Naim Your Nait

Posted by: Greg Beatty on 07 January 2002

OK - all of this talk about Naits has led me to post this "poll". The answers could affect my search for a new amp. It is not in poll format 'cause I'm looking for two answers.

First, which Nait is your favorite - and give a reason or two why. Value can be considered here.

Second, cost aside, which Nait performs the best? Is the latest Nait 5 the best?

Here is a listing of Naits to choose from. Let me know if I have missed any.

Nait 1
Nait 2
Nait 3
Nait 3R
Nait 5

I believe there is no Nait 4, at least not that made it to market.

OK Nait lovers, let's have it.

- GregB

Insert Witty Signature Line Here

[This message was edited by Greg Beatty on MONDAY 07 January 2002 at 17:40.]

Posted on: 07 January 2002 by Scott Mckenzie

I haven't heard the 1 or 2, so can't really comment....however I preferred the 3R out of all of them (hence I bought one) I couldn't tell any real differnce between the 3 and the 3R but my dealer had a special offer on a 3R so I bought it (plus I do like a remote). I don't like the 5 as much as the 3, the looks aren't as exciting to me and something seemed to be missing from the sound, it wasn't as "toe-tapping" IMO.

Posted on: 07 January 2002 by Hammerhead

1) Sounded brill even when I didn't have a Naim source in my student days.
2) Shoe box size meant it was easily transportable. Important when your moving between student digs/home/between terms. Those where the days..
3) Looked cool. And looks better than any Nait prior or after it.
4) Only cost me £20 per year in depreciation :-)

Steve

[This message was edited by Stevie D on MONDAY 07 January 2002 at 16:42.]

Posted on: 07 January 2002 by Todd A

I got to listen to both a Nait 3 and Nait 5 and the Nait 5 won hands down. It has a cleaner sound than the Nait 3 - meaning it doesn't sound as much like old Naim gear - and it has just a teensy bit more power if your speakers need it. I have not heard the older models, but my guess is that if you prefer the 5 sound you'll prefer it to all prior (and even lower powered) models.

If you notice, three responses yield three different results. I doubt you'll find agreement on this.

[This message was edited by Todd Arola on MONDAY 07 January 2002 at 17:12.]

Posted on: 07 January 2002 by Tony L

quote:
First, which Nait is your favorite - and give a reason or two why.

I can't comment about the 5 as I have never heard one. But out of the ones I have heard I prefer the 2. I have not directly compared the 2 to a 3 but have never heard one sound anywhere near as good as the sound I get at home from my Nait 2. I own a final spec Nait 1 and a final spec CD Nait 2, neither have to my knowledge been recapped (the 2 is under 10 years old, just), so comparisons between the two are not really fair as the differences could be down to the older amp needing servicing.

My original Nait is great fun, it rocks big time and definitely gets the fundamentals right, but if the drummer starts thrashing about with too many cymbals it looses its grip on the tweeter. The fact you can land the things for about 125 quid is amazing, it’s a hell of an amp for that money.

The Nait 2 is smoother, has a noticeable reluctance to let go of that tweeter and just sounds more refined all round. As mentioned my Nait 2 is the CD version, it has no on board phono stage, and I strongly suspect sounds noticeably better for this fact - it is effectively "board-pulled" and sounds it. Kept within its performance limits the Nait 2 is a really clean, clear, and open performer and packs a really surprising punch that is way more than its measured output would imply. It is impossible to believe this thing is rated at 20 bloody watts per channel! It’s a great little amp. I plan to get it serviced and the CD input sorted out (by default the CD input is nobbled in the same way as the old variable level boards in the 32.5 - it sounds crap compared to the DIN inputs).

My impression of the Nait 3 is that it has a bit more grunt, but looses some of the openness and charm of the earlier amps.

They are all great amps.

Tony.

Posted on: 07 January 2002 by Simon Matthews

My friends nait 2 is really musical although probably a bit limited with respect to partnering speakers ( even though he has used them with epos 14's !)

Having heard a nait3R V's a nait 5 I thought there was no contest. To my ears the 5 has a much more cohesive and musical presentation plus more grunt.
Put simply, I wanted to listen to it for longer.

Posted on: 07 January 2002 by Thomas K

quote:
Originally posted by Greg Beatty: I believe there is no Nait 4, at least not that made it to market.

