I am curious about how much better the Supernait 3 is compared to the Nait 5si preamplifier.
My system is : Naim Nait 5si, Audiolab 9000cdt, Chord Qutest DAC, Dali Rubicon 2 speakers, REL T/5x subwoofer and I have to say that I am enjoying it very much, especially since I got the Chord DAC and the Dali speakers — my pressing need to upgrade is gone — I am enjoying my music.
In the future, any upgrade may be a Supernait 3 — I have read that my 4 ohm speakers would be happier — they certainly sound great now and i don’t hear any sign of a struggle from the Naim 5si.
I would appreciate any advice on what I can expect if I was using a Supernait 3 with my current system — would there be a significant value added improvement — would be good to get an idea, because they don’t come cheap, even second hand. With thanks!
I own a Nait 5si in my 2nd system. I had the opportunity to upgrade to a Supernait and while pondering this I sat down and listened to the Nait. In the end I came up with the following question. Why? It sounds so lovely in my living room thru Emit M10s both streaming (ND5XS) and vinyl (and the odd CD). I came to the conclusion that in that environment the Nait was completely at home and competent in what it was doing. And there it will live as long as I do
The main issue you would have is an unbalanced system where the sources need to be improved to fit the better amp.
I’d probably look at the xs range instead.
The Supernait would be a significant upgrade, and I’m quite sure your source is good enough to benefit from it. You may find that the change in sound brings some problems as you are likely to get more bass output, and possibly a more extended high frequency range as well, and it’s quite common for this to upset the balance. Whether or not this is a problem for you will depend largely on your room acoustics. Adjusting the layout and moving the speakers may be required, but you’ll never really know unless you try.
Hmmm… I am also considering an upgrade from Nait 5si to Supernait 3. But if that changes bass extension considerably, it would not be an option. My neighbors above and below would not be happy
It seem like a nicely balanced system you have there @Laz and besides that you indicate that you enjoy your music. So my advice; don’t let others here on the forum drive you crazy about upgrading but buy more music instead or spend you hard earned money on other things
A Supernait 3 (or 2) is considerably better than a Nait 5si. My experience moving up the ladder with Naim amplifiers is that you maintain the speed/PRaT but get a fuller sound, better depth perspective, more detail and control etc.
It also depends on the speakers, cables etc. I have Tannoy Revolution XT 8F’s attached with AudioQuest Rocket 33 cables. I am using acoustic foam in the bass ports of the speakers.
No question you’ll get more of everything with the SN3. Like others have said so many factors come to play including your wallet. I’ve gone from a 5si to Xs2 and now a SN3. Knowing what I know now I’d probably stopped at the XS2 as my speakers are pretty efficient and I’m in a smaller room. That being said the SN3 is good enough to stop thinking about upgrades
I agree. I preferred SN2 due to this and sold my SN3 just weeks later. If SN again I would get a SN2. Really enjoyed it. Maybe not super deep bass but indeed more organic. 5si to SN3 is a no brainer though.
I used to run my Rubicons 2 (like 5 years ago) with my 5SI initially and later on with an SN2, albeit with different sources. For this particular speaker I would not recommend either of those, they simply could not give the real power those 4ohm speakers need, not that both are not capable performers, I enjoyed each of them for years, but when I changed the Rubicons for ProAc D2Rs, driven by the SN2, the difference in ability to drive an easier load (8ohm) speaker was just unbelievable. If it was up to me, I would swap the speaker prior to making any other change, you have a subwoofer, meaning bass is not of a major concern should you decide to change speakers with less bass extension than the Dali’s. Just a thought.
Thank you All very much for your generous and helpful replies.
It gives me a lot to think about. I don’t play my music loud. The volume dial rarely goes above the 10 o’clock position.
But detail and soundstage is very important to me, especially at low volumes — which my system is delivering.
I certainly don’t need more bass. The sub is turned down low — I enjoy mainly the added sound stage and imaging it seems to bring,
I thought that a more powerful amp like the SN3 would do all this even better. As you say, trying it out will be the best way to know, given all the factors in an audio system and its environment. Until that time comes, I feel very fortunate to listen to my system powered by the very capable Nait 5si.
I went from an xs2 to an SN3. Huge improvement in my system. You mentioned neighbours- one observation is that the SN3 is so much better and fuller at low volumes cf the Xs2
