Is the leap from supernait1 to supernait2 worth it?

I have the supernait1 which I’m happy with! But there’s a supernait2 available close to me for €1900.

I just don’t know if there will be an improvement sound wise that’s worth the extra cost?

Some say the supernait1 is underrated, being musical and having soul. While supernait2 is made to satisfy Hi-Fi ears?

Could anyone give me any advice on what to do? What do you think of going from the supernait1 to supernait2?

My speakers are Sonus Faber lumina III, paired with NACA5 cables, marantz CD player and Rega turntable. I listen to all kinds of music.

Thank you for all the input!

The consensus by reviewers was that the SN2 was a big upgrade from the SN1.

I myself owned the SN2. It was a great amp.

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As a previous owner of an SN2 i can say that it is a very good amp and is much better than an SN1. What makes it even better still is a HiCap DR. What i would be worried about though is an asking price of 1900 Euro. Most that i have seen for sale have gone for around the £1500 (1700 Euro) and quite a few have gone for well below £1500. Depending on age, i would say that 1900 Euro is miles too much to be paying. For that much i would spend even more on an SN3, which is a better amp than both the SN1 and the SN2.

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Hi @Earjunkie

Some years ago I heard a friend’s SN1 and it made me want one, but it took me a few years to to save for it, by which time the SN2 had been released. I bought a demo model SN2 and loved it. IMHO the SN1 needed a Hi Cap to make it sing. If you are considering upgrading your original Supernait, why not go for the SN3 which is better again?

I don’t know where you live, but SN3s are going for half their original RRP these days, making them an absolute steal. I think you would notice a significant improvement between the SN1 and the third iteration.

Edit: what @kitfit1 said

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Yes. Better.

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I moved from a SN1 to a SN2. I found there to be an improvement. Still have the SN2 with a HiCap. As mentioned above, it does seem a little too expensive.

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The SN1 has always been a “marmite” amp. The old forum had some acrimonious discussions on SN1 vs 202/200 with strong views on both sides. A HC makes a big difference, and I always used mine with a HC, subsequently updated to HCDR. I eventually jumped to 272/250 rather than go to SN2, though I did audition one. For me SN2 sounds very different and is a “better” amp, at least in hifi terms. But, whether it’s more musically enjoyable is very subjective. If at all possible, auditioning before purchase is advised.

Roger

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I think you shouldn’t pay more than 1600€ for a mint SN2, or think about SN3.
but keep in mind that you will loose the DAC

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I moved from a NAIT XS2 to SuperNait 2 with a HiCapDR and it was a fabulous upgrade! The SN2 is a fantastic integrated amp.

Warning: I eventually added a NAC 282 using the HiCapDR from the SN2. A few months after that traded in the SN2 towards a NAP 250DR.

Upgrades… you never know when they are going to strike.

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