We have compared here the Nait 50 with the SN3. We were 4 and no one said the Nait 50 was better. Speakers were some bookshelves I don’t remind.
1 Like
Ali that’s not my point though is it? It’s what the best amp is at conveying musical audio for me in my context… I am not talking about the ‘best’ technical amp. I am not really bothered about a lab environment.
Yes I got disillusioned with Naim amps and sold up… it was the Nait50 that brought me back. My disillusionment coincided with some musical mixing and production courses and projects I was undertaking at the time… I realized how much “musical’ recordings are processed and manipulated to sound engaging, emotional etc, because the recording and replay chain is so compromised, and long story short it showed me I had been perhaps been focussing in some wrong directions in hifi hence why the disillusionment and the fact I was not listening to other’s music much anymore . (I wrote about that previously) .
With my Etude setup, I was looking for a suitable preamp, but I stumbled across the N50 … that was the performance I had wanted from my 552 and later Etude based setup… to which I further optimised subsequently with some further room acoustic bass treatment and adoption of RK speakers that replaced my ATCs which I had used various models of over the previous 20 years.
Now is the N50 a so called ‘end game’ … who knows… it’s not perfect, but it certainly gets me closer to my music recordings as well as other people’s music in my hifi room in an engaging, emotional and none exaggerated way… and for me that is what it’s all about… and I am again enjoying recordings of all styles, genres and production styles … and rediscovering my collection… and that despite everything else is the acid test.
8 Likes
Thanks for explaining, nowadays I try to listen to music on whatever is available in room and in the car, I learnt how to optimize the source (for example, using UAPP app if playing on my android phone through a dragonfly RED) and can get a pretty good result… so I understand… I don’t need my Naim amps, but I sure prefer to use them at home. I do understand what you’re saying…
while I admire the NAC 552DR, I still haven’t purchased one, and doesn’t seem that it is on the map for me for a while… I am enjoying music now, on whatever devices I have (quite a few non-naim) so I don’t need a big 552 based system to enjoy music.
When I was growing up, few a few years just had a basic tape recorder, enjoyed a lot of ABBA on that, cassettes were so musical to my ears when I was below age of 10… all the hi-fi devices I have now is way beyond anything I thought (computationally) possible even 20 years ago (I mean an Mscaler (a 740 core processor!) and a DAC like Dave)
1 Like
+1
Although, if you can somehow determine that another member has very similar preferences to your own then their comments can save time and/or open promising new doors. But I’ve only come across a handful of contributors (across a few forums) that very closely match my taste. And even then, like you say, you still need to try yourself to really know for sure.
2 Likes
There’s some psychology going on here. I think that there is a natural cost that many of us feel comfortable with when purchasing hifi. There are those that push that cost a lot further and eventually question the value and ultimately downsize. I’ve felt it myself when considering the next level of lp12 and amplifiers. Happily I now find myself in a place where I have balance between cost and enjoyment and have no desire to throw more cash at my system (Unless a huge lottery win comes my way). I totally get why someone might swap their 500 system for a Nait 50 or Supernait.
8 Likes
If your actual speakers are enough neutral and do not muffed the sound, I would do the comparison first between the combo 202/200 and the Nait50, even without recapping.
Because the aim of this first comparison would be to check the global sound presentation or orientation to make sure about your preferences.
The sound of the Nait50 is more oriented “Naim old school” with a modern touch which gives to him the character of a little 52.
The combo 202/200 has for sure more power but this doesn’t change his fundamental sound presentation in direction “old classic range” or black family!
I listen to lots of black boxes (even a 552DR at home for a few months) and there were always with different degrees the same characteristics: more democratic refined sound with more details but in my opinion a little less groove and perhaps a more discret medium.
This could explain why some people quite prefer the Nait50 in comparison with big black boxes combo.
But I could be wrong.
You have for sure to make your own opinion about this very complicated case 
.
4 Likes
My knowledge of Naim gear is quite limited compared to yours, but your suggestions to the OP are spot on.
