Supernait 3 - Not So Super?

That’s an interesting comparison.

But of course a dealer event to launch a new range will tend to show the new range in the best possible light.

Not the same as comparing at home.

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Anyway I opted to choose the new tech and the look of the classic suited me better.
I would be happy with both in absolute terms.
My feet were not more tapping with one or other. The reason of my original post. But someone responded recently that cb and olive have better prat….

Lets not forget that adding a HicapDR will also take the SN3 to a different level :sunglasses:

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I totally agree. I didn’t know how good a HicapDr is to a SN3 until I got it back from being recapped and serviced. It took a bit to come on song but damn it’s transformed my SN3. the SN3 without a Hicap is really good, but with it, like you said it’s a different level.

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I started my move to naim ( was choosing between Hegel and Naim) with the 5 si during Covid, then moved to the XS3 and now have the SN3.
I have thoroughly enjoyed all 3, but to my ears the SN3 is something special. Musicality in spades! Hi cap next!

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A very good friend of mine was downsizing from a Naim Lego collection and still had a couple of Hicap DRs he has a Supernait 3 and prefers the musicality of it on its own as it was too forward and HI FI with the PS.

I decided not to bother and nothing to regret. :sunglasses: :+1:t2:

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What’s interesting is I thought and still do think the SN3 is fantastic sans a HiCap. While mine was being recapped I considered just selling it when it was done being serviced as I was so impressed with the SN3 on its own. I still can’t figure out how my HiCapDr sounds so much better now than I recall previously. Maybe it was really far out of the service window? Maybe it’s the Powerline I added, maybe just doing a better job of cable management I just don’t know. All I know is I can’t imagine my SN3 without the HiCapDr.

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I brought my supernait 3 in the end of 2022, then added the hicap in march this year, I felt an uplift, felt it was better but the hicap needed burnin and with time I forgot what the uplift really was. Recently I disconnected it to see what the differences really were after all the burnin of the last 5 months.

I find the difference to be more than I anticipated and remembered, for me the supernait 3 on their own appears to be a different amp, more musical for sure, less revealing and less real, not so tense, more relaxed, but easier to live with. The hicap in my case and with the sopra n1 the diferences are big, the supernait 3 appears to be a lot more everything, a different soul appears, but also turns out to be less forgiving.

I could live with both personalities I only did not expected the difference to be so much in my case.

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PLEASE let me know where to find one of those, I’d happily enjoy a trip to Poland and collect one.

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Arrange a bus please, I’ll join you.

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Me too. That’s at least three of us on the bus already. We’ll probably need a double decker.

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Why bother?

I am sure that @Kaczadupa can let us know which dealers are offering many SN3s at a 40% discount. At that price, paying some tax and some shipping costs will be very worthwhile, so buying remotely would be the easy option.

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As a Dachshund owner, I realise my taste in dogs and amps is quite different :grin:

Following the kind advice to consider upgrading to a ND5 XS2, I auditioned one at home from my hifi dealer. Talking about my SN1 vs SN3 experiences they kindly proposed to lend me an SN3 so I could compare it to my SN1 in the same setup.

I have a Hicap 2 on my SN1. Without it, the SN3 clearly is a better amp. SN1 sounds less full, less separation between instruments. But, considering an SN1 + Hicap 2 is half the price of an SN3 used, I did compare them that way as that difference may bridge the gap between an ND5 XS2 and an NDX2. My take:

  • my bad experience with SN3 + Dynaudio Contour 20 must have been due to synergy or maybe some defect. All the negatives (total lack of lower end, dull overall presentation) were gone on my B&W 702 signatures

  • SN3 is indeed more refined, soundstage is larger, voices slightly more delicate. It sounds “cleaner” to me

  • SN3 did add a some harshness in the highs (acoustic guitar) which would become an issue in the long run for me. In my experience B&W can be harsh, amp pairing is key for that

So overall I prefer the SN1 + Hicap. It just sounds more enthusiastic and makes everything a joy to listen to - this is exactly what I loved after switching from the more “hifi” sounding Hegel.

Yes, it’s a Labrador.

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I bought my SN3 +NDx2 a few months ago. The appearance of the NC series obviously made me want to continue updating :rofl: but luckily I cured myself of it. The addition of the Gigawatt Power Sync Ultra power cord to the SN3 made me addicted to listening to this set!! I just can’t stop!! This has become madness… Sn3 is a great amplifier which, with the right source, can be everything many people will ever need. My post is intended to draw attention not to write off this equipment too hastily. The right configuration produces incredibly good sound from this device. I was thinking about adding Hi cap dr but this cable pushed that idea aside. Now I have thoughts about what would happen if I added an appropriate cable to the NDx instead of the XPS Dr :stuck_out_tongue_winking_eye: I will be sure to report on this experience

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Welcome! I’m not sure the consensus was that the SN is a poor amplifier :wink:

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I’m sure those who find him boring have never had the opportunity to hear his true capabilities :wink:

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Correct me if I am wrong but isn’t the SN3 a fusion of the Nap200 and 202 pre (correct me if I am wrong) … all in one box? In other words a decent pre with a very good amp…no wonder it was a best seller…

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You won’t get a definative answer for a question like that, that said, I’ve owned both systems and all the Supernaits at one time or another, I’d still pick the SN3 in preference.
I think it’ll be interesting to see what Naim conjure up for the Supernait as part of a New Classic refresh.

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I considered a Supernait 3 before deciding on my Klipsch Forte III speakers. I decided that the Moon 340ix would be a better match for these and it has broadly similar capabilities to the SN3. Otherwise, if it were not for the speakers, the SN3 would have been a no-brainer.

I believe that these ‘super integrated’ amps are a real viable alternative to going down the pre-power route. They are not just the poor relations, but rather a different path. There are those that say that integrated amps are capable of greater musical coherence compared to pre/powers - even if they lack some of the ultimate abilities of some of those.

There will always be a place for pre/powers. But with these new breeds of super-integrated amps around the pre/powers are no longer the automatic best choice that they once were in every instance.

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Welcome to the board. Nice system you have and I’m glad to see you are exploiting your SN3. You think you can’t stop listening now, wait until you add a HiCapDr and XPSDr with power lines etc. Sure 2 more boxes/cables but your smile and silly grin while listening will be even wider. :slight_smile: