Nait

Posted by: Tony L on 08 May 2001

I have now acquired an original Naim Nait in a bizarre cartridge deal over the weekend. I really have not been getting on well with vinyl lately, and I thought the reason was that I needed a LP12 to match the Kans. I also knew someone who really wanted an XX1L, so as a first step I decided to exchange it for his low mileage Ortofon MC 10 Supreme and the Nait (the Ort is physically far lighter, so would widen my arm choice). The Ortofon completely blows the XX1L into the weeds, but that is as they say another story. Bottom line is that the P9 now really kicks ass.

Right back to my Nait, I have cleaned it up, soldered the speaker connectors back to the main-board as they had become unstuck. Result, one pristine Nait 1 ready for my second system once I move (I will eventually get it recapped). I am looking to put it in a room that will be used for my computer and any musical instruments I have lying around. I will also have a pair of Kan stands free as my Kans will be mounted in the main listening room with wall brackets.

So I am looking for a small cheap (probably second hand) pair of speakers that will be totally happy driven by the little Nait and will work with my Kan stands, I am reluctant to get another pair of Kans as I have absolutely no intention of ever upgrading this system - I want the Nait to be comfortable driving whatever speaker I choose. The source will be the output of my small mixer / computer / synth / drum machine etc. I am not looking for the ultimate in quality, lets face it there will be a quite sizeable Trace Elliot bass amp between the speakers, just something that will work.

What do you lot reckon is a good match with the Mk 1 Nait? Kytes or A7s are what came to my mind, anything else I should consider?

Tony.

Posted on: 08 May 2001 by Mark Packer

I run Maurdant Short MS 10i s with my Nait 2 they're very nice, rhythmic and small. Richer Sounds are still advertising MS20i pearls at 60 GBP which shoud be excellent.

regards,

Mark

Posted on: 08 May 2001 by Andrew L. Weekes

Tony,

I'd definitely listen to these, but be slightly wary as the top end can be a little strident.

My brother bought a pair recently from the same source, used with a Nait3. They're very tight, punchy and fast, but have just a slight element of 'metal dome tweeter' syndrome.

If balanced with a suitable source they can sound great.

They're also a bit larger footprint than a Kan (I think).

Andy.

Andrew L. Weekes
alweekes@audiophile.com

Posted on: 08 May 2001 by Tony L

quote:
Richer Sounds are still advertising MS20i pearls at 60 GBP which shoud be excellent.

I had noticed this myself, are the MS20i any good then? I had also thought about the little Missions they have at about 59 quid. This is certainly the right ballpark for price.

Tony.

Ahh, I see Andrew posted first... cheers.

[This message was edited by Tony Lonorgan on TUESDAY 08 May 2001 at 13:42.]

Posted on: 08 May 2001 by John G.

"So I am looking for a small cheap (probably second hand) pair of speakers that will be totally happy driven by the little Nait and will work with my Kan stands"

Hi Tony,

Congrats on your recent purchases. I'm not sure if NHT is sold over there but I have had a pair of Super Ones for about four years now and they work real well on Kan Stands. I'm driving them now with a 45 watt Marantz receiver linked to my main system and I've used them also with a better integrated and they're really quite good. I bought them used for $250, $350 new at the time.
They're also infinite baffle design, something I know you like;-)

I used to sell Wharfedale Diamonds and always thought they were very good for the money. I saw what looked like their new equivilent selling new for something like $200 a pair new.

Regards,
John

Posted on: 08 May 2001 by Greg Beatty

...do you mind if these speakers are ported?

- GregB

Insert Witty Signature Line Here

Posted on: 08 May 2001 by Ron The Mon

Boston A-40s and Kan Stands are a rockin' combo driven by a Nait. A have a buddy who has the same set-up with Linn Index Stands for strictly basement home-studio use. He's blown the tweeters numerous times(it does play loud) but they are an easily obtainable French unit (Radio Shack sells them) and cheap. Even though I only used a Nait with a Linn Basik cartridge when new, years later I've found the Nait actually plays quite loud with high-level inputs. When recapping it, see if Naim will disconnect the power to the phono section for improved performance.

Ron The Mon

Posted on: 09 May 2001 by Tony L

Thanks for all the replies:

Greg said:

quote:
...do you mind if these speakers are ported?

No, not in this case. I remember the Nait being a good little amp, though not having a great deal of wallop, so I suspect I will have to use a ported speaker for efficiency. Cheap 'n' cheerful speakers can justify ports, its ones that expect to be taken seriously that can't.

Ferd recommended the Kef Cresta. Are these the recent ones that Richer are knocking out quite cheap?

John recommended Diamonds. I had thought of these myself, I used to use a pair of Active Diamonds for near field monitors ages ago and I thought they were really good.

Ron's recommendation for Boston A40s is good, I remember them being a good little speaker.

Paul D's recommendation for Royd Edens is right on the money, if I could find a cheap pair I would be well happy. Kytes are another that I really like, but finding a pair may be a problem.

Various incarnations of MS20s are definitely contenders, though I think I have missed Richer Sounds deal on the MS20i. Anyone know what the recent Mission 700 and 701 like? These can be had very cheaply from Richer at the moment.

Tony.

Posted on: 09 May 2001 by Mark Packer

Tony,

why not take your Nait, some NAC-A5 and some CD's down to Richer Sounds and do a demo. It should be fun. BTW, i hate Mission speakers. I've never heard a pair that were listenable.

I should do a dem. some of the larger RSs have multi speaker demo rooms.

regards,

Mark