Question for current / past SuperNait2 owners.

Paul

A powerline is for ever, even if you change your system - that's a good argument...

Frenchnaim posted:

Paul

A powerline is for ever, even if you change your system - that's a good argument...

Having heard the differences a mains cable can make at the show in Bristol this year, swmbo should be ok with that one when I have the pennies.

I run a SN2 and am very much satisfied. I upgraded from a Nait XS. I was worried that I may lose some of the excitement of the Nait XS but the SN2 was more than up to the task and brings a lot more to the table on top. 

I'm quite settled with it at the moment as I feel that I would have to spend significantly more money, and have more boxes to better it. I've heard a 272/XPSDR/250DR a couple of times now (albeit with different, more expensive speakers than my own) and each time I have found it much less involving than my own Hugo/SN2. I did want to like the 272 based set up as it's such a sexy, compact system but it just failed excite me. I'm sure things could well be different with a home demo however. 

I haven't really thought about PSU upgrades although it something that has crossed my mind. I think I would probably consider a PSU  in the context of the future potential upgrades, if I feel the need to but I'm in no rush at the moment. 

Mayor West posted:

I haven't really thought about PSU upgrades although it something that has crossed my mind. I think I would probably consider a PSU  in the context of the future potential upgrades, if I feel the need to but I'm in no rush at the moment. 

That is a sign of a good sounding system  

engjoo posted:

Jan, 

I am considering the Ls5/9 too for my SN2 (to replace the P3ESR). Which speakers were you using previously with your SN2?

How would you describe the differences of XPS/272/250DR over your nDAC/SN2?

Interesting insights on Sonneter Alabaster. Before considering SN2, I did ponder on the LFD but what concerns me are the long term support I can get from a product coming from company that is essentially run by an individual. There are also other reasons like system automation (with NDX) and remote which swayed my decision to the SN2. Sonneter as a company seems like an in-between that of LFD and Naim in that respect. :-)

Hi,

1. The Amphion Argon 3 preceded the Grahams. Since you mention the P3ESR, also worth looking for are the Davis Acoustics Olympia Master One. They're similar in size to the P3ESR, have a similar midrange cohesiveness and openness, but also do some seriously deep bass, if your listening room is not too large. A nice feature is that the bass never intrudes on the midrange. A sleeper of a speaker. Over here, they're a quarter the price of the Grahams.

2. I found the nDAC/SN2 more engaging and insightful than the 272/XPS, which I attribute to the DAC section of the 272. It came across as a brighter more detailed presentation (akin to the Hugo) but with less groove than the bare nDAC. The 250DR provides far more grunt and a better definition in the bass than the SN2, which is to be expected. But if your listening room and habits don't require the extra power, the SN2 may be all you need.

3. My comments on the Alabaster refer to it when using one of its passive preamp inputs. There is an ease and reactivity to the presentation that is simply addictive. It's a stunning combination with the Grahams, almost as much so with the Davis Olympias, and still pretty darn good with the Argons. After many years of loving the Argons though, I can now hear all too clearly a slight halo around voices that I also hear with other horn, quasi-horn or waveguide speakers.

Jan

SN2 / NDX / Powerlines / High Line here, very happy with what this combo does for so few boxes.

Jan

what kind of music do you often listen to ?

It's a mix. A lot of baroque, followed by electronic music. Norwegian jazz also figures prominently, for example, Nils Petter Molvaer, Tord Gustavsen. I regularly attend concerts by the Arion Baroque Ensemble, which helps to keep the sound of live unamplified acoustic instruments fresh in my mind.

Jan

I have the SN2 and have added a Supercap and 250.2 along the way. The SN2 will then make way in a few months' time for a 252, then a second 250.2 for biamping. Speakers are ProAc K6.

By itself the SN2 is a very good amp; had I not switched systems around to achieve a better match, I would have kept it bare. 

I had an SN2, with powerline, and auditioned the Hicap DR,  and the other two non-naim PS, and while all the  power supplies brought something different to the table, in the end preferred the SN2 on its own, and unfettered.  

Over the last festive period, I made the mistake of borrowing a valve amp from my local dealer. A visit to Icon Audio in Leicester swiftly followed, and I now own  their 845 Integrated. After 25 years of separates ownership I had what I can only describe as a "musical epiphany" on hearing valves for the first time.

I have nothing but fond memories of the SN2 however. It's a sensational amp, and I'm gutted I couldn't keep it for a future second system. 

I also visited Icon Audio and bought their amp, and while they are fine valve amps, and very nice people, I went and bought a 202/200 Naim fairly quickly afterwards. (I auditioned 202/200 first, got sidetracked with the whole Valve amp thing, and then bought the Naim)

Something about the Naim boogie factor is just addictive to me.

Mayor West posted:

I'm quite settled with it at the moment as I feel that I would have to spend significantly more money, and have more boxes to better it. I've heard a 272/XPSDR/250DR a couple of times now (albeit with different, more expensive speakers than my own) and each time I have found it much less involving than my own Hugo/SN2. I did want to like the 272 based set up as it's such a sexy, compact system but it just failed excite me. I'm sure things could well be different with a home demo however. 

