Nait-2 vs Nait-5

Hi Tom,

The former Naim dealer I was talking about is Rinsma-HiFi in Holland.
He's probably the most (read:only left over) 'flat-earth' kinda dealer in Holland.
His favorite Naim pieces were the Nait-1, -2 and the 72/140. Ever since the 3-series were introduced he got into brands like Sonneteer.

In his opinion the Sonneteer 'Campion' is the absolute best integrated in the price range of the Nait-5 (1400,- euro)

I only had the chance to compar my Nait-2 to a Sonneteer "Campion", which is miles ahead of the little Nait,imho.
(but also more than 3 times the price I payed for my Nait-2)

regards,
Alco

Alco,

I heard that Rinsma lost his dealership instead of choosing himself not to be a Naim dealer. Not sure fo the reason. He doesn't treat his equipment very well.

Theo

Hi Theo,

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heard that Rinsma lost his dealership instead of choosing himself not to be a Naim dealer. Not sure fo the reason. He doesn't treat his equipment very well.

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O,...that's new for me Theo! Well, the first bit I mean.
I did heard some rumours that he messes around a bit with Naim amps to make Sonneteer a clear winner when comparing with Naim. I must say that I find that hard to believe though.

I do know that he's a little rough with most of his audio stuff. A few scratches or/and dents more or less won't bother him.

Overall I'd say he's a very competent dealer with a big passion for Naim and SOnneteer, but for Naim only the pre- 1992 series.

Greetings,
Alco

Hi y'all,

I never expected to reply on a thread I opened about 9 months ago
But then again... I never actually got an answer to this Nait-2 VS Nait-5 question, so... just out of curiosity... has anyone recently compared these two ?
Most of the reviews say that the Nait-5 is the 'best', most mature sounding Nait to date.

Whatta ya guys think ?

Greetings,
Alco

Hi Alco !

Jerry said:

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I think any speaker that excells at PRAT but has the ability to present tonal color and texture as well, will enjoy the 5 series more.

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That was very right and very very important if you plan to go for Nait 5.
I was heard it with my ex EposES12 and it was sound extremely dry witout acceptable bass extension. I think that Nait 5 is Naim hungriest int. amplifier for Naim speakers, because it was REALLY fast and according to that it needs to be partnered with apropriate speakers. I am affraid that Naim speakers are the best match for Nait5 or 112/150 and on the other side I think that you are made a big mistake getting Micras instead of that 72/140 or 180 which will make your Kans sing. I also understand that you like Micras, they are fine speakers especially with Audio Note Oto SE which my friends have with Adamantes and I believe that amplifier like that will be a far better choice for your speakers. I also think that you are put yourself on a crossroad and you don't know which way to go.
I was heard Nait 5 with my Intros 2 and in that combination Nait 5 act as natural and totally logical partner for them, Nait 5 was producing a totally different sound through Intros. I suggest you to try demo with Micras, but then you will see and finally understand that Naim and Diapason are very different worlds.

Good luck
Ozren

"We still have much to learn about the art of sound reproduction;
ultimately, our responsibility is to our ears,not to established
precepts." - Martin Colloms, January 1998

- The difference between Theory and Practice is much greater in Practice than
it is in Theory.-

Alco,

there's a number of XPS floating around currently (mostly in the UK). Get one. That will keep you busy / happy for a while.

Herman

Hi Ozren,

I have to disagree with you. I have heard Alco's setup and I definitely prefer his Diapasons to his former Kan's. They sound really good on the end of his Nait 2, and I think they would match fine with a Nait 5 too. Maybe even better, as the 5 does have more round earth qualities (not negative), which I guess these Diapasons would show also. Then, with the addition of a HiCap things would even get better. But still the same advice as ever: try try try.

Greetz, Bas

Bas !

You are not disagree with me, you are disagree with Naim. As I said, take at Alcos home Nait 5 and you will see.
There is nothing more than truth.

Ozren

No Ozren, I disagree with you. The Diapasons sound very good at Alco's. I myself have never liked the 72/140 combo and tend to agree with Alco's vision on these too (72?140 only slightly better than Nait 2). So, as his new speakers are a good upgrade, the next step would be a better amp. If I were in his position, I would go Nait 3 or 5 + HiCap (which I have myself), or if I could afford it 102+180 (which I have also owned and is definitely better than the Nait, but at a cost). So...

Greetz, Bas

Bas !

Please don't tell me that Nait3 is better than 72/140. Did I read that you owned 102/180 and now you have Nait5/Hi-Cap.

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The Diapasons sound very good at Alco's. I myself have never liked the 72/140 combo and tend to agree with Alco's vision on these too (72?140 only slightly better than Nait 2).

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lucky you

Ozren

No Ozren, I didn't say that, but I prefer a Nait 3 + HiCap to a 72/140.

I have indeed owned a 102 (+HiCap+napsc) and a 180. These sounded marvellous with my CDI, but as I moved in with my girlfriend I didn't want to keep the whole stack of Naim gear. So I now have a CD 5 + HiCap and a Nait 5 + HiCap and like it a lot. I have listened to my system with some Vienna Acoustics speakers a short while ago and was really amazed by what these boxes can do. Shure, when I buy a house and I have more space I will probably get more Naim, but I am happy for the moment and that's all that counts!

Greetz! Bas

Is reading really that difficult?

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I think it would be wise to aim for a 72/140 or 202/200 next time you upgrade. It would give you definitive BETTER SOUND, not only different.

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I tried/compared the 72/140 with my Nait-2. The 72/140 was slightly better, but imho not enough to justify the price. (and I'm talking s/h prices, which in my case was 50% off the newprice!)

