rack and admiring the complexity of it all. And yet now it’s heading towards a one box solution. Styled to enter the slip-stream lifestyle of the 21st century for sure….
@@Nicholas-db5sl I was doing about the same, at least on the way of doing so.
"Luckily", a few separate components like the Stereo Amp died, the CD player is having mechanical issues already and so on.
Im hella happy i have a modular/seperate system, i can easily replace a component without needing to find another place for the rest of the gear which would make no sense with any "AIO" component (As happened already often with AVRs - Any "minor" but still needed function malfunctions and i have to replace the whole AVR and need to find a sense for the broken one if anything is working at all at the AVR anymore.
Indeed my decision tree failed the Niam (and a Rega CD transport) having no surface free to give access to top controls or loading. 😥
Absolutely spot on - we are sometime so tied up with hardware we forget why we are all here - the music.
I have a uniti nova and I love it. Never have I listened to more music than since I went super integrated. Thanks for the entertaining reviews Darko Audio
Hi.How reliable has Nova been ? Some chat online criticises it’s reliability .I love Naim stuff have an Xs with a Hi cap .
the best reviewer on youtube strikes again, brilliant assessment of the two SOLUTIONS for different use cases.......keep up the great work john......
The single box approach appeals to me most and really like how HDMI is gradually becoming standardised.
@Dixene Lee Yea.
@Dixene Lee why?
@Dixene Lee Yes and also under $1500.
@Dixene Lee Sorry I only just saw your reply. What is the benefit of that?
@@shemsureshot Because HDMI is better suited for combined Audio Visual only.
Audio already has cables optimized for it.
I must admit I yelped with pleasure when I got that glimpse of Viagra Boys early on - I self identify as a huge VB fan - but then I realised why I love your videos and approach over all others ... I simply walk away cheerful .. I'm usually inspired to try some new music .. tipper ... I'm engaged because I got a view of the hardwire beyond the specs and the cliches ... and more of the lived experience ... and I'm enthused! Many thanks.
Shrimp sessions 2 is incredible. Best musical discovery I've made in years. I wasn't so fussed about the studio recordings but that live set is a revelation.
Thanks for this. I love what you said about easy access to music. I have several friends who are really interested in music but scared to dive into the whole audiophile equipment thing. Their eyes glaze over when (not if) I talk to much about my gear. But at the same time they LOVE how it sounds. Making excellent sound quality more accessible to these “in-between users” is the way to go.
Exactly. I'm surprised they're aren't more of these products available.
@@gorillapancake it’s €2500, don’t think this is remotely close to enticing for in between users.
At 3000€?
"If you choose not to decide, you still have made a choice."
I loved this video. Avoiding the black hole of separate matching insanity is exactly why I want one of these amps. P.S. I wish the NAD M10 v2 was included in the comparison.
Well spotted,need to add NAD M10 in to the competition
Would love to see that as well. Also, a comment on pairing the evo 150 with the ls50 metas that are typically used in John’s videos apart from the lumina II’s he recently featured.
Add the lyngdorf 1120to that list too.
looking forward to the lyngdorf tdai 1120 review too
And the Gato Audio DIA-250S MNP
Most intuitive reviewer on TH-cam, John is in the know. Excellent informative assessments.
This is a perfect starting point point for a second Hi-.Fi set up. Once you have spent 10+ years setting up your 'separate' ensemble, spent a fortune on interconnects, you just want a sub 5.000EUR combo (inclus. loudspeakers) to enjoy music with no fuss. Naim + Harbeth P3 IMO. Thkx Darko.
You always do very good reviews but this topic isn't on my radar right now. Gotta say... I clicked to find out more about those beautiful Zu speakers. I hope there is a future video on those.
I was among the first in line to order the 2021 Powernode from Bluesound. The sound quality, especially detail and soundstage, with my Maggie 1.7i set is amazingly good, far better than a couple of integrated amps I have been using. Agree that the value of the Naim and Cambridge front displays is more eye appeal than utility, at least in my listening room. I'm never going to look across the room to see what's playing when I've got a mini tablet in my hand showing the same info. That's why the Powernode just makes sense for me, and at far less cost. Now, driving the Magneplanars with an 80 wpc "hybrid digital" amp is sounding good so far, but it goes against the conventional thinking about Maggies needing gobs of high-current power to sound best. Compared to the class A/B integrated amps, the Powernode is a bit leaner but more detailed, which I like. Would enjoy auditioning the Evo 150's digital chops to see how it sounds compared to the Powernode.
