What to do with my Nait2?

I cannot answer question one, although I found I was using my Nait 1 off and on in a bedroom system for 19 years before I had it serviced. 

Regarding the second question, the Nait 2 is a classic of the integrated series and a chrome bumper version is particularly desirable. I wouldn't expect it to be outperformed by any other model in the integrated range other than the current Super Nait 2; at least I don't think I'd change it for anything less. 

The Nait 2 is a super little thing, and if you are happy to live with its limited power and lack of remote, the best thing to do (probably) is to get AV Options to do a basic service and recap. That will cost far less than $1200 and will restore the Nait to its original condition. I certainly wouldn't replace it with a 5i or a Rega. If you were considering a Supernait 2, then it would be a different story. 

Two suggestions;

1) consider a s/h Nait XS (full-sized case) which would come at a similar cost to the stated service and have a remote,

2) get a price for same service on your Nait2 from Naim authorized Audio Plus Services in NY. I suspect it will be more affordable.

Does your Nait2 have phono boards? Do you listen to vinyl? That plays into the picture.

Never sell it!

Just have it serviced and enjoy.

I've just re-installed my Olive 72 / HiCap / 250 (early 1990's) after a full service at Naim spa and is sound magnificent.

What's the context of the system that the Nait 2 might be used in? They're good but they're not a panacea.

Chris

Curious14 posted:

Hi everyone, first post as I just found this forum,

I'm just getting back into listening after a long (around 20-year) absence and collected up all the old gear including my trusty Nait 2 chrome bumper - I vaguely remember buying it around 1990 from the original owner.

It has probably barely been turned on since about 1999 but it fired up and sounds very nice. After a bit of googling I was shocked to see that it's still a cult favourite and sells at auction for more than I paid for it.

But I also read that it should be re-capped/restored and that AV Options is the best choice in North America... for $1200. Frankly, I wasn't planning to spend 2 or 3 times what I paid for this amp, plus good as the Nait2 is, I can't believe that I couldn't get something newer and better for that kind of money, especially if I also trade the Nait2.

Hence my questions:

1) Given that it sounds great, can I just use it as-is? Or should it be fixed up immediately? In other words, can I wait and fix/restore it if a component fails or could the failure do more serious damage to the amp (or my house)?

2) Nostalgia aside, would I be better off selling it as-is and buying something newer (like some variant of a Nait 5 or a Rega Brio or something else)? I haven't paid any attention to stereo gear in 20 years so I really have no idea.

Thanks for any opinions

 

Try and check with Plurison (believe they are still authorized). I think they quoted me a reasonable re-cap fee. I have a couple from 1989 that are not serviced!  Endearing  unit.

$1200 is absurd for a service. You can get it done for under £200 over here by a proper Naim-authorised place.

I'd contact Naim HQ and ask what other options there are for authorised service centres over there.

Dave***t posted:

$1200 is absurd for a service. You can get it done for under £200 over here by a proper Naim-authorised place.

I'd contact Naim HQ and ask what other options there are for authorised service centres over there.

I'm gonna go out on a limb and guess that you've never seen their work.  It is incredible.  I would just point out that there is a difference between getting the oil changed on your classic Porsche 911 and having it restored to showroom condition.  

Curious14:  I have a couple of "better" systems and my olive Nait2 doesn't get as much use as is probably should.  That said, it's one of those pieces where you should error on the side of keeping it.  There's a reason they have been going up in value.  Sure, it looks awesome and encapsulates in one box what that era of Naim was all about, but its sound has stood the test of time.  

If you're into CDs, I have found that the Rega Apollo-R is a great match sonically and aesthetically.
If you're into vinyl, the P2 is also a nice match and the internal phono boards mean one less external box keeps the look very clean.
If you're into computer audio, put a Chord Mojo on it with a DIN to minijack cable.  Very discreet and sounds good.

It's classic.  Don't sell your 1983 Porsche Targa to buy a 2017 Toyota 86 just because the 86 is faster and has blue tooth.

Adam Zielinski posted:

Never sell it!

Just have it serviced and enjoy.

I've just re-installed my Olive 72 / HiCap / 250 (early 1990's) after a full service at Naim spa and is sound magnificent.

Hey Adam, that's at least 2 Olive 72's residing in Warsaw ! 

ngarritson posted:

Dave***t posted:

$1200 is absurd for a service. You can get it done for under £200 over here by a proper Naim-authorised place.

I'd contact Naim HQ and ask what other options there are for authorised service centres over there.

I'm gonna go out on a limb and guess that you've never seen their work.  It is incredible.  I would just point out that there is a difference between getting the oil changed on your classic Porsche 911 and having it restored to showroom condition.  

In that case it's not (just) a service they're doing - how much do they charge for an actual service? Seems that's all the OP needs, and the optional extra restoration work is putting him off.

Dave***t posted:

ngarritson posted:

Dave***t posted:

$1200 is absurd for a service. You can get it done for under £200 over here by a proper Naim-authorised place.

