Nait 50 downgrade?

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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:

  1. 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).

  2. Three-Terminal Device:

    • Collector (C): For BJTs, itā€™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).
  3. Wide Range of Applications: Discrete transistors are used in various applications, including switching circuits, amplifiers, voltage regulation, and signal modulation.

  4. Packaging: They come in various package forms, such as TO-92, TO-220, and surface-mount devices, depending on their power rating and application.

  5. 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.

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Mild humour.
Donā€™t know how Esmeralda fits in .
Quasi. :wink:

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 designā€¦however no biasing networks were needed.

Cheers

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Absolutely for analogue circuitsā€¦and avoid for digital circuits :slight_smile:

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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.

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So it appears SN3 ā†’ Nait 50 is not a downgrade really :slight_smile:

Yes.

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I donā€™t know if Iā€™d put it this way, but I have had a Nait 50 in home demo for the weekend and itā€™s an absolutely great amp, more immediate, colorful, dynamic and musically conveying than my SuperNait. It has driven my IBLs with authority. In a largish room, the pot at 10 delivered good music. And the phono stage is very very good.

Itā€™s a very refined and clever amp with excellent transistors, and although I sometimes enjoy AC/DC myself, I shiver at the idea of using such a fine piece of equipment to amplify screams and distortionā€¦

Just my opinion.
(Iā€™d buy one but my dealer is snubbing my SN so all postponed for now).

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Hi Max, I have a Nait 50 and agree with you, it is however a quirky product and I think Naim may have been better off with a production run of 1500 than 1973 .

If your dealer has it now a year after it was made , I suspect he may have it in 2025 ā€¦

I think your offer is a good one

Best wishes

Ian

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Hi Ian,
my dealer has received a few last year, like five or so, and as far as I know has sold one. I wanted to trade my SN in, but he was discouragingā€¦
He used to be a nice guy and sort of a friend, but time is making him greedy, obsessed by ā‚¬. Iā€™d rather do the move to N50 on my own. Not that the SN is a bad ampā€¦ :slight_smile:

Max

I had a feeling the character of N50 would appeal to you. Good luck with making the move.

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Interestingly, there have been a couple of Nait 50s sell on ebay in the last couple of weeks for <Ā£1500.

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Thanks! Size doesnā€™t count, after allā€¦ :slight_smile:

My bass pop is much more than soft in my opinion - it is quite loud. Unfortunately because I do not live in the UK, the dealer can only send it to a service centre Poland who concluded it was ā€œnormalā€ even though according to the experience of users on this forum, it is not. However, the sound is amazing and I decided to keep it but have to put volume to zero before taking it out of standby.

Bargains for sure

How do I translate that word Max ? :blush:

1500Ā£ for an amplifier that is better than the Supernait 3 and according to some even better than the venerable 552/500 seems too good to be true :wink:

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