I think it comes to that 272 is simply inferior as a pure source than Naim DAC equipped with high quality USB bridge. I just recently did extensive comparison of NDX vs Naim DAC and even though they both have their strengths, Naim DAC is objectively better IMO. NDX has this awesome boogie factor which gets your foot tapping even better than Naim DAC but it can't dig as deep into the recording as Naim DAC. And I dare to say that NDX is superior to 272 as a source component. I haven't directly compared these two though. 

Jan-Erik Nordoen posted:

2. I found the nDAC/SN2 more engaging and insightful than the 272/XPS, which I attribute to the DAC section of the 272. It came across as a brighter more detailed presentation (akin to the Hugo) but with less groove than the bare nDAC. The 250DR provides far more grunt and a better definition in the bass than the SN2, which is to be expected. But if your listening room and habits don't require the extra power, the SN2 may be all you need.

Jan

I haven't compared these setups side by side but based on my auditions, this is exactly how I would also describe the differences.

The Buster posted:

I had an SN2, with powerline, and auditioned the Hicap DR,  and the other two non-naim PS, and while all the  power supplies brought something different to the table, in the end preferred the SN2 on its own, and unfettered.  

 

If the speakers aren't that demanding, SN2 might sound better without the PSU. Even one local dealer here prefers bare SN2 to HCDR'd one. With my speakers the difference was huge when I unplugged the PSU. It brings loads of control, grip and power to the sound but where it might take a away is the fluidity and flow of the sound. With smaller and easier speakers the effect of slightly looser bass and control might sound like there's more bottom end? Not sure about this though. 

I've purchased my SN2 in December after having demoed the 202/200 (non DR) and then the SN2. I very much preferred the SN2 :-) I've had the Nait XS before and have also been using the Nait2 for approx 2 years. I really love the SN2 and am using it bare, maybe I will demo a HiCap in the future. But on the other hand I like to keep the box count to a minimum. 

In many ways I feel that the SN2 is the "final" amp for me, I will probably never go for any pre/power combo in the future. 

My system consists of NDX/Ovator S-400 (Boy, how they sing connected to the SN2..) /Stageline N/ Pro-Ject 2Xperience Superpack. 

I listen to almost any type of music. FLAC/Vinyl 30/70(%).

I am a happy owner of SN2 since 2014 (previously had Uniti2). Did change from Kudos S10 to S20 since the new room did require floorstander. I finally changed from Hugo to Hugo TT last week. I really enjoy this setup having no plans to change or "upgrade" in the near future.

I was content with the SN2 for a time because it sounded noticeably better than the Nait XS-2, brining needed warmth and bass response to my Harbeth P3esr speakers.  Adding Powerlines and DC1 cable to the SN2 and DAC-V1 took me further into the world of Naim.  The sound was very revealing and very good on many levels, but at the same time, the emotional connection was missing.  A friend who posts here on the Forum brought the NDAC , HICAP, 2Qute and other gear to the house one day for a good listening session.  It was a enjoyable experience but ultimately not what I wanted from a system.   Afterwards, I home demoed two other amplifiers (Vinnie Rossi “off the grid” LIO and a tube unit from Octave).  Both were very engaging but there were some minor issues, so the search continued. 

Which leads me to the LFD Zero Mk IV Integrated, which I purchased two weeks ago.   Without a doubt, the LFD integrated and Harbeth have an amazing synergy that is captivating on every level.  To my surprise, the bass response and PRAT are better than the SN2!  The tone and texture are more natural to my ear.  And the overall presentation is entirely different.  While the SN2 tends to project music from the speaker into the listening room, the LFD draws you into the music with plenty of depth well behind the speakers.  It’s like changing seats at an acoustic concert from the first few rows (SN2) to the middle of the venue (LFD).  I rather prefer a more distant presentation, but others may not.   The absence of a remote control is not an issue for me when using a W4S modified Sonos or a computer with audiophile music player with 64 bit dithered volume controls.   

Goodsounds posted:

I am a happy owner of SN2 since 2014 (previously had Uniti2). Did change from Kudos S10 to S20 since the new room did require floorstander. I finally changed from Hugo to Hugo TT last week. I really enjoy this setup having no plans to change or "upgrade" in the near future.

How does the sn2 compare to the U2?

spurrier sucks posted:

Goodsounds posted:

I am a happy owner of SN2 since 2014 (previously had Uniti2). Did change from Kudos S10 to S20 since the new room did require floorstander. I finally changed from Hugo to Hugo TT last week. I really enjoy this setup having no plans to change or "upgrade" in the near future.

How does the sn2 compare to the U2?

I remember I noticed a wider soundstage and more bass control (think this would describe best) with SN2/Hugo compared to Uniti2/Hugo while listening to various
guitar / acoustic songs from Ed Kuepper/ Lasse Lindh/ Built To Spill/ Kurt Vile/ Mojave 3.