Which is best classic cb Nait?

There's only one original Nait, surely. The Nait 1 with the push button selectors.

I think the Nait 2 is supposed to be the best of the CB Naits. I bought a mint Nait 1 last year, only because I'd always wanted one and personally, I still think it's the prettiest 

Beautiful example of a Nait 1 James it looks like it was made yesterday.

James - that Nait1 looks superb.

I have examples of both - early and late NAIT and a CB NAIT 2. Love them all really.  The NAIT 2 is probably the better overall amp, adds an extra input, has a tape monitor, a mute, and avoids the fairly rubbish balance control of the original.

By the way, the picture above shows the early NAIT (From 1984).  The later ones had a slightly different volume knob (same as used on the later NAC32.5) and eventually also had a green LED.

They all sound great, provided they have been properly serviced and things like noisy pots replaced.  The NAIT perhaps just a bit more up-front and exciting, while the NAIT 2 is just all-round lovely. 

Good luck.

By the way, the Hifi World "Naitology" article is a good one to read.  Do a search and it's easy to find online.

I bought an Olive NAIT 2 when they first came out.  Wonderful amp with a seductive, unflappable sound. 

Sold it to a relative when I upgraded but I'd buy it back if became available.

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james n posted:

I think the Nait 2 is supposed to be the best of the CB Naits. I bought a mint Nait 1 last year, only because I'd always wanted one and personally, I still think it's the prettiest 

Very nice James !! What is the source and cable ? 

I’ve got a Nait2 i bought new in 89 , it’s packed away due to my building work but I’ll dig it out later . 

The plan is to make 2nd system around it . 

Thanks Pete - it was just a temporary set up earlier this year whilst my main amp was back in France having an upgraded streaming card fitted. Source was my Sony NW-ZX2 portable via a Flashback 3.5mm to Din cable. It worked very well and made a fun little setup - the modern equivalent of the Cornflake Shop portable Naim system. Just needs some original Wharfedale Diamonds

It looks very neat and I’m always impressed by Flashback cables . 

Inspired by this thread I’ve just retrieved my  Nait2 from the loft and it’s looking fit and well . I had it serviced last year at Class A so it’s all ready to go . Just noticed a link plug missing at top left of rear , does anyone know what that is ? 

Pete, it would just be a plastic plug to cover the hole.  The hole is there to enable conversion of the NAIT 2 to a pre-amp.  

pete T15 posted:

It looks very neat and I’m always impressed by Flashback cables . 

I have one of these cables - it came gratis from the seller of one of my NAITs.  Using a Pono Player (late fw) as source, I compared it against my Naim 3.5mm - DIN5 interconnect and surprisingly (or perhaps not) much preferred the latter.  The Naim cable had more body and was much more engaging, I found.  Of course, the FB cable is more affordable, at least if you buy new.

Richieroo, what makes you going for the Nait 1 and not - say a Nac 32 / Nap something? That could be used in much bigger rooms and also the range of loudspeakers which can be driven by it is larger.

I do not intend to question your interest for the Nait1 by the way, I totally understand the idea. They look very nice and a one box solution is a magic thing. Just curious for your deliberations.

Richard Dane posted:

Pete, it would just be a plastic plug to cover the hole.  The hole is there to enable conversion of the NAIT 2 to a pre-amp.  

Thanks , I don’t recall there ever being anything there but it was a long time ago . 

I had a nait 1 for over 30 years

Now sadly gone ( to a buyer in Italy ) as they are making such silly money now!

Not everyone knows but the balance control only works on one channel ...so if you set it in the middle ..it will not be in the correct place ...it just needs to be moved till the channels are approx balanced with a mono input

We had a poll here some years back and the NAIT 2 was loved more by a clear margin.

Currently using a NAC72/HiCap/NAP180 which I love dearly and would not swap ........ but I do miss my old NAIT 2 that I traded in when upgrading 

I really should have kept it for a second system. A lesson to learn.

I still have my Nait 1 which I purchased new in '84 or '85. It has a castellated volume knob (like NAC32) and a red LED. I had it serviced a few years back at HQ. In its heyday I used it with an LP12 into Rogers LS7 speakers. The musical enjoyment from that system was second to none. It was responsible for a broad expansion in my musical tastes.  The Nait and the speakers are still in use in a bedroom system.

Reading this thread has made me think about getting together a CB system based around a 32.5, HiCap and 140 or similar. Mmm...

I fondly remember listening to a Nait Mk1 back in 1984 ish.............. it was a punchy little chap ...... and drove speakers surprisingly well. They seem to sell for quite large sums ........ I would like a minter....a very elegant design.

I am in no rush...I fancy a micro classic system ... for non critical listening. I just love the aesthetics ... and they sound pretty good too.

Please could members respect forum rules, thank you.

My olive Nait 2 sent a nice 72/Hi/140 packing...

BB

Richieroo - that Nait 1 isn’t cheap, but good condition one or two owner units are going to command top prices I guess, esp given the following they have developed in recent years.

Monster - Likewise, I downsized to a CB Naim 2 from a 112X/150X/Flatcap2 when I had to move my home office into a much smaller room. I did not miss the pre power that much at all. Paired with same era (really efficient) MA-R252 speakers the results were just superb - that system stayed put until I bought a UQ2 to tinker with streaming a couple of years ago. 

A CB Nait 2 is excellent and a safe investment