'Crazy' Supernait 2 demo

Posted by: KTMax on 13 April 2017

I dropped by my dealer this morning for a chat and and a coffee. They were doing some preparations for a demo-day this weekend and they were breaking-in speakers that will be part of the demo.

The system that was playing:

So far nothing too much out of the ordinary. But the speakers were the new TAD Micro Evolution One. A compact high-end 3 way monitor costing 14.500,- euro a pair including stands. Everything was wired up with upper range cables from Audioquest and Shunyata.  The AQ speaker cables were baby-arm diameter costing about the same as the entire Supernait. The interconnect was from the same AQ line. 

I've heard these stunning speakers before but this price-wise 'off balance' system sounded so jaw dropping gobsmacking good that all the praise has  to go to the - in this context - humble Supernait! A huge and translucent 3D presentation with power, scale and harmonic richness beyond belief. It was quite a large room but the bass slam, drive and detail was phe-no-me-nal. 

Obviously the source-end was pretty good but at the end of the day the speakers can only play what the Supernait brings to the speaker terminals. I'll never look at the Supernait the same way again. Mindblowing! 

 

Posted on: 13 April 2017 by Zipperheadbanjo

Interesting. Supports the old source first adage. Also goes to show there is more than one way to build a 50K + system. Although I think if I was spending that much dough, I'd want something "more" than an integrated in the mix. However the proof is always in the hearing of the thing.

I'm intrigued by the AQ cables. I have some AQ cables that I've always thought sounded great on my Unitilite, so not entirely surprised... but you rarely hear from people on this forum using them with Naim gear.

Posted on: 13 April 2017 by The Strat (Fender)

I've heard the SN2 several times - always been hugely impressed - all the same virtues you mention.  

Posted on: 13 April 2017 by wenger2015

The Supernait 1 or 2.... I think on occasions vastly underrated, both superb boxes

Posted on: 13 April 2017 by Christopher_M

KT's post. 'like'

C.

Posted on: 13 April 2017 by Adam Zielinski

I like my humble SuperNait 2. I like mine spicy, so it has a HiCap DR too.
It's currently being held back by the speakers I use, so an upgrade seems to be on the cards....

Posted on: 13 April 2017 by TOBYJUG

And those crazy hairshirts thought euphony was over rated .....

Posted on: 13 April 2017 by ryder.

I experienced the huge TAD floorstanders, Reference One about 6 years ago. It was a nice sound. It was a short session as I did not take too much interest, The speakers cost more than £40,000 retail.

Source and amplifier are important, but without good speakers it defeats the purpose as well. It's good that the Supernait 2 gets to showcase its ability with some great sounding speakers.

Posted on: 13 April 2017 by badlands

Not surprised really, I have been touting the SN2 for quite some time now. Naim really did a great job with this latest Nait. I know in my heart it betters some highly rated separates from it's own stable, at least to my ears it did when I auditioned it side by side in my room with my particular speakers.

You have to give credit where credit is due, good sources can only do so much, they can't control speakers or produce bass slam, or make a system play loud without distortion like a great amp does. You want proof, next time you audition equipment, only change amps, leave everything else the same, and hear the difference an excellent amp can make to the system.

Next to speakers,my personal opinion is that amps make the next biggest difference to the overall sound of the system, and would gladly put more money towards the amp purchase than the source component.

I don't want to say that it shamed some very expensive separates at last years Axpona show from other manufactures, wait, I just did!!!! It really made me a believer, and a very grateful and proud owner.

 

 

Posted on: 13 April 2017 by analogmusic

No praise for NDS .... ?

 

Posted on: 13 April 2017 by Clemenza

Imagine the NDS had a 555DR

Posted on: 13 April 2017 by KTMax

The Supernait driving much more expensive speakers than it usually will and wired up with cables costing more than the amp itself, did show just how much the Super can do. Amazing. 

In the real demo setup the Supernait will be replaced by a 300/282/SC combo. That will make the awesome TAD speakers sing even more. 

Posted on: 13 April 2017 by Massimo Bertola

The forum has become the discussing place of such wonderful, desirable gear that I am beginning to feel like a child who's constantly taken around a store and shown bigger and bigger and more and more amazing toys. I think I must take a vacation from all this fantasticality.

A Happy Easter to everyone, whichever way they mean it. My last upgrade was a second clamp for my older CDX2, and that will be it for long.

Best

M

Posted on: 13 April 2017 by joerand
KTMax posted:

In the real demo setup the Supernait will be replaced by a 300/282/SC combo. That will make the awesome TAD speakers sing even more. 

Sounds like you've made a peremptory decision. Hope you're not disappointed.

Posted on: 14 April 2017 by wenger2015

In my experience, it's the speaker cables, that are holding many systems back from performing at their best......yes they can be expensive but so are the Black boxes we choose to buy..

Posted on: 14 April 2017 by The Strat (Fender)
Clemenza posted:

Imagine the NDS had a 555DR

Imagine it was a CD555