Are Older Nait Integrateds Superior To The Current Crop Of Integrated Amps?

Posted by: ryder. on 06 October 2016

I often read about the appeal of the older Nait 1, 2 or 3 which seemingly capture the energy and joie de vivre in music more than the current Naim integrateds (Nait 5is, XS, Supernait2 etc.). More recently, I read about the Nait 1 sounding close to the 552/500. For this reason, I have done a search on the Nait 1, 2 and 3 in an attempt to determine which unit sounds the "best". Apparently an old post in 2007 revealed that the Nait 3R is "better" than the rest of the Naits.

Now, few questions. Are these older Naits really much better than the current integrateds? As we all know, the term "better" is subjective as it can mean many things. Detail, resolution, bass, separation etc. To simplify things, which era of amps is better in giving the listener a more involving or emotional listen, a joie de vivre feel?

These older Naits are low in power in comparison to the Nait XS and Supernait2 which are significantly more powerful. More power usually equates to better sounding amps which is the case as shown in the Naim's methodological hierarchy of amplifiers. Assuming that power is not an issue as the loudspeakers are not a demanding load, a low-powered Nait can be very appealing if the sound quality is up there with the best.

Talking about power, my recent experience with the NAP 200 and NAP 250 DR suggests that even though the speakers are relatively easy, more power will give more in areas of detail across the frequency spectrum and increased texture and layering in the bass. I am not sure if the older Naits which are low in power will do all these things.

It is my aspiration to own a small little integrated in the near future. As some might known, I was looking at a high quality integrated from Naim several months ago. Instead of going for the Supernait 2 I went for the 282/HCDR/250DR instead. The talk about the Nait 1 capturing the sound of the 552/500 is certainly intriguing. As I do not have experience with any of these older Naits, I would like to draw the experience from folks who have listened and compared these older Naits 1, 2, 3 or 3R to the current crop of Nait 5is, Nait XS and Supernait2.

In summary, assuming that power is not an issue and the speakers are an easy load, which amp will give a more enjoyable listen? How do the Nait 1, 2, 3 and 3R compare to the current crop of integrateds? If these old Naits do sound more enjoyable, engaging or sonically superior than say the Nait 5si or XS2, why isn't there a current modern Naim integrated that matches if not surpass these older Naits?

Any thoughts would be appreciated.

Posted on: 14 October 2016 by Mulberry

Unlike the SN 2 I have never heard any of the older Naits at home. I still remember a Nait 2 making some fine noises at a dealer and one of the later ones as somehow gray and flat sounding, again at a dealer. One thing that makes these comparisons nearly pointless for me are the huge varations among the older units. Some may have been in continuous use for 30 years with any service. Others may have set unused on a shelf for a long time etc. For me there is not a single unit that is representative of any previous Nait, the SN1 included. So you are not only comparing old and new ones, but the oldies among themselves as well.

Posted on: 14 October 2016 by gary yeowell

Actually there is plenty of variation in newer units too. Don't kid yourself into thinking it's only a trait of older units... besides, i'm talking comparisons between well tried and tested newer units, having compared a few and kept the best, and the last three Naits 1&2 to pass through my hands. Indeed the red led Nait 1 I have now is a 1984 unit in original unserviced state, and better than my last Naim serviced Nait2, which itself was a very fine box.

Posted on: 14 October 2016 by Garry

Huge posted:
The Naits kept the energy in the music alive at a time when integrated amps from other manufacturers almost always fell short, so compared to other integrateds (and many pre-power combos) at the time they were magical. On the other hand, as other have said, they were also deeply flawed and weren't 'all rounders' - they often seemed to try and 'drive' even delicate music when instead it should be allowed to glide and float in the air. If you could live with their flaws, then for many people little else would do.
The modern Naits are much more rounded and more competent overall, but to achieve balance they've had to lose some of the extremity. Compared to most others (Exposure being one of the few exceptions here) they still retain more energy and musical involvement; but now they no longer make such a hash of more delicate music. They are all the better for it.
From the technical perspective, well technology has moved on and the new ones are just so much more tolerant of speakers and cables!

Yes Huge..I remember having a NAD ampifier very sweet and controlled and a bit different from anything else about at the time in the mid eighties..The nait 1 was an eye opener and drove a lot of the smaller speakers well..Dont think the Nait 1 would drive my BW 1800'S effectively Though..

Think i will stick with the 112x and 150x..Even tried a later Nait 5 and found the sound compressed compared to the pre power...Something much more open and engaging with matched pre power units...

The naits of yesteryear were very very good and set the benchmark for others to follow..

Posted on: 14 October 2016 by Mulberry

gary yeowell posted:
Actually there is plenty of variation in newer units too. Don't kid yourself into thinking it's only a trait of older units... besides, i'm talking comparisons between well tried and tested newer units, having compared a few and kept the best, and the last three Naits 1&2 to pass through my hands. Indeed the red led Nait 1 I have now is a 1984 unit in original unserviced state, and better than my last Naim serviced Nait2, which itself was a very fine box.

Gary, I think we agree here. What I wanted to say is that the variations between units should get bigger, the older thy get. This is simply a result of use, different states and qualities (or lack of) service. Where me might disagree is when it comes to the question whether variations between new units are smaller now then they were back then. I think they are, you may not.

Posted on: 14 October 2016 by gary yeowell

No I likely agree that the newer units are slightly more consistent, but for sure I have still found fairly sizable differences in the new stuff too.