Need advice from the good people

[toriamos]

Hi
I use to have Naim - 202/300 - 282/250 - 252/300
Got tired of all the boxes and downzised - to a Naim Supernait 3.
Found it a bit boring - and after som trial and errors (Accuphase, Rega, ) I got my self a Lejonklou Boazu 1.3

And Im quite happy.
Quite.
The sound is a bit thin (to my liking) and I sometime miss "something" - dunno what that is.

Some-one has a Naim Supernait 2 for sale, quite cheap.
I find my self wondering - how it will sound compared to the Boazu...

[Defender]

Hi toriamos and welcome to this forum.
I have never had a chance to listen to the Boazu but to different devices from Lejonklou and I have to say none of those have "sounded" thin or let you miss something.
You might got accustoumed to the Naim sound or I suspect that you should consider reworking your speaker placement.
Thats my first thoughts -let wait what others have to say as there are quite some people in this forum familiar with Naim and Lejonklou and the differences.

[Tendaberry]

Do you expect the Supernait 2 to be better than the Supernait 3? Have you tried adjusting the position of your speakers? Which are they, what's your source? Maybe a Boazu 2 would be the best one for you? Lots of questions...

[toriamos]

Thanks for replies.

- I suppose I expect the Supernait 2 to be a bit less "laidback" than the 3.
I have tried the boazu with Golden Ear BRX, KEF LS50 Meta, LInn Tukan and ATC SCM7.
Different speaker placement helps.

After som thinking I belive I miss the "earthiness" I experiences with Naim.
The boazu it perhaps a tad more "instrumental" in its performance thought very musical.
You cant have it all considering the price.

I might just buy the Supernait 2 and compare it to the Boazsu - and then Ill know.

( I have been a Naim-owner for over twenty years - and its kind of an adiction - I feel the attraction )

[toriamos]

...
My source is a LP12, Karousel, Adict, Ekos2, Radikal
RIAA: Rega ARia MK3
Loudspeakers (for now) ATC SCM7

[lejonklou]

Hi toriamos and welcome to the forum!

If the LP12 is your only source, I would very much appreciate your feedback after testing a Slipsik 8.

Then also a simple unfiltered power strip (I recommend Claes Olsson 36-8904) with Radikal first in the strip (where the mains power enters), then Slipsik and then Boazu.

[ThomasOK]

Hi toriamos and good that you found your way to the forum, welcome!

A customer of mine brought a SuperNait 2 up to the store a couple of years ago to compare to the Boazu 1.3. He and his daughter both felt the Boazu was easily more musical (as did I, it wasn't difficult to hear). The Boazu 1.3 he bought is currently here for upgrade to 1.5, which I hope to get done in a couple of days. Right now I am upgrading a couple of Superkikkins. That was the beginning of quite a journey for him as he ended up selling all his Naim gear and now runs his active Isobariks with 6 Tundra Mono 3s and a pair of Sagatun Monos driven by a fully loaded LP12 into Entity 1.2 and a Källa streamer in his main system.

As Tendaberry mentioned you might want to check out the Boazu 2. I find it definitely more musical top to bottom and it does have more substance in the low ranges. Certainly try Fredrik's recommendations as they do definitely improve the musical quality of the system. Your LP12 should be quite nice. I have the same setup for one of my LP12s, into a Slipsik 8 and it is very,very musical. I have used it at a few Hi-Fi shows with great results. It will be getting an upgrade to an Ekos SE/1 when I get around to it (the arm is here). It also has a Keel so when it is done it will really show what an Adikt can do. I have also owned ATCs in the past so I'm quite sure you can get a very musical performance out of the system with a little care.

[Tendaberry]

Loudspeakers (for now) ATC SCM7

Since you seem unsure about the speakers, you might also want to give the new Linn 119s a listen. But I would try Fredrik's and Thomas' recomendations first.

[toriamos]

Hi toriamos and welcome to the forum!

If the LP12 is your only source, I would very much appreciate your feedback after testing a Slipsik 8.

Then also a simple unfiltered power strip (I recommend Claes Olsson 36-8904) with Radikal first in the strip (where the mains power enters), then Slipsik and then Boazu.

Hi
thanks for the advice.
Actually I have e number of power sockets in the wall cause we redecorated our loft, and its now my listening room.
Six different sockets and a separat currend course just for my stereo system.
Its dead quiet and clean.

Im currently using the Rega Aria MKIII - and I had the Naim Superline before. To me, the Rega is "better" than the Superline, and perhaps the Slikpsik 8 is better than the Aria - or just different.
I see one used for sale on pinkfish.com - thats tempting.

[toriamos]

Hi toriamos and good that you found your way to the forum, welcome!

