Nait5/Flatcap vs Nait 5i ?
Posted by: glevethan on 12 February 2004
Has anyone had a chance to compare a Nait5 with a Flatcap against a "straight" Nait 5i?
Gregg
Posted on: 12 February 2004 by joe90
Tried Nait5i vs Nait5. winner: Nait5. By a mile.
With FC on Nait5 no contest.
The Nait5i is rough and shouty. Exactly what is needed in an amp at the price.
Joe90
Posted on: 13 February 2004 by David Stewart
Presumably Naim must believe the performance of the Nait5i is comparable to the Nait5 or surely they wouldn't have discontinued the latter.
It's interesting to note though, they've kept the CD5 in production in addition to the CD5i which implies there is a worthwhile difference between them (even if it needs the FCap to bring it out!)
David
Posted on: 13 February 2004 by Greg Beatty
"The Nait5i is rough and shouty. Exactly what is needed in an amp at the price."
It Do Run-In, It Do Run-In, It Do Run-In...
- GregB --> Happy Nait 5 FC2 owner
Insert Witty Signature Line Here
Posted on: 13 February 2004 by Emil
So if the Nait5i is better than the 5 and many on this forum say the 5 is very close, and to some, equal to the 112/150,(except for the power difference) the 5i should equal the 112/150. Naim has a situation on their hands.
Posted on: 13 February 2004 by joe90
The Nait5 IS better sounding but sometimes that's not the point.
The Nait5i is stripped down to allow Naim to get in at a lower price point, which will hopefully get more people into Naim in years to come. The CD5/Nait5 is a bit too much for the majority of the market.
Hey the CD5i and Nait5i are great and of course their owners are justfiably proud, but objectively I find it hard to see how the y're as good as the originals.
We all know that the more you spend with Naim, the better it gets.
If you compare the Nait5i's build to the original you'll notice no decoupled circuit boards and, to me, a generally 'cheaper' feel.
As you'd expect with a cheaper price tag.
I think you'll see the CD5 be improved upon soon.
Joe90
Posted on: 13 February 2004 by bjorne
quote:
Originally posted by erikj:
It's too bad that they have discontinued the NAIT5, then. It was nice to have some sort of upgrade path available to the bottom rung.
If you want a new one maybe some dealers still have some in stock. Otherwise used ones will always be around being a good buy. Upgrading via a cap is always worthwhile but I suppose the new Nait is a very capable integrated.
Posted on: 13 February 2004 by glevethan
I started this thread because I was confronted with the choice of a Nait 5 vs. a 5i. In the end I chose the Nait 5 because: I needed to purchase a Stageline phonostage and the 5i is not capable of powering it; with a 5i I would have to purchase a Flatcap to power it which would preclude me from using the Flatcap to power the CD5 and the Nait 5 and obtain the enhanced performance from using an outboard power supply.
I had my dealer call NANA and grab one of the last Nait5's
Gregg
Posted on: 14 February 2004 by Paul Stephenson
"Nait5i's build to the original you'll notice no decoupled circuit boards and, to me, a generally 'cheaper' feel."
Joe, not so.........cheaper feel not a chance!(maybe the remote)
decoupling is still there infact some new thermal islands have been created within the main board for decoupling.
The nait5 is still great value, the i has less upgrade paths and less inputs,we have not dropped quality or our use of innovative solutions for decoupling. The nait5i is a terrific solution to entry level Naim music playback! at more competitive price.
The 5i amp and cd player with the new Ariva speaker really work so well together, you will all get to hear this during March when the Ariva finally escapes.
Posted on: 15 February 2004 by David Stewart
I think the market for the Nait 5 and 5i are somewhat different. Because of its lack of upgradability the 5i is a bit of a cul-de-sac, but will attract a new breed of buyer to the Naim brand.
I wouldn't be at all surprised to see a new upgradable integrated amp from Naim in the next 12 months or so. I may be wrong, but I suspect they realise the value of the Nait3 and 5 was their way of easing people gently into the whole upgrade philosophy.
As well as that, the present price gap between the 5i and the 112/150 combo is a bit too great. The other option of course would be to make the entry level pre/power more affordable. Overall though, I feel the upgradable integrated is the more attractive option.
