Recap or not to recap Nait 5i

If it's sounding fine then i'd give it a few more years. The Caps have a pretty easy time in the 5i so unless it's sounding off, then i'd leave it a bit longer and then get it serviced. If you wanted to upgrade then i'd look at the Nait XS - The 5si, good as it is, would be more of a sideways step from the 5i. 

If you are planning on keeping the amp go ahead and do the re-cap. Sound degradation is very gradual and not so easy to detect. 

I heard each new Nait as they came out. The improvements were/are easy to detect. I agree with Haim. If you enjoy the current sound do the recap. You will however have a new sound to get used to but once you do you will be well pleased. Unless you can find a cost effective trade-in (trade-up) solution the recap will be well worthwhile.

We had a Nait 5i and it was very disappointing.  We bought it as a show demo from NANA in Chicago, back in the day.  As I recall, the Unit has a passive volume control and no real internal preamp.  The NaitXS is a huge upgrade.   The NaitXS with FlatcapXS is bigger still.  The Naim SuperNait and Uniti  line just goes up from there.  

The problem with the Nait5i is not the lack of a recap.  It is the lack of an internal preamp.  It is an entry level piece and does its best work at that level.   Save your budget, sell it on and move up in the range is my advice.  

Very disappointing in what sense? Compared to what? When the 5i is compared to like cost competition, I would hardly call it disappointing, compared to 500 series kit, I would call it compromised.

My personal opinion is the 5i is very good value, and gives you a slice of Naim sonics for a very good price, the XS series with the power supply is almost four times the cost, hardly a fair evaluation. I would never describe it as disappointing in any way!!!

Hi,

This is a difficult one to call really, I mean, has the amp been throttled most of it's life or has it been mostly purring most it's working life?

If it's still sounding great maybe carry on for another few years depending on what sort of life it's had.

On the other hand you could just sell it on and plus the money you would save on a re-cap you could open the door for a new 5si with which i can whole heartedly recommend. I find even listening to headphones through it's 'so called' budget headphone socket is very pleasurable and not in the slightest bit crap as some would lead you to believe.

cheers

Early Nait 5 is much more a quality amp than later 5i, In fact original RP was almost double.  Ten years ago or so, i demoed at home a first generation 5i (not Italic)  and it was pretty  dull and uninspiring, in comaparison i prefered Cyrus 5. i eventually  purchased a second hand 2000 Nait 5 which albeit less powerfu,l was much more musical and also sported  adjustable gain on preamp section. i exchanged the latter in 2011 for Nait XS.

In my opinion you'd  be better to service your 5i

Regards

Roberto

Thank you for your views. It's not easy, I have to think for a while on this decision.
Naim XS is an option, but I listened to it a while ago, was not entirely convinced. I think Nait 5i has everything I need, actually. Headphone output would be really nice though!

This is my first Naim amp with Neat motive 2 speakers

I love them, they we the pinnacle of music production for me

If you love them recap them for another decade of hifi

ljudpuff posted:

Thank you for your views. It's not easy, I have to think for a while on this decision.
Naim XS is an option, but I listened to it a while ago, was not entirely convinced. I think Nait 5i has everything I need, actually. Headphone output would be really nice though!

Maybe the current 5si is what you need.  It's a better amp has a headphone socket. 

Hungryhalibut posted:

ljudpuff posted:

Thank you for your views. It's not easy, I have to think for a while on this decision.
Naim XS is an option, but I listened to it a while ago, was not entirely convinced. I think Nait 5i has everything I need, actually. Headphone output would be really nice though!

Maybe the current 5si is what you need.  It's a better amp has a headphone socket. 

Yes maybe! 10 more watts can do good for man Dynaudio speakers to I assume.

My only concern is if the sound character is much different to my 5i ( mark 1 ) 

What source(s) are you using? Spending extra on an XS or a Supernait might trap you into a situation where your source isn't really up to the job, then you have to spend your way out of another problem. If you're essentially happy with the sound you've got now, go for the 5si (or just  a recap). 

If you are happy with the sound either do nothing or get a recap if it will make you feel better.

ljudpuff posted;

My only concern is if the sound character is much different to my 5i ( mark 1 ) 

Do not be too concerned with the 5si character it is a cracker of an amp. Bigger, deeper, smoother, wider and just as fun as the original 5i.

rsch posted:

...
 Ten years ago or so, i demoed at home a first generation 5i (not Italic)  and it was pretty  dull and uninspiring, in comaparison i prefered Cyrus 5.
...

Regards

Roberto

Then there was something wrong with that Nait 5i.

It should have been more exuberant and quite a bit more musically involving and than the Cyrus 5, but with slightly less resolution and slightly less bass control (and yes I've heard both, also in comparison with the contemporaneous Roksan Kandy; musically speaking, the Naim won by quite a margin).

I would do the recap. You will probably like the result and it's a minor investment. In the case you don't like it and/or decide to upgrade, your current Nait 5i will have better resale value once you've got it recapped. I think you can not really  go wrong with doing the recap. 

If you're satisfied with the amp I'd recap it. Tends to give most gear a new lease of life. Worth the £