Nait 50 with budget source&speakers (still good VFM or waste of potential ?)

Hi-Fi Corner
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Hi guys,

It’s been a while since my last post, but I’d appreciate your thoughts/opinions on the following:

Currently I don’t own a HiFi-system. (only a Bluesound Node N130 hooked up to a Marshall Stanmore BT speaker, for some background music)

Now, at this moment I can get a brandnew Nait 50 at a tempting, reduced price.

But…(obviously there’s a but :grin: :wink: ) eventhough I read all the raving comments about this little gem, I also often read that it “needs” (or deserves) the best possible source and speakers to really shine.

So, here’s where my doubt comes in… If I decide to take the plunge and go for the Nait 50, it will most likely be used with budget speakers and a fairly budget source. (at least, for a while)

I’ll be using a streaming device (for now) as my main source. I might/could stretch my budget to something like a Bluesound Icon, but it’s unlikely that a Naim ND5xs2 or NDX2 will find a place in my room.

Speakers might become the Dali Oberon 1’s (again, at first), on either Solidsteel SS-6 stands or Dynaudio Stand 10’s. I know, the Oberon’s really are budget speakers, but they worked remarkably well in my (5 x 4m) room, and their sonic character, size and finish tick most of my boxes)

Before I forget, I mostly listen at late-night/modest volume levels, (due to noisy apartment) so I hope the Nait 50 doesn’t suffer from channel imbalance at low volume. (like the Nait 1 and 2, I had in the past) Otherwise I’d be forced to use the variable signal output of my streamer to adjust volume.

So, to make a long story short(er)…what do you guys think… ?

  1. Go for the Nait 50 while I still have the chance and upgrade speakers and/or source at a later stage ? (if I feel the need)

  2. Waste of potential, forget about the Nait 50 and stick with something like the Rega IO (still sitting workless in a closet for almost a year now)

(btw, unfortunately I experienced (DC) humming issues with a Nait 5si, otherwise that would probably be my first choice)

Thanks in advance.

Kind regards,
Alco

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The Nait 50 will likely never be any cheaper (but rather climb back again in the used market over time), so I would go for it. In my mind all you may want is an NDAC with your streamer (if you like its interface) and you would already have one of best essential and truly high end sounding streaming setups, to go with your current or future speakers - I would take my tine to choose them, no rush if you enjoy your Oberons.

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Agree on the NDAC suggestion, but the N50 is an amazing place to start a system (if you can live without the remote, RCA inputs and need for a DAC/streamer). When people say it ‘needs’ a good source, what they mean is that it will continue to reveal the benefits of a really good source, not that it won’t work with a lesser source. Keep it as the core as you slowly build around it, you have to spend a hell of a lot more to better it.

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I would just go for what you mentioned. So, start with the Bluesound Node (the N130 is better than the original Node). A Bluesound Node Icon would be a nice upgrade. I am using a Bluesound Node Icon in my office and I like it very much. It is not as good as the ND5XS2 in my main system, but it really is very good. I do n’t know the Dali Oberon 1’s. But if you own those already, listen to the Nait 50 and Bluesound Node (Icon) first for a while. You can always step up later. One thing at a time and enjoy the process of slowly improving the system. Take your time.

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Brendan , you have just said word for word what I would have written .

I would go for the Nait 50 now, it is cheap because they made too many . The only thing that will happen is when you hear how good it is with basic equipment , will realise how far it can go

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+1 to the answers you’ve had already.

I’ve had mine a fair while and still haven’t optimised the source - partly because I’d be gutted when Naim relent and release a matching streamer just after I have!

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You’d get a pair of used Linn Kans for the price of Dali Oberons.

A Bluesound Node 130, Nait50 and Kans would be quite a system! Modern classic.

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Thank you guys, really helpfull. :+1: :slightly_smiling_face:

I sold my Oberon 1’s (light-oak) last year, but as they’re fairly cheap, and were already offered with a small discount, I didn’t loose much money on 'em. I don’t have a car so therefor auditioning other speakers in my own room is a bit of a challence.

