My SN2 review

Sadly I agree with the OP.  My 552 is being overhauled/DR'd so I've been listening to a SN2 and Nait2 fed by my NDS+555PSx2.  The SN2 is dull and lacking emotion.  It is smooth, but no real sparkle.  The Nait2 in comparison is much more lively, engaging and tuneful.    I was very surprised at this outcome as I enjoy listening to my folks SN2/NDX/Allae's system.   I'm not entirely sure why the Nait2 is so much better?  

Reading through MARK Js previous posts the Nait 2 seems a bench mark. Now we are getting somewhere !

The OP has also trashed the sound of the 250 DR, stating basically the same thing. As a matter of fact, he states the same thing about DR amps. Do you agree with that opinion too?

I too once owned a Nait 2, and have the complete opposite opinion, while the Nait2 is a very fine integrated, compared to the SN2, well, there really is no comparison, dull and lacking in emotion, that's really pretty funny!!!!!!!!!

Even the professional reviews I have seen on the SN2 stated the complete opposite view, as far as the sonic signature of the amp is concerned.

It must be those Kudos Titan speakers causing the problem.

My Nait2 was forged on a moonless night at Stonehenge.  

Chris Bell posted:

My Nait2 was forged on a moonless night at Stonehenge.  

Snap! Mine too... by actual Druids who all looked like Julian Cope. Weird...

Chris Bell posted:

Sadly I agree with the OP.  My 552 is being overhauled/DR'd so I've been listening to a SN2 and Nait2 fed by my NDS+555PSx2.  The SN2 is dull and lacking emotion.  It is smooth, but no real sparkle.  The Nait2 in comparison is much more lively, engaging and tuneful.    I was very surprised at this outcome as I enjoy listening to my folks SN2/NDX/Allae's system.   I'm not entirely sure why the Nait2 is so much better?  

I need to get you over to listen to my little rebuilt NAP 110 - it sounds a lot like you describe the Nait 2. I keep thinking I want to move up (200 or 250) but then it just grabs me and that's that. Never heard it strain per se (maybe underpowered but never clipped). And each time I work on the source (like the recent addition of FMC's), the rest (speakers, amp, etc) just seem to keep getting better.  So, yeah, source first. 

The OP has an opinion and let it rip. I think more people have to do that so people harvesting info on a potential purchase get some diverging viewpoints. I agree though that it helps to hear what else is in use so people get an idea of context. I've heard a lot of very expensive stuff at dealers that sounded "crisp, tidy and small" but that I suspected capable of sonic fireworks if put in the right place with the right speakers.

My wife's comment when I changed out the XS for the SN2? "More authoritative". That was the only difference she noticed. She too, may have been expecting more for her money

[@mention:1566878603865114]

If you don't want that broken down SN2 you could just give it to me.  I'll stop by in 30 minutes.  lol   

Adam Zielinski posted:

An interesting post I must say.

I actually do own SN2 with HiCapDr. Of course it doesn't sound the same as my main 'Naim rig' but nor does it have to. But it's not vastly different - it's still a true Naim amp and brings a lot of joy to our sitting room.

SN is trully capable of respecting really high-end sources - in my case it's mostly fed either by an NDX + nDAC with 555PS or Rega RP10 / Aria.

Having heard many Naim amps I know that I will upgrade it with a separate setup one day. But in order to really hear and feel a significant uplift in the quality I also know I will most likely have to get a NAC 552 with NAP 300. Why do things in halves.... 

So Mark - I understand that you're not impressed by your SN2. That's Ok. But before you dismiss it completetely, please bear in mind it really benefits from a careful rack placement, decent power cables, no mains conditioners and performs really well with either NACA5 or SuperLumina speaker cables.

I'm squeezing all I can out of my SN2.  On Fraim, with NDS/555DR, Powerlines, SL cables.  I toy with the idea (including just this past week) of a separate setup, but "reviews" like Adam's here keep me sane . . . and owning the SN2.  

MY review of the SN2:  "I like it."

Jesus, some of the people on this forum are weird, angry and confrontational.

one guy thinks the SN2 is a dud and they all chime in. Even people like the halibut fish guy who hasn't even heard the ****ing amp in question. 