A customer of mine brought a SuperNait 2 up to the store a couple of years ago to compare to the Boazu 1.3. He and his daughter both felt the Boazu was easily more musical (as did I, it wasn't difficult to hear). The Boazu 1.3 he bought is currently here for upgrade to 1.5, which I hope to get done in a couple of days. Right now I am upgrading a couple of Superkikkins. That was the beginning of quite a journey for him as he ended up selling all his Naim gear and now runs his active Isobariks with 6 Tundra Mono 3s and a pair of Sagatun Monos driven by a fully loaded LP12 into Entity 1.2 and a Källa streamer in his main system.

As Tendaberry mentioned you might want to check out the Boazu 2. I find it definitely more musical top to bottom and it does have more substance in the low ranges. Certainly try Fredrik's recommendations as they do definitely improve the musical quality of the system. Your LP12 should be quite nice. I have the same setup for one of my LP12s, into a Slipsik 8 and it is very,very musical. I have used it at a few Hi-Fi shows with great results. It will be getting an upgrade to an Ekos SE/1 when I get around to it (the arm is here). It also has a Keel so when it is done it will really show what an Adikt can do. I have also owned ATCs in the past so I'm quite sure you can get a very musical performance out of the system with a little care.

Hi
Thank you.
I used to have the ATC SCM40-MKII with my Naim NAC 252/300/supercap.
Compared to the SCM-40 the SCM7 is a tad small and not enought body.
That is with the Boazu.
With the Superline 2 (now in the house) the sound is wamer, more body and more bass.
The Superline might be not as musical as the Boazu, but Im now sure. I also used to have the Supernait 3 - and it was (too me) quite boring, not engaginig, and a bit "grey"
I like the Supernait 2 more.
I absolutely belive that the Boazu 2 is worth checking out. Not too easy living i Norway.

[toriamos]

Loudspeakers (for now) ATC SCM7

Since you seem unsure about the speakers, you might also want to give the new Linn 119s a listen. But I would try Fredrik's and Thomas' recomendations first.

Hi
Thank you.
I have a pair of old Linn Tukans - and Im not quite sure what I think of them.
I have heard (shortly) a pair of LInn Akurate 212 - and my initiate impression was that they was a bit too clinical.
Or it might be me thats not used to the Linn loudspeakers "house sound"

[Tendaberry]

The Tukans sound very different from the 212s, give them a listen again. Do you have good stands? And do try to get the position right.

[Arjen]

Hi Toriamos,
i just saw your question. I don’t know about the Boazu.
I’ve got the Supernait 2 for quite a few years. Together with the Hicap and my Lenco+ phonoed by Slipsik 7.1 everyday I enjoy a very musical system, especially classical music, jazz and singer songwriters. Not thin whatsoever, but full bodied. I think the Supernait 3 phono isn ‘t good as a Slipsik, probably that’s why the Supernait 3 doesn ‘t sound that well.
Arjen

[mrco99]

Hi Toriamos,

I would recommend listening to the new Boazu2. It's something quite special.
Perhaps a neighbouring dealer from Sweden can help you out to arrange an audition?

Marco

Hi toriamos and good that you found your way to the forum, welcome!

A customer of mine brought a SuperNait 2 up to the store a couple of years ago to compare to the Boazu 1.3. He and his daughter both felt the Boazu was easily more musical (as did I, it wasn't difficult to hear). The Boazu 1.3 he bought is currently here for upgrade to 1.5, which I hope to get done in a couple of days. Right now I am upgrading a couple of Superkikkins. That was the beginning of quite a journey for him as he ended up selling all his Naim gear and now runs his active Isobariks with 6 Tundra Mono 3s and a pair of Sagatun Monos driven by a fully loaded LP12 into Entity 1.2 and a Källa streamer in his main system.

As Tendaberry mentioned you might want to check out the Boazu 2. I find it definitely more musical top to bottom and it does have more substance in the low ranges. Certainly try Fredrik's recommendations as they do definitely improve the musical quality of the system. Your LP12 should be quite nice. I have the same setup for one of my LP12s, into a Slipsik 8 and it is very,very musical. I have used it at a few Hi-Fi shows with great results. It will be getting an upgrade to an Ekos SE/1 when I get around to it (the arm is here). It also has a Keel so when it is done it will really show what an Adikt can do. I have also owned ATCs in the past so I'm quite sure you can get a very musical performance out of the system with a little care.

