I am moving house and have had to sell my record collection and turntable. My dilemma is do I keep my Nait 3 and get an ND5 XS 2 or trade it and buy the Uniti Atom. Being old, and old school I am hesitant to buy an all-in-one device particularly one with a display but I’m also aware that sentimentality could cause me to make the wrong choice.
Any advice appreciated.
If the records are going and never coming back, then an nd5 xs2 along with a decent streaming service makes a lot of sence
Welcome to the Forum. It’s a tricky decision. One thing to bear in mind is that the ND5XS has no remote and no buttons, so you’ll rely totally on an app on your phone or tablet. Are you ok with that? I have an Atom HE and have my favourite radio stations saved as favourites. It’s possible to get to a channel using the remote or the front panel buttons, with no need to get the phone. I’d be inclined to get the Atom and have one cute little box rather than two that don’t match and are more difficult to use.
I don’t think either of those would be a bad choice. I’m sure they’ll both sound great.
If you cannot audition the two setups I’d make your buying decision based on how you anticipate using them, where they’ll be sat, etc. They’re both fairly similar output I think, about 30W, maybe a bit more from the Atom.
Has your NAIT been serviced in the last 12-15 years or so? I had mine serviced after 20 odd, and was glad I did.
I would say Atom, just based on the fact that you’d be running two old pieces of kit. I have 1st gen streamers and they are a pain at times. If you’re looking for stress-free listening, Atom is the way to go.
SQ-wise, I would think all the same - maybe Atom better.
I doubt a Nait 3 fetch much value in a trade, nothing like Nait 1 and 2.
OTOH it would still be a nice little amp, indeed if serviced.
Your suggestions indicate budget.
Atom Display don’t fade as Unitiqute generation.
But soundwise a Nait 50 with a good source might be much better.
The Atom does come with a remote control . I have a ND5X2 and it is very good , but it does not have a remote , though a smart phone does much the same function.
An Atom HE could go well with the Nait 3, giving you a two box system. Sorry about your turntable and more sorry for your records .
Your Nait 3 won’t be worth that much (I suspect) but could be refreshed via a service ,
ND5 XS2 over the Atom for me. Sound wise it’s a step up. If convenience is more important then the Atom is a brilliant all in one. You can’t go wrong with either.
No advice but if you do decide to sell the Nait 3 please DM me!
I think this is the best way to go. Get an Atom or Atom HE like HH. Maybe get active speakers like HH also if you choose the latter.
I have a Nait 3 in my son’s set up. It needs a service. It sounds very nice but the service will cost as much as it’s worth which is about £300.
Keep it simple, one box.
I have had the ND5XS2 and it’s a very good bit of kit. But no screen. I used it with NDS as it offered latest streaming platform.
A one box system will be easier and less of a faff, says he with full 500 DR system and extremely complicated system with AV system integrated into it and sub woofers and alot of speakers and switches. Lol.
Only you can decide of course. I have the ND5XS2 and the Atom in different systems, and I would not worry about any difference in sound quality if the N3 has been doing a good job up to now with your particular speakers. The Atom is certainly more flexible and easier to use, and as for reliability, I have had mine for over 5 years now and the only issues were with the early firmware – all now sorted, so it works fine. Once you have got used to the display, you will not want to go back. (I would keep the old N3 as well. Not too valuable on the SH market, and it would seem to me like tossing out an old friend!)