CB Nait 2 - I just cannot believe it!

I'm about to join you with a rebuilt CB Nait 2.  Glad to hear it's impressing you so much.

Trouser wobbling bass love it..

I remember taking a Nait 3 into a non-Naim dealer to audition speakers. The sales guy looked very dubious when he picked it up "did you bring your power amp?". By the time I finished he asked me to let him know if I was ever looking to sell it!

It's one of the bombs  NAIM dropped!  Just about 30 years ago, effects still being felt today!

Never owned a Nait 2 

i do own a Nait 3...Thorens TD150 mk2...Quad ESL 57s (one thing audio rebuild) and it sounds simply amazing. I sold my Roksan TMS 2...Naim DBL rig and don't regret it 

Naits punch well about there weight and deliver 80 to 90% of the bigger amps sound

one very happy nait owner 

What happened to the current Nait 5SI integrated? I thought it's supposed to be an improvement from the older Naits 2, 3 etc. ?

The CB Nait 2 and the Nait 3 are my fave Naits.

ryder. posted:

What happened to the current Nait 5SI integrated? I thought it's supposed to be an improvement from the older Naits 2, 3 etc. ?

In many ways it is. However, the early NAITs have something about them - used within their limits they strike a lovely balance that really engages.

I know it will never happen, but Naim marketing dept should take note of how popular/sought after their classic range of components are, and subsequently push for the reissue of a modern Nait 2.  If the evidence of them selling for more than double their original asking price isn't enough, the fact they are still in circulation and respected as a 'proper' piece of hifi should demonstrate that there is a market for such an idea.  It could be a modern rendition of the iconic classic, utilising the classic styling and simple design of the original piece.  In fact they should just employ me to do so as I have it all figured out in my mind, from the design right through to the marketing - Richard?   I know Cyrus have done something similar, but I feel they went too 'bling' and have overdone the design.  I cannot understand why these companies cannot see the error of their ways at the drawing board before it gets to development...never mind.

For now i'll continue to enjoy my 30 year old masterpiece.

Lewis, here's my personal view:

it's always tempting to consider some kind of limited edition reissue of a much loved and still coveted oldie - it's been done by others on many previous occasions and as far as the question "will it sell?", well, don't be silly. Of course it will. Indeed, Naim probably still have most of the old parts available to build an original NAIT exactly as it was back in 1983.  The problem is that at best, it doesn't really push thing forwards and maybe hints at a company running out of new ideas, and at worst it could be considered a cynical piece of marketing, and Naim don't really do cynical.

Still, it is a tempting and even tantalising proposition all the same.  Perhaps some kind of retro homage to the original NAIT would avoid the pitfalls noted above, while at the same time satisfying an undoubted love and desire for a back to basics shoe-box Naim integrated amp?

Although I think it rather misses the point about one of the things that makes Naim great - you can buy an original NAIT 2 on the second hand market and Naim will make it as good as new. That just isn't true of most hifi brands. Launching a homage to the NAIT 2 would blur the focus of that USP.

Jedt, yes, I agree.  The fact that Naim can service or even rebuild an original NAIT to perform as well as it did when new is certainly one of the things that makes Naim such a great company. And maybe that does make any kind of reissue a waste of time. 

However, even though I already have both a recently factory serviced NAIT and a fully factory rebuilt NAIT 2, I'd probably find a reissued NAIT, or NAIT homage (or whatever it might be so long as it's a shoebox NAIT) irresistible. And I very much doubt I'm alone...

There was something special about early chrome bumper Naim. Nap 160 is also very special. 

Early Naits are just a joy to listen to - such fun.

I think if Naim reserect anything it should be the Aro/Geddon, maybe limited edition 12 month time limited. With perhaps a phono ready Nait on the side.....

Vinyl revival and all that.

Stu

I have a Nac 32 and Snaxo 24 and 2x Nap 100´s into active Kans,it´s absolutely much more fun and

more musical sounding than any Nait or Nait 2 that I´ve had.

I know more boxes and money

Richard Dane posted:

Lewis, here's my personal view:

it's always tempting to consider some kind of limited edition reissue of a much loved and still coveted oldie - it's been done by others on many previous occasions and as far as the question "will it sell?", well, don't be silly. Of course it will. Indeed, Naim probably still have most of the old parts available to build an original NAIT exactly as it was back in 1983.  The problem is that at best, it doesn't really push thing forwards and maybe hints at a company running out of new ideas, and at worst it could be considered a cynical piece of marketing, and Naim don't really do cynical.

Still, it is a tempting and even tantalising proposition all the same.  Perhaps some kind of retro homage to the original NAIT would avoid the pitfalls noted above, while at the same time satisfying an undoubted love and desire for a back to basics shoe-box Naim integrated amp?

I think the UnitiQute is sort of the modern Nait 2, fun and with the right speakers way better than it has any right to be! 

Well I was pleasantly surprised, over the moon in fact.

I'd recently separated, moved into a new drum, and the first thing I thought was hifi (I was well into rotel and fostex based speakers before we met. Well that was the end of that).

I only had about £500 to spend and I knew I wasn't going to get anything decent for that... Or so I thought.