Hi
Thank you.
I used to have the ATC SCM40-MKII with my Naim NAC 252/300/supercap.
Compared to the SCM-40 the SCM7 is a tad small and not enought body.
That is with the Boazu.
With the Superline 2 (now in the house) the sound is wamer, more body and more bass.
The Superline might be not as musical as the Boazu, but Im now sure. I also used to have the Supernait 3 - and it was (too me) quite boring, not engaginig, and a bit "grey"
I like the Supernait 2 more.
I absolutely belive that the Boazu 2 is worth checking out. Not too easy living i Norway.

[toriamos]

Hi Toriamos,
i just saw your question. I don’t know about the Boazu.
I’ve got the Supernait 2 for quite a few years. Together with the Hicap and my Lenco+ phonoed by Slipsik 7.1 everyday I enjoy a very musical system, especially classical music, jazz and singer songwriters. Not thin whatsoever, but full bodied. I think the Supernait 3 phono isn ‘t good as a Slipsik, probably that’s why the Supernait 3 doesn ‘t sound that well.
Arjen

Hi
Sorry if Im beeing confusing: I have never used the built in phono stage on the Supernait 3, I used the Naim Superline driven by a Supercap DR.
I juist find the Supernait 2 more to my liking than the 3.

[Arjen]

Hi Toriamos,
i just saw your question. I don’t know about the Boazu.
I’ve got the Supernait 2 for quite a few years. Together with the Hicap and my Lenco+ phonoed by Slipsik 7.1 everyday I enjoy a very musical system, especially classical music, jazz and singer songwriters. Not thin whatsoever, but full bodied. I think the Supernait 3 phono isn ‘t good as a Slipsik, probably that’s why the Supernait 3 doesn ‘t sound that well.
Arjen

Hi
Sorry if Im beeing confusing: I have never used the built in phono stage on the Supernait 3, I used the Naim Superline driven by a Supercap DR.
I juist find the Supernait 2 more to my liking than the 3.

Well, it was only a supposition because of the Supernait 3 has its own phono. The superline pricewise should give enough musicality I would say. The cheaper ones couldn’t impress me, I dont know about the superline. But then again, In my opinion Supernait 2 and Slipsik 7.2 is a good musical match and Fredrik idea of trying the Slipsil 8 might be a goos suggestion as well.
Arjen

[Charlie1]

@Toriamos Musicality is the most important aspect for us all here, but the sonic balance of a system can be a challenge at times. The ground is constantly shifting with every upgrade, sometimes a little, occasionally a lot. I notice this even when sticking to the same manufacturer and same time period. One new upgrade can change things quite a lot and all of a sudden the bass, for example, has fallen away cos the rest of the system was voiced for the pre-upgraded component.

I would first try to work out which component/s are most important to your musical enjoyment. After that, if the sound is distracting/annoying you cos it's out of balance then look at changing something else. In other words, decide if the SN2 or Boazu is more musically engaging first. If you think that's the Boazu then look at changing the speakers to give you the body and weight you need to be happy.

It's good that you trust your ears ref SN2 vs SN3.

[Fred11]

Hi Toriamos!
Nice to see you at this forum. I bought your lp12-aro some years ago. Great deck. I was a longtime Naim-guy before I became a LK-dude. I can describe my journey from Naim to LK as follows: I had many Naim amps, everyone to be exact up to 252 and 82. They all sounded great, but my focus was always on sound, prat and groove. As I bought my first Boazu five years ago I first thought it sounded a bit dull and not as exciting as Naims, I had a great Nait 1 at the time. The Nait played beautiful with Lejonklou Gaio, very full, smooth and musical. Much better with the Gaia than the internal phono-amp. So I can say Naim and LK phonos can be a great match.
With the Boazu I then started to dig deep into tune-dem theory and musicality. What I found more and more was that the Boazu made me listen to all my recordings and focus on the music, less on sound and just get emotionally connected. It was a big relief for me. What I also found out was that the Boazu, though less impressive than Naim made the musical piece much more coherent. I actually found this earlier on listening to a Naim source compared to a Linn Klimax source. The Naim was better on rock, more grunt and dynamics, but as soon as the music got more complex the Linn trounced it every time. With Naim it was like driving a very fast and powerful racing boat. Fun in the beginning, but then it became a bit tiring. With LK it is a more emotional connection which follows the music, more organic and enjoyable. When it is slow it's slow, when sad, sad, happy etc. I can still remember listening to a great track- Peps Persons Blodsband and "Styr den up" (B Marley cover. Stir it up). Especially there is an instrumental part in the middle where the cohesion of the piece was much better then my Nait 1, Nait XS and SN which I compared it to. It was like, wow that's how it is put together. The source was Linn Klimax ds/1. Some has written that LK is like Linn but with more Naim-muscle. I found that some tunes, for example The Root with D'Angelo has real grunt and muscle with Boazu.
But this is only me. I can understand your dilemma and matching is difficult. And you have one hell of a record player there. I have Grahams Ls 5/9f speakers which have been really powerful and full sounding with excellent musicality. A great match with Boazu and Källa.
Good luck!
Fredrik

[Efraim roots]

It's an interesting journey you're on comparing big naims to a Boazu 1.3. I seriously doubt a Supernait 2 is going to make it any more satisfying. I think 202/napsc and 155XS is so much better and some kind of minimum against Boazu 1.3. But as Fred11 says it, the sheer musicality of the Lejonklou wins, I think it's going to be obvious in a sound system like yours, that it is the most important quality.

