Nait 50 downgrade?

How are Nait 50 users finding life without a remote. I think I’d struggle with that, lazy as I am!

I cheat… I use the remote on my DAVE, and I leave the 50 at about 10 o’clock for digital sources.

Same here, VC from my streaming DAC and fixed at 10-11 o’clock on the Nait 50

Currently I have an ND5XS2 connected to the Nait 50, half the time I don’t even realise I’m up changing the volume.
In most cases I play an album from start to finish, once the volume is set thats it for that album.

1 Like

Frankly I don’t completely understand why people need remotes :slight_smile: Used many amps without it, I typically don’t touch volume through the listening session.

In most cases its no issue for me.

If switching inputs between, say, tuner, tape, vinyl and CD (inc streamer), there is usually a need to adjust the volume. This can also be the case between different albums in the same format. I occasionally adjust between tracks.

3 Likes

I just reach across my desk. Not an issue :grinning:

8 Likes

Yes, i also think that all of Naim’s integrated amps are very special in their own right. I’m on my third one, beginning with a 5si and through the middle to a SN3. All of them very charming. If i was building a second system then i would probably look to a NAIT 50. I’d be brilliant if Naim would squeeze a ND5 XS 2 into the same casing as NAIT 50, now that would really be a compact system to behold.:relieved:

7 Likes

great summary! The main reason for my change is because the sn3 doesnt seem to sit well in my small room. Just kind of bloated, and slow, like how the 250.2 has been described on this forum (even though i do not have experience with it).

I simply want something with presence and tighter sound at normal volumes, which the supernait 3 cant do…

I compared two basament systems of mine, CDX2 Nait 50 into nSat with a poor distribution block, VS CDX2/SC DR/ 202 HCDr/2x200 Snaxo 2-4 HC DR into IBL and i’ d dare say that with Trip Hop, M. Attack and things like that, the former Is absolutely phenomenal for scale, speed and micro details and more enjoyable than the other one.
Rooms Is rectangular one, about 50 m2 for the nSat and 35 m2 irregular shaped for the active one.

1 Like

Frankly I don’t completely understand why people need remotes :slight_smile: Used many amps without it, I typically don’t touch volume through the listening session.

yep, fine with vinyl or cd…but definitively helping on streaming mode because playlist could have huge volume difference……to my ears

1 Like

Something else wrong somewhere. :thinking:
No slouch SN3 here. :joy:

5 Likes

I simply want something with presence and tighter sound at normal volumes, which the supernait 3 cant do…

Me too …so moved to Aethos……same but different

I had a Uniti Atom before I rebuilt my system with Nait50, ND5XS2\NDac/XPS. I was constantly adjusting the volume with the Atom. With the Nait 50 I almost have the same volume (09:00). I’ve simply got out of the habit of constantly readjusting. And it works very well and also takes the strain off. I don’t see it as a restriction. I simply accept the volume of the respective recording. One exception are classical recordings with big jumps in dynamics. Here I increase the volume (09:20) so that I can also enjoy the quieter passages. Then it can get louder at crescendo. I have a house, so I don’t have to be considerate of my neighbours. And the volume I hear is always still below the level of live classical concerts.

5 Likes

As @Skeptikal says, this suggests something is wrong somewhere. Maybe with the amp itself? Can you borrow a SN3 to check that yours is performing properly? Or take yours into a retailer to check it against another unit?

2 Likes

Also, the mechanical feel of non motorized ones Is much better

2 Likes

Where do you see the Nait 50 is regulated? I recall the discussion here about the marketing materials that said the Nait 50 was based on the 250. It was clarified that the Nait 50 is not a regulated amplifier and those materials were erroneous. I don’t even think the Nait 50 uses the same transistors as the 250.

I haven’t seen anything that is special about the Nait 50 other than the phono stage and probably the operating bias of the transistors. Plus there must be a certain alchemy involving layout, parts selection, and lack of bells and whistles.

Do agree that it is cracking amplifier and in my case, only limited by other components in the system. That’s as good a complement that I make.

1 Like

Just to follow up, I’ve tried the Nait 50 with many speakers both easy and hard to drive. Sensitive and not sensitive. We also moved to a different home during this time and tried in two different rooms.

Quad ESL, Acoustic Research AR3A, Spica TC-50, Fink Team Kim, and now Klipsch Klipschorn. The Nait 50 worked well with all.

I have been on a quest to arrive at a system to take me forward for the next several (many) years and resultant corner horn purchase. Several different amplifiers are here. The Klipschorn really highlights the characteristics of different amplifiers.

Of all the amplifiers tried in the past few months, my head tells me to like the single ended triode valve amplifiers more than others but the heart says the Nait 50 is the best. The Nait 50 is absolutely thrilling on the Klipschorns and every listening session is like a special event and hard to stop.

I will give the SET/SEP and it’s ear friendly distortion curves one last try and having an amp made from my spare stash of tubes (46…directly heated pentode).

I would say the limitation here is mostly the other components on the system much as to what @Simon-in-Suffolk has indicated.

Another great integrated amp indeed, went from SN2/HCDR to Aethos.

1 Like