Hi, I’m currently running a Nova into ProAc Tab 10 sigs (with Naca5 and full-fat Powerline) and I very much enjoy the sound, most of the time. However if I’m being critical, it can be a little muddled on complex tracks and the bass a touch one-dimensional/ lacking texture.
While there is still some availability, I’m thinking of moving to a Nait 50 (with ND5XS2). Would this resolve some of my issues? I don’t really need a remote as my listening room is very small (just over 3m x 3m) and I’m wondering if in fact the room dimensions are the limitation rather than the Nova! I’m not sure it’s possible to demo the Nait, so this would be a bit of a hit and hope decision…
I’d appreciate any thoughts or experiences.
I’d want to put the Nait XS3 in the frame too.
(I agree, your square room is not helping.)
C.
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Room will not be a limitation for the amp transparency, no question nd5xs2/nait 50 are somewhat higher class vs Nova.
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hi,
before changing your system, won’t you try to adjust the positioning of the Proac ? my Proac D30 are very sensitive with placement
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Hi,
personal experience: I’ve recently accurately and repeatedly demoed Nait 50, XS3, rega Æthos, tubes… With ND5 XS2, into B&W costly speakers. I was interested myself.
I totally second Chris’s suggestion to consider the XS3, because its control of texture, bass, dynamics is in my opinion much better than the others’. Nait 50 is a fine quarter of an hour, but XS3 is real music. I quoted you because the main flaw in the 50, to my ears, is just a one-note bass…
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I say if you go XS3 go used.
Great deals to be had.
Is a XS3 replacement coming out soon?
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There is no way to know which products naim will replace next and when that may be. We have yet to know if they will continue with a new version of the xs products or not (I personally hope they do as I want the continued option of an xs price level streamer).
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It’s not an appropriate pairing for Nait 50 which is obvious)
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A consideration is the Nait 50 has the New Classic phono and headphone amp tech.
My Nait 50 will be passed down to my kids. It’s that good
I’ve done long, unbiased and very attentive listening to the amps I mentioned. I always made it clear that it’s only my ears, my opinions. But I try to be helpful. The Nait 50 is a lovely thing and I have thought of it for myself seriously. The fact that it may not be appropriate for a pair of B&W 805 D4 may be indicative of a less than ideal power supply, which may be understandable given its size.
It did sound at least as loud and authoritative as the PrimaLuna EVO 100, 42W. I don’t think that the Nait 50’s weakness is its vis coeundi, so to speak, :), but a general voicing that seduces immediately but slowly tends to leave the listener not cold but lukewarm. Audio isn’t only about fun.
A minor addition: I have more and more grown an interest in the relation between a loudspeaker’s design and an amp’s damping factor; Naim classic power amps are slightly ‘underdamped’, with a DF of average 20 or so (as far as I know). Reflex designs can sound bass-generous with such amps. The Nait didn’t sound at all fatigued by the B&Ws (I was 
), but its sound was not as controlled, as accurate, as that of the XS3.
Best
M
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I should have clarified: I have no need for the reportedly wonderful phono stage, and I’m an occasional headphone user only. I mainly stream from Qobuz and a bit of internet radio.
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It could be the DAC that’s the culprit here. I wouldn’t be shocked if you still ran into issues even after swapping out amplifiers. I just made the jump from a Chord Qutest to a Weiss DAC204, and all my bass problems disappeared. I used to think the small, square room (4m x 4m) was the issue. Sometimes, going source first really does work.
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I once had the ProAc 10 Sig with NDX2 and Supernait 3, and really enjoyed it. But I wanted to downsize to a Nova and the 10s just didn’t work, largely because there was such limited bass. I ended up with some small PMCs and they were much better with the Nova. My room is 4.5m by 3.6m, so a little larger. As well as considering different electronics, you may like to think about different speakers. The Nova is so nice to use, with its lovely volume control. The ND5XS2 has no remote, so you are wholly dependent on the App. Another nice thing about the Unitis is the screen; it’s sad but I like to see the album covers or radio station logos.
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Interesting how people want different things.
I purposely bought a DAC/Streamer with no screens and fewer features.
My iPad controller has all the info.
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I know; I said it was a bit sad!
haha. Not at all.
Whatever you prefer is good.
I’ve auditioned your PMC’s a few years back.
Great speakers!
For sure as it doesn’t control those
I really like the ProAcs, I went from Atom to Nova as I felt like they needed a bit more behind them and it was a significant improvement for me. There’s plenty of bass in my small room, it’s the one note characteristic as Max Bertola describes it that I’d like to improve. And besides, speakers as well as electronics will probably end in marital strife!
I quite understand. To match the power of the Nova I’d be looking at a Supernait 2 or 3, accompanied by an ND5XS or NDX2. Hopefully you’d be able to borrow them first, as it would be a shame to change only to find that the thing you aim to fix hasn’t been.
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Nova with recently arrived ProAc Tab 10 sigs here, in a room of perhaps similar size.
Purchased used and unheard, never a great idea but I knew what I wanted. This for a dining room system, to replace Spendor SA1s, which are currently being serviced and will then be used in a different location. Speaker cable is QED and standard mains cable.
Several comments from those with more experience with these speakers than myself. However in reading the thread, I noticed there is no mention of how your ProAcs were supported. IIRC HH’s pair were on stands although I don’t recall which model. Perhaps before simply changing electronics, you might consider both positioning and the speaker stands.
ProAcs were shortlisted and chosen here, because they work close to a wall. Unrealistic to use stands, I purchased the same wall brackets as Spendor supply. Majority of use is listening to background music, particularly radio. It wasn’t really even an option to change where the speaker brackets were located, so using the existing ones. For more dedicated listening this would likely be more significant.
However in setting the speakers up, the odd test track did show some slightly unattractive bass effects. Away for a few days, but if you would like to suggest a few tracks which you find unappealing I would be willing to see what occurs in my room. We do all hear music in different ways, so likely it will only be indicative. If Jennifer Warnes is your thing, try streaming the album “The Hunter” from Qobuz - it is supposed to be well recorded and one or two tracks, I have noticed reveal a few issues on Nova + ProAcs.
As an alternative to suggestions to change electronics, if you like one-box, then another option might be to consider a Spendor model which go well with Naim electronics. I have used two different pairs very satisfactorily with Nova.