Nait vs pre/power

Posted by: Simon Crosland on 30 November 2001

I noticed that my local dealer has a couple of Nait3's in their secondhand section for approx £400. Which leads me to a couple of newbie questions -

- Is that a fair price? I think it probably is based on Loot.

- Would I do better to save a little more and get a pre/power combination, perhaps 92/90 or I saw a 72/140 private sale for £475 a while back?

Thanks!
Simon

Posted on: 30 November 2001 by Steve G

quote:
Originally posted by Simon Crosland:
I noticed that my local dealer has a couple of Nait3's in their secondhand section for approx £400. Which leads me to a couple of newbie questions -
- Is that a fair price? I think it probably is based on Loot.
- Would I do better to save a little more and get a pre/power combination, perhaps 92/90 or I saw a 72/140 private sale for £475 a while back?
Thanks!
Simon

When I originally demoed Naim equipment we listened to a Nait 3 v 92R/90.3 and the sound of the pre/power was clearly better - enough so that I bought the 92R/90. The demo was done with various speakers, including Credos and various Sonus Faber and Proac models.

The Nait 3 was good though - good enough to see off the Copland CSA-8 and CSA-14 that we were also considering.

A 72/140 combination is also easily better than the 92/90 combination, especially if your speakers are a difficult load. £475 is very cheap for a 72/140 though so if you see them at that price snap it up!

Regards
Steve

Posted on: 30 November 2001 by Simon Crosland

Steve,

quote:
Originally posted by Steve G:
£475 is very cheap for a 72/140 though so if you see them at that price snap it up!

Drat! I knew that I should have snapped it up when I had a chance. Oh well ...

Thanks for the other info as well.

Simon

Posted on: 30 November 2001 by Top Cat

Get a Nait-2 in good nick, and spend the remainder in getting a better source - the Nait-2 is a very capable little amp, which I prefer to the Nait-3 personally, and what's more I think it's a bit of a bargain at under £200 s/h...

TC '..'
"Girl, you thought he was a man, but he was a Muffin..."

Posted on: 30 November 2001 by Alco

What more can I say...

Posted on: 30 November 2001 by Erik

Have even tried with above.

/Erik

Posted on: 30 November 2001 by Hammerhead

quote:
RSPCA Sgt Sybil:
You drove you're dog with a nait!?!?!
J

Well it was the Dogs Danglies.

Steve

Posted on: 30 November 2001 by Erik

He barks nice when tuned.

/Erik

Posted on: 30 November 2001 by Simon Matthews

Erik

your dog has good taste. Three questions:

Does his ferrous dog collar introduce any adverse effects?

Does he improve FM reception?

Does this image bring a new meaning to "my hi fi support is the dog's bollocks".

Posted on: 30 November 2001 by Steve C 01

... for a lot less than the £400 you were quoted. Contact me if you're interested Simon.

steve.cownden@bt.com or 07714 830700

Steve C 01

Posted on: 30 November 2001 by Chris Brandon

Erik,

....Just hope he dosen't get "nervous" whilst sat on your kit....

Regards

Chris

Posted on: 30 November 2001 by Phil Barry

Also, don't turn your nose up at 42.5, 62, 92, 32 or 32.5 with a 140 or 110 or a 160 - all cheaper than a 72/140. One of the lesser preamps with a dual rail power supply (ideally a hicap) will be more pleasing than a 72/140, at least to some listeners.

Have fun.

Phil

Posted on: 30 November 2001 by Erik

Chris

"Erik,
....Just hope he dosen't get "nervous" whilst sat on your kit.... "

No, he's safe.

About the NAIT, I tried my old NAIT 1 with a CDS2 and the speakers and it was interesting. Really rocking on some kind of music.

/Erik, banned from MANA forum.

Posted on: 30 November 2001 by Peter C

Sounds about right and it would be a good buy.

As mentioned above the preamp/poweramp options of 92/90 or 72/140 are even better if you save a little harder.

Posted on: 01 December 2001 by Simon Crosland

Thanks everyone for the advice. We have decided to save some more and go the pre/power route right from the start. I just know that the upgrade bug will bite at some point, so we might as well be prepared.

I'll look around at the older combinations as well, though my wife has vetoed anything in the old black/white trim which I think rules out 42.5/32.5

Simon

Posted on: 01 December 2001 by Arye_Gur

To my experience, there is no differece between a Nait3 with a flatcap compared to a 92/90/flatcap.

Arye

Posted on: 01 December 2001 by mykel

If the WAF of the classic chrome bumper look is not acceptable, what about the reverse ??

The old style cases only had 1 end polished. So you could have either end the polished "chrome" end or the flat black end showing. Just remove the top sleeve ( unscrew and remove the feet ) and slide the top off, reverse and slide it back on, reinstall the feet and you now have black bumpers

Just a thought to make it a bit more acceptable.

While I run chrome bumper on my 32.5/160 my wife prefers the black look, "not so 70's". Maybe for a christmas present I will change it.... wonder how long it would take her to notice. ( NOT a hi-fi fan - background noise at best )

As for what to do.... IMHO find a 32.5/1xx. Then later you could add the 72 boards, bringing you to faux 72 spec. Add a PSU and your on your way. If you are thinking NAIT, go for a 2 or a 1. Best bang for buck this side of a 32.5.

regards,

mykel