Naim Nait 5si amplifier paired with Tannoy XT8f Speakers

...sorry forgot to mention source is .wav files - sent over optical cable to Arcam iRDac connected to Naim Nait 5Si

Hi,

I can't comment on the Tannoy speakers you mention as I have no experience with them. One would think that the best place to start would be to find a dealer who stocks both those speakers and a Nait 5si and go have a listen.

I too run a Nait 5si myself with an irDAC for streaming but into Neat Motive SX2 speakers with fantastic results, it gives my Naim CD5si with a Hi-Line a good run for it's money, that's for certain.

Why are looking to upgrade your current speakers?

Thanks - well just looking to try something new really - I've had the B&Ws for a very long time now and have upgraded everything since (amp, interconnects, Irdac, speaker cable, cd player etc etc) - just not the speakers.

I find the B&Ws sound quite harsh on the treble when pushed - when I added the Nait 5Si to my setup - the Nait definitely improved the sound but the treble seemed harsher to my ears.  Also just want a bit more depth to the low end.

Would you say the Tannoy Xt8f would compare to Neat Motive SX2 speakers as far as specs are concerened?

Well, I certainly would not get hung up on specs too much, you really need to go and hear what you have in mind as this will be the true test of what will float your boat, as it were.

I have found that the Neat Motive SX2 or the Kudos X2 speakers pair up really well with the Nait 5si when I was demoed them by my dealer.

I chose the Motive SX2s because of their treble quality and sheer musicality over the Kudos X2s although I found it was a very close run thing. Plus, the Neat's have a fruitier bass with a really nice tone with which I have found very enjoyable. I am unfamiliar with the Tannoy speakers so I can't comment on those, sorry.

I suggest you pop to your dealer and have listen to a few contenders and get a good feel for what is available. As I say, Neat & Naim gel really well together and I can highly recommend those, for sure.

Thanks - I've been told by one dealer that the Naim Nait 5Si would be under powered for the Tannoy Xt8f and that although it would 'work' I would need a power amp ideally.

The specs of the Tannoy look similar to the Neat - so would the Tannoy Xt8f and the Naim Nait 5si be a good match spec wise?

Just wanted to double check before I arrange any demos etc.

How big is the room you're trying to fill?

The room is about 15 foot squared - but also looking to future and larger room (hopefully)

They’re Richersounds fodder but the reviews look interesting enough to follow up though they all mention a tendancy to too much mid bass. That might not be a problem in the right room but if the room doesn’t suit it would be best to know before purchase. Assuming Richersounds, as a pile it high and sell it cheap outfit, don’t offer home demos it would be better to use a dealer who does and pay full whack (for the sake of a home demo service) if they work rather than be lumbered with speakers that don’t suit the room. There are also the 6f to try if the bass proves too much.

cbc posted:

Thanks - I've been told by one dealer that the Naim Nait 5Si would be under powered for the Tannoy Xt8f and that although it would 'work' I would need a power amp ideally.

The specs of the Tannoy look similar to the Neat - so would the Tannoy Xt8f and the Naim Nait 5si be a good match spec wise?

Just wanted to double check before I arrange any demos etc.

Ok, they may well be right. My Neat SX2's run well with my Nait 5si, obviously if you want really high volume levels in quite a large room then they may not work and even then a much more powerful amplifier may be what's really needed here to sort that out, ultimately. 

cbc posted:

The room is about 15 foot squared - but also looking to future and larger room (hopefully)

From what I read here, this may be a problem if the speakers don't have the tightest bass. Home demo essential. Good luck. Please tell us how it turns out.

One more thing, I don't know how much you believe in the wisdom of crowds but a Naim Tannoy pairing is fairly unusual on the forum....

C.

Thanks - so other than the Neat SX2s what would be other speaker recommendations for my system please - other than Tannoys - although I have read somewhere recently about Tannoy Revolutions and Naim Nait set up - I think they were the Tannoy Revolution DC6T paired with a Naim Nait 5Si...

One way to find out would be to pop to your local retailer and have a listen, they are the best place to give you the best advice/guidance. I can only go from my experiences regarding the Neat's, I was lucky, I hit the jackpot instantly with the Neat's as far as i'm concerned. I did run Naim Credo speakers with my 5si for a while and they were quite good. I have also heard some Spendor A2 speakers albeit on the end of a Rega Brio and they sounded really good, one would think that a 5si would pair well with those too. Others to try would be from the likes of Focal or even another pair of B&W standmounts. As I say, go to your dealer and check them out including the Tannoys you have in mind.

I for one will be very interested in what you decide as we both have quite similar systems.

Don't make the mistake of buying speakers that are too large for the space.  I certainly think the XT8Fs bass will be overbearing in a 15m2 room.  

Are you set on floor standing speakers?  For the same money you can get an amazing pair of stand-mounts. If you need more bass you could add one or two small sealed subwoofers later on, but I think you'll be amazed at just how good a decent pair of stand-mounts can sound in a 15m2 room.

cbc posted:

....what would be other speaker recommendations for my system [containing a Nait 5si] please.....

I once heard Naim Arivas at my dealer's sound magical on the the end of CD5i, Nait 5i.

But if you want new then popular brands include, in no order of preference, Neat, Spendor, Rega, Kudos, Focal, Epos, Totem. There are others. As you can tell, I'm in the UK, you may not be.

Dem what you can, including the Tannoys, is probably the best advice.