Two things though, speakers are important! When I had naim it was with the Naim IBL speaker, and that speaker isn't the most 'universal', it sounds great in perfect naim riggs, but that's what it do. I certainly didn't get satisfying results with them using Linn Klimax and Lejonklou amps. Later on I finally tried Boazu 1.1 with Linn Kans, and that was a moment important enough to change everything and I understood that Lejonklou would take me to next level with the right speaker. Naim IBL in my naim era before was not chosen by chance, very select model for what they can do, I had bought two pairs and put them together to one perfect original down to every screw pair. So let's do something similar for Lejonklou I thought. I really found what I was looking for in JERN 12WS with the same scanspeak tweeter as in my Naim IBL (and so many other naim speakers). It was just like my naims that I had chosen so carefully but 10+ times better, so much more records was sounding good.
Maybe you should consider different speakers? The not so easy part is that there are not many good speakers out there. You should try the new Linn speakers I think. And of course my favourite JERN, I have my model 15H for sale in the sale section. The model 12WS is no longer in production due to the original scanspeak tweeter is no longer in production. The entry level JERN 11S is a very good choice as well. I personally would love to hear Grahams also. There is some kind of relationship with the speakers that's important if you want it all.

Second thing, what's your cables? To be on the safe side you're not having a fox in the hen house you should try something like Linn Black IC's and Linn K20 properly soldered with Linn/Naim banans as a reference. Ideally I would say Linn silver IC's or Naim HiLine rca-rca and a split LinnK400 speaker cable perfectly soldered with Linn knekts by Lejonklou standards. It brings forth all the strengths, which is very musical and nuanced.

That's what you want to do both with naim and lejonklou hifi systems in my opinion (also relevant in case of speaker selection). Bring forth their strengths. Don't try to change the character of your Boazu to your liking, get to know it and give it it's preferred conditions to perform at its best musically, and you will happy too. Basic Reindeer keeping.

[RockBottom]

Hello,

I may chime in here, because my Naim journey is similar to yours. I started more than 30 years ago with Naim and, with some side steps to tubes and Linn, the Naim experience evolved and in the end of 2023 my Naim set up consists of ND555, NAC 332 and 250 power amp. Then I learned to know LK. Starting with a Boazu the LK experience evolved and within half a year to the setup below. I think Naim is still one of the best hi-fi brands. The latest Naim set up gave me a bold and powerful sound. I still think, such a Naim setup is still a bargain compared to the US high-end brands. But it is still - hi-fi. Now, with LK I can experience wonderful music. I listen to more music than ever before, the music of my youth is new and fresh. I can recommend LK wholeheartedly.

I think one thing with LK is important, the Boazu has not that much power. So in my opinion speakers like Golden Ear BRX, KEF LS50 Meta, Linn Tukan and ATC SCM7 are not the best match for the Boazu. These speakers are really great. I owned the KEF the ATC and Linn Tukan for quite a couple of years but they need power to wake up. I would opt for a speaker that does not need that much power As you can see I own something from Devore, but I think there are a couple of other speaker manufacturers that are easier to the amp like Harbeth, Zu Audio, Audio Note, Klipsch, Tekkon, Fyne Audio.

[toriamos]

Thank you all for your contributions, quite informative and lots of good advices.

I have had som changes in my system, and will come back to that - , but a sudden incident have strucked - the left channel of my Boazu died today. Now I only can listen to my right speaker.

Never happend to me before. (yes I have swapped speaker cables and swapped the speakers)
I is for sure the left channel of the Boazu which has gone dead.

Any advices?

[Whatsmynaim]

Swap places with the left/right channel interconnects at the back of the Boazu. And then see if you get any sound from the left speaker.
If there's still no sound try another one of the 4 analogue inputs on the left channel. Just to make sure the input you're using isn't damaged.

[toriamos]

Affirmative
And youre right - it isnt the channel output.
Streamer: no sound in left channel
Turntable/RIAA: all good
I shouldnt jump to conclusions so hasty..