This is my first post here, after a few years of travelling I’m very happy to be back in the hi-fi world, thanks for having me.
I am starting again at the bottom end budget wise and this time rather than Nait 5i I’ve gone for streaming my iPad through a little Fiio DAC directly into a Nap100 and some Spendor A5’s, this is the best I could do with my £600 budget!
Compared to the god awful Bluetooth speakers and other rubbish I’ve had to cope with for the last few years it sounds wonderful.
I thought I’d share this with you because I’m a Naim and Spendor fan.
I’ll upgrade the DAC soon and then start looking upwards at Nait XS or Supernait…then a separate PS…then…I’ll probably be divorced!
Welcome to the forum! Thanks for sharing. I’m also a fan of Naim (obviously) and Spendor. You know we’re this is going to end don’t you? Down the rabbit hole
The good thing with naim is all boxes look more or less identical so it’s easy to replace them without wife knowing It’s the quantity of boxes she might wonder about. I’ve always used the HIFI currency. 1/10 of the price. Works great
Naim is great on the second hand market, as Naim audiophile users are typically careful with there products. If the item is old and unserviced, then you might also want to consider getting it sent straight to “Class A” for a Naim approved service. You end up with a good-as-new product for less.
Your comment might be tongue in cheek, but FWIW perhaps suggest that as the HiFi is clearly a you thing, then perhaps agree/insist that your spouse has the equivalent HiFi spend on something they want - then it’s a no guilt cost.
Naim and Spendor fan here. I have a set of A5’s that have run on everything from a Nait 2 through to the current Nap250DR. I found that the Nait XS was about the level at which they showed their best in a larger room. Nait2 and 5i absolutely fine in a smaller room but as the volume levels go up the XS or better show what they are capable of.
Enjoy.
I use the SN3 with the A4s. I am delighted with the speakers in my difficult room. The HighcapDr and NDX2, along with the XPSDr power supply has also raised the level considerably. Change on cables to Chord EpicX has also made a difference.
Declare the ‘boxes’ are 1/10th of actual cost? Haha! Only thing with that is the issue with kids using it without understanding the value and the importance of not touching them! Tricky!
Ah that’s good to hear, they’re great little speakers. I have a small lively room, listening position is about 2.5 metres, so Nait XS sounds like a good amp for my next upgrade.
All the Naim integrated sound good in their own way with more refinement and quality as you go up the models. Spendor is a very good speaker maker too.
One bit of advice if I may is to take it easy and rather than small steps swapping boxes in and out frequently to get your ideal system, enjoy what you have and listen to as much else as possible along the way and take larger steps when you do upgrade. A Supernait is a lovely amp and upgradable too.
It will be cheaper in the long run and worth looking at the used market too and bag a bargain.
Thanks, I agree, I’ve had many different components over the years and I found some ‘upgrades’ haven’t always provided significant improvements, a few were actually a step backwards (some Rega speakers for example were nowhere as good as the considerably cheaper KEF’s they replaced).
I agree with other posts regarding source providing the most significant changes to sound quality, this is an issue I’m wrestling with currently because Naim focus on streaming via network and I don’t have a router, I use my cellular iPad with Tidal.
I’m looking at an Eversolo DAC Z6 or Z8 DAC currently because they have a direct USB-C input (and receive great reviews), but I would love to hear from any Naim folks that can suggest a Naim alternative…
As for amplification, I’ll eventually upgrade my little NAP100 to an XS or Supernait, the Supernait being roughly twice the price on the used market, I would like to hear from those that have owned both, if twice the cost will provide significant gains. I realise this is subjective and room mode and source/power supply/cables all play their part, and that the Supernait must be superior…but is it worth twice as much?
It’s the quantity of boxes she might wonder about. I’ve always used the HIFI currency. 1/10 of the price. Works great 
Enjoy the ride and have fun!