I have just bought a 1996 Nait 3, probably unserviced but it very good external condition with a manual and it sounds great.
Some background :
My system is
Sources : a new LP12 (bespoke build but with some second parts), AT MC cartridge and Rega Fono 4 phono stage; and a Marantz CDA 94 Dac with S2 chip & upgraded Black Gate Capacitors .
Two Amplifiers : Fatman Valve 202 SET Class A with carefully chosen best in class used 60s and 70s Tubes, Marantz PM 75 recapped.
Speakers : Yamaha NS1000ms
Why the Nait 3 :
I have a friend with a Nait2, top Rega TT and B&W 702 Signature Speakers with a large room and his system not only sound great but his amplier filled his large room so easily.
Apart from my Integrated Amplifier, I am done with upgrading , but my Marantz has slightly niggled me, so I was just looking to upgrade to say a Yamaha C2100 Amplifier when I saw this used Nait 3 for less than £300 which seemed like a bargain. I then did my research and thought wow that is a bargain and bought it.
Sound impressions :
I am very impressed. It has oodles of power, I am yet to really ramp it up but I hardly have to turn the volume knob and it gets loud. The bass is tighter and more grunt & depth to it than the Marantz and it is just a sweet sounding amp. It’s lively, fun but somehow always in control. For £300 I am blown away by it, listening to prog rock, hard rock and classical - it takes them all in its stride.
I had a very helpful call with Naim Technical who certainly still rate this amp.
I have a few questions please
It would this hasn’t been serviced , so I guess I should do that at some point since it’s 30 years old. But it looks clean inside and nothing untoward in the Capacitors ( My friend had his for 35 years before he had his serviced).
The Amp sounds prefect - is there a need to have a service immediately?
What tends to go wrong if you don’t - could I fry my iconic and difficult to replace speakers ?
My gut says get it serviced by Naim but I am not near any Nain agents where I live
I can see from the forum that Class A are also recommend. Are they a preferred option to Naim?
Will the sound of my Nait 3 end up being much different from how it was originally intended to sound like? As you can see I prefer vintage to modern Amps
My Nait probably has MM phono cards as it has a phono rather than an aux labelled button. I was told by the second hand dealer that the cards had been removed. The phono input doesn’t appear to be working as a line level input - presumably because it was set up to deal with the missing internal phono cards - am I correct ? Presumably a service could correct this as I want to use an external phono stage.
Lastly, the amp makes a big thump turning on and off. I realise that this is normal but I am nervous about my speakers. I guess I just leave the unit on and that is still OK given its age?
I am pleased to have added an iconic Amp to my system and to be part of the Naim community. To repeat myself, I really am impressed by the amp it is superb and really showcases whatever I am playing with real style. I never expected it to be so good. The amp is a keeper.
Hi, your Nait 3 will almost certainly benefit from a service at that age. Class A are the only Naim approved service agent in the UK other than Naim’s own in house service dept. Class A get their parts from Naim, so will restore it to its original condition. They are usually quicker and cheaper than Naim, and can organise collection and delivery if you don’t want to take it to Sheffield.
The on/off thump is normal, don’t worry about it.
Replacing the MM boards to make a regular input should be possible if you need an extra one: ask Naim or Class A if they can do it. If the boards are no longer available new it may be possible to pick them up second hand.
At 30 years old, if you love the sound of the Nait 3 you will be bowled over when you hear it after a full service. Even better still if you pair it with a serviced Flatcap.
The early Nait3s suffered with very gradual thermal runaway & required relocation of the bias transistors. It’s an important mod - especially if you intend to leave the unit powered on.
Can you post some pictures of the internals & I can advise if this needs to be done?
The Naim Nait 3 is a great amp. IMO it really is a great piece of kit and Chord interconnects work really well with the amp. Naim naca5 speaker cable is a must no less than 3.5 metres. I used 5 metres and it sounded awesome. The Naim phono boards are excellent for the turntable, but because you have a phono stage already get the in-line cards.The flat-cap power supply would improve the sound if you can use one with your version of amp. I couldn’t use a power supply with my Nait 3 It never had the input for the power supply.
Over all the sound of this amp is amazing for the price you pay for them now. I still have mine and I will never part with it.
I would keep it powered up all the time, it really does improve the sound. I would definitely get it serviced. Class A is a quick turnaround and Darren will do a fantastic service.
Thanks for the helpful reply. Without wishing to put you on the spot , after a service what kind of improvements will I hear.
I appreciate your suggestion about upgrading to the flat cap power supply but the cost of buying one seems to be more than the cost of my amp in the first place ! I appreciate cost of Nait 3’s might be stupidly low at the moment, but I can’t believe the improvement in the sound could justify that sort of outlay on a power supply, but happy to be proved wrong …..NP Gates of Delerium from Yes at Roosevelt LP.
This is normal for a Naim amp (except for the current products) and would be working absolutely flat out at half volume (meaning 12 o’clock on the dial). Be careful you don’t cause clipping if you really need to crank it up that loud.
I’m loving my recently acquired Nait 3 powering some Dynaudio 52’s I’ve yet to hear it with my Planar 8 but the Wiim Ultra/Gustard A18 it sounds very nice indeed.
@Bobthebuilder - I didn’t have any luck finding the date that the modification got signed off, your serial is 1999 & although it hasn’t been serviced, it does have the mod.
Regards
Neil.
I misread the serial at first there - I will continue to search for the info @highfell
PCB routing was much more fun and creative in the past!