Please help select an AMP for my Dad

Hi-Fi Corner
21

With those speakers I would go down the route of:

  1. Service the Supernait
  2. Add a HiCap
  3. Grab an Ndx2

I assume you are looking at pre-loved?

Alternative and go separates:

  1. Nac202
  2. Nap200
  3. Ndx2

I had this set up…

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22

Having compared Nova to older separates with revealing speakers, I’d expect the Nova to be good but beatable. The PE version would doubtless drive those speakers a good deal better than a standard Nova, but at a price.

We opted for s/h ND5XS2/82/ Hicap/250 ahead of a Nova, having compared closely. I would expect that the extra grunt & grip of a 250 will make a big difference with those speakers unless your dad plays really quietly and the room is not large.

At today’s eBay prices, you might well get NDX2 plus olive 82/Hicap/250 (all serviced in the last 10-12 years) for a lot less than a Nova PE costs and probably less than a new Nova costs now.

I am sure that NDX2/SN3/Hicap would work well and probably beat a Nova to most ears. However, the Naim olive amplification that we all spent years wanting is such a bargain today that it is at least worth considering too.

Good luck to you both in the hunt!

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23

I thought that was more like, ‘You should really buy X (which is what I have)’.

24

I’m not sure where you are located, but as others have suggested, getting your Dad in touch with a good dealer to go though the options and introduce him to streaming and what is needed would be a good start. Good luck :crossed_fingers:

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25

I see the NC 250 on second hand hifi Uk for a good price, and the 222 on Tom Tom audio. Total: around 7,8 k.

Or the cheapest option : service the Supernait 1 and get an Ndx2.

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26

Thanks for the replies everyone!

Thoughts on keeping the SN1 adding a 250 poweramp and a NX2 streamer?

27

As you said, looking at the replies so far, a minefield!

My two pennorth is, if it’s within your budget, stepping up the amplification would certainly get more out of those gorgeous speakers. A pre/power setup that includes a NAP250 with a NDX2 or even a ND5XS2 with a preloved nDAC (if you can source one) which will give you a cheaper option with much the same SQ as a NDX2, according to many on here.

Then many hours of fun with the wonderful world of streaming. Everything anywhere 24/7, 365.

Enjoy. And let us know how you get on.

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28

Thanks for the reply. Looking at going down the NDX2 and 250 power amp route maybe even a 300. Would the Supernait 1 work as the pre amp to the power amp or would it become totally useless in the setup?

29

It would work, but that’s really a stepping stone to 282/hicap/250. The better route would be 282 first (powered by supernait), then add hicap (which takes over powering the 282), then 250 (to replace the supernait power amp stage).
My stance is the supernait should be plenty by itself, and I’d live with that rather than replacing it simply because the spendors are a recent purchase. By all means upgrade later.

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30

Thanks Robert. So lets say he kept the SN1 and added the Ndx2 (I know you recommended cheaper and worthwhile options but knowing my Dad he’ll want it all Naim for the uniformed looked in his rack) what would be the next step to upgrade? I assume it would be replacing the SN1?

31

I would start with a 282, powered by the supernait. Supernait in power amp mode.

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32

I am happy to be corrected but I think most will say that the power amp in any Supernait is a bit better than the preamp. However, neither half is really ideal in this case. 282/HC/250 plus a Naim streamer would fit well if affordable.

If that’s a stretch too far, the above suggestions probably win.

The simple answer of adding NDX2 or ND5XS2 and Hicap to SN is an option, and probably a better balance than adding 282 or 250 to SN (except temporarily).

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33

Just ask how old is the SN1. Or take discretely a picture on the back to get the serial number. With it you will know the age. After 12/15 years, it has to be serviced.
And + 1 for 282 first, rather than 250.

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34

Its probably 2008ish. Debating just selling it and getting a 282 with HICAP then a poweramp 250 or 300 and combining it with a NDX2

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35

This suggests quite a decent budget🤔
282/300DR/NDX2 is what I run and it is brilliant. I started with a single HC DR, but now run 2 with an XPS DR powering the NDX2.
This system is truly stunning, adding the extra power supplies can be done later as budgets allow and if desired.
Good luck with your journey

36

He will be outside the stratosphere if you do that all ! Big upgrade.

37

I have been taught this lesson the expensive way… work source forwards in terms of priority.

Personally a SN1 as a pre-amp paired with a 300 or a 250 is a lot out of balance. My 300 / Ndx2 came to life when I put in a 552…. With the Ndx2 as the front end your pre amp selection will seriously limit your experience in my opinion.

My old non DR 282, with a 250 and NDX2 did me for years and you can pick up some for real good prices… even before the 250 I ran an old 200 and that was good.

Investing in the front end was a hard lesson I got taught here.

My head would probably be exploding if I were reading all these posts!

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38

Just a few questions:
What other sources does your father use?
How well do you think he will adapt to lots of new equipment?
Will he be willing to keep it all powered up when not in use?

The most straightforward/neatest solution would be to buy a Nova or Nova PE.
However, an one alternative approach could be to:

  1. purchase the NDX2 streamer and use it with the SN1.
  2. then purchase a pre-amp (e.g. 282) and use the SN1 as a power amp only.
  3. finally replace the SN1 altogether with a 250 DR.

The third approach could be to purchase a 222 and NC 250 straight out.

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39

Not really, given I don’t have a Rotel, Arcam, Cyrus or Supernait…

Or are you just in a post Christmas pissy mood and trying to pick a fight?

40

He uses a Naim CD player, a CD5X I think, that he got when he purchased the Supernait 1. Currently, he only listens to CDs, but would like to stream. He believes adding a power amp and using the SN1 as a preamp is the solution. However, it seems using the SN1 with a preamp is better. He’s been an audiophile his whole life, owning about seven different systems. His current Naim system was his dream setup in the early 2000s, which is how he acquired it. He’s been out of the game so long that it’s all unfamiliar to him now. I know nothing about hi-fi, but I’m slowly learning.

His original plan to swap the SN1 for a Nova, a SN3 and NDX2 doesn’t seem ideal if he can get better value with separates.

Thanks again for the advice, everyone.

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