Nait 5 can drive NBLs - official

Posted by: JeremyB on 01 June 2003

Or so it would seem. Anyone seen the latest "Absolute Sound"?

Apart from it being Editors Choice, they say about Nait 5:

The Nait 5 is something special. It delivers such a large slice of what high-end audio is about, so much musical pleasure, that more than being just a component for review, the latest Nait is the kind of product I could easily live with over the long haul, enjoying disc after disc while other audiophiles chase after some-thing newer and better.

But there's more: Absolute Sounds Recommended System 7 is the CD5, Nait 5 and...Wilson Audio Sophia Speakers!

Apparently, since the Sophias have a sensitivity of 89dB they are an ideal match for the Nait 5 if you can get past the speakers costing $11,700 with the CD5 and amp less than $4000.

So...NBLs at 92dB and $12,350 should be more than ideal, right?

Jeremy

Posted on: 03 June 2003 by Philip Pang

4th Iteration of the Nait

Thanks Martin for the correction; very right, it's the 4th. In Cantonese, the number 4 does represent a facet and reality of life that's rather inauspicious. Trust you're enjoying the music with the DBLs under 6 packs of power, but perhaps time for a 500.

Tom, noted, but without tearing too intently into the music for the nuances (though I would say the Nait 5 offers far more and enough detail and nuances compared to its older iterations), one could still listen satisfactorily to and enjoy a Nait breathe life to any piece of music for the modest expenditure afforded to own one.

The CDS3's just round the corner; now where's the doe?

Good listening all; the music's groovin' frightfully more.

Rgds to all

Philip

naimniac for life

Posted on: 03 June 2003 by garth

Just wanted to say I think Hockman's final thoughts are absolutely on. This is why musicians generally have such modest systems. The more you hear live music the more you realize how far any stereo is from the real thing.

As someone who has spent a major part fo their life chained to a piano between 6-10 hours a day, I have yet to hear any stereo that comes close to replicating that sound or the whole emotional/acoustic experience. At the same time, I am very happy with the sound of my modest planar 3/planet/32.5/90/ninka system and spend many hours enjoying music on it - just as I did with my old AR/akai/AMD system I purchased from acme novelty amny years ago(!).

Garth

Posted on: 03 June 2003 by Philip Pang

quote:
Think also about those audiophiles (& there are many of them!) who are still not satisfied even after spending lots of money. Most of them may deny it but it often ain't really about the music -- it's about the chase, the one upmanship, the fascination with gear -- but not necessarily the music.

I am equally guilty of this some of the time, but found eventual satisfaction with the Naims.

naimniac for life

Posted on: 04 June 2003 by Top Cat

Very interesting post.

I believe that the Nait can drive big speakers quite well - in the last couple of years, I've learned that paper specs mean nothing musically significant at all. Take the Nait-2, which I own. It cost, what, less than £200? Yet it has decent levels of grip and does many fundamental things so well that, had I purchased it as my 'first amp', I'd still be at that level and wouldn't have spent what must amount to several thousands.

In essence, there are things about the Nait 2 which can be improved upon, but these are the icing on the cake. If you can accept certain minor limitations, the Nait is an exceptionally capable amplifier.

My Nait and my DNM power amp have both shown me that driving speakers with a high quality signal is more important than driving the same speakers with sheer clout. Both of these amps drive my speakers well, though the DNM is in a different league in terms of its dynamic and speed. Nevertheless, in purely musical terms, I could live with either.

The difficult thing for me, as it is for many, is knowing when to back off going for the next level. In the context of megabuck preamps, it's all too easy to forget that often the most enjoyable stories are the simplest ones clearly read. With the Nait, it's possible to get the musical message and just enjoy it. With pricier kit, there is always the notion of 'is it doing everything it should, given the price'.

I am at a crossroads right now. My system has never ever sounded better in its current incarnation - but a small part of me harks back to simpler days, of a more homogenous and less detailed sound, but with the comfort of several grand in the bank.

To turn to the downgrading is an attraction indeed - but, and a climbing analogy here: to not climb, or to climb and reach the summit, but to give up so near to the summit would be painful. Or something.

John

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

Posted on: 04 June 2003 by bjorne

quote:
Originally posted by Tom Alves:
quote:
So, yeah, if it is purely music that you are truly interested in, then perhaps a well chosen modest kit is all you need
Wrong, wrong, wrong. If the musicians interpretation is considered as part of the music you need the most revealing kit you can afford or you'll lose many of the very fine nuances of the playing.

I believe this to be right, right , right!

