I started my Naim journey around the same time as @MarkL3w (Christmas 2005), having reached the then end of the Rega upgrade path, and stunned by how much more fun the Nait 2 was, replacing Cursa pre- and Exon monoblocks.
Since that time what always brought me the most benefits was upgrading the source. That variance in what is lacking and what not starts to disappear. Big Scale is another matter of course and that is the route to a big system. However…
On the old forum there were a few members with a CDX2 / Nait 5i combination. Myself I have been at several of these stages with heavy source first, and frankly I’m doing that again with the LP12. After that pre-amp, then power amp and speakers. Getting it all balanced again is always a challenge, so proceed with caution.
With the caveat of course that this forum has very divided opinions on this matter. So it’s really about finding out what one’s ears like best, in a demo or preferably at home.
I completely agree with you, buy the best source and preamp/amp you can up to the speakers, then if you want scale that’s the bit that comes next. In my initial journey I had LP12/52/135’s/Kans and then swapped the Kans for Isobariks. Instant scale!
Yes. That didn’t make a massive difference to the sound to be honest, but it did make the app / streamer control much much better.
What has made an amazing difference is swapping out the bottom component. In the top picture it is the NAIT 5i, that I have had for nearly 20 years and in the bottom picture it is an XS3 that I am auditioning.
The speakers are unchanged. B&W CM1s pointing straight ahead.
It has instantly given me the “oomph” I was missing in classical music. Lang Lang playing Rachmaninov 2 is front and centre with the orchestra very nicely laid out behind him! It is now the same as far as my ears are concerned when listening to this or less complex pieces such as Diana Krall.
I can’t believe how good the CM1s sound. Tiny, 20 years old and only about £600 new (£250 now secondhand).
I really like the Nait 5i and CD5i. Very engaging.
I don’t know the streamer but your immediate desire to upgrade suggests that it might not have been the right move for you, although it could be setup which I see you’ve been investigating.
I would not assume newer and/or more expensive means it’s better for YOU. Same with the XS3, better presentation doesn’t automatically mean you will enjoy it more. This mean you have to trust your ears which sometimes takes a week or two to get over the improvements in presentation and realise whether or not you are enjoying your music more.
After 20 years the Nait 5i is definitely in need of a service, I thought it was a later model 5.
Second hand latest model 5Si is quite a bargain and will be well ahead of even a serviced original 5i and a great match with the nude ND5-XS2.
Then again the XS3 is a good level up, which means I’m afraid you might then be heading to my system (after XS3 purchase adding nDac/DC1 to streamer), before even touching the speakers.
I always enjoy hearing from another audio enthusiast who’s put lots of listening miles on their gear!
Recently moved to a new home and for the first time have my own dedicated listening room to tinker with.
First on the agenda is putting my vintage Naim/Linn/KEF system back into action along with my late Dad’s CDi (RIP Dad ). I have a mint cosmetic chrome bumper Naim NAC 42.5/HICAP/NAP 110. The NAP 110 is in serious need of a service which it will receive soon.
Vintage monitors are a pair of Linn Kan I and KEF Reference Series Model 101 bookshelf speakers.
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). I have a mint cosmetic chrome bumper Naim NAC 42.5/HICAP/NAP 110. The NAP 110 is in serious need of a service which it will receive soon.