Bought my Supernait from a local dealer several years ago at a "demo" rate. The Product Manual has installation instructions but very little in the way of specifications. I can't seem to get any spec info on the Naim support page as the product is no longer sold and they don't seem to provide much support for legacy products. Surprisingly, I can't find much on the internet. My queries:
1. Where can I find more information on specifications, generally;
2. My serial number indicates 2007 vintage. I see some conflicting information on digital input limits. I would like to know if the internal DAC supports 176 or 192 mHz sample rate;
3. Specifically, will the TOSLink optical input support 192?
On an unrelated issue, as long as I'm reaching out, will the new Unity product line support Roon music management software?
Thanks in advance,
Dave M
Posted on: 05 March 2017 by Richard Dane
Dave,
regarding the original Supernait..
What sort of specification are you after? The original specs as published in the old Naim brochure? IIRC the power output is quoted at 80 w/channel into 8 ohms. The internal DAC is a 24bit 192kHz type using a Burr-Brown chipset - it accepts sample rates from 32kHz to 192kHz.
As a standard, Optical Toslink is limited to 24bit 96kHz. While 24bit 192kHz may be possible, it is dependant on transmitter/receiver cable and plugs, and cannot be guaranteed.
Posted on: 05 March 2017 by Mike-B
A nice detailed review including more specs & measurements than you need can be found in the US magazine Stereophile http://www.stereophile.com/integratedamps/108naim/. Martin Colloms published a detailed review with a lot of independent measurements, I don't have a link, I just saved it as a .pdf. but you might find it with a www search. My Supernait handles 192kHz perfectly OK over cable, I've never tried optical, but suspect it might have issues with the abilities of the 'cable' as not all can handle 192kHz.
Hope yr OK with a (non-commercial) mag link Richard
Posted on: 05 March 2017 by dmagnus1
Thanks for the info - The brochure I dredged up on the internet specified a max 96 kHz, but some old reviews I looked at spec'd 192, so I was confused. I've read elsewhere that TOSLink can transmit 192 kHz if the cable and connectors are adequate, as long as the receiver is capable. Do you know if the Supernait is capable of receiving 192 over optical, or is it hardware limited to 96?
Is the old Naim brochure available as a PDF anywhere on the Naim support site? Does Naim have access to product literature on retired products? Just in case I have future questions - the Manual doesn't address much other than how to install the amp in one's system.
Thanks for your prompt response!
Dave
Posted on: 05 March 2017 by Mike-B
I can't tell you about 192 over optical as I've not tried it. I ran a Marantz CDP & my TV via optical for a while. When I got my NDX I tried a few cable combo's into the S.Nait but not optical. When I experimented with NDX is was clear its DAC was better than the S.Nait so I now have digital cable & optical inputs into the NDX & its DIN-DIN analogue output to the S.Nait. Also, not sure what you want to hook up over optical, but keep in mind SuperNait only supports PCM audio, other formats such as MP3, AC3 or DTS will give a loud hiss.
Posted on: 05 March 2017 by Richard Dane
Dave, your best bet is to send an e-mail to Naim - info@naimaudio.com. They may well have a pdf of the old flyer or brochure.
Optical isn't designed to handle more than 24bit 96kHz - the DAC in the Supernait is 24bit 192kHz, so you may get lucky, but as I say, much will depend on the transport and cable you use. Many of the problems with Toslink are down to the design of the plug and socket, which are often a poor fit, but it will also depend on the polish of the optic fibre ends.