I run a naimed Lp12 and an old modified Arcam Delta 270 into a hicapped Nait3r and a pair of swedish speaker costing about £600. I have worked hard with setup and placement of the sistem, speakers and listeningposition and now feel that I get great listeninginvolvement (even from cd

). I have almost completely stopped lusting for bigger/better amps. Of course I know there is room for improvement but getting so much pleasure from this relatively humble sistem is a great joy! For me: money better spent on music and the coming 8 weeks holiday in Thailand... being a teacher is great when the summerholiday comes around

Posted on: 04 June 2003 by Martin Payne

quote:
but perhaps time for a 500.

quote:
The CDS3's just round the corner; now where's the doe

Tomorrow night I will be visiting a local friend with 552/500/NBL. Reason for visit - to hear his demo CDS3/XPS2.

I suspect my 13 year old 52 + 52PS will be somewhat bettered!

From what I can gather, 500 or CDS3 do seem to be the next moves for my system. Whatever, nowhere near enough dough for a 552!

cheers, Martin

E-mail:- MartinPayne at Dial.Pipex.com

Posted on: 04 June 2003 by Minky

Martin ! Is your friend considering upgrading from a CDS2 ? If so Pleeeeeaaasseee post your findings.

I am desperate to know what the CDS3 sounds like compared to the CDS2.

So far my efforts to hear a CDS3 in NZ have been thwarted by an evil genius who has ordered the next 758 of them. His plan is to create a worldwide imbalance of CDS3's, tilting the world off of it's axis and throwing us into a rerun of the disco era.

Posted on: 04 June 2003 by Martin Payne

Minky,

he is upgrading from CDS2/CDPS, but I'll see what I can do.

cheers, Martin

E-mail:- MartinPayne at Dial.Pipex.com

Posted on: 04 June 2003 by Philip Pang

quote:
Tomorrow night I will be visiting a local friend with 552/500/NBL. Reason for visit - to hear his demo CDS3/XPS2.

Fire Dappling.

You've been so warned, Martin.

However to quench our insatiable thirst for upgraditis,and to humour this thread a little further, I would swap to a 500 to drive the DBLs, first, over a 552 or CDS3 as the next upgrade. That's what my choice would be if in your shoes. (and what a nice position to be in.

)

quote:
Whatever, nowhere near enough dough for a 552!

You could join me and Seth when he eventually decides to rob the bank, but that could be a couple of years down the road by the time he finalises the plans.

Good listening, the music's groovin' frightfully more.

Rgds

Philip

naimniac for life

Posted on: 05 June 2003 by Maxi Me

quote:
You could join me and Seth when he eventually decides to rob the bank, but that could be a couple of years down the road by the time he finalises the plans.

Nice idea, but my girlfriend investigates fraud for a living! I think we might be onto a loser.

Anyway last night I was listening to my 80's singles collection via Rega P3 and Trichord Dino and I am in no hurry to upgrade any time soon, it was great

Seth
Is Naim the only way forward?
Ahh, Ahh! I'm burning!!

Posted on: 05 June 2003 by Philip Pang

Darn... you either change girlfriends or we switch to Plan B : where's the reluctant capitalist in our midst? He's got plenty of funds to spread the cheer

, since he's happily conjuring images of Hendrix on his DBLs and a 500 while we rationalise on this thread on why a Nait 5 will provide as much musical involvement... (and still drive an SL2 or NBL with some fun.)

Good listening; the music's groovin' frightfully more.

Rgds

Philip

naimniac for life

Posted on: 07 June 2003 by Martin Payne

quote:
Originally posted by Minky:
Martin ! Is your friend considering upgrading from a CDS2 ? If so Pleeeeeaaasseee post your findings.

I am desperate to know what the CDS3 sounds like compared to the CDS2.

Minky,

sorry, I can't help you.

Last time I heard this system (Christmas, I think), it was CDS2/CDPS/52/500.

This time it was CDS3/XPS2/552/500. The CDS3 was only three days out of the box, and obviously needs a lot more burn-in. The first month of burn-in on my CDS2 saw some huge improvements. I wouldn't like to comment fully without hearing a burnt-in unit, especially given the long gap since last hearing the system.

cheers, Martin

E-mail:- MartinPayne at Dial.Pipex.com

Posted on: 08 June 2003 by Philip Pang

quote:
A nait 5 driving SBLs/SL2s/NBLs is nuts.

Hey Hockman, the fun in listening to megalomaniac or modest systems is relative, and possibly even equally enjoyable, as long as it makes you happy. That's why you've got both.

Good listening; the music's groovin' frightfully more.

Rgds

Philip

naimniac for life