I have a dilemma (isn’t there always one w.r. to hi-fi) as to keeping a Nait 3R and converting to a preamp with a NAP155XS power amp or getting a NAC152XS pre?. I will need to sell the Nait to fund the NAC 152 XS. If the 152XS upgrade is not SIGNIFICANTLY better than the Nait 3R, I’ll keep the Nait and use it as a pre as well as an integrated. I have a sentimental attachment to the 20C Naim sound so it will be a big deal for me to let the Nait go.
By the way, this is a desktop system with Q Acoustic 2010i speakers and a Nuforce DAC80 dac fed by a M1 Mac Mini.
Would appreciate this forum’s learned opinions 
I’d not bother to convert a Nait 3R to preamp only.
Either get the 152/155XS which is a nice combo, finally it needs a FC2XS to shine - or go with the Nait, its not bad at all, but rather old.(service issue)
I doubt you will find SIGNIFICANTLY differences within your entire setup.
3 Likes
Agreed. The 3 olive series is lovely and has a voice of its own. I’d keep it too, untouched.
1 Like
My CD5XS with my NAC152XS, NAP155XS, and NACA5 and a pair of Q Acoustics 3010is sounded great at my partner’s flat during the pandemic.
One of my brothers has a Nait 3 (not 3R) which he runs with a pair of Rega Elas. Though I wouldn’t say so to him, I have always found it a bit ragged.
My inclination would be to go for the smoothness and engagement of the NAC152XS and NAP155XS.
Chris
Match my experience with Rega Ela, being a very revealing loudspeaker while Q Acoustics 2010i is fine, but no way as transparent.
1 Like
And mine. I had MK1s 30 years ago or so with either 42/140 or 42/160. They sounded like the woofer was the size of the tweeter. I’d be curious to hear some today, or better yet, some Royds. As for Qs, I could never get to like one, but it’s just me.
If on a desktop, that’s going to increase the real estate used by the amps as they are not supposed to be stacked.
Could the Naim amps be overkill for the speakers.
I use the same speakers in my office system as they are fairly small and compact. Plus use a small SMSL DAC and Amp to make good use of the desk space.
DG…
I still have my old Royd Apex, the design which Rega used for the Mk1 Ela. They are battered but still working, and sound pretty good with my even older A60.
The Naims ended up on my desktop by default. I downsized my main setup from Nait 3 and Epos ES14s to B and O Belolabs 6000s witha PS Audio Sprout as a preamp and the Nait 3 ended under my monitor in the office with the q Acoustics. Sometimes the Nait gets swapped out by the MAP155XS fed directly from the DAC. All sounds great, but feeling the siren call of adding a preamp.
This topic was automatically closed 60 days after the last reply. New replies are no longer allowed.