NAD Upgrade

Posted by: ajalden on 09 January 2003

I'm currently upgrading my Naim system which consists of a CD5, LP12, Flatcap2, Nait 5 and Linn Ninka Speakers initially adding a NAP200/250 and then the 202 Pre Amp and eventually a CDX either new or second hand when I have sufficient funds. This may be the wrong way around but I need the extra grunt for my Ninka's.

However, in the meantime a collegue of mine called Black Sheep is also getting into the upgrade bug and has listened to my system and really like's the sound. He currently has a NADC370 CD Player, NADC370 Amp and a new pair of Dynaudio 62's and is interested in replacing his amp and CD Player does everyone believe a Nait 5 would be a sufficient upgrade for him from his NAD Amp?.

Posted on: 09 January 2003 by NB

It all depends on his budget and ambitions, why stop at a CD5?

Regards

NB

Posted on: 09 January 2003 by Dan M

Take John's advice - let you friend figure out if the Naim sound is for him in his sistem. My experience was going from a NAD 314 to a Nait I - the improvement was obvious. It was confirmed when just before shipping the 314 off to it's next owner, I played a Dinah Washington track - on the Nait she sprang to life in my listening room - the magic just wasn't there with the NAD.
cheers,
Dan

Posted on: 09 January 2003 by Kevin-W

I concur with John and Dan - it's all down to individual taste. Your friend should audition for himself before he buys - after all, it's his money, and more importantly, his music.

FWIW, I went from a NAD 3020 to a NAIT 2 in 1988 (I'd acquired an LP12 some months previously as an upgrade to my old Heybrook TT2/Syrinx LE 1 combo and decided the source needed a better amp); the difference was staggering - and the 3020 was/is a superb amp for the money! Right from the dem in the shop I was hooked on the Naim sound!

Kevin

Posted on: 09 January 2003 by ajalden

I'm going to take it around next week for him to audtion, I might take the Flatcap too as this made a huge improvement.

Posted on: 09 January 2003 by Frank Abela

The Dyns are a bit of a difficult load. If you're trying to run them in a largish room you may find that the Nait5 isn't man enough for the job. You'll get obvious improvements in terms of fidelity and pace but it doesn't have the guts of the C370 (which is a bit of a powerhouse). That said, you may find that the compromise is to your liking as I have often had good results with the Nait5/Dyn62 combination.

Regards,
Frank.
All opinions are my own and do not reflect the opinion of any organisations I work for, except where this is stated explicitly.

Posted on: 09 January 2003 by bec143

I agree with Frank. My first upgrade was an NADC350 to a 92/90. The NAD had more juice than the 92/90 fer sure, just didn't sound as good. My sense is that my 112/150 is more like the C350 with regards to power, thus your C370 is certainly more able to drive your speakers than a NAIT 5. Still won't sound as good, but something to consider.

Bruce

Posted on: 10 January 2003 by seagull

The signals in the amp are sine waves, when underpowered amps are pushed too hard they will clip the signal, chopping off the top and bottom. This will cause all sorts of problems at higher frequencies and will probably blow your tweeters.

I was at a party when this actually happened once.

In my experience, I have never heard a Naim amplifier causing this. Turning them up, the music just gets LOUDER

Posted on: 10 January 2003 by David Hobbs-Mallyon

Depends what you call small. From what I've heard a NAP500 into IBLs sounds pretty good.

David