While looking around on the usual sites, I stumbled upon Naim, CB specifically. I got a nice nac42.5 and a nice nap140 for said amount. I just loved the look of them and after not much research, found they were held in high regard. But I thought, this stuff's from the 80s, how good can it be?

I then got a mint pair of kef c60s with stands for £80! (About the same age)

It all sounded fantastic. Couldn't believe it.

So I looked a little deeper, snaps, highcaps etc, and not long after got a snaps-cap for £160.

The already good sound went up another level.

So now I'm sbls, naxo2-4, hicap/snaps/snaps-cap, moded nac62/original nac42.5, 2x nap140, 4 metre lengths of naca5 cable, various interconnect naim/chord/flashback.

All in about 2 years.

I knew I should've put my foot down, bitch.

[@mention:1566878603941633]

They did 100s? (Or do you mean 110s?)

Arb76 ,Great system ! I now have the new style Nap 100´s( having had Nap 110´s which is also very good)

Great post from Lewis at the top and I have no trouble believing all he said!!

Coincidently I plugged in my Olive Nait 2, which had a service in 2008, just the other day and have been grinning ever since!

This is driving Quad ESL63s ( hard to believe) and sounds incredible.

The Nait 2 remains one of Naim's finest hours.

Regards,

Mark

I'm sure they could house the new stuff in the best looking (CB) boxes. Then both compromises are met - new technology, classic styling.

Are the 100s another setup on the CB boxes do you think?

Paul Quigley ie posted:

Richard Dane posted:

Lewis, here's my personal view:

it's always tempting to consider some kind of limited edition reissue of a much loved and still coveted oldie - it's been done by others on many previous occasions and as far as the question "will it sell?", well, don't be silly. Of course it will. Indeed, Naim probably still have most of the old parts available to build an original NAIT exactly as it was back in 1983.  The problem is that at best, it doesn't really push thing forwards and maybe hints at a company running out of new ideas, and at worst it could be considered a cynical piece of marketing, and Naim don't really do cynical.

Still, it is a tempting and even tantalising proposition all the same.  Perhaps some kind of retro homage to the original NAIT would avoid the pitfalls noted above, while at the same time satisfying an undoubted love and desire for a back to basics shoe-box Naim integrated amp?

I think the UnitiQute is sort of the modern Nait 2, fun and with the right speakers way better than it has any right to be! 

Paul, I have a Qute2 and agree, its a gem of a one box solution. I wonder, a potential classic in the making perhaps.

I also have a chrome bumper Nait2 as well, which does need a service, plus the flickering front LED needs replacing. Even though I find the Qute2 more satisfying from a functional point of view - with full control via phone & tablet, that little Nait2 still communicates music beautifully. Its lovely little box, retro cool in the extreme, and sounds sublime powering a set of sensitive speakers.

In terms of the suggestion by Lewis - interesting, but I'd much rather have a shoe boxed sized streamer / tuner with no amp section - all housed in the new Uniti style case work to act as a stark visual contrast to the chrome bumper era equipment, this would feed into my Nait2. Yes please Naim!

I had my CB Nait2 serviced a few months ago by class A . I tried it in my set up on return and it drove my ATC19s remarkably well from cold , sounding wonderful and not out of place . Its probably my most prized possession , I'll form a second system with it when my home renovations are complete . 

I wonder what the ideal modern day speakers are for a Nait2 ? 

Thanks for you reply Richard.

It's certainly an interesting proposition.  I don't think the Qute2 is the same as it's a modern streamer and completely different from a functional point of view.  I am talking about a new version of the 'old' Nait 2.  Look at what companies like Leica and Fuji and Olympus are doing with their current product line, launching new versions of the original designs with improved functionality and better internals, whilst maintaining the original vintage style.  It is just an idea but I am sure it would be a hit, I for one would buy one and i'm sure a lot of other die hard Naim fans too.  I understand that it doesn't push things forward in terms of 'tech', but it would be cool to have a product like this as a 'homage' to a product that has achieved such iconic status

pete T15 posted:

I had my CB Nait2 serviced a few months ago by class A . I tried it in my set up on return and it drove my ATC19s remarkably well from cold , sounding wonderful and not out of place . Its probably my most prized possession , I'll form a second system with it when my home renovations are complete . 

I wonder what the ideal modern day speakers are for a Nait2 ? 

I have driven massive Tannoys via a Nait 2 and it was more than up to the job, only losing grip at very high levels.  It really is just a fantastic little box!

Lewis posted:

Thanks for you reply Richard.

It's certainly an interesting proposition.  I don't think the Qute2 is the same as it's a modern streamer and completely different from a functional point of view.  I am talking about a new version of the 'old' Nait 2.  Look at what companies like Leica and Fuji and Olympus are doing with their current product line, launching new versions of the original designs with improved functionality and better internals, whilst maintaining the original vintage style.  It is just an idea but I am sure it would be a hit, I for one would buy one and i'm sure a lot of other die hard Naim fans too.  I understand that it doesn't push things forward in terms of 'tech', but it would be cool to have a product like this as a 'homage' to a product that has achieved such iconic status

Yup, but these new photocameras are entirely digital - not analogue anymore. So I'm strenghtened in the idea that the UQ2 is the new Nait 2 since the UQ2 is also quite digital.

But the UQ misses the Dins.