Updating Supernait

Posted by: m.paul taylor on 17 February 2018

I have a Supernait which I bought pre-2010 (I think about 2008). Is it possible to update it to current day spec? And is it worth it?

Posted on: 17 February 2018 by The Strat (Fender)

I doubt it.  The SN2 is a different beast. No doubt it would benefit from a service.  

Regards,

Lindsay

Posted on: 17 February 2018 by Finkfan

Morning [@mention:69708705444989410]

I think the only thing you can do is replace it with a SN2. 

Posted on: 17 February 2018 by Robiwan
m.paul taylor posted:

I have a Supernait which I bought pre-2010 (I think about 2008). Is it possible to update it to current day spec? And is it worth it?

get the latest 1.4 firmware version to prevent it from "freez up". Otherwise the SN is an excellent amp and has a more Naim sound than the SN2. 

Posted on: 17 February 2018 by m.paul taylor

How do I get the latest firmware?

Posted on: 17 February 2018 by Robiwan
m.paul taylor posted:

How do I get the latest firmware?

probably the Naim distributor or dealer. In the Netherlands only the distributor (Latham audio).

Posted on: 17 February 2018 by Richard Dane

If you don't have any issues with your Supernait then probably not worthwhile having it done.

Posted on: 17 February 2018 by John Bailey

I recently did the demo of my Mk1 Supernait with HiCap or DR HiCap against the Mk2 version bare and with a DR HiCap. 

For me the Mk2 resolves more detail but was slightly less enjoyable. I passed.

Probably not worth obsessing about. If you really want to make a big change I would suspect only a 282/200 would be a significant improvement (though I haven’t done the dem but did have a 202/200/HiCap/Napsc which I didn’t like as much as the Supernait - so personally I would skip that combo). 

Always do the dem to satisfy your own ears though. 

Posted on: 17 February 2018 by Robiwan

The SN is a better power amp than a nap 200. To make a really big step a nac 272 with nap 250 will do

Posted on: 17 February 2018 by badlands
Robiwan posted:
m.paul taylor posted:

I have a Supernait which I bought pre-2010 (I think about 2008). Is it possible to update it to current day spec? And is it worth it?

get the latest 1.4 firmware version to prevent it from "freez up". Otherwise the SN is an excellent amp and has a more Naim sound than the SN2. 

Spoken like a true SN1 owner, but without merit!

That statement is definitely more opinion than fact, as owners of the SN2 feel the complete opposite. The SN2 is at a completely different level than the original!

Posted on: 17 February 2018 by cat345

The Supernait easily reveal source quality and can be substantially updated by using a better external dac. 

Posted on: 17 February 2018 by SB

Add a HiCap DR, it is a significant upgrade.

Posted on: 17 February 2018 by Klout10
Robiwan posted:

The SN is a better power amp than a nap 200. To make a really big step a nac 272 with nap 250 will do

Sorry, but I have to disagree ... I've owned a SN1 and now a 272 with a 200DR.

Posted on: 17 February 2018 by Ardbeg10y

I feel this topic is a bit DR Vs Non DR. The SN1 with Hicap Dr comes very close to the SN2. Personally I like both. I'm currently running my SN1 without ps and it's a brilliant powerful and dynamic amp. Still in love.

Posted on: 17 February 2018 by Ardbeg10y
Klout10 posted:
Robiwan posted:

The SN is a better power amp than a nap 200. To make a really big step a nac 272 with nap 250 will do

Sorry, but I have to disagree ... I've owned a SN1 and now a 272 with a 200DR.

You mean a SN1 is better?

Posted on: 17 February 2018 by Robiwan
Ardbeg10y posted:
Klout10 posted:
Robiwan posted:

The SN is a better power amp than a nap 200. To make a really big step a nac 272 with nap 250 will do

Sorry, but I have to disagree ... I've owned a SN1 and now a 272 with a 200DR.

You mean a SN1 is better?

of course a SN1 is better as all integrated are better than seperates, more fun sounding!

Posted on: 17 February 2018 by Robiwan
Ardbeg10y posted:

I feel this topic is a bit DR Vs Non DR. The SN1 with Hicap Dr comes very close to the SN2. Personally I like both. I'm currently running my SN1 without ps and it's a brilliant powerful and dynamic amp. Still in love.

it's damn good It is both transparant and fun sounding and has balls/bass like an elephant. 

Posted on: 17 February 2018 by Klout10
Robiwan posted:
Ardbeg10y posted:
Klout10 posted:
Robiwan posted:

The SN is a better power amp than a nap 200. To make a really big step a nac 272 with nap 250 will do

Sorry, but I have to disagree ... I've owned a SN1 and now a 272 with a 200DR.

You mean a SN1 is better?

of course a SN1 is better as all integrated are better than seperates, more fun sounding!

“All integrated are better than seperates” - yeah right ... please put things in perspective ... 

Posted on: 17 February 2018 by analogmusic

Is everyone here using the same source ?

 

Posted on: 17 February 2018 by av in bc

is everybody here using the same ears ?

a powerline is a pretty cheap way to improve the SN1 if you can find one cheap.
better dynamics maybe even much better, improved separation and just easier to listen to.

Posted on: 18 February 2018 by Massimo Bertola
Richard Dane posted:

If you don't have any issues with your Supernait then probably not worthwhile having it done.

I agree, even more if the sentence refers to swapping it for a SN2.

Max

Posted on: 18 February 2018 by thebigfredc

My dealer was openly hostile to the SN1 - he always said it was compromised by the onboard DAC. He preferred the XS and really rates the SN2.

Ray

Posted on: 18 February 2018 by Robiwan
thebigfredc posted:

My dealer was openly hostile to the SN1 - he always said it was compromised by the onboard DAC. He preferred the XS and really rates the SN2.

Ray

That is his opinion, the DAC is very good as is the SN overall. The Nait XS/XS-2 is 3 steps down in quality. 

Posted on: 18 February 2018 by Massimo Bertola

I'll have a toast to your dealer. Cheers!

M.

Posted on: 18 February 2018 by Bob the Builder

What you all need is a new ND555 with (hopefully fingers crossed) 2 x 555DR's a 552DR/500 with full loom Super Lumina.  Don't worry if you have to sell your house or cash in your pensions to achieve this because life is for living today!  But you must not feel any sense of pride in owning the above system but you are allowed to post lots of pictures both front and back from within the tent you now live in.

Posted on: 18 February 2018 by Ardbeg10y
Robiwan posted:
thebigfredc posted:

My dealer was openly hostile to the SN1 - he always said it was compromised by the onboard DAC. He preferred the XS and really rates the SN2.

Ray

That is his opinion, the DAC is very good as is the SN overall. The Nait XS/XS-2 is 3 steps down in quality. 

And the dac is entirely switched off when the digital ports are not used.