This is so refreshing to hear. My wife HATES WITH A PASSION HiFi separates and all those wires. I had a very hard time sourcing a reasonable sounding hifi that fulfilled her aesthetic demands and my desire for decent sound and connectivity. The end result was an Onkyo RN855 with matching CD player, Monitor Audio Broze 2 speakers stand mounted, and a Technics SL1500 turntable. In my 12x20 foot lounge it has more than enough clout but I'm wondering about my upgrade path. I've considered both the reviewed products and maybe a pair of Kef LS50 Metas but I'm scatching my head. Great video, right on topic for me.
The only channel where I like every single video.
I completely agree with the concept that these simple boxes help us to just listen to music. I've discovered so much more music since buying an Atom. It is interesting to note that although the Cambridge trades punches with the Naim, it doesn't offer anything new in spite of the Atom being four (!!) years old, which shows how significant Naim's product is. My next purchase will definitely look to technologies like room correction as that's the other variable which most of us think of last and which probably has a larger effect than anything else. Eager for upcoming TDAI-1120 review 👌
I'm one of those people with a rack full of mismatching separates and I really love the simplicity of this concept. They look great, they sound great, and they're also amazing value. You're also cutting down on the cost of interconnects and spaghetti junction. Fabulous review Mr Darko.
I was happy to see the new Zu Soul 6 in your system. I ordered a pair in June and the promised ship date kept getting pushed back with no end in sight so I cancelled the order. I always liked the Zu speakers and would be very in hearing your take on them.
I use druids. Zu are fantastic
I currently have a Linn Majik DSM 4, which like your review is similar to the "just add speakers" philosophy above. SQ is an individual thing, however, it's great that all these types of 'higher-end' boxes elevate the listening experience while not compromising on the ability to access various music and AV sources as well as making the ability to do so, un-complicated. At last, we have the audio manufacturer's understanding of what the audiophile and (say this quietly... the consumer) actually wants.
The one thing with the Linn compared to other is that they usually have several HDMI ports. Currently have a MDSM/2. Is it worth the upgrade to the MDSM/4? Cheers.
The most tasteful sponsorship plugs on TH-cam. Well done!
I like your attitude to music, your care about aesthetics, and your balanced approach to the choices facing audio lovers (or, dare I say, audiophiles).
I always really enjoy your electronic music recommendations - a genre i was never into when younger but starting to explore more and more now. Thanks!
Cheers for the Call Super tip, had drifted away a bit after Fabric 92 😎
Great video as always John, nice to see two Future Fi products from two great British manufacturers. If I hadn’t already gone down the separates route I would definitely consider either of these. Those Zu’s look gorgeous too, hope they sound as good as they look.
Back in the 1970’s, the vast majority of home hifi i remember were integrated units. Yes, different technology (amp, radio, turntable), but you just had to add speakers. In the 80’s the turntable was dropped for cassette / CD’s and Japanese units often came with small speakers included. The point being that the concept is as old as the hills. Todays challenge is how to convince customers to pay for fidelity when they could simply AirPlay or ChromeCast to a Bluetooth speaker or stream via Sonos. I love the look & functionality of the naim (same i guess with the CA), but is it enough proposition to convince 20 to 30 year olds to fork out £2.5k + cost of speakers when they can have a Sonos Beam2 for £450. The growth market would seem to be converging HiFi and AV, not just fidelity in expensive “statement” boxes.
AV?
Wonderful review! Very informative and teases out the differences nicely. I have separates but I love the idea of an all in one super integrated. Both units are very handsome.
PS I appreciate all the juicy B-roll product shots!
John, rock solid content as ever! But dude the biggest win here is Tipper and the albums released. Loving this beautifully produced and staged electronica. Thanks 🙏
Yes!
Thanks so much for your channel and reviews. I’m really excited about the just announced Cambridge CXN100. Can’t wait to get your thoughts.
I'm happy with my NAD c-388 I like the fact that you can upgrad with modules and I added the BluOs module. Does everything I need its convenient , simple,runs cool and you need by far less audio cables.
You have insightful and fun videos. Such high quality. No one is close.
