Nait xs2 pre-amp mode operation

Posted by: Robert Burgess on 09 June 2017

I'm upgrading to a NAP 250DR poweramp and will be temporairly be using it to power my NAIT XS2 integrated instead of the NAIT's internal power amp. NAIM's connection instructions are unclear to me: after I remove the link plug, do I reset the NAIT amp mode (by holding in the "mute" button when powering on), or not? Also, am I correct in understanding that the NAP250 interconnect should be connected to the NAIT "power amp in" socket? Many thanks for any help!

Posted on: 09 June 2017 by Mike-B

I'm not sure you can use a separate power amp with an XS2 on its own, it does not have a pre-out. The link plug is not only connecting signal from Nait pre to pwr, its also supplying 24vDC power to the pre section, so the link plug has to stay in place. The 'official' way to connect a pwr amp to the Nait pre section is with FlatCap or HiCap, this provides 24vDC to the Nait pre section & links Nait pre signal out to the pwr amp. It might be worth trying the RCA pair Sub Out, I don't think this is filtered & is probably the same as pre-out.

Posted on: 10 June 2017 by Christopher_M

Robert Burgess posted:
NAIM's connection instructions are unclear to me: after I remove the link plug, do I reset the NAIT amp mode (by holding in the "mute" button when powering on), or not?

No. Instead you buy a HC.

Posted on: 10 June 2017 by Huge

Mike is correct you can use an RCA Phono to Stereo unbalanced XLR cable to connect from the sub out to a 250DR.

I used to use a Nait XS with a sub, and later used it power amp only, connected from a 272 via a custom interconnect cable, so I learnt a lot about how it works. No need to do a reset on power on. The poweramp will still be powered and driven, but as there are no speakers connected it will only take it's quiescent current.

The Nait XS's preamp is no where good enough to match the 250DR, even if powered by a HiCap; to what preamp are you intending to upgrade?