SN2 vs SN3

Hi.

Yes, of course, there may be some of that, I’m not going to say no. Although, in my opinion, the price of the Cyrus is not too indicative of its SQ; in fact, it’s one of those devices that sings more than they cost, so much so that I was initially assaulted by the thinking of the NDX2 being overpriced.

But to fine-tune the criterion before pouring information into the forum I did an additional test: NAD C546 BEE via AudioQuest Sidney directly into SN3 (exactly the same configuration as with the previous SN2). It’s an 800-euro CD player, but also another one of those devices that really sound a lot more than they cost, and additionally I have it set up as a transport, both through the Cyrus DAC before, and through the NDX2 DAC now. In this direct configuration of the CD player into the integrated amplifier, exactly the same impressions, although yes, perhaps slightly less accentuated.

Best regards.

1 Like

Just received my SN3 today. Hooked It up to the end of my new NDX2 and played a few albums.I still have some work to so with sorting out the order on the current audio rack, cable management and fine tuning but initial impressions are that this combo has a sharper presentation with better depth, focus and can go deeper. It is a very different presentation from the Uniti Nova it replaces. I am just a little surprised that I cannot really turn it up as it gets loud by the time I am just below the 9 o’clock mark.

I should add, the automation feature works very well when controlling the volume via the app.

3 Likes

Hi all folks out there.

Well, yesterday evening I was relaxed listening to music, the system already with around 45 hours of operation, enjoying and everything well… Switch the selection to a rock play list… That sounds good… They start jumping old themes in old records, with less gain level… That sounds really good… I’m giving up the pot, 9 o’clock, 10 o’clock, 11 o’clock… The “excess current” protection system activates, the overcurrent indicator lights up intermittently (Tuner), and the integrated amplifier suddenly stops!

Mmmmmh, I don’t know if I’ll end with Naim amplification: I’m starting to think, again, on the bi-amplification possibility; or in to change the integrated to some higher power, although, much to my regret, it would have to be from another brand, probably ATC SIA 2 - 150. Or it settles as it goes running in to get to better power management…

Thoughts…?

That used to happen to me regularly when I had a separates system with an olive 250 power amp - 5 minutes of decent volume and it cut out. Swapping it for 135s solved it albeit at huge expense. I’ve now downsized to a Nova which has never cut out on me and I do sometimes play very loud (no neighbours). Surely Naim must test their amps at high sound levels - I can’t understand why this is still a problem for some products.

Your experience has cured me of idle thoughts about an SN3 - thanks for saving me a lot of money!

2 Likes

Yes, I’m not quite sure I’m going to keep it either. I’ll talk to my dealer, see where he breathes…

Cheers.

I’ve a SN2 in a large room and play rock loud with no issues.

2 Likes

Hi Newcomer, which speaker cables are you using with your SN3? Some cables can cause this!

1 Like

Not sure you meant to reply to me but for the record I was using 6 metre lengths of NAC A5 when my NAP 250 wimped out.

1 Like

No sorry Pev, the question was for Newcomer. I have no experience with the olive amps but have known a SN2 with Audioquest speaker cables going into thermal protection, once we swapped for Naca5 all was well, even on very high volume (past 12 o’clock)…

1 Like

When you say rounder sound I wonder how it would team up with Harbeths. SN2 is well known to be a great match with Harbeth but if SN3 add more warmth and rounded sound it might just be too much of that.

1 Like

The problem was not of thermal excess, but of current excess.

