Used Supernait or new XS2
Posted by: Nina on 15 August 2017
I am thinking of trying a Naim amp again and I can buy a good used and serviced Supernait at a reasonable price or I could buy a new or lightly used XS2
I only use cd so the inbuilt Dac in the Supernait might come in handy
Do the two amps sound much the same?
Thanks for any help
analogmusic posted:Simon in Suffolk uses hugo 1 with 252/250.2.
It’s a very good source but chord has raised the bar with Hugo 2
Indeed analogmusic
I won't go for the Hugo 2 just yet as I am so enjoying the Hugo 1
I have been listening for a couple of days to SN2/CD5XS/Hugo and am really enjoying the combination
I still cannot decide between the XS2 and the SN2 as I like the sound produced by both 
The best word I can come up with to describe the SN2 sound compared to the XS2 is that the SN2 sounds "grown-up"
Does that make any sense at all to anyone ?
Nina posted:I still cannot decide between the XS2 and the SN2 as I like the sound produced by both
That being the case, perhaps consider other factors to help you decide? The used SN2 has already taken the price depreciation hit for you, so would recover more of your original investment if you get the urge to move along again in a year or two... My own experience is that if you’re happy with two things, spending time and energy to compare and contrast is its own fun thing to do, but has no real impact on how you will listen and enjoy once the un-chosen item goes on its merry way. I’m midway through upgrades myself, and I didn’t bother at all to have both old and new Uniti platform boxes in the house at the same time... so my advice also comes with a personal perspective on making choices! You’ve certainly put these amps through their paces, due diligence is done, and now you’ve got another comparison going with the DAC to keep that part of your mind engaged... Send the XS2 back, enjoy your new SN2: its more adult sound will continue to please you as you keep moving forward. Best wishes.
Regards alan
Nina posted:analogmusic posted:Simon in Suffolk uses hugo 1 with 252/250.2.
It’s a very good source but chord has raised the bar with Hugo 2
Indeed analogmusic
I won't go for the Hugo 2 just yet as I am so enjoying the Hugo 1
I have been listening for a couple of days to SN2/CD5XS/Hugo and am really enjoying the combination
I still cannot decide between the XS2 and the SN2 as I like the sound produced by both
The best word I can come up with to describe the SN2 sound compared to the XS2 is that the SN2 sounds "grown-up"
Does that make any sense at all to anyone ?
well the SN2 got a DR regulator on the preamp, but XS2 doesn't.
The DR regulator allows for a noise floor 30 times quieter than the older LM317 regulator used on the XS2. The older regulator does sound really very good, which is why you like it.
I'd go for the SN2 if it were me, because of the DR regulator on the preamp
It is also makes more sense long-term as it got plenty of power for more difficult speakers.
It doesn't matter that much as you found, as source upgrades are the ones that make more tangible differences to my ears.
Another thought is to upgrade to Hugo 2 and keep the XS2.
Which cable are you using between Hugo and XS2? The Naim Standard RCA to DIN or Hi-Line are very good cables.
Max_B posted:For God's sake, make a decision before you're too old to have the strength to push the 'on' button.
M
Never to old to "push the on button"
Why don't you just get both ?
plug in and play the XS when your feeling frisky on the weekends.
plug in and play the SN2 when your feeling " grown up " during the working week and holidays..
simple
TOBYJUG posted:Why don't you just get both ?
plug in and play the XS when your feeling frisky on the weekends.
plug in and play the SN2 when your feeling " grown up " during the working week and holidays..
simple
Now that's a thought TobyJ