Last week I noticed a nice, mint pair of s/h Proac Tablette 10 sig’s (for 50% less than newprice) I think they might be a very nice step-up and great match with both the Nait 50 and my room. (I’d need speakers to sit fairly close to the back-wall. 6 to 12"/30cm max!)
Still, for now it’s either the Nait 50 with the little Oberons or get the Proac Tab10 sig’s and try them with my Rega IO for a while, and buy a Nait 50 later. (but at that point I might’ve missed the boat on catching this Nait 50 offer)

Btw, if I’ll get the Nait 50 I won’t be able to build a new system around it for a while. (currently no stands, no rca-din IC, no rack/cabinet to house the gear) But… at least I’d be rest assured that I’d have a brandnew amp that’s most likely the best (Naim integrated) I’ve ever had so far and won’t be outclassed by any other partnering source/speaker upgrade in the future. (which also is a nice, reassuring thought)

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I heard a Blue Sound Node with a Nait 50 and a really good DAC, superb

I would buy the Nait 50 and the ProAcs (I believe they are tuned with Naim equipment) and then get a decent DAC when funds allow

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I’d support the recommendation to go for the Nait. Mine has only been in the house for 24 hours and running in at this moment, but it’s already sounding good with my CD5XS. I’d say better than the Atom it’s replacing and, from memory, the Nait XS I had years ago. I’m beginning to understand the “lively puppy dog” description it sometimes gets, it’s certainly very infectious. In the short time I’ve had it, I’ve not noticed any channel balance issues.

The BlueSound Node should be fine as a front end for starters and there’s opportunity to upgrade with an external DAC; I’m wondering about a Chord Qutest. As for speakers, mine is playing through wall mounted Neat Iotas which are low sensitivity so I suspect you’ll find plenty of options it’ll play nicely with when it comes to speaker upgrade time.

Roger

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You’re right Adrian, Linn Kan’s are quite hard to find though and they work best on their dedicated stands. (had Kan’s in the past, with a Nait-2)

It would make a lovely system indeed. We’ll see that the feature brings! :blush:

O well, enough daydreaming for now… :grinning_face: :grin:

Thanks again guys. Really appreciate your thoughts/opinions.

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Not very fair to your (as yet, unused) Rega Io !

(Can’t comment on the Nait 50)

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I think the N130 will be fine with the Nait 50. I use an N130 in a bedroom system and it’s great. As a point of reference I have a fairly expensive main system and I always enjoy listening to that bedroom system. I also have a pair of Dali Spector 1 speakers that I had in my bedroom system for a while and for the price they are quite amazing, so I think your Oberons will work good too. I feel one at a time for components and cables is the best way to upgrade. You don’t mention cables just make sure you have good ones that will match the amp primarily. They don’t have to be expensive just a good match.

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Sorry, I’m not really sure I understand what you mean.

You mean the Rega IO is not good/powerful enough for the Proac Tab10 sig’s ?
(I do think it would be an unusual combination, but might work surprisingly well. I have used my Rega IO with the Oberon 1’s for a few months, and they’re a wonderful match.

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Yes, that’s what I mean.

I heard the Io at my dealer. It’s a lovely integrated and needs to be matched with the right speakers to express itself. I have wondered about one myself … for my easily driven Allaes.

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Thanks SRO,

That sounds reassuring as well! :grinning_face:

Cables will be(come):

IC Chord Clearway RCA-DIN.

speaker cable: It’s from a local HiFi-shop that make their own IC and LS-cables. It’s cheap, thin and flexible, and sounded great with every (Naim) amp I used it with. (Nait 2, Nait 5i, Nait XS) Had the chance to compare it to NACA5, but… tbh I don’t recall hearing much of a difference.

I don’t know the technical specs of my ls-cable, but so far my thoughts have always been: 'If it sounds good, it IS good!"

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Ah ok, thanks for the explanation.

The little(!) Rega really surprised me! Sonically it’s a steal at the price. (too bad it looks a bit cheap, with the glossy, plastic fascia, just as the other Rega amps)

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Absolutely. Io is incredible VFM.

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Lots of integrated amps at the price, even reduced, of the Nait 50. Try to listen to a couple others. If you like UK products, Rega just came out with the Brio MK7, might be good for comparison or even a Naim 5si or used Naim XS 2? I’ve had both and loved them, especially if you go with the Proac Sig 10s, which I’ve also had and loved. Or even used XS3 which is one of my favorite integrateds.

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The Brio mk7 also crossed my mind SRO, (even at the Nait 50’s recuded price it would still be a much more affordable option, and include a remote)

I have tried a Nait 5si (two times) and loved it from the first note. :smiley: However, unfortunately both the Nait 5si’s (and XS 2/3 too probably) are no option for me, as they suffer from an annoying transformer hum. :disappointed_face: (DC offset)

I have tried several DC-blockers, and although they immediately cured the humming, they also had a bad influence on the sound. (dull, lifeless, softening treble) Seriously, my current Rega IO sounded better without DC-blocker than a Nait 5si connected to a DC-blocker. (tried Audiolab, iFi and Supra)

It there’s one (affordable) DC-blocker that doesn’t have that negative influence on the sound, I’d most likely choose a Nait 5si or (s/h) XS3.