MarkJ

Yeah, music replay can be an emotional experience and so folks respond in kind.

As far as respondents that have never actually heard the SN2 yet feel fit to reply, well I guess that's up to them, as is the level of condescensional chatter they choose to provide. Some members seem to have an affinity to post for the sake of posting.

You heard the SN2, didn't like it, and I accept that. That said, it might be credible for you to provide the details of the SN2 system you heard, where, and for how long, etc. You posted a topic, so deal with the feedback.

TOBYJUG posted:

Provide some episiotomological philosophy underscoring personal preference. Etc.

Even by Naim forum standards, this seems rather cutting

C.

I have the choice of arguing with you about amplifiers or spending the weekend in bed with a hot girl ...

I will depart now and you can hate all you like that I don't love the tin box that you do. 

Mark J posted:

...I will depart now and you can hate all you like that I don't love the tin box that you do. 

Mark - may I suggest you re-think your choice of words? You comment, perhaps an attempt at humour, was still innapropriate. One could even take is as a racist remark - at least I did.

That sounds like a expensive upgrade.

Mark J posted:

Tidy, crisp amp. Sounds small though. Must say I expected a lot more considering the hyperbole on this site. Overall, disappointed. Too small and cultured to quality as a great Naim amp ( see.. 250, 135, Nait 2 and original Nait 5i as good examples) 

Lots of amplifiers have lower noise floor, better specs etc. But Naims rock don't they? More music, less bullshit reviewer hifi speak..

This one is ok at best. Unless you've heard a really good Naim amp...

 

What I find quite disappointing in the SN2 is the headphones out. The rest is perfect for me, exatly what I need. I have not directly compared the SN2 to "really good Naim amps" ... what would be a fair term of comparison?

Mark, I have edited your last post.  It reads a lot better now.  

Did you perchance miss my earlier post on this thread?

Mark J posted:

I have the choice of arguing with you about amplifiers or spending the weekend in bed with a hot girl ...

I will depart now and you can hate all you like that I don't love the tin box that you do. 

We all look forward to your review.

Mark J posted:

I have the choice of arguing with you about amplifiers or spending the weekend in bed with a hot girl ...

I will depart now and you can hate all you like that I don't love the tin box that you do. 

Mark, once you come back here again, enlighten us more in details your setup what based your findings

Im sure you will be granted more serious and expected positive respond

I recognize some of your findings and suspect setup is important for creating better results.

Do let us have more details and meanwhile enjoy the hottie

Lucky you, I'm spending the weekend in bed with rotavirus.

I wouldn't say SN2 is not an exciting amp that lacks bite. When the music is exciting the amp is exciting. It doesn't over exaggerate or introduce anything to give an illusion of bite that can ultimately lead to listening fatigue. Distortion and noise can have this effect.

The SN2 I owned gave a very honest presentation that was very musical.

Adam Zielinski posted:

Mark J posted:

...I will depart now and you can hate all you like that I don't love the tin box that you do. 

Mark - may I suggest you re-think your choice of words? You comment, perhaps an attempt at humour, was still innapropriate. One could even take is as a racist remark - at least I did.

 

This gentleman obviously delights in hurling insults which of course is rather easy to do via the written word. I find his last post  highly distasteful and immature. All rather sad on what is normally a highly entertaining forum. I'd be tempted to block this member at least until he's prepared to be civil.

Ardbeg10y posted:

Mark J posted:

I have the choice of arguing with you about amplifiers or spending the weekend in bed with a hot girl ...

I will depart now and you can hate all you like that I don't love the tin box that you do. 

We all look forward to your review.

Hope he's not to harsh on the people who recommended her.

If people don't like what's written why not just ignore it?

if it's ignored or not replied to the thread will just slide down the page and disappear. 

It's only an Internet forum discussing black boxes and how to spend money after all. 

I don't disagree, though there is a line between what can be ignored and what should perhaps be challenged. 

Mark J posted:

I have the choice of arguing with you about amplifiers or spending the weekend in bed with a hot girl ...

I will depart now and you can hate all you like that I don't love the tin box that you do. 

Ah, but is she hot, or merely adequate?  And once again you fail to provide sufficient data for us to make a judgement.  Perhaps on this occasion your opinion, rather than a proper review, is more appropriate.