Must Diwnsize. Can a Nait 5. Satisfactorily drive Sonus Faber Signums?

Posted by: Jaybar on 13 August 2002

I am not sure that I can get an integrated to equal performance of my Spectral gear, but because of worsening physical disabilities that preclude much bending and carrying heavy stuff, my hifi life would be made MUCH easier if I could get a great integrated onto the top shelf of my hifi rack. I am neither a round-earth or flat earth camper, but like aspects of both.

In wondering about the Naim integrated, will it:

1) Work well sonically with my Ikemi CDP.
2) Will it work well with my Linto?
3) Seme for Pekin?
4) Work well with the SF Signums?

What about YBA or Simaudio Integrateds? Although Linn might be the logical choice given my other gear, the quality of their integrated is questionable.

Are there other good Integrated choices.

TIA


Jay
Posted on: 14 August 2002 by Frank Abela
Jay

I am not familiar with the Spectral gear, so I'm not sure any of these recommendations would come close.

The Nait5 is a great little amp which would suit your sources well. However, you'd have to get someone to lend you one to see if it will drive the Signa as some Sonus Fabers are a pain to drive where others are relatively easy and I don't know this model.

The Densen Beat 100 has a bit more drive for the price and is a good option.

The AVI integrated is a good little amp with a lot of power for the size of box (remarkable really).

I understand what you mean about the Linn Majik - this is currently their weakest offering in terms of value for money in my view. That said, it's certainly worth having a demo. If you do, try to hear it with something better than Linn cabling which stifles everything in my opinion. I prefer Chord Chorus interconnects and Naim speaker cable.

Further up the economic ladder, I've heard good things about the Brinkmann integrated for around £2000-ish.

I'm a real fan of the Chord Electronics 2600 integrated, but that's even further up the scale at £3500. Again, Chord Chorus and either DNM or Townshend speaker cable are de rigeur. Also, the Chord is physically quite large and hefty so I'm not sure it fulfils your criteria.

I'm struggling to think of other integrateds I like here...

Regards,
Frank.
All opinions are my own and do not reflect the opinion of any organisations I work for, except where this is stated explicitly.
Posted on: 14 August 2002 by redeye
Exposure Super XV. Great integrated amplifier.