I’m downsizing my living room setup and I want as few boxes as possible and ultra simplicity for the family. Whilst I love the look of the Evo with walnut sides (that suits my room), I’ll go with Naim for the user interface and cause I suspect it’ll better match my Rega RX5’s. I value musical coherence and rhythmic engagement above all else (and that delicious volume dial & remote make the decision easier too)
I come here for the reviews and leave with great music recommendations, couldn’t ask for more , keep up the good work
NAD M33 was my choice, based on your review and others. I’m one year in and loving it!
Same here Mike - 9 months in with my M33 and the sound and functionality is fabulous. The major streamers, Roon and DIRAC - also less clutter, cables and 'boxes'.😀👍
I like the hdmi input and multiple optical inputs, really handy for people with multiple cd or Blu ray players.
Both are such neat ways to have serious hifi that looks sexy on the sideboard. Seperates always have the messy cable look that is hard ignore. Nice one John
Here is the thing with Darko’s contents and comparisons lol.. i learn but can never decide and get more confused for the most part! Then i have to go to other folks to be sure for what i really am looking for 😋
So excited to see a thumbnail with Zu Audio in it
I appreciate that you have music preferences, as an entity music is continually evolving through advances in technology, both style and ability of it's creators and also in music production and recording and playback devices. I do like to hear current trends in dance music because it gives me an indication of what powers the club scene today, the same I enjoyed in the 90's but with all the advances optimised. I do love your content and as music preference is such an intimate and sensitive subject don't justify the music you like because that's why it's there, for your enjoyment.
Alright I won’t lie. I’m a huge Tipper fan. So when I saw the album art for JMH on your thumbnail I clicked right away lol. But having discovered your channel I can say that I’ll definitely be checking back for more reviews and comparisons. Just watched your overview of the Project debut pro and was glued to my screen. Very informative and knowledgeable! Well done! Side note as well, Dave Tipper has released not only Jettison Mind Hatch but three of his older albums on Vinyl so far. Those being “Broken Soul Jamboree”, “Forward Escape”, and “Seamless Unspeakable Something”. Good luck finding a copy of Forward Escape though. Very rare. His manager did announce that they are planning a re-release at some point in the future. As well as a Vinyl release of “Surrounded”. (Fun fact it was one of the first albums made for the dual disc format and was intended to be an entirely surround sound experience.) I highly recommend giving those Vinyl a listen. Especially after you’ve gone through more of his discography. There’s some subtle differences to them compared to the originals as a nod to the fans for the support. Dave Tipper is nothing short of a tour de force when it comes to sound design. Your ears will definitely like what they hear.
What do you think of sound quality? I just ordered to pair with ZU DW6, thanks
We have found the new Cambridge EVO series to be a top seller and exactly what many people want in a system. I think you nailed it.
I’ve had the Evo150 coupled with KefLS50 Meta for around 6 months and absolutely love it! I wrestled with Evo or Naim and listened to both to reach a not very easily reached decision.
I love the look (very important to me) I love the sound (very important to me) and also have a Rega sat next to it and have discovered all of my old vinyl again.
I would thoroughly recommend and endorse the Evo
Hi Chris…what Rega TT are you running into the Evo? I have been considering Evo/Atom for TV and digital front end with my Rega RP3 (about 6yrs old). I am put off by the Atom as the analogue input is digitised…the Evo is not. Thanks 😊
@@andrewgledhill829 Hi Andrew, it’s my first foray back into a turntable, I’ve started with a Rega1 and I’m really enjoying it. I’ll maybe upgrade in the future but it’s perfectly fine for now
@@chrisbland5714 ..Hi Chris…many thanks 😊
Very pleasant to watch, thanks John!
Your review really helped me. I have the Sonus faber lumina 2. So think the evo is the rigt choice for me. Thank you for pointing out thise things👍🏻
Enjoyed it, as always some new tunes to check out, that alone warrants a "thumbs up". Cheers!
REALLY love your channel and videos John. Big up!
Thank you John for making the video!
Appreciate this video. I just bought a NAD M10 and cross shopped the Cambridge, Naim and Lyngdorf.
My requirements were for an all in one amp/steamer with cell phone control, HDMI arc, bass management, and room correction. Only the NAD and Lyngdorf are fit the bill.
On the lower end you can buy a Sonos Amp or Bluesound Powernode. Also great products at a fair price.
This so the way of the future, IMO
I love this category of all in ones, makes it easy. The top volume dial on the Naim looks super cool too.
