Nait 3 (as pre) vs Wakonda

Posted by: Edo Engel on 25 March 2002

Dear all,

I'm looking for a nice pre to match my vintage 250 and Kabers. Being on a (tight!) budget, a s/h Wakonda and a Nait 3 (using the pre-out) are currently the only viable options. Would any of the two outperform the other by a mile? Thanks for any input...

Cheers,

Edo

Posted on: 25 March 2002 by Andrew Randle

How much is the 2nd hand Wakonda? I ask this because a brand new Kolektor (at £500) stomps all over the Wakonda (including recent Wakondas).

Whereas the Wakonda is larger sounding and more open, the Kolektor is much more musical.

I would not have thought that a Linn preamp would be suitable for a Naim power amp though. Almost a foregone conclusion that the NAIT would have the advantage in this circumstance. I would suggest selling the 250 and consider a Kolektor/LK140 vs NAC112/NAP150 comparison

Andrew

Andrew Randle
Currently in the "Linn Binn"

Posted on: 25 March 2002 by Edo Engel

quote:
How much is the 2nd hand Wakonda? I ask this because a brand new Kolektor (at £500) stomps all over the Wakonda (including recent Wakondas).

The Wakonda (mind you, without a phono-stage) would cost me EUR 680, some GBP 400.

quote:
I would not have thought that a Linn preamp would be suitable for a Naim power amp though. Almost a foregone conclusion that the NAIT would have the advantage in this circumstance.

I bought the 250 two weeks ago for EUR 340, or GBP 210. I hooked it up to my dealer's Kolektor when I auditioned the Kabers, and it sounded great. At the moment, I primarily want to get the thing to work, so getting a suitable pre is pivotal. I could spend EUR 680 on the Wakonda, or EUR 450 plus much more on cables on the Nait, so both options are equally costy.

Cheers,

Edo

Posted on: 25 March 2002 by Eric Barry

I think you can swing a a 32/42/62 or 32-5/42-5 plus a snaps, flatcap, or old hicap for the price you name (400 pounds). Surely at the very least you can get a flatcap for 200 pounds (a snaps may be hard to source) and a 42-5 or 32 for 150 or less.

--Eric

Posted on: 25 March 2002 by Andrew L. Weekes

I can't compare Nait3 as a pre to the Linn, but despite the often disparaging comments made here, the Nait 3 makes a very capable and musical pre-amp.

You would be better holding out for a stand-alone pre though, a 42.5 will save you money if it has enough inputs, a 72 or better will improve sound.

Andy.