naim nait 5i-2 to ???

Posted by: mpw on 16 October 2015

Hi 

 

My present rig comprises

 

Naim CD5XS

Naim Nait 5i-2

Merlin TSM MMM speakers

Technics SL1210 mk2 TT

Naim Naca 5 speaker cables

DiY Sealed subwoofer

 

 

I find i want stream some music into my stereo system on a casual listening basis and that means more inputs on the Nait 5i-2 - which is not possible i suppose.

 

Option 1 :-

 

Retain my CD5XS ( although the current trend is to digitize the music into flac etc...and stream it )

 

Maybe look at the Nait XS-2 or the older Naim XS ( and get away with this )

 

Option 2 :-

 

Sell the CD5XS, convert all my CD's into flac and stay put with Naim Nait 5i-2

 

Which Dac would you recommend ? something that i can stream music to from my Dell laptop maybe via bluetooth or wifi.

 

Option 3 :-

 

Sell the CDP and Naim Nait 5i-2 and go for a 1 box solution from Naim ( but a powerful one ) to drive my Merlin TSM

 

At present - soundwise - i have absolutely nothing to complain - just that sometimes i feel 1 extra input would be nice to have.

 

Appreciate your inputs.

 

regards

mpw

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Posted on: 19 October 2015 by gary yeowell

Evil Weasel, agreed, and what i was inferring. I prefer the 5i over the XS2 (70w), and just about prefer the XS2 (60w) over the 5i. I could live with the 5i or XS(60w) long term with a CD5XS, no problem.

 

Posted on: 19 October 2015 by Huge
Originally Posted by Evil Weasel:
Originally Posted by gary yeowell:
Stick with the CD5XS into the Nait5i. The Nait 5i plays better music than the XS2 and a CD5XS is far better than an ND5XS to my ears. Of course, you should check it out yourself, but newer isn't necessarilly better. If you just want to add a bit of streaming or IRadio, get a Qute 1 for £550.

I prefer the Nait 5i-2 to latest XS (70w). I heard new XS a couple of times and didn't hold my interest.

I have XS 2 (60w) as well as 5i still and I am growing to like the XS (60w) more and more. It is a good match, obviously, for CD5XS and with my latest speakers (Petite SX) does give a noticable upgrade, whilst being interesting still.

The 5i-2 I really love and is magic still with CD5XS and could live with either.

Not helped much have I!

Well I am trying to say the Nait XS (60w) is a different beast to 70w model and worth seeking out..

The 5i vs XS or XS-2 isn't a simple question.

 

In my view, the 5i is very dynamic and gives a lot of excitement to the sound, but unfortunately it also sometimes tries to do this when it's not actually there in the music.  It also has a lot lower resolution than the XS and XS-2: it simply doesn't reveal as much detail in the signal (assuming the source and speakers are up to the job).  The 5i series are a bit like an enthusiastic puppy, always wanting to play rough and tumble - often fun, but never subtle!

 

In some ways this is similar to the comparison between the ND5 XS and the CD5 XS.

Posted on: 19 October 2015 by Huge
Originally Posted by mpw:

The XS Vs XS-2 was a sub-question that i wanted to ask anyways. I always felt an amp that does 60W at 8 ohm and 100W at 4 ohm would be better placed than 70W at 8 ohm & 100W at 4 ohm

( correct me if my facts are wrong ).

...

The facts are correct, but the conclusion isn't necessarily valid.

 

As Naim rounds down it's power figures, the change from 60W to 70W could have been achieved by raising the current delivery a small amount.  The old XS was once measured as 67W into 8Ω and 102 into 4Ω.  Raising this a little could give 71W into 8Ω and 107W into 4Ω - i.e. maintaining the same ratio in practice, but resulting in Naim quoting 70W and 100W.

 

Second, there's more to an integrated amp than just the output stage!  Even if the 4Ω to 8Ω ratio did change, still no conclusion on sound quality can be derived just from those figures.

 

Third, the only thing this would actually directly affect is ability to drive more complex speaker loads, and because the current limit hasn't been reduced ( still 100W into 4Ω ), this isn't necessarily any worse.

 

 

Conclusion:  The balance has changed a bit from the XS to the XS-2, so some people will prefer the sound of old one, and some people will prefer the sound of the new one.  Obviously the design team at Naim prefer the sound of the new one!

Posted on: 19 October 2015 by gary yeowell

if Naim didn't keep changing things, they would never sell anything new. Just because the new design team like it, doesn't mean it's better, or as good as the last design team. I have had enough of this stuff to know that for me, things change for changes sake, as well as sometimes for the better.

Posted on: 19 October 2015 by Evil Weasel
Originally Posted by gary yeowell:

Evil Weasel, agreed, and what i was inferring. I prefer the 5i over the XS2 (70w), and just about prefer the XS2 (60w) over the 5i. I could live with the 5i or XS(60w) long term with a CD5XS, no problem.

 

Hi Gary,

I know you rate both but just wanted to highlight the point to other person.

Yes both work really well with CD5XS

How about the SN2 & CD5XS???

Posted on: 19 October 2015 by Evil Weasel
The 5i vs XS or XS-2 isn't a simple question.

 

In my view, the 5i is very dynamic and gives a lot of excitement to the sound, but unfortunately it also sometimes tries to do this when it's not actually there in the music.  It also has a lot lower resolution than the XS and XS-2: it simply doesn't reveal as much detail in the signal (assuming the source and speakers are up to the job).  The 5i series are a bit like an enthusiastic puppy, always wanting to play rough and tumble - often fun, but never subtle!

 

In some ways this is similar to the comparison between the ND5 XS and the CD5 XS.

Huge,

I agree with your views on 5i & XS 60w. In fact the Neat Motive 3 are the same in respect and why that combo I found hard to move past. It's only now I have PL, Petite SX and XS amp I have done so.

my brief home demo of ND5XS was of cleaner, thinner sound with good bass but lacked the full and rich sound of CD5XS and while the ND5XS dug up more did not have the same wonderful presentation / feel.

Posted on: 19 October 2015 by gary yeowell

Can't comment as i no longer have my CD5X or XS, but i have used my CD5/FC2X with my SN2 and it seems more than up to the job. In fact i rather like the combination with the SL2.

Posted on: 19 October 2015 by Evil Weasel
Originally Posted by gary yeowell:

Can't comment as i no longer have my CD5X or XS, but i have used my CD5/FC2X with my SN2 and it seems more than up to the job. In fact i rather like the combination with the SL2.

Thanks Gary, good to know for future consideration if something comes up.

I think the Petite SX would benefit further Amp upgrades assuming the source doesn't cause limitation.