replacement for naim nait 5i-2

Judge,

Emotion - yes - it is a factor with my Merlin speakers.

I have no hesitation in admitting i love them as i had a wonderful interaction with Bobby Palkovic - who passed on in Aug 2015. His memories remain here with me as with other Merlin owners around the globe.

Sentimental - yes.... but.... out of my mind  - No

:-))

These are wonderful sounding speakers which never got commercially famous.

What i am trying to achieve is this :-

The Merlin TSM MMM are sealed box speakers and i think the Naim nait 5i-2 runs out of juice at above 10 o clock position. I am looking to have an amplifier which is just as exciting as the Naim nait 5i-2 with an addtional 30W-40W to provide more headroom and maybe more control.

Possibly that will help in reducing the volume and give better output at lower volume levels.

The sealed subwoofer build was an effort in that direction and it may be possible i may need to think of another one. But i need to know if i have maxxed out on the Merlin TSM first.

regards

mpw

I struggled to move on from nait 5i-2 and am very fond of amp. 2nd time of trying nait xs (60w) with added powerline and then FC2x made all the difference and find very satisfactory now. Music gained bite and came alive for me with some of the 5i-2 magic + a lot more to boot.

As to if this provides enough for your Merlin speakers / sounds exciting enough will be difficult to confirm.

I can say I am very pleased having moved on now but for me required the extras to make the change worthwhile.

Evil Weasel

One of the beautiful things about the Naim Nait 5i-2 is that the replacement has a big shoes to fill and that  makes the search a bit more complicated.

Happy - you found the amp that rocks your boat.

BTW - which speakers do you use and whats the room size like ?

Before I got my first Naim system, I was using a 25-year old Quad 303 from my university days (I still own it). I replaced the source and speakers with a CD5 and a pair of SL2s. Wow! Later I switched to an ND5 XS. Again, a marked improvement by upgrading the source. Next I sent the Quad into semi-retirement and added a Nait XS 2. The Quad had done an amazing job but the younger XS 2 was obviously in a different class. I use it still and I still love it. Recently I exchanged the ND5 XS for an NDX and there was another massive improvement. At the moment I am experimenting with a Chord Mojo but I am very happy with the NDX/Nait XS 2/SL2 combination. I am a big fan of the XS 2 amp. I preferred it to the SN when I compared it initially. So IMHO when you're good with your source I think the XS 2 will make you very happy.

Hi mpw 

i am using neat petite sx standmount speakers.

room size 16ft square less enclosed staircase sitting about 9 ft from speakers

i don't listen too loud as kids in  bed 

Hi there,

the RE-R was home yesterday and we had a go at it for about 3 hours in toto.

We used the Naim naca5 as speaker cables. This despite the dealer being informed beforehand to get speaker cables which fit the back panel of the more powerful R amp..

The RE-R is a very powerful heavy amplifier and built very well and i am sure it will work well with a range of speakers. This is no dis-credit to the R but i guess my exceedingly strong speaker preferences also come into play here.

We played with interconnects as well and i could first hand experience changes in sound in the same track - presented by a different amplifier or a different interconnect.

It is back in its packing and the dealer will look for a new home for it.

I find now that increasing power really isnt everything...rather is about how the speakers demand power delivery from the amplifier and how the amplifier delivers them.

The Naim Nait 5i-2 was very foot tapping ( with the Merlin TSM ) and thats what i liked. It may not be very perfect analysis of music like other powerful amplifiers but i need the ability to grab the rhythm of the music and make me tap my feet.

On Tuesday i will be auditioning another British 55W amp... ( but at a dealers place ).

The li'l Green eyed monster lives to fight another day

Note : We played mostly records and the CD750 came in towards the end and acquitted itself quite well. May not be the best ...but very nice...

Note2 : I might have a smidgen more liking to belt drive TT as compared to the direct drive TT... i regret selling my Technics SL23 specially modified stock arm fitted with DL103.

regards

Hello

before this thread sinks to the bottom ..... i thoought i would update it and let go.

Yesterday i did listen to the Sonneteer Alabaster at a dealers. I liked the build and the simplicity of the design and the sound as well.

I preferred to pair it with Epos Epic 5 floor standers.

It is a very good amp and i would have bought it was i at the start of my audio journey. I fact it would be a very tough choice with the Naim Nait 5i-2 or maybe even the XS.

I did also listen to the Cayin A100T - an 80W tube amp and that was something special - though not in my price range.

I was also not too pleased to feel the heat around the tube amp and i have kids at home and besides... i will have to save for a couple of years more.

So i am back to being with Naim nait 5i-2 and the rest of the puppies.

Coming home ( and being relieved of all other attractions ) is a good feeling.



Thanks to all the folks who chipped in.

This is certainly not the end of the journey or the end of my questions..

:-))

Best
mpw

Much luck with your green- & single eyed monster. Hopefully it forgives you your journeys to be reconsidered and keeps pleasing you with good music.

I understand what you have decided. I've been to audio shops many times and did hear nice stuff, but not that extra thing you need to actually buy it.

My single green eyed monster is called upon to forgive me once again as i have a Jolida 302CRC 50W EL34 tube amp on a loaner for 10 days.

This is my first dig at "tube sound" .

I will know where i stand once i put back the Naim Nait 5i-2 back after 10 days.

In the meantime, i indulged in a Philips CD960 CD player and i think hope it will be a nice upgrade in terms of digging and sending more musical information from my CD collection to my amp.

regards

Good luck with the Jolida.  The sonic character of the el34 is to be a bit bass weak.  Amazing midrange though.  To me that tube is the opposite of the Naim sound.  I'll be interested to hear what you think.  

Brubacca posted:

Good luck with the Jolida.  The sonic character of the el34 is to be a bit bass weak.  Amazing midrange though.  To me that tube is the opposite of the Naim sound.  I'll be interested to hear what you think.  

brubacca

thanks.

i wont call it bass weak but after the fast pace of the naim nait 5i-2 - once can say its a touch slow.

This works to its advantage in certain types of music where it feels more fleshed out.

My speakers are feeling the - tube kick and responding with a much sweeter mid-range especially in the vocals area. On some tracks - its goose pimples time.

I am not saying EL34 tube amp i have on loan is perfect or better than Naim nait 5i-2 - each brings its own strengths to the table.

Ultimately its a question of compromise and sacrifice.

The Naim nait 5i-2 while being fast is does not flesh out the music as much as the tube amp does.

OTOH - i wish the tube amp was about 5% faster in pace and ran less hot than it does.

Such is life..

regards