Nait-2 or Nait-3

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

Alco

From various system's I've heard, for whatever reasons, the 2 simply sounds better and more "complete", and doesn't make you long after better sound, unlike the 3 IMO. People who say the 3 is better say it has more resolution and exposes the source better, but as a package it is a bit less well balanced.

In any case, even if the 3 is a little bit better to your ears, I don't think the 2->3 transition is worthwhile the time and money. I, with my new style Nait2, auditioned many combinations and was only content at the 82 level (!) to be a musically subtantial upgrade (other than more powerfull or whatever) that could keep me happy like with the Nait2

Please consider, your Nait2 (and mine) probably needs a recap, and maybe stregthening these dodgy speaker cable terminals.

Just keep buying them aluminium discs.

Omer.

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

A Naim person I spoke to, who shall be nameless, expressed a preference for the 2 for its warmth and musicality. I've not spent much time with the 3 but my brother-in-law's 2 makes lovely music and I suspect I probably agree. It certainly looks better.
Could you buy the 3 and then sell it on if you don't like it so well?

Cheers
David

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

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

I have a Nait2 (now boxed, not in use), and often listen to a Nait3 at my dealer's shop (recently substituted by Nait5).

FWIW, I believe the Nait3 is rated 30W, while the Nait2 20W.

I don't consider the Nait2 --> Nait3 a real upgrade. I feel the 2 is more balanced, more involving and sweeter. On the other hand, the 3 has more slam and dynamics. I heard it driving (apparently easily) Maggie's and SF Guarnieri Homage, among other difficult loads.

Hope this helps.

Stefano.

Arie,

quote:

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to say only a 82 is better than the Nait2 sounds excessive to me .

---

I agree, and that's not what I said. What I said was that musically I sought a larger improvement than that. The 72/250 system I auditioned was good, but it still did not light the music enough, the way I wanted it to.

Regards, Omer.

PS And the 82, in a financial bargain, was a happy end to it.

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

I heard it driving (apparently easily) Maggie's and SF Guarnieri Homage,among other difficult loads. The 2, or the 3??

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

Tom8

It was the Nait3.
I have never thought about torturing my beloved Nait2 with such a heavy load.

Stefano.

PS
I found SF Amati Homage + Naim a magical match.