Nait xs / xs2 confusion

A very common mistake. The French equivalent of Ebay was flooded with "XS-2s" after the introduction of the XS2. Some of the sellers were clearly dishonest, others were genuinely surprised to hear that an XS-2 was not the same as an XS2. I had an XS with XS-2 on the box, the only difference with the early XS is purely cosmetic.

The original XS was originally released with the older style fascia. This was then updated to the newer anodised fascia and was denoted at XS-2 on the box to distinguish the older from the newer fascia although the amp inside was still the same, as denoted by the matching serial number and 'XS' being on the back on the amp. However when the new Nait XS-2 came out, this is a different amp which inevitably added a little bit of confusion into the mix.

So how do you know if you have an XS2 or an XS-2?

i thought the biggest difference between the first and second generation was the 1/4 inch headphone jack on the front of the XS-2? (At least for visual differences).

I love my amp but now I'm not sure what I have!

the XS-2 says XS 2 on the back of the amp. 

Yeah just check the back of the amp. It's the packaging box that caused the confusion. 

I thought there was more than two generations of the XS . I read somewhere that when the whole XS range was brought out the integrated was revised a little inside with some change to surface board having a bayonet support and a change of wiring layout and capacitors . I bought mine the same year (2013 I think ) the CD5si became the italic i and it had XS -2 on the box.   I believe the XS changed to the tryptic anodised fascia in 2009.

The unit I demo'd was the original one without the anodised fascia then when I picked up my own it had the updated fascia with XS-2 on the box... but it was still actually an original XS under the bonnet. This was in 2011 so I assumed the fascia change over was around then but couldn't be 100% certain. All very confusing of course but this is what the dealer reasoned with regards to the different markings on the box. 

Surprisingly, Naim Audio's product history page mentions only the Nait XS introduced in 2008, so there's no help from the manufacturer (likewise, they show the Supernait with no mention of a SN2).

I had a circa 2011 Nait XS, as labelled on the back of the case, whose box stated the content was a  "Nait XS-2".

To me the clear identifier is the jack on the front of the case - the 60W Nait XS has a 3.5-mm input while the 70W XS-2 version has a 6.3-mm headphone output. Should be apparent in photos.

Second hand buyers need to do their homework and ask the seller the right questions, but that's always the case. Sellers overbilling their original "Nait XS-2" should be flagged to the website referees.

IIRC the anodised fascia was offered as a £100 dealer fit option a few weeks after the original XS was introduced in 2008. Such a unit would look like a second generation XS 2 but have XS markings on the rear panel and box.

Chris

Maybe Naim should called it the XS3 to stop confusion plenty of numbers to go for after the XS

My November 2011 XS also says "XS-2" on the box. I thought there were basically three versions - the original XS with the original, non-anodised fascia, the XS-2 with anodised fascia (from roughly 2011), and the XS2 from...whenever (2014?)

If I remember right, there were circuit upgrades to the 2011 XS-2, and I also thought it had a small power uplift from 55W to 60W. I even remember seeing somewhere internal pictures of the distinctions between the mark 1 and what I call the mark 1.5...

I might be wrong - it would be a big help to us if Naim could clarify please.

This is from a document issued in 2009. It doesn't say clearly whether the Nait's performance was improved or not, but it is obvious that the "cosmetic upgrade" refers to the XS-2.

The XS Series replaces the x series as Naim’s mid-priced entry-point upgradeable product
range. The products feature an improved finish with anodised front panels, just like the
Naim reference range. As always, with revision to any Naim product, we have taken the
opportunity to improve performance and specification too where possible.
The NAIT XS, launched last November, will also be benefiting from this cosmetic upgrade,
enabling it to sit firmly within the “XS” family range of products.

Tim,

While I'm afraid I cannot offer the clarification you desire straight from Naim, I can certainly give you my own take on it.  I'm fairly certain that the original Nait XS was basically unchanged apart from the new fascia  - both fascias were offered alongside one another for a while and it was offered as a retro-fit update as well.  "XS-2" was an internal identifier that was only put on the outside of the box to help Naim goods despatch personnel, distributors and dealers distinguish between the two different fascias. The amps were otherwise the same.

The Nait XS2 was the actual second version and was updated with more power, new headphone amp, and other internal changes.  

That's right- if it has the small headphone socket, with either a plain or anodised front, it's the original XS. If it has a big headphone socket it's the XS2. 

Tim,

As someone who owned the glorious original Nait XS, the socket on the fascia was for an iPod etc. The headphone socket came later on the uprated and current XS 2. Please note the spacing of XS 2. This is how Naim refer to it on their website.

Chris

Christopher_M posted:

Tim,

As someone who owned the glorious original Nait XS, the socket on the fascia was for an iPod etc. The headphone socket came later on the uprated and current XS 2. Please note the spacing of XS 2. This is how Naim refer to it on their website.

Chris

Sorry, yes that's right. The original had a small input socket, the later one has the big headphone socket. 

Well, i guess it depends how you look at it. Personally i much prefer the original XS, in either cosmetic guise over the latest XS2 in terms of how it sounds.

gary yeowell posted:

Well, i guess it depends how you look at it. Personally i much prefer the original XS, in either cosmetic guise over the latest XS2 in terms of how it sounds.

Can you elaborate Gary? I have the original but have never heard the current mk2 version. Interested in your thoughts...

Just plays better more engaging music. Having owned several original XS's, i'd certainly not worry about it not being the latest generation. A good source into an XS with a pair of easy to drive speakers is likely good enough for 99% of listeners.

gary yeowell posted:

Just plays better more engaging music. Having owned several original XS's, i'd certainly not worry about it not being the latest generation. A good source into an XS with a pair of easy to drive speakers is likely good enough for 99% of listeners.

Thanks for your reply