Great review! The simplicity and synergy is the reason I tried the KEF LS50 Wireless II. Thank you for giving that attention, but John you are such a tease. The Zu! I am completely bummed I didn’t order the Dirty Weekends last spring. I guess now I get the benefit of your review. When might I anticipate you’ll be ready to tell us about those speakers? I do so hope your review will include driving them with one or both of today’s streamers. Thanks again John, I really look forward to your videos. Great start my Sunday morning here in the States :-)
Fantastic review. This is what I have been looking for!
I've always drooled over Zu speakers. Sadly there is no way I would trust my kids, or their friends around them. Some day!
Nice, laid back presentation.
Those speakers are b e a u t i f u l
I tried both. Naim lacks bass on some songs which is not an issue if using a sub, it reveals details specially in lower midrange frequency that evo can't reproduce in some songs, it favors playing everything from each speaker separately rather than making an illusion that everything comes from center like on evo. They are both amazing in their own way, but on my unit i found HDMI Arc lags for 1-2 seconds every ~15 minutes on Naim while it's never lags on Cambridge Audio
Once again, Jana's the real star of this video. 😊
Listening, listening en the Evo 150 was the right combination with my B&W's PM1 loudspeaker. It have enough power what nog every amplifier can say i like it in the Delorian version.
5:08 ‘Viscous’ though. Highly recommended. Also ‘Herriot Method’ from Tipper’s ‘Broken Soul Jamboree’ album.
Just Purchased an Evo 150 and I like your take in comparison with the atom.
I’m now looking to add a pair of Sonus Faber “sonetto iii” to complete my setup.
Great video,,just subscribed too!👍👍👍
I am currently using the Evo 150 and really enjoy it. I came to this from a Cambridge CXA60. While the CXA60 seems to have more brut force driving speakers, the Evo150 betters it with overall detail and clarity.
Have the same amplifiers, and I found the Evo 150 a sonic downgrade from the CXA60. The 150 may have a slight edge with detail, but, in my setup, clearly sounded less full and interesting than the CXA60. I was surprised at the difference in richness of the music.
Yes and clean, tidy and convenient.
Simply the best review with passion 👏
You are the best reviewer on TH-cam! 👏👏👏
Sound quality isn't the only branch on our decision tree. Profound.
The Atom - there's magic inside that little box.
Thank you for a detailed comparison. I'm leaning more Evo 150, it feels just a tad more "future-proof", but I think most of us (newcomers) would be delighted with either one.
You can still play a bit with some items. The cd driver for exemple. And cambridge did a nice one to ad to the evo 150.
Excellent.
Not seen ur channel before. I've just dipped my toes into streaming with the purchase of a used but un abused Arcam CD27 FMJ CD streamer.
Don't know that much but am learning with the aid of good work like this. 😎👍🏾
I thought this was a great review of the EVO 150. I got to play with one for a while and found it so convenient and sounded so good for an all in one unit, that it would be a great stepping stone into HiFi.
Great review John. Have a Naim Atom Headphone piece on order and I very much appreciate your opinion and insight of the Atom.Thank you
I bought the last Powernode and I must say the convenience is amazing and it sounds way nicer than anticipated. I’m sure those two units are better sonically (and this volume wheel on the Atom sure looks nice) but I’m not convinced by the displays on them. Why put yet another screen in the house when we are already controlling the unit with a smartphone or a tablet anyway? One argument I see for it is when someone else wants to know what’s playing / or wants to play something, other than that...
Agree. Most of the time you will not be sitting close enough to the screen to read it anyway.
I am super jealous of those souls!
Really enjoying the music suggestions from this video. Looking forward to the Zu review too!
Thank you for mentioning X-Press 2, I just discovered their song Lazy and love it.
Fantastic comparison, thanks John👍
I can answere. Wish you were here is better. 😌😎. Keep going darko. Thank s for all. From a frenchy
Can’t wait for the zu review. I love how they look. I have a pair of salks. Love beautiful looking speakers
We've just bought the Evo 150 yesterday and there is one issue I've never expected from a hi-fi. It has a software so... it crashed two times on the first day (including a bluescreen on a display like a windows PC :) ), plus it was slow to respond after some time (you turn the volume knob and it reacts after a few seconds). Strange feeling. Besides that it's a great piece of gear. Looks great, sounds very good, if a bit bright for my taste, but great overall.
Some reviewers complain about flat sound from EVO. Any issues with that?
