My system (72/140/Hicap, Eversolo, headphone amp, quest force 10 turntable and Spendor 3/5s is in a small study. I like the idea of a Nait 50 to reduce the number of units but wonder if I’ll lose some quality. Prices for the 50 seem to have fallen so it’s now in my range but wonder if it’s a downgrade.
If I had your choice I would keep the 72/140/Hicap. The Natit 50 is a fine integrated amp in the tradition of the original Nait 1 but your present Olive setup is excellent and I would prefer that.
They sound quite different so I think you need to live with the 50 a short while before committing, although if you had to sell the existing system first then I suppose you could find another 72/HC/140 easily enough.
Your existing system has more grunt and weight to the sound. The 50 is more transparent and resolving. Musically, I prefer the older gear, especially with vinyl. Maybe the 50 would also sound a bit ‘thin’ with your speakers, but depends on the source, room, etc.
Alternatively, a 42-5/110 has a smaller footprint than your olive system and to my ears is a bit more engaging. I feel that the 72 (and 62) need a HICAP to calm the pace down and sound well balanced whereas the older preamps don’t.
72/HC/140 is an absolute classic. At one point I “downsized” to that from a 282/200 and did not miss it at all.
If I hadn’t decided to go all out on Olive active, I’d have stayed with that. It just sounds so right.
When was it last serviced? I’d put the £ towards getting that done.
Looks like there is a clear line of thought to keep the current setup. I don’t really want to compromise on the sound quality and love the aesthetic of the boxes. Now to decide how to get the most out of them and work out how to use my headphone amp (Feliks Echo) with it. Thanks for all your feedback.
Well Royh I have the opposite view to the “masses” here
I’ve had the olive system you mention and it’s rather good I must admit
However I much prefer the sound signature of the Nait 50, so much so I’ve purchased 2 of them ( they live 100kms from each other).
Love the attack and transparency, speakers are Neat Petite 30’s anniversary and Neat Petite Classic, perfect match and my Naim dealer of 35 years also has that combo in store .
I would recommend a listen to the Nait 50 for some time. It could become one of Naims iconic product. Besides it looks real cool
My system is the same as yours. It was slated for second, but quickly supplanted the Dac V1/Nap 200, with more directness and musical engagement. Handles SBL well, drives Allae perfectly, also had Spendor s3/5’s like you which were great for me, and with a lovely soundstage they reproduce for their size. I regret selling them. I got a Harbeth p3ESR in their place and they also sound great with the 72/HiCap/140. Like you, I want to try Nait 50 but couldn’t part with them. I’d be interested to hear an opinion as well.
Good luck with the fun!
They were pretty simple. Take care of a 72/140 and it will take care of you. A service, a few PowerLines, maybe swap the grey interconnect and grey SNAIC for the current lavender and black SNAIC if you haven’t already. Depending on how old and what level your Spendors are, you could treat it to modern speakers. The last is tough because older high end speakers are still good today. Below a certain level though, speakers have dramatically improved.
Take your 72/140/Hicap to your dealer and do a demo with the 50 and do a comparison of them both to see what you prefer.
Job done.
P.s. you need to update your signature.
DG…
I tend to agree. The 72/140 combo deserves some love but maybe the 50 is more their liking.
Though I think the chance of regret when a 72/140 goes is high, even if they like the 50 more So I’d be inclined to use it in a second system rather than swap one for the other.
“If you sell your 72/HC/140, you’ll regret it. Maybe not today. Maybe not tomorrow, but soon and for the rest of your life…”
I asked a similar question on one of the nait50 threads a while back. The nearest answer I got was that a 72/hc/140 would be preferable to a nait 50.
My two kids and I have two 72/hc/140s set up with inexpensive Dali speakers. My daughter’s is fed by a Rega P6 and Dynavector 10x5 cartridge into some e boards in the 72. She is constantly amazed by the sound.
The third (yes, I have three 72s and hcs) 72 (in my second system) feeds a 250.
As much as I fancied a nait 50, I can’t see myself forking out for one. All my equipment has been serviced in the last three years in Sheffield, except for the 250. That went to Salisbury.
Well all I can say having owned what you and family have
I love the Nait 50 - beats them hands down
I’ll be off now
Look , both have their merits but for me it’s the new world , my goodness Naim have done well
In the UK they are about the same price now, 72/hc/140 and nait 50. Unless you need to add in servicing.
Goodness amazing really how the older gear hold their prices
I recently sold my Nait 2 and NAT 01 tuner and couldn’t believe the prices I got - nuts really
My dealer passed on a NAT 03 tuner to me and I love it
The reason it holds its price, beyond the sound, is that it is servicable. You buy it today and it can still be maintained in 20 years time. People see the value in this. Once stuff becomes obsolete, then prices will drop.
I give you the superline. Watch those prices tumble…
Superline still serviceable as we speak - who knows
But I get your point
The popular opinion is to stay with separates. However, if one of the main drivers in your thinking is to reduce the box count, then the Naim 50 is the way to go.
At the end of the day, both set-ups will produce good music, albeit, presented slightly differently.
Many members on the Forum have changed from multi box systems to one box systems and not regretted it.
I for one, went from a ten box Linn / Naim system to a one box Linn system. Does it sound worse, no. It sounded different to begin with, in that there was much more detail and the presentation was a bit more relaxed.
One of my drivers was to get an Organik upgrade to my Linn streamer. This was one way of doing it and, included the benefits of better sound and a reduced box count.
Do I regret it, no. Just enjoying the music.
DG…
Excellent response DG
The human brain just gets use to a slightly different sound over time as it does when we change different components