Super-AV-nait...?

Posted by: Yetizone on 11 March 2008

Hi folks,

Does anyone think that there is a gap in the Naim's product line up for an all in one 5.1 surround sound amplifier? More importantly - supplied without a video player built in?

Something similar to the Supernait, but an AV Supernait - some sort of hybrid Supernait / nVi?

I know there is a positive argument for the nVi but for me that unit is fundamentally flawed as the DVD technology has been superseded already, BlueRay will also have a certain lifespan too - how long one can only guess? So any BlueRay nVi type product just does not appeal to me.

The one thing that's been great about Naim's 2 channel amps is that they have the potential for longevity, older amps still sound good today when properly serviced and maintained. They remain the 'heart' of any HiFi system, dealing with whatever new music source is thrown at them. That's why I love Naim amps! I just don't see that sort of longevity for the nVi type of products - as transports become more and more scarce as the unit ages etc (similar to Naim's CDP's) and of course the format for video playback changes for newer / better technology?

Just having a 5.1 channel integrated amp would be a fairly future proof item as its role would be to process the signal delivered to it and so power the speakers and sub, leaving playback for whatever new technology is to the fore. That signal could be DVD, BlueRay, internet HD download, HD satellite, or whatever is to follow, etc etc?

I just wondered if there was anyone else thinking along the same lines?

Cheers,

K
Posted on: 31 March 2008 by zorba
"The AV2 is designed to be used in addition to an existing stereo system or as part of a stand-alone home theatre. The NAIT5, for example, has a dedicated AV input, which if used in conjunction with the AV2 amplify the right and left channels."

As you say Yoda the AV2 is still very much alive and has the multi analogue ins which makes it a great choice but it seems to be suggested that stereo can be bettered by adding the Nait5 to it. I think that the case for the Super-AV-nait would be that aswell as being multi channel it would also be a true high end integrated focusing even more on stereo - Not that the Nait5 is not good enough but its a shame that you would spend £2500 and improve it with the Nait5 AND HAVE 2 VOLUME KNOBS! AAAAARRRGH!!!

It would be nice if it could be a preamp first and format fighter second - even better not a format fighter at all

Zorba

Ps. It could also be that the above quote was aimed at people who had already bought a Nait5 amp and rather than make it redundant could use it with the new addition of an AV2 or it could also be aimed at true stereo purists.

PPS. What is not pure about an integrated with analogue ins for multi channel?