hear! hear!
I’ve also struggled with the volume gain on current Naim amps - but it’s the design at present and I believe it adds a different character and enjoyment but for me kind of lacks the air in the music and free flow that comes with more linear volume control, well at least as it is with the Nait 2.
Apart the MM phono stage in the SN3, the differences between SN2 and SN3 are explained in Hifi Choice.
“The most notable change is the removal of the cascode stage in the output. This has been a feature of Naim integrated amplifier designs for a very long time, but thanks to carefully optimising the second stage gain transistors the need for it is eliminated and the amplifier stability is said to improve as a result. This means the slew rate – the change in the output voltage relative to the input – doubles and translates to a sonic improvement, says Naim.
This is partnered with further refinements to the power supply arrangements, which were already fairly extensive to begin with. The Supernait 3 has a larger transformer than before partnered with a 24V Discrete Regulator (DR) module to power the preamp section and in the Naim tradition, this can be augmented with an external PSU. As with the Nait XS 3, the audio circuitry employs the same isolation techniques and chassis-mounted sockets hand wired to the boards.”
Some say that the SN3 doesn’t need an Hicap dr, but apparently both SN2 and SN3 have DR regulation. Only the transformer is bigger in the later.
Despite these technical upgrades, some found the SN2 more authoritative and able to drive difficult loads vs the SN3.
But the SN3 seems more open and refined.
…that should generate some comments!
I think I’ll trade my 252/250 in for a Nait 2 so……
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