AV receiver and Stereo amp sound quality?

Sounds like the obvious thing to do - Nait XS is dedicated to stereo replay and could be used for the front two channels of your 5.1 set up, leaving the AV receiver to do the remaining channels. Is there a Naim dealer nearby who'll allow you a home demo first?

Hi rackkit

Thanks for the reply.

Yes, I have a very good naim dealer so I can home demo. Hopefully I can have the xs for a week or so. I'm assuming a big jump in performance for stereo, which is what I'm after but don't want to compromise my 5.1. It's a tough ask 

Thanks. I hope so! 

Really looking forward to demo.

Are you chaps running multi channel with naim kit?

Anton

Hi,

yes I am using a Nait XS combined with an Onkyo 905. Stereo is much better and thanks to the gain option it is very easy to switch from 5.1 to stereo.

Kind regards from Belgium

Thanks Belgium

Was the stereo sound produced by the nait a huge difference in quality compared to the Onkyo?

This is a truly international forum. A very good day to you from the UK

Hi AntonD

Yes vs the Onkyo it is a very huge difference even using the Onkyo only a preamp (Nait XS acting as  power amp). You hear it immediately,  no need to concentrate or try to find differences. It's more than obvious, the stage is much larger, everything is clearer. I was really surprised.

BTW I also have a ND5XS and I use his D/A convert also when I watch concerts on Blu ray or DVD (means Stereo Sound via Coax) - HDMI only used via Onkyo for picture. Some times I switch during the concert from HDMI to Coax (always Stereo), the onkyo is really blown away. Can't say anything for the Pio.

Vincent

Another ND5 owner

I can't wait to demo the XS. I think it will cost me money but hey, what do we work for!

Interesting comment you make about using dac from ND5 for Bluray concerts. I also have several concerts which are great on Bluray. I will give this a try when everything is setup to see what difference it makes.

When you switch to Stereo, do you change output from bluray player and select stereo audio instead of the 5.1 mix?

Not sure if you have this title but it is truly amazing, both audio and video:

"Stevie Wonder, Live at Last"

Regards, Anton

In fact I am using a logitech remote, so I have programmed 2 "Blu ray macros" : one for stereo, the other for movies or TV. When I choose Stereo, the Nait switch from "AV" to ND5 input and the Onkyo ist on mute and I select the appropriate input at ND5 level.

For Concerts I always choose the stereo tracks of the bluray (at least since I have the Nait...). So I compare Bluray ==> ND5 (via coax) ==> Nait  versus Bluray ==> Onkyo (HDMI) as preamp ==> Nait as power amp..

I hope it is clear now

Vincent

yes, very clear, thanks

And you say the nd5/nait in stereo blows the receiver "out of the water"?

I look forward to trying this. Many thanks Vincent

Anton

Yes, that what I said / say. I was also very surprised, I expected something better but not such a huge difference.

Vincent

Hi again Anton. 

Been busy with work so sorry about the late reply.

I'm using Naim's AV2 for multi channel with a 3 channel NAP175 and NAP150 3 and 2 channel amps along with Naim's n-Sub. Speakers are n-Sats and n-Cent for the front channels. 

Cheers,

Rack.

I bet the sound is really good. I wish Naim had still persued the AV side. I'm now in a position where I could put it together. I love my films but also have always loved stereo music too. So stereo for me should really sing once I get the nait xs in place. Thanks for your help

Anton

Yeah, it sounds great but it'll be integrated with the rest of my 2 channel system soon, so i'm looking forward to that. I'll be keeping the n-Sats for the rears and powering them off the NAP150 but losing the 3 channel NAP 175 and n-Cent in place of Axess powered by a NAP145 mono amp. 

Cheers,

Rack.

Just wanted to update you all. I was very lucky and acquired an ex demo supernait from my dealer. I haven't even setup the a/v side yet as I just cannot stop listening to stereo music. WOW, I can't believe I have this sound in m living room. Out of the box it absolutely blew my a/v amp away. I now understand Naim people talking about "foot tapin" experience. I'm overwhelmed and think I will not want to go to sleep tonight. The base is unbelievable but controlled. It sounds as though my music has been given a turbo boost 

Tomorrow or weekend I will get round to sorting the a/v side. Hope I can manage it. 

good luck and a lot of fun with your supernait.