SN2 Superior Than Seperates!

John Bailey posted:

IMHO it’s a bit of a sweeping statement to say that a Supernait2 is better than separates but it may be better in some circumstances depending on ones preference of presentation. This can only be determined by a good back to back demonstration, the outcome of which may be a surprise.

 

I do agree with that.  Several years ago I too compared SN1(used purely as an amp) with 202/200.  A kind local dealer lent me a SN1, 200, 202, HiCap and NAPSC to play with over the Xmas break (all well run in).  During the ten or so days I had them I played with every combination of these boxes that would play music.  Source was CD5XS/nDAC and speakers were Kudos C20s.  I started out being sure I would want the pre/powers.  After all "proper" hifi systems separated the preamp and power amp didn't they?  Well at the time there was a highly acrimonious discussion in HiFi Corner about the relative merits of separate pre/powers (putting distance between sensitive circuits etc) versus integrated amps (less money spent on expensive boxes, shorter signal paths etc) so I thought it sensible to do the comparison myself.  To my surprise, after 10 days, I preferred the SN1/HiCap combination to any of the others, including SN1/HiCap/200.  At the time I listened to a lot of a capella choral music (still do) and the disc that finally decided it for me was a recording of John Rutter's Cambridge Singers in the acoustically wonderful setting of the Lady Chapel of Ely Cathedral.  The presentation of the 202 setup was airy and delicate, and did a good job of separating out individual voices, whereas the SN1 was more 'solid' and did a better job of recreated the ambience of the venue.  I guess the former presentation was exactly what a choir master would wish for, whereas the latter gave a stronger illusion of being present in the Cathedral itself.  Neither was "superior" to the other in any sensible absolute terms but, by a whisker, my preference was for the integrated amp.  Some folk seem to find it hard to accept that there is large measure of personal taste in hifi and that others may have different preferences from their own.  But surely we are all different and will make different choices even under the same listening conditions.  Moral: audition if at all possible, preferably at home and trust your own ears.

Roger

Well said, HH.  Seems to me, having lurked around here for a couple of years now, that some people just don't get it.  Too much importance placed on knowing they have what others, be that reviewers, forum members, or whoever, have and / or believe to be better than something else, rather than just enjoying what they have.  I like Hi-Fi a lot for what it does and appreciate the end results hugely, and I enjoy talking about it and sharing experiences, but luckily I hate the faff of upgrading and demoing, where as some seem to be utterly addicted.  Guess I'm just lucky.

I agree, auditioning subtly different stuff to the Nth degree can be a right pfaff, however the occasional audition of a single piece (or paradoxically a complete system) can be quite interesting.

The worst by far though, is auditioning speakers (both of the HiFi and 'after dinner' variety).

Hungryhalibut posted:

I chose a 272/250 over an NDX/SN2 because it could be upgraded with only one extra box rather than two... 

Hmmm -- that one didn't quite work out, did it? 

"So long as what you have works for you, and you enjoy listening to music with it..."

Holy smokes - what a concept!

Agree 100% Nigel.

i think that on hifi criteria the 202/200 is normally better. But the most important, as Drmqrk said, is what works best for each person.   If Badlands prefer the sn2, the sn2 works better with his speakers , room and preferences.

There is no more reliable reviewer than the one who talks from a distant memory, that is if you are not willing to listen to an astrologer.

I think the SN2 is a brilliant amp and I bought one because I didn't want 2 boxes. 
I am content that I will not want anything more from an amp.
Likewise the CDX2.  At some point I will get an NDX (or similar) but could not be more happy when I listen to my cds.  Its such a treat to put on a cd and lose myself in the music it produces. 
Its good to get a chance to sing the praises of the Supernait2 because it's been a while since it was discussed on here as it appears to have been forgotten with many moving on to the 272 250 option or the new Nova.
I remember selling my previous pre and power amps (non Naim) and initially thinking I'd made a mistake buying a SN2 because it seemed to take donkey's yonks to run in properly.  
I have no interest in needing to justify it as a purchase or desire to move on to something else because it just sounds gorgeous and brings me a lot of joy. (Enjoying The Blue Nile right now...)

I love my Supernait2/NDX.

I love the flexibility of the configuration in that I can change things easily as technology changes or I can upgrade both units easily if I wish.

I can’t comment on its sound profile vs other Naim options as I haven’t heard other configurations but I will happily accept reviews to say it’s superior to other options. ????

One thing I do know and I won’t say names but a Certain head Naim employee told me that there favourite Naim amp was in fact the Supernait2! ????

Popeye posted:

One thing I do know and I won’t say names but a Certain head Naim employee told me that there favourite Naim amp was in fact the Supernait2! ????

Oh you tease. 

jobseeker posted:

You haven't corrected the spelling error in the thread title (and a couple of other errors here and there). Is this only a selective lesson the use of English?

Damn spell check should have caught that!!!!!   

Have seen thousands of spelling errors over the years, I guess we should all be more aware in future posts. Thanks for the English lesson though.

Badlands, after doing some tests at home I'm sorry to tell you Dynaudio speakers at this level X38 and Focus 260 just aren't good enough to show differences between a SN2 and 282/250DR.

I  really need to upgrade to a confidence level speaker... or at least contour

That esotar2 tweeter and much superior crossover makes all the difference.

I have had three Supernait (I), of which I currently have one: am I entitled to call mine Supernait3, win the game and put an end to this discussion?

Max_B posted:

I have had three Supernait (I), of which I currently have one: am I entitled to call mine Supernait3, win the game and put an end to this discussion?

No, 1 * 1 * 1 = 1

Hi-Fi is a strange cove. 'Better' and 'more expensive' isn't automatically a positive experience as it is with a car etc.

All the Naits have work superbly well by not trying too hard. Start opening the window wider; increasing power and bandwidth, and it becomes harder and harder to realise and hear the potential benefits as more pressure is placed upon loudspeakers and room acoustics. One reason why system balance is very important.

John.

Is there anyone who has mentioned Nait 2 ?

Under some circumstances its better than either SN/SN2 or 202/200 ime

J.N. posted:

Hi-Fi is a strange cove. 'Better' and 'more expensive' isn't automatically a positive experience as it is with a car etc.

All the Naits have work superbly well by not trying too hard. Start opening the window wider; increasing power and bandwidth, and it becomes harder and harder to realise and hear the potential benefits as more pressure is placed upon loudspeakers and room acoustics. One reason why system balance is very important.

John.

pressure also placed on the source. 

analogmusic posted:

J.N. posted:

Hi-Fi is a strange cove. 'Better' and 'more expensive' isn't automatically a positive experience as it is with a car etc.

All the Naits have work superbly well by not trying too hard. Start opening the window wider; increasing power and bandwidth, and it becomes harder and harder to realise and hear the potential benefits as more pressure is placed upon loudspeakers and room acoustics. One reason why system balance is very important.

John.

pressure also placed on the source. 

No additional pressure placed on the source - it will simply perform as it always does. The room and loudspeakers will be the ultimate arbiter of the source's performance to the listener. Once those are settled, source selection should become clear.