I'd contact Naim HQ and ask what other options there are for authorised service centres over there.

I'm gonna go out on a limb and guess that you've never seen their work.  It is incredible.  I would just point out that there is a difference between getting the oil changed on your classic Porsche 911 and having it restored to showroom condition.  

In that case it's not (just) a service they're doing - how much do they charge for an actual service? Seems that's all the OP needs, and the optional extra restoration work is putting him off.

Correct.  I think Step 1 is for the OP to decide whether they are happy enough with the sound as is.  If so, do nothing.  My Nait2 has never been serviced and it sounds great.  When I listen to it I have no sense that something is wrong or something could be better.  If there's any question about whether it sounds proper, Step 2 is probably to have a minimum service done, and afterwards make a decision about whether they want to make it the centerpiece of their system for years to come.  If they are quite sure they do, then go for the full restoration, but to be clear there could be years of enjoyment between having the minimum service done and going for the full restoration.

The OP lists his location as Canada - no need to send the unit to the US when he could get it serviced in Canada. He would only end up paying a lot more money.

Wugged Woy posted:

Adam Zielinski posted:

Never sell it!

Just have it serviced and enjoy.

I've just re-installed my Olive 72 / HiCap / 250 (early 1990's) after a full service at Naim spa and is sound magnificent.

Hey Adam, that's at least 2 Olive 72's residing in Warsaw ! 

Excellent!

Mine is hooked up to Quads ESL-63 (NAP 250 was moded by NAIM to handle the Quads safely).

Adam Zielinski posted:

Never sell it!

I had a 1988 Nait 2 which I sold in 2002 to an acquaintance for £100! Why the hell did I do that? I replaced it with something better but I should have asked more for it!

Never sell it.  Have Chris West do the restoration... yes it is expensive, but he's the best and takes great care with every aspect of the service.  I prefered the sound of my Nait2 over a SuperNait2... it had more boogie and air and drove my big Kudos Titan's without issue.  Invest in a good source/speakers and enjoy. It's a remarkable amp which will serve you well.  

Last time I checked Chris West's group only serviced US gear - you can't ship from Canada.  But go with Plurison if you must.  I had my nait 5 there last year and they said it didn't need a recap.  They're straight up.

Hi everyone and thank you so much for all the feedback - very helpful.

I'm happy to hear that my Nait2 is pretty much as good as I'm going to get - I don't feel at all compelled to go to a lot of trouble and spend a lot of money for something that might be marginally better.

And I spoke to the local Plurison rep who was very helpful. It looks like I can continue listening to my Nait or Plurison can re-cap it for a few hundred $Canadian - that sounds more reasonable.

Now I just have to figure out what to do with the rest of the system - I have a pile of 20-30 year old old stuff in my living room just pushing up the divorce-o-meter - happy to use or trade-in if a change will make a significant difference:

- Rega Planar 2 with Ortofon OMB-10 and Thorens TD-160 with Grado ZT+ (yeah, I know - I had no money for the cartridge)

- Pair of B&W DM7 MkII, pair of Mordaunt Short MS-35TI and pair of Mission M72 (I'm not convinced by-wiring really does anything)

- Mission DAD-5 CD player - someone told me I should add an external DAC (it has a digital output)

- New York Audio Labs Super-It hybrid phono amp

- I also found my dad's Eico HF-87 and Dynaco PAS-2; fortunately a friend likes playing with tube gear because it's way too much trouble for me (but I remember it sounding beautiful)

A - Never sell it.

B - Don't bother getting it rebuilt right away. It'll still play for years to come. I'm using a Nait 2 (olive) which has not been rebuilt and I am not going to be rebuilding it any time soon. Works and sounds great.

C - If you start using quite a bit, maybe consider getting it rebuilt, either by AV Options or Audio Plus Services (the North American Naim distributor).

$1200 is not sensible money for  rebuild (which is more than a service in Salisbury), just get it serviced in Canada. 

There is no need to get it rebuilt, only serviced.

For $1200 I'd demand a happy ending. Maybe several 

Thanks Curious. The record players will benefit from  a lightweight, rigid support like Ikea Lack. The serviced Nait 2 will benefit from single runs of Naca5. If the Nait 2 has a built in phonostage (I suspect it doesn't, or you wouldn't have mentioned the Super-it) try that. The subsequent beautiful sounds may mean that the needles on the divorce-o-meter are no longer in the red zone.

Chris

I've just had my Chrome Bumper Nait2 serviced by Darran at Class A and it sounds  remarkably good powering ATC 19s from cold compared to my SN2/250DR set up , very pleased with the standard and price of the service . 

I won't be selling it either as I've had it from new since 89 and will look to build a 2nd system with it , maybe with my existing Hugo and some Neat Iotas or ATC 7s .

The Nait 2 is brilliant and blows even many modern amps out of the water.  It's capable of staggering volumes without distortion, and also has the phono stage built in.  A timeless classic, definitely keep it!