SN2 vs SN3

I would say that the review seems to be honest, which is rare. But can’t say if I agree or not with the reviewer.

It’s unfortunate that two reviews in a row talk about sound hardening up with volume.

I did wonder what HiFi+ meant when they said something particular about the Supernait 3. That only a quarter of the volume dial is useable. (Although they did say it was not a problem.)

I could not work out what that meant, and I had it on a list of questions to take to a store audition. It might be about this claim of hardening sound. I was initially thinking it might be because the volume goes up so fast. The HiFi+ review did go straight on to mention that the remote makes gentle enough steps to be useful.

If anyone remembers one of my monolithic posts above, I am a quiet music listener. However I want the option for volume when I want it.

I demo’d SN3 without and with HCap DR,I ended up getting the HCap,sq definitely improved with it,bass was more defined,and generally it gave a more effortless feel,if that makes sense?

1 Like

I’m not sure why the percentage of volume knob used is that important, unless there’s not enough volume at the farthest rotation.

Obviously, “quiet” and “loud” are subjective:

My experience has been that since getting the SN3, it has gradually increased in volume relative to the knob travel…where I had to turn it up past 12 o’clock to have the same percieved loudness as my XS2 at say, 10, now anything past 12 o’clock is LOUD - to me at least. Even approaching noon is getting pretty full on.

I usually listen now (on my own - my wife would have a fit!) around 10 - 11. Dependent also on what the music is. Playing Albert Ayler right now, and that is quite a sound at higher volumes!
Recording level must play a role too, I guess.

1 Like

What speakers did they use? If the SN (Had 1st gen and now 2) gets pushed with more difficult to drive speakers in a rather big room they tend to sound hard and a bit exhausted to my ears compared to say 2x400W that sound far more relaxed (headroom).

After reading all available SN3 reviews I’d say my point of view and summary is that SN3 is no wow product. It’s a bit what was expected. I’m also one of those that think British HIFi media is extremely patriotic so one needs to carefully read between the lines. Nothing unique with that. Same thing in the US and other countries but for me as a consumer not that good.

1 Like

Sounds strange to me. I cannot see components should change so dramatically. That would be scary indeed. Maybe a faulty volume pot?

Just wondering,have you heard the SN3 ,or are you basing your opinion just on having read reviews etc?

Dunno. Seems fine. Just…louder compared to the first week ( and I didn’t get much time to play it then).
Seems stable now.

blimey, if I get past 8 o’clock on the SN3 I’m doing well, 12 and I’d be pinned to the wall!

7 Likes

@Hollow

Lol!
I do like it kinda loud, at times :smiley:

1 Like

Electronics engineer. Trying to understand technically what could happen based on what he said. I’m not so much for the fluffy fluff. But I assume it’s Naim burn in then…

Shame there isn’t the option of a SN3 without headphone, phono or balance dial to minimise signals.

Then again it may make no real difference to sound quality.

@Blackbird

Beats me…unless there was something up with me that first week and my hearing was wonky…could be!

But if there was a fault, I’d imagine I soon couldn’t listen with the knob past 7 (or 8! Which is too quiet during the day for me)…

I’ll let you know in a week or so :wink:

@steviebee
Holy smoke. yeah that would be loud to me. Even when I was running a Rega Brio, at 50W per ch - into 8 ohms, half was loud.

@Blackbird
They listed regular speakers like some Neat floorstanders. However the SN3 is supposed be much more easy going with speakers than the SN2.

Overall, I think it’s a bit weird. I rarely ever see comments about sound hardening in amplifier reviews. Then two for one amplifier. I am not saying by that, that I believe the reviewers or think the SN3 is poor. I think it’s more likely else.

Not heard it yet. I almost left the house to go get one last week. Would have auditioned along with my checklist of questions. (Including what did Hifi+ mean by only a quarter of the volume control is usable.)

However I was stopped in my tracks with the issue about balance control. No way I could tolerate an amplifier where the balance changed with volume. Means I would have to check that out the one I would buy, before I bought it.

However I am not happy having to say I have not heard the SN3 yet. I usually get abuse when I say that, and am discussing an item. However without discussing it first and reading reviews, it’s a risk buying. It was another user who stopped me dead in my tracks over the balance issue. I mentioned interest in the SN3 on the Head-Fi TT2 thread. If I had not, I would have had no idea about the balance issue. I could easily have brought home a ‘faulty’ amplifier, and then been in a fight with a retailer. (Like by listening to a demo model, and then taking a boxed one from stock.)


To be honest, totally lost over what to do. I may end up with no amplifier at all, and just running my speakers from my TT2. However I really do need an analogue preamp, in other words an integrated amp. I need it to run another DAC, alongside my TT2. Finding the amplifier I want, is driving me up the wall; headache time. I honestly think the SN3 is what I want.

My comment is a joke. This forum always suggests crazy upgrades when someone asks about a next step upgrade

However having said all this. At least it means I am totally prepared in knowing what to looking for with an SN3 audition. Big-up for forums, and people.

Hi @GreenBow, I did experience balance issues with my SN3 at very low volumes but now that it has run in for another month the problem is no longer there. The centre position on the dial corresponds to the audible centre position so all is well now.

I find the headphone amp on the SN3 to be quite good. The sound doesn’t harden with volume to my ears at least - in fact I find that the volume gets uncomfortably loud with headphones before the sound signature changes.

It obviously depends on the headphones that you use. I use Oppo PM-2 phones with my SN3. I also listen to Roon via my iPad Air connected to Oppo PM-3 headphones via a chord mojo and really like the sound of this set up. It is different to the SN3, probably a bit more detailed but the SN3 can be an easier listen. This of course is affected by the different phones. I haven’t actually swapped the phones between setups as the iPad and cheaper phones are upstairs.

1 Like

Well that’s pretty cool. @Bjm

Have to admit though. I’d be freaked out if I checked out an SN3, and the balance was off like yours was. There would be an absolute agreement that if in time, running in did not resolve it, I would return it.

Just no way I would keep an amplifier that the balance changed as the volume went down. I see how it might not bother some folk who listen louder. However as I listen quiet (very quietly), I would always be moving volume around at lower levels.

I bet I rarely use more than about ten watts of amplification. Why am I interested in the SN3 then? Sound quality is the answer.

If I do buy an amplifier, and I am wavering now. I might stay with TT2 driving speakers. It will most likely be a low power, high quality amplifier.

The SN3 is kind of ideal though because it’s sound quality will rock. As long as it keeps life at very low volumes, that’s cool and a deciding factor. then there’s power there if I need it. Perfect or what?

Don’t worry @GreenBow, I also listen at extremely low levels at times - this is not a problem on anymore on my SN3.

Why not get a lengthy home demo first?