Apparently, 4 is an unlucky number in many Asian countries, which is why Naim skipped that series number altogether.

I've never heard a Nait 2, but it's the funkiest looking!

Thomas

Posted on: 07 January 2002 by David Dever

'cos it's the first one of the series that has been designed from the ground up as a no-compromise integrated amplifier, and features things that no other preamp (except the 112) has.

Need I say anything about the power amp stage?

This is, of course, excluding all convenience-related features

Dave Dever, NANA

Posted on: 07 January 2002 by ebirah

...haven't heard the others but I bought a 1 when I was downscaling (after an experience resonant of Vuk's) - it was a stonking amp on the end of LP12/RB300/K9 and driving Kans. To be honest, I bet they're ALL great. I do think the 2 looks coolest, but that's undoubtedly because it's reminiscent of the more expensive kit we all aspire to?

Steve

Posted on: 07 January 2002 by Rana Ali

Hello, I'm a beginner to the forum but an e-friend of Alco's and some time communicator with Tony Lonorgan (who mentioned this forum to me on a reply to his pfmedia site). For me it has to be a Nait 2. I should have listened to Alco and kept mine. It was replaced by a 62/SNAPS/140 combination with the 62 & 140 being approximately the same vintage as the Nait. The Nait was all there musically if not in terms of outright detail. I'm not sure I can explain it in words. I kind of mean that it allowed me to enjoy the music for once instaed of the equipment. Hence the "upgrade" to the pre/power was not that significant at all. Speakers at the time were Linn Kan IV now replaced with Tukans. I also wish I hadn't "upgraded" to the Tukans now (again, more detail but not necessarily more "music").

Posted on: 07 January 2002 by redeye

Nait 2

Without a doubt one of the 'sexiest' sounding amps ever built regardless of price. Was something very special about that little box. I've heard & owned bigger, more expensive Naim since but in some ways nothing has ever bettered the N2.
If Naim could build a 50w integrated, with remote that sounds identical to this thing....

They'd sell a gazillion of 'em!

Posted on: 07 January 2002 by Mike Sae

Around here, Nait 1 and 2 are so rare I don't even acknowledge their existence

The Nait3 was my first Naim, and I've heard the 5 a buncha times. My head prefers the 5, but my hearet prefers the 3. I damn well know the 5 sounds better balanced and is technically superior, but the 3 has a snappier presentation. It also has lean, rolled off extremes which really suited my system at the time.

In hindsight, the only reservations I had about the 3 were probably due to setup and the CD3.5

Posted on: 07 January 2002 by Jonas_Bj

I think the Nait 1 is the best. I Have heard Nait 2, but the one i listened on needed a recap. I have listened to a Nait 5 but with some other speakers that I don't relay like that much. The Nait 1 got some thing that the others don't have. Well i haven't listened to a Nait 3, but the Nait it got so much life and happines in the music that I couldn't find in the others. Well that's my opinon. I know others who have listened to all the naits and think that the No1 is best.

/ J

Posted on: 07 January 2002 by Andrew L. Weekes

Is one of the best integrateds I've heard and a lot better than the 3 (which I like and used to own).

There's a huge amount of fun locked into the Nait1 I still have though, surprising for the money they can be bought for these days. In some respects it's more fun than the 3, but less refined - swings and roundabouts really.

I could live with any given a suitable source though, providing sensitive speakers are used, or high volumes aren't needed.

Andy.

Posted on: 07 January 2002 by nodrog

I have heard a 1, 2 (of which I now own two, an early model with silver edges and, like Tony Lonorgan, a late CD model) and a 3. The later model 2 definitely makes the best noises. I am not particularly tempted to upgrade. It's also something about the size and diminutive wattage which appeals. It sounds better than it ought to, at any price.

Peter

Posted on: 07 January 2002 by Bob Edwards

Greg--

Great questions.

Best sounding: Nait 5. Not even close--it has the coherence and tunefulness of the Nait 2, the extra grunt of the 3/3R, and is considerably more refined and sophisticated sounding. Matched with appropo speakers and you have an amp that does embarrass staggeringly more expensive combinations. My friend Steve York has a Nait 5 driving AE Aegis 3s (think thats the model number--the larger tower models) and it sounds fantastic, even with an Arcam Alpha 8 as source.

