When I first got into Naim I moved from a Nait 1 to a Nait 2, then converted the Nait 2 to pre-amp only, and added a nap 90 (shoebox sized case--wonderful). It was huge improvement.
Since then, however, having owned two or three nait 2's, I'm of the opinion that the amplifier in the Nait 2 is rather more accomplished than the pre-amp is.
Had I had it to do over again, and were I again in possession of a Nait 2 and wanted an upgrade, I would convert it to be used as a power amp with a nac 72.
This would work, of course, only if you are not in need of any more power.
This is just a hunch I have-- I could be wrong. I've never tried it. But, my gut is that this will offer more bang for the buck (particularly with the really low prices for Nac 72's these days) than converting to a pre-amp. This is particularly true if you had a hicap and listened to Lp's (the phono boards in the 72 being MUCH better than the MM sections built into the Nait 2.
(In fact, I think with just a dash of tinkering, one could add a hicap to a Nait 2 (I understand this is possible with a nait 3, no?--who has done this?) while keeping the amp and pre-amp sections standard. Wonder what this would sound like).
Anyway, all of these options seem to me to be far more interesting that adding a bigger amplifier to the Nait 2.
In any event, if anybody does this, I'd be curious as to the results.
Whatever you decide, the Nait 2 to pre-amp conversion is easily reversible--and has no untoward effects on the Nait 2.
Judd