Well, I'll look around for some s/h pre-power stuff. The only thing is, when buying s/h it's hard/impossible to demo it at home first!
(unless it's from a dealer in my area.)
The only amp I can demo (and is within my budget) is a Nait-5.

Well, we'll see.

regards,
Alco

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Nait 3 better then 72/140? My friend, if youre not deaf I dont know whats wrong with you.

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Well, I just read the following about the 72/140 on Mike Saeling's website:

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Frankly, without the Hi-Cap on the 72, I preferred the Nait 3

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Alco

Alco,

I'm in the same position as you are. I have a nait2 and have been thinking of replacing it with a nait 5. I had a nait3 before, but I definitely prefer the nait2. I've also had a 62+90/2 and I think the nait2 is better. I havn't compared it head to head with a 72/140 but my impression is that the 72/140 is better in absolute terms, but much more expensive.

Have you tried the Rega Mira3? I havn't tried it myself, but maybe it could be an alternative to the nait2/nait 5.

Anyone heard the Mira3?

/Lars

It Kan be done!

Hi Lars,

I just checked your users profile. You have a nice, classic flat-earth system! I bet the Nait-2 would match your LP12 & Kans just fine.

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Have you tried the Rega Mira3? I haven't tried it myself, but maybe it could be an alternative to the nait2/nait 5.

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About 2 or 3 months ago I did have the chance to try the new Rega Mira, though not on my own Micra's, but at a friend. The new Mira is a fine amp at an affordable price and it certainly is more capable of driving more demanding speakers.(compared to the Nait-2)
It's just that the Mira is not quite as open/transparent as the Nait-2. It does come fairly close though!

The amp I tried that came close to the Nait-2 is the Nait-3r. It does have a bit more power on tap, and a remote, which imho is a (very) nice bonus.

But,... I think I'll try to be a little more patient ans wait for a decent s/h pre-power combo to cross my way.

Cheers y'all,
Alco

[QUOTE]Originally posted by Bas V:
I prefer a Nait 3 + HiCap to a 72/140.

Although I have no direct experience with the 72 (which I think was not available here in Canada) I recently upgraded from a Nait 3 to 102/140 and the latter just blew the former away - much less "acid" sound, more details and more importantly, much, much more involving music.

I suggest the preamp may make the biggest difference.

(Of course, hi-capping the 102 was a big step too)

72's did indeed make it here to Canada.

regards,

michael

Alco,

Sorry for leaving the subject, but could you tell us about your first experiences with the Kan II stands?

And BTW: is your NAIT earthed?

willem

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Sorry for leaving the subject, but could you tell us about your first experiences with the Kan II stands?
And BTW: is your NAIT earthed ?

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Hi Willem,
The Kan-II stands made quite a difference compared to the heavy sandfilled Target stands I used before/ (and am using again now, under my Diapason's)
Although most speakers perform at their best on heavy sand/leadshot-filled stands, the Kan's work best on their dedicated Kan-II stands.
The sound becomes a bit more open, easier, the bass gets faster/tighter.
New Kan-II stands today are quite expensive imho. (I've got my Kan's for sale btw, incl: Kan-II stands )

and no, my Nait-2 is not earthed!
I don't have a earhed ehh ...wall-socket(?) (stopcontact dus, in Dutch )

Greetings,
Alco

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The Nait 5 is miles better, smoother, just as dynamic and more natural sounding

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Hi Tom,
It's the 'smoother'-part that bothers me slightly, to be honest. I like the old midrange-focussed Naim sound. The Nait-2 is smooth enough, to my taste. I was hoping the Nait-5 would sound more dynamic than a Nait-2, because of twice as much power. (30w insetad of 15w)
The only thing I do like about the Nait-5 is the abilty to control the volume setting with (I assume) the rc from my CDX.

Hmm,...maybe I'll give the Nait-5 a try.
(although I don't like their el cheapo Japanese 'HiFi' looks )
Afterall, there are not many Naim dealers in my area, and the only amp that I can demo at home first. (which I can't when I buy s/h, so that way I would have to take quite a rick)

Alco

Hi Alco,

I think the big plus of the Nait 5 is the possibility to add a hicap. But, why don't go for a Nait 3R + HiCap? I'm sure it would be an upgrade (although it is a shame you already had one once...)

Greetz, Bas

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I think the big plus of the Nait 5 is the possibility to add a hicap. But, why don't go for a Nait 3R + HiCap? I'm sure it would be an upgrade (although it is a shame you already had one once...)

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Hi Bas!
Yep, you've got a point there.
I had a Nait-3R + flatcap. (Only)with the flatcap the Nait-3 was sonically about on the same level as my Nait-2, although the 3 was indeed a bit more dynamic with more control. The dissapointing thing about the Nait-3R was the fact that adjusting the volume by remote wasn't quite subtle.
btw, I can get me a s/h 92/90 combo for 700,- euro from a Naim dealer. Ya think it would be an improvement ? (can't demo it unfortunately)

regards,
Alco

Yeah Alco, it would be great!

The 92+90/3 has more power than the Nait 3 and sounds quite a bit better too. Add a HiCap and you would make a big improvement. Then go 102, then 180, then... For 700 euro a no-brainer imo.

Greetz! Bas

"I found it limited the type of recording I could enjoy listening to."

I'm not finding this with the 5 so far. I am finding now that my speakers/room are limiting what works on the system. Anything bass light doesn't cut it. Hopefully the Kestrel 2's will solve this

- GregB

Insert Witty Signature Line Here