Nait-2 or Nait-3

Posted by: Alco on 26 November 2000

Hi Folks,

It's me again,Alco.

Next week I'm gonna buy Bas V's flatcap. Bas
is gonna buy a s/h HiCap.
I wanna hook the flatcap up to my CD-3.5.
Just yesterday I saw an ad from a Naim-dealer
in Holland offering a s/h Nait-3 for 1400 Dutch guilders.(360 UKP)
Now, my question is this: Should I go for the Nait-3 for the following reasons or stick to
my old-style Nait-2 ?
- The Nait-3 has twice as much power compared to
the Nait-2. So it probably offers a more tighter
bass.
- It has a better volumepot. (ALPS, I believe)
So this could mean that I wouldn't suffer from
that irritating un-balance (left-right channel)
at low volume, like I do now.
- and also it looks much better than the old-style
Nait-2, in my rack, together with the CD-3.5 &
the flatcap.

Now, some people say that the Nait-2 is (much) more musical than the Nait-3, but the Nait-3 offers more control in the lower frequenties.

(p.s. I'm not able to listen to the s/h Nait-3 since it has to be delivered to me by mail, and
the Naim-dealers in my neighbourhood only sell
the new 5-series now)

Greetings,
Alco.

Posted on: 26 November 2000 by Arye_Gur

Alco,

I had a Nait2 and then a Nait 3. I think the Nait 3 is better than the Nait 2 although I'm not sure you are right about the bass and the power. It is written that the Nait3 has more power but I'd never felt it. Although was so little, I didn't feel a lack of power with the Nait2 and the same with the Nait 3.

If you are listening to Vynil, a flatcap does a great improvement to phono stages with the Nait 3.

Arie

Posted on: 26 November 2000 by Arye_Gur

Alco,

If you are listening to vynil - no doubt, go for the nait 3. You have much more posibilities with the 3 for a phono stage.

If you are not, although I think the 3 is better than the 2 I agree that the 2 is a staisfying amp - but surely is inferior to the 72 I own now so to say only a 82 is better than the Nait2 sounds excessive to me .

Arie

Posted on: 26 November 2000 by Ian Preston

Arie,
What improvements did the flatcap\nait3 combo bring?

Posted on: 27 November 2000 by Arye_Gur

Ross,

I argued with this with Mike Hanson who says that the flatcap improves the whole inputs of the Nait 3.

I didn't feel like that. In my opinion the flatcap
improved a lot the phono inputs - it was like you replaced the Turntable to a better one.
I didn't feel any improved in sound of the CDI and tuner inputs. The improvement in the phono stages was so great, that I think it is a good idea to someones who listen to LPs to add a flatcap to the Nait3.

Arie

Posted on: 27 November 2000 by Arye_Gur

Hi Omer,

Nait 2, Nait 3, what about the Mana ?

BTW, maybe a 250 is too good for the 72 so it is not a good combo.

Arie

Posted on: 27 November 2000 by Andrew L. Weekes

I own a Nait 1 that has been upgraded to a pseudo Nait 2 by Naim (coupling cap upgrades, primarily) and a Nait3.

The Nait 3 is definitely more powerful, has a more extended bass response (subjectively maybe, but noticeably nonetheless), and in my opinion is a significant musical upgrade from my Nait1. Certainly at second hand prices in the UK (£300-350) it was the most affordable upgrade at the time I bought it.

The Nait1 is still superb though, and I was very suprised when my Nait3 was repaired recently just how good the old Nait is - it still produces music, in common with all the Naim gear.

The Nait3 does have a better Alps volume pot, but still suffers from low-level imbalance, particularly with sensitive speakers / high output source (e.g. CD).

The option to add a *cap to it brings big benefits too.

Andy.

Andrew L. Weekes
alweekes@audiophile.com