Anycase, Chord Epic Reference’s 3’5m lines, well run in; in principle, there should be no problems of inductance nor capacitance, because according to Steve Sells the newer integrated and all in one generations are very tolerant, both to these parameters, as well as to the length of the cables, and to different market brands. In fact, the manual states that it is suitable for different cables from different manufacturers without problems, and does not specify anything with respect to the minimum length, although, as a matter of prudence, I already delimited them at 3’5 m (the minimum with the most sensitive Classic line amplifiers). Additionally, there are quite a few forum members who have opted for the same cable without any problem, even on separate amplifiers from the Classic line. In addition, they are the same cables as with the previous SN2, and no such problem; on the contrary, it went up smoothly until 12 o’clock or more, starting to sound hard, yes, and to go into clipping, but without any overcurrent cut. Could it be that, with the hours of operation it has can still be unsettled and too tender…? I don’t know, I’m more inclined to think that, finally, @Blackbird wasn’t as far off and, in the end, in a big and tall room like mine, if you want SPL, the 80W of the SN-SN2-SN3, although high quality and with quite a headroom, they still be 80W where a few more are probably required. In this sense, in the K6 user manual, Stewart Tyler warns that while they may sound fantastic from 10W, if you want SPL, good dynamics in large rooms and/or scale with complex tracks, the speakers need power. Now that Naim recognizes as an upgrade path the addition of NAP 200 DR (I understand that for biamplification, which for that has the DIN output on the back), and from the assumption of a good SQ with the SN3, but a power perhaps somewhat limited, could the solution pass by bi-amping the K6 with NAP 250 DR (better than NAP 200 DR)…?

But rounder sound due to a fuller and more defined bass, as the treble and mids maintain the same features as in the SN2.

Anyway, pay attention to my previous comment on power…

Best regards.

My dealer says he thinks it’s too tender yet, and it should tend to better power management as it settles down. We’ll see…

I am very suprised by your current protection, i have some ATC scm 40 rated at 85db not the easiest and i love to listen loud at 11/12 o’clock for many hour.

The amp never struggle at all. It is totally cool when i touch it.
All with 16 feet each side of NAC A5.

I have a secondhanded SN3 available for me at 2600GBP but just bought a SN2 for 1900GBP. I have no opportunity testing the SN3 so it would be purchasing to find out. I’m really happy with the move from my SN1 to SN2 but seems to be a much smaller increase in sound quality from SN2 to SN3?

…I have not seen/heard a demo of the SN 3 here in the states yet, what is the difference in sound quality from SN2 to SN3? What would be the main reasons for you making the leap so quickly? Thanks…

Cross purposes here, I think. Likely not quite the same thing. The NAP250 would usually trip thermal protection when working too hard and without enough space to cool the case which was the heatsink. Onerous loads or tricky speakers like isobariks would usually be the culprits. Standing the 250s on their sides would sometimes work best. However the fan cooled 135s were the best solution. Reason for the 250 getting so hot when working hard was probably because it was a rarity - a regulated power amp, so wasn’t allowed to sag a little when things got tough.

1 Like

I’ve yet to ever push one of the unregulated Naim amps into protection or shutdown. Are you sure all is well with cabling etc?

1 Like

Yes, the SCM 40 sensiblity is lower, but its impedance doubles, and this has to do also with the current needed to drive them well. Given the dimensions of the room and, above all, the height of the ceiling (above most energy is lost), it is becoming increasingly apparent to me that these speakers need more power and greater current to raise the SPL above 85dB-90dB in this configuration; in fact, the 420W of the previous Exposure combo came in handy. Ideally, the power of the Exposure combo with the Naim synergy and SQ; and that, for me, would be biamping by adding another 80W (130W at 4 Ohms) to the SN3’s 80W (130W in 4 Ohms), that is, NAP 250 DR in biamp configuration. We’ll see…

Hi, Richard.

I’d say yes: everything exactly the same as in the previous setup with the SN2, except for the change of the Cyrus to the NDX2, of course; the same Chord C-Power power shielded mains cables, the same 3.5 m. length Chord Epic Reference speakers cables, the same IsoTek Sirius strip, there is no more, nothing different…, only that the SN2 was run in and the SN3 still has very few hours operating.

Do you think that could be showing any manufacturing defect of the unit…? What do you think, please…?