Naim

Naim Origins

Naim Audio, the manufacturer of the Solstice turntables, has a rich history rooted in the British audio industry. Founded in the late 1960s by Julian Vereker, a former racing car driver and self-taught engineer, Naim Audio has been a pioneer in high-end audio systems. Here are some key points about the origins of Naim Audio:

• Founder Julian Vereker: Vereker, who passed away in 2000, was instrumental in shaping Naim’s philosophy and design principles. His vision and engineering skills laid the groundwork for the company’s reputation for delivering high-quality audio systems.

• Early Focus on Vinyl: Even after the introduction of the CD in the 1980s, Naim continued to champion vinyl, producing the iconic ARO tonearm in 1989, which set a benchmark for natural and organic sound reproduction.

• Salisbury Headquarters: Naim Audio has been designing and handcrafting music systems in the historic city of Salisbury for almost 50 years. The company’s location near Stonehenge, a World Heritage site, provided inspiration for naming the Solstice turntable.

• Innovative Designs: Naim’s designs have always emphasized performance over unnecessary visual adornment, focusing on materials and solutions that enhance sound quality.

• Collaboration with Clearaudio: For the Solstice turntable, Naim partnered with Clearaudio Electronic, a German turntable specialist, to manufacture the turntable, tonearm, and cartridge, combining Naim’s design philosophies with Clearaudio’s expertise.

• First Turntable: The Solstice turntable, launched in 2021, marked Naim’s entry into the turntable market, a segment the company had not previously entered despite its long-standing commitment to vinyl playback.