Nait 2 as a pre amp ?

Posted by: smercer on 12 January 2002

I purchased a Nait 2 many years ago and do not want to give it up, but am thinking about turning it into a pre amp and have serval questions about how to go about this. The Nait 2 is paid with Epos ES14s, a new Rega Planet 2000, the green Cord Co. interconnects, the old stiff black Naim speaker cable that I purchased with the system.

1. Is this a good idea? Will I get bang for my buck?

2. Between the NAP 90 & 140, which is the better choice.

4. Do I need to use a separate power supply?

5. Finally, I love the "look" of my Nait 2 and I ( and my wife) want to find an amp that matches it cosmetically. According to the Naim website, there was a cosmetic change made to the Nait 2 before it was replaced by the Nait 3. I am not certain if I won the "old look" or "new look". It is all black with a green lit "naim" logo in the center. The serial number is 45360, which, according to the product history page, leads me to belive it is the "old look".

Thanks for your responses in advance and thanks for this forum!

Steven

Posted on: 12 January 2002 by Justin

Hi,

I'm going to assume that you have the "old look" Nait 2, which originally came with "chrome bumpers" (the front edges of the outer case is silver colored--though can be turned around so the black side faces the front. It has large black (or dark grey) plastic dials on a black face. The "new look" Nait 2 looks identical to the nac 72 (that is, a green face, rubber surrounded dials with a black surround.

The funny thing is, I don't think that you can match either the nap 90 or the nap 140 to the Nait 2, only because the nait 2 (at least the one I described above) is a "tweener", which is to say, it's like half way between the old look and the new look. Old look 140's, for instance, use lighter grey dials and a silver (non-backlit) Naim logo, while the new look 140's have green faces, black rubber surrounded dials and green backlit logos.

I'm going from old memory here (I've owned both the "old look" Nait 2 and the "new look" Nait 2.) I've also owned the new look nap 90 (in the shoebox case). Again, though, these are old memories...so seak other opinions.

As far as the 90 v. 140 is concerned, I have never owned a 140, so can't comment much, other than to say the nait 2/90 combination is stunningly good for what it costs. That said, it got better when I replaced the nait 2 (as pre-amp) with a 32. The 32 is just better.

However, the nait 2, even when converted to use as a pre-amp, has it's own power supply.

Judd

Posted on: 13 January 2002 by Steve G

quote:
Originally posted by smercer:

2. Between the NAP 90 & 140, which is the better choice.

No brainer really - I've got a 90.3 and a 140 and the 140 is miles better.

Regards
Steve

Posted on: 13 January 2002 by Phil Barry

Another option is to sell the Nait 2 (or keep for a 2nd system) and purchase a used 42/62 or, better, a 32 or 32.5 to go with an old style 140. You'd probably put money in your pocket with a Nait sale/32.5 purchase.

I've only heard the NAP90 in stores. I always thought it was a pale imitation of a 140, and I think 140s are more plentiful on the market.

Phil

Posted on: 13 January 2002 by Steve G

quote:
Originally posted by Phil Barry:
Another option is to sell the Nait 2 (or keep for a 2nd system) and purchase a used 42/62 or, better, a 32 or 32.5 to go with an old style 140. You'd probably put money in your pocket with a Nait sale/32.5 purchase.
Phil

I use an old 32.5/140 combinations (although with a dual-railed SNAPS) and they work very well together. I put together my 32.5/SNAPS/140 setup for less than 500 quid which I think is good value.

I also managed to get a 32.5/110 for 250 quid so there are bargains out there.

Regards
Steve