Sorry… what’s your point about listening to music and hifi… and why would listening to music via hifi be controversial? This is a hifi forum? You have me scratching my head on that one…
One thing that appears to set the Nait 50 apart is the phono and preamp stage use a +/- 12V supply rather than the traditional + 24V
I say appear as this is based on my squinting at photos of the internal PCB printing, perhaps @110dB would be kind enough to clarify ?
I’m guessing that as the potential difference between 0/+24 and -12/+12 is still 24v, it doesn’t matter.
Hi Simon
I suppose another way of putting it is do we recognise that different is ok in terms of sound , and that better will always be subjective.
Perhaps the right approach is to opine that x is more “pleasing” than y. That’s great because it’s personal rather than absolute.
Just my view
I see, I totally agree. Many of my musings on here reflect exactly that, the audio recording and replay chain is relatively so compromised that recording productions, replay equipment and speakers focus on sounding appealing or engaging… what some might term ‘musical’. However that means that subjectivity is in the equation, and therefore personal preference. Additionally we deconstruct sound and music all differently in our heads… therefore in a compromised chain where choices are made, one size can’t or rarely optimally fit all. This is why it’s so important to listen and decide for yourself.
I am sure if you are like me you sometimes hear others’ über hifi replay systems… and to my ears they sound poor… but to them it will be near perfect. I suspect they would not get on with my replay system either. But equally we know people / friends who hear music and sound the same way as we do… and then our systems and replay preferences tend to match.
Post ~386 in above thread from @110dB:
“The Nait 50 does not have regulation for the power amp section.
- Have we an error in our marketing material?
DR regs would not fit inside (doubles the size of the power amp section)
It still kicks out a heathy 225W peaks into 1ohm“
On your latter point, the new Naim website was discussed a while ago. Seems it was constructed via AI and hence all the odd wording, missing information, untimely graphics, and mistakes. Shame as the old website was very good and informative.
Back to the Nait 50, I don’t have a concern about the design as relates to sonics or aesthetics, as we know it’s fantastic. There are indeed many people who preferred the non-regulated amplifiers.
Indeed, I remember seeing, however also thought it had been fixed… perhaps other than the regulation error the Nait50 pages haven’t been addressed yet? I don’t know, but as a shop face to a brand and firm I am fond off, it doesn’t feel good enough. I certainly wouldn’t accept that for my business. Initial impressions and all that….
Hi @RichardPW,
Yes, the Nait 50 has regulated +/-12V PSU rails for the pre-amp section. Here’s a short run down:
The pre-amp section includes:
- Discrete 2-stage transistor MM phono stage
- Pre-volume control discrete transistor audio filter
- (The volume control is passive - ALPs Blue Velvet potentiometer)
- Output stage/Headphone amp, discrete transistor.
- The power amp is a discrete transistor quasi complementary based on the NC250 and runs from the raw PSU (no DR regulator)
Very discrete.
Chat GPT.
A discrete transistor is an individual semiconductor device that functions as a basic electronic switch or amplifier. Unlike integrated circuits (ICs), which contain multiple transistors and other components on a single chip, a discrete transistor is a standalone component packaged separately.
Key Features of Discrete Transistors:
-
Basic Functionality: A discrete transistor can either amplify signals or switch them on and off. The three main types of discrete transistors are Bipolar Junction Transistors (BJTs), Field-Effect Transistors (FETs), and Metal-Oxide-Semiconductor Field-Effect Transistors (MOSFETs).
-
Three-Terminal Device:
- Collector (C): For BJTs, it’s the main terminal where current flows out.
- Base (B): The control terminal that regulates current flow.
- Emitter (E): Where the current flows in for BJTs.
- For FETs and MOSFETs, the equivalent terminals are Drain (D), Gate (G), and Source (S).
-
Wide Range of Applications: Discrete transistors are used in various applications, including switching circuits, amplifiers, voltage regulation, and signal modulation.
-
Packaging: They come in various package forms, such as TO-92, TO-220, and surface-mount devices, depending on their power rating and application.
-
Customization: Engineers can use discrete transistors to create custom circuit designs, which provides flexibility compared to using pre-built ICs.
Examples of Discrete Transistors:
- 2N2222: A popular NPN BJT used in low-power switching and amplification.
- 2N3055: A power transistor often used in audio amplifiers and power supplies.
- IRF540: A commonly used MOSFET in high-efficiency power electronics.
In summary, a discrete transistor is a standalone semiconductor device essential in many electronic circuits, offering flexibility for custom designs and specific applications.
Mild humour.
Don’t know how Esmeralda fits in .
Quasi.
Thanks for clarifying for all of us.
Thanks
Thanks Steve,
Was the move to 12V rails to allow DC coupling of the preamp stages?
The driver for a +/-12V design was sound quality and speed to start. It has the same AC coupling as an equivalent +24V design…however no biasing networks were needed.
Cheers
Absolutely for analogue circuits…and avoid for digital circuits
So guys I have sold off the supernait 3, and gotten a nait50.
Initial impressions are this is great! It confirms that the sn3 is indeed thicker and duller sounding - no mistake about that. The nait50 is extremely spirited and forward, while the supernait 3 has a very mature stable sound. Bass wise the sn3 is definitely stronger and deeper, but the nait50 has its own character which I think suits the rest of the amplifier well.
The nait 50 reminds me of the 82/250 setup in terms of the sound signature, however the midrange is quite different from the usual naim midrange. It is more open, more articulate while the usual naim would be smoother.
Question to those who own it: Does your nait 50 have a (very) soft bass pop from the speakers when going from standby to on? Mine does but it is completely silent through the speakers when going from on to standby.
So it appears SN3 → Nait 50 is not a downgrade really
Yes.