1 Like
The whole of your post is spot on, but the above nails it perfectly IMO. Driven by peer pressure and the addiction of the next step up the greasy ladder.
As for advice, most of my gear would be in a skip if I heeded some (apparently well meaning) ‘advice’ dished out over the years 
2 Likes
Indeed. its all about ‘does your system play music that makes you happy?’
- that point financially and presentation wise varies hugely.
3 Likes
Same for me. I may even have enjoyed music better than today, with my first system my father bought me when 18 years old. It was a Denon integrated, Focal JM Lab speakers, and technics turntable. It was also the discovery for music in general, specially soul funk from the 70’s, or Dire Straits, the Doors, Hendrix. It was in 1985.
4 Likes
My living room is roughly 4.6M x 3.6M to give an idea of the space.
I could possible hang in to both systems as I have enough space in my house. Which ever sounds nicest to my ears with be the main system.
3 Likes
I mainly agree about the 202 and when coupled to a NAPSC and Hicap it is a very good pre-amp indeed. I did not like the 202 with a NAP250.2 much either but not because they did not sit well together but I have never really liked the 250.2 much in any system. The Olive 250 that came before was better in my view and likewise, the 250 DR was much better also although they have different qualities from each other.
It’s not that a 250.2 is a terrible amp, I liken it to choosing the worst model from a great line of amps. I just didn’t find it that impressive relatively speaking.
To the OP. As you have the gear and could try them out for comparison. Trust your ears and find what is best for you. Is the 202/200 good enough over the Nait50 to overcome the inclination to have a minimalist small box system for instance?
If you want to keep the 202/200 system then it may be worth considering getting it serviced and/or upgrade power supplies but it will work well enough right now to make an informed decision.
2 Likes
In which Q Acoustics 3020i will work well if optimised, and with NACA5 speaker cable.
1 Like
Then I discovered the crack drug, as 202/200/flatcap, coming from 112/150. I said “whaouh “. The upgrade was instantly addictive. No cure for that. The doses had to be bigger and bigger, so Hicap, 282……
2 Likes
Yes I think the message has been sufficiently repeated now - only the individual can decide - as many of us say again and again on this forum… but it doesn’t stop people canvassing opinions… its all part of the process of hifi I suspect.
You raise a point about new Naim type signatures such as with the N50 compared to the old/older classic box type signatures … well if I muse on that one - I would suggest the N50 is more like the 252DR rather than the 552DR… just because I always felt my 252DR was communicative without exaggeration… where as I felt my 552 thrust the performance sometimes a bit too much into the spot light for my tastes and environment … especially on complex productions.
Now not everybody likes the 252DR - some feel it’s understated - personally I scratch my head at that - but we are all different - and it depends perhaps on the partnering NAP, speakers and room… but because of that it is so important to decide for yourself - which again repeats that message… as there are just too many variables in everyones setup - including room and furnishings.
2 Likes
I’m agree with you.
The Nait50 isn’t comparable with a 252 or a 552.
For me, the Nait50 sounds more like a modern olive or CB box.
This why I mean it could be seeing as a little 52.
1 Like
interesting - I only have one olive bit of kit now, the NAT03 - but the N50 has some similar circuity modules as the NC amps albeit scaled down - so perhaps you are suggesting the feel of Naim for you is returning to its pre black box era?
Personally I can’t say - I only really owned and used the old black box classic Naim amp boxes, until I bought the N50 - and to my sensibility it had some traits in common with my 252DR - but audio memory is not the most reliable of things and that was a few years ago… however I notice certain traits in recordings that are and were common to both.
1 Like
True I heard 202/200 first time and it had that effect on me too.
Although for me going up to 282 and hearing 552 many times, didn’t give more of the same effect, just more resolution, soundstage, and frequency extremes.
More naim, no I don’t think I got more of that going up the ladder, the 202/200DR got plenty of that rhythmic ability anyway.
5 Likes