Nice one, John 👍, definitely food for thought !
Wow so much information in just a few minutes this is cool , i like it
I love the Cambridge Audio Evo 75 /150... maybe my current favorites all in-ones!
I always liked your approach to HiFi gear and music and this is my favourite review so far. This is spot on, I couldn't agree more to the points you made and since you're recommending Idles, Viagra Boys and have the Kid A/Amnesiac duo on your shelf, it makes us musical soulmates as well!
Very good video if you can spend that much money and when your ears are ok. I am 62 years old and I wanted a streaming amplifier that sounded well and was affordable and was easy to use. I bought a Marantz PM 7000 N receiver with lots of options for 1 200 euros and I bought a pair of Amphion Argon 1 speakers for 1 300 euros. And for meit’s a great pairing. The Marantz is 60 watts at 8 ohms and 80 watts at 4 ohms. He has a good power supply and a very good DAC . And I love the sound quality for classical music, rock, blues.
Greetings,
Ludo
This was an excellent video. Very entertaining and informative. You almost had me wanting to liquidate my rack full of separates. But…not yet!
Since my Unity Atom came, my humble Qacoustics Concept 20 shelf speakers sound so good that I am spending some of my evening simply with closed eyes and enjoying music. The wheel, the look, the full integration of Qobuz, it is simple to play favorites from a single button and this works for me fine. I am simply missing some additional physical buttons on the front. The remote ? I barely used it, it is just gathering dust.
The Cambridge must certainly be also be very good but I can’t judge.
Fantastic review, still cant decide which one to buy, both are bloody brilliant pieces of kit.
Hey Darko:) Thanks for the reviev that exactly what I need right now helps a lot .It would be fantastic if You would also review Lyngdorf Tdai 1120 and compare it with those two great pieces of audio technology:) Lyngdorf gets a lot of praise on the forums but have really few youtube reviews/tests
I keep looking at the Naim thinking it would work in my small apartment. Now I have anopther choice. Not that there's aything to complain about with the Naim. I guess I just have to go and listen for myself. Nice one John, thanks.
Another criteria can include placement. If you also have a TV on your stand, or a turntable; the integrated solution might need to fit on a shelf. Might need to be in a form factor to fit in a standard shelf. With the volume knob on the front.
Referring to latest insta post: Glad to see MN companies getting some love! I used to be a Solder Tech at Audio Research, still miss hand making amps I couldn't afford. Maggie's are so interesting and very worth checking out.
@Ryan Reed, I know what you mean, I’ve been fixing Learjets, Challengers & Globals for over 20 years, things I can’t afford (most expensive I worked on was $88 million dollars) but its fun to see what the other side lives like. On the other point you made, I just ordered a pair of Maggies 1.7i’s. Due in in January! Can’t wait.
You need to test the Atom HE with a power amp against the basic atom. My understanding is they upgraded the whole pre-amp section of the amp as well as deleting the power amp. Just loving mine.
Once again another fantastic review from John, thank you. As I live in a very small old house I love these units, again though due to size I didn’t feel the need to spend so much so went with this years PowerNODE. A brilliant unit as I also hook it up to my TV with HDMI arc and I don’t need a screen. I love Cambridge Audio but when I looked at the cheaper evo 75 I personally didn’t like the buttons. This Evo 150 would be great, due to the extra inputs, but I can’t go to that level of spend personally knowing the kids will at some point damage it, 😂 and when I say kids I mean me, as I am the clumsy one in the house. All types of these units are so easy to use and I love them, I too have music playing a lot more in the house.
I'm with you John, aesthetics do matter. The "all in one" approach does make it easier to achieve the right system to suit your needs and tastes, but all reviews are just a starting point of reference. Could be you end up with 8 different boxes, because that's what your ears prefer. Thanks for sharing, great content as usual.
Nice Floorstanding speakers John. Room looks great
The audio godfather!!!
Love the IDLES mention!!
and Viagra Boys
Always great , thank you
"Boots & cats"?? U just killed house music for me! Lmbo I'll never be able to get this out my head now!🤣🤣🤣
Would you consider reviewing the NAD C-658? Hans appears to have been the only other big leaguer to have done so. Your words are worth their weight in Uranium (especially WRT this type of equip.)
I’ve got the Naim Atom. It’s a fabulous box of tricks. Plus it looks great too.
Love your music recommendations!