We had great pleasure in completing a modern system installation for a client recently, where both the electronics and loudspeakers were to remain sympathetic to the newly decorated space. The room had a number of specific requirements, including the concealment of all cabling and connectors, retaining a clean and open plan aesthetic. Established equipment, such as a mirror-hidden OLED TV, were to be incorporated and so, it was decided, that a discreet Clic based cabinet solution provide the best combination of form and function.
Firstly the client was invited in to audition a selection of suitable electronics, from which the Focal Kanta No. 3’s and Naim electronics were decided upon. In regards the latter, this comprised of NDX-2 streaming front end, with SUPERNAIT 3 and HiCap-DR on amplification duties. Escape Audio’s P6 AIR was selected for outdoor use, which in turn lead to a Roon Nucleus being optioned as a simple yet powerful universal control point. Cabling was a combination of Naim’s own Super Lumina for analogue interconnects and Siltech Classic Legend for loudspeaker cabling. These were chosen through careful auditioning and selected for optimal performance.
A Fresh Stack of Naim-Lovely
Accessories being fitted to a Clic cabinet
Preserving the Room Aesthetic
For reasons of symmetry and balance, the Focal Kantas were positioned either side of the fireplace, with the Clic cabinet situated neatly to one side. The silk white, closed-door cabinet housing all the Naim electronics, alongside the existing Sky Q and 4K Blu-ray video sources. In order to keep all the cables hidden, an ISOL-8 Powerline Axis was located within the cabinet itself, ensuring that power supplies and associated cables were kept from trailing below the unit. Likewise, all interconnects and ancillary cable connections were dressed to run horizontally behind the cabinet utilising Clic’s own cable management system to great effect. Leaving the underside of the cabinet free from any clutter. Finally, for vinyl playback duties, a Rega Planar 8 was pressed into service and sited on top of the unit, adding a little contemporary visual flourish.
Concluding Another Lovely Installation
The resulting system is effortlessly confident and involving, providing a generous musical picture of appropriate size and scale for the space, yet retaining a discreet and understated visual impact.
