Well the original Nait had less grip and a slight mid frequency roughness/distortion so I am told which some might equate to added excitement and therefore a preference. The original had limited pk power where as the n50 has over 200 Watts… which you can be noticeable too.
Other than aesthetics these are completely different designs.
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No but the Nait 1 is readily available used, at least in the UK, and you can have it serviced I believe, so you can and people do compare.
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A recently serviced Nait1 is effectively a “newNait1”, of course they can be compared and actually were compared in the linked review.
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I just don’t get that at all.. you see this mentioned a lot certainly in the past.. but with respect it was always poppycock to my mind. The vast majority of music productions we listen to are mixed tracks, not Blumlein microphoned recordings of ‘musicians on a stage’. The track positioning is often carefully choreographed to draw you in and sound encompassing in the production and often to help the sounds not fight with each other. Stereo imaging is sensitive to phase accuracy. If an amp and/or speaker has a poor phase response, that is it times poorly across the frequency band, you will loose or have blurred stereo imaging… it will fall flat, and the sounds will loose some of their timbres.
If you prefer a flattish production, really best to listen to such a production, rather than try and filter it down in the replay chain if you want best performance. (In my opinion)
I have usually found Naim amplifiers image well, and have good timing. For a stereo production these two things go together.. it’s not either or. It’s the speakers/room matching in my experience that can often be phase distortion or timing culprits.
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No, because some of the original components are no longer available.
This ^^
No what? You can’t have a Nait 1 serviced?.. or is it if certain components fail they can’t be repaired? Specifically can you not having aging electrolytics replaced? Electrolytics are like batteries, they are relatively easy to replace as they only have a relatively limited life expectancy.. as opposed to most other components where there is no excessive heating.
Also adjusting biases as components wear is typically usual, and often uses specifically internally adjustable components.
I wonder if we are conflating repair with service?
Yes I know some much later products could not easily have components desoldered from certain boards… and so repair was not always possible if the board was not available.
Well, according to the Naim page on Class A’s website “Integrated Nait- 1, 2, 3, 5”. Among the list of hardware they can and do service. As Class A is a Naim service agent, i am sure that Naim themselves can and will service the same hardware.
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Are u sure it is a service with the exact same component that in 1983 ?
Are u sure it is a service with silver and tin solder ?
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Why don’t you e-mail and ask.
Indeed their website copyright 2025 is clear about Nait 1 ( is actually emboldened.. it looks like some others have been confused) and that they don’t substitute non Naim standards or non Naim selected components… interestingly they don’t service more modern CD or streaming products
That said, I love the Nait1 and the Nait50.
And I once had a Nait2 Olive, which I really liked.
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Indeed I am looking for a Nait 1 for my second system. The N50 now powers my main system.
The difference age made to your ears is far bigger than the difference in components used.
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Every time I see it I have a little regret Bandit. But then I think you can have too many Naits whereas you think the complete opposite!
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I have too many indeed. I’m using three of them though. Thanks Neil.
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A couple a years ago I had my NAIT 1 recapped at Naim. It was mint in the original box and had one previous owner that had barely used it. I asked Naim if they would recap it and service or change the pot as it had challenge imbalance at 2v. They sad the original was the highest quality and was flawless.
They said the could change it to an another original, but it would probably have the same attributes because of the construction of the amp. I interpreted this as if they had spare parts or Alps had. I don’t know about the caps but I hope the at least put in some with similar specs 
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Love those Kans and Nait 1!! It’s a sound all of its own and it’s wonderful. Those Kans are in a beautiful finish….. walnut?
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Thanks Gary. I’m not sure if they are in walnut or teak though.
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