David
Posted on: 15 February 2004 by joe90
Hey Paul
I certainly feel honoured to be admonished by the admin himself!!
My 'cheaper feel' comment only relates to the black bottom plate which is different from the original Nait 5.
Don't get me wrong. The Nait5i is the right move and makes more sense than the Nait5 has turned out to be.
Thanks for correcting me on the decoupled boards. I'm sure you can forgive me.
Can't wait to hear the Ariva...
Joe90
Posted on: 15 February 2004 by JYOW
I am also considering whether to buy a remaining stock Nait 5 (which costs more) versus a 5i.
Putting aside the lack of upgrade path, the acceptance of RCA plugs and non-NACA speaker cables, how does the 5i compare to the 5 in terms of:
- Ability to drive difficult speaker loads. (in my case the 4 oHm Celestion A1 and the LS3/5A)? On paper the 5i has 70% more watts.
- Sound quality: Surely Naim would not put out a new version that is inferior to the previous generations?
Any insights would be greatly appreciated.
Also, as a long time Naim 2 user, am I going to have a life changing experience by upgrading to the 5 or 5i?
Posted on: 15 February 2004 by Paul Stephenson
No problem Joe! THe top and bottom plates are now machined rather than cast.
Posted on: 16 February 2004 by glevethan
JYOW
When I put my system together with my dealer one of my questions was whether or not the Nait5 would drive my speakers, 4 ohm ProAc SuperTablettes. The Nait5 has NO problem what so ever. I am extremely happy. When I decided to buy remaining stock, NANA (USA) asked what size room my system would be going in so as to determine if I should go for the extra wattage.
Once again I chose the 5 for the upgrade possibilities, as I am sure that a Flatcap will be in my future very shortly.
Gregg
Posted on: 16 February 2004 by JYOW
Thanks Gregg. I also saw my local dealer using ProAc Tablettes with their Naim equipment.
One question is the ProAc's strike me as rather "up-front" speakers, and so are Naims, do you have to somehow tame the setup a little bit?
Have you also auditioned the new nait 5i's? Despite the limitations I suspect that it has got to be an improvement to the now discontinued Bait 5 out of the box. Otherwise Naim is going backward.
Posted on: 16 February 2004 by domfjbrown
quote:
Originally posted by JYOW:
Also, as a long time Naim 2 user, am I going to have a life changing experience by upgrading to the 5 or 5i?
Yeah - you'll get fatter as there's remote control on the new 5 series stuff
__________________________
Make your choice, adventurous Stranger;
Strike the bell and bide the danger
Or wonder, till it drives you mad,
What would have followed if you had.
Posted on: 18 February 2004 by JYOW
quote:
Originally posted by domfjbrown:
quote:
Originally posted by JYOW:
Also, as a long time Naim 2 user, am I going to have a life changing experience by upgrading to the 5 or 5i?
Yeah - you'll get fatter as there's remote control on the new 5 series stuff
__________________________
Make your choice, adventurous Stranger;
Strike the bell and bide the danger
Or wonder, till it drives you mad,
What would have followed if you had.
That was somewhat clever nonetheless useless.
Had anyone actually sat down and compared the sound of the Nait 5 Vs Nait 5i sonically with difference speakers combination?
Some users, inclusing myself, will not mind a "dead end" integrated for a "downstairs" system.
Posted on: 18 February 2004 by JYOW
quote:
Originally posted by JYOW:
quote:
Originally posted by domfjbrown:
quote:
Originally posted by JYOW:
Also, as a long time Naim 2 user, am I going to have a life changing experience by upgrading to the 5 or 5i?
Yeah - you'll get fatter as there's remote control on the new 5 series stuff
__________________________
Make your choice, adventurous Stranger;
Strike the bell and bide the danger
Or wonder, till it drives you mad,
What would have followed if you had.
That was somewhat clever nonetheless useless.
Has anyone actually sat down and compared the sound of the Nait 5 Vs Nait 5i sonically with difference speakers combination?
Some users, inclusing myself, will not mind a "dead end" integrated for a "downstairs" system.