Favorite: Nait 1, because it is what got me into Naim and was the first amp I heard that devastated almost everything I tried to replace it with. It may be nostalgia, but I remember it fondly.

Cheers,

Posted on: 07 January 2002 by Martin Payne

quote:
Originally posted by Bob Edwards:
Favorite: Nait 1, because it is what got me into Naim and was the first amp I heard that devastated almost everything I tried to replace it with. It may be nostalgia, but I remember it fondly.

Bob,

I was going to say something very similar, but I'll just agree with what you said. I heard a rumour that they used the same o/p transistors as the 135s, which has something to do with their sound.

I reckon the NAIT1 sounds quite different to the rest of the range. Having owned mine from new, I reckon Tony's is sounding very sad. I remember it sounding ruthlessly controlled. Only wish the same could have been said of the 32.5, 43.2, 110, 140, SNAPS & HiCap that followed it in quick succession. The 42.5/Hi/140 was probably my favourite combination, and beat the little NAIT in many ways, but still didn't have quite that character of sound.

In fact, I was surprised when Tony said he preferred the NAIT2.

cheers, Martin

P.S. the NAIT5 is excellent.

Posted on: 07 January 2002 by Roland Huu

It's definitely the Nait3 for the following reasons...

1. Sentimental reason. First Naim while in the first job.

2. Very forward presentation and packed lots of fun listening hours with friends when paired with CD3.5
Actually had to re-adjust my listening/expectation when I first heard the 112/150. I thought there was something wrong with them as I was so used to the Nait3 presentation.

Regards
Roland

Posted on: 08 January 2002 by Peter Stockwell

I'm now runing a Nait 5/HiCap bracketed by a Micromega Stage 6 and B&W CDM1Se. I've never had a system that sounds better, overall, than this. I'm actually in awe of it's presentation at the moment, and it's only been powered up continually for two days now. My criticism is a slight softness in bass loaded percussion, but maybe that comes from the B&Ws ?

Peter

Posted on: 08 January 2002 by David Stewart

If you don't currently own one, I don't think you'd be less than totally bowled over by any Nait amp - a Nait3 was my first piece of Naim kit as it totally outclassed anything else at the price in terms of grunt and musicality. There are usually several recent ones available on Loot at around £400. Whilst the 1s and 2s are great by reputation there are probably fewer around on the s-hand market.
Buy and Enjoy ...

David S

Posted on: 08 January 2002 by Greg Beatty

...these Nait 2's that people are giving away.

Here in the states they seem as scarce as hen's teeth.

Anyone know where to find one? I think I would prefer the Nait 5, but the cost difference is considerable. Not sure the wife will get along with no remote tho.

- GregB

Insert Witty Signature Line Here

Posted on: 08 January 2002 by John G.

Start your bidding

Posted on: 08 January 2002 by Charlezz

reasons:
-expensive
-horrible!!!!! (like the whole serie 5)

I prefer the NAIT 2:
-Very, very cheap
-Very smooth
-It looks really cool, doesn't it??

Charles

Posted on: 08 January 2002 by Alco

My thoughts Exactly, Charles!

I must confess i haven't heard the Nait 5 yet,but I don't like the looks of it.
I have had a Nait 3 for two weeks. At that same time I also had Nait 2.

Kept the Nait-2. It had a little less drive compared to the Nait-3,but musically it was the winner.

Only drawback of the Nait-2 might be the unbalance at low listening levels.

I also heard a Nait-1 once sounding pretty good at my dealer,but I didn't had the change to compare it naxt to the Nait-2.

btw: Greg,
I do know one dealer here in Holland who still has some Nait-2's left. for about $475,-

Maybe this dealer can send a Nait-2 to your adres?
(it's the same dealer I got my Nait from)

here's the adres:

Rinsma HiFi
Lippenhuizen, Holland

tel: +31 (0)513-461554

Greetings,
Alco

Posted on: 08 January 2002 by Greg Beatty

...is already into the $400s on eBay.

My experience with eBay (very limited) is that eBay is a great place to sell because prices get driven up - not a great place to buy for the same reason.

How much would YOU pay for a Nait 2?

- GregB

Insert Witty Signature Line Here

Posted on: 08 January 2002 by John C

The Nait 5 looks and sounds better than 3. Especially the logo which looks like the sign over a Miami bar in a Carl Hiassen novel.

John.