The xs2 is a great building block for your second, third or fourth system ![]()
TBH, I didnt really want to have to go down the many boxes HiFi route. I prefer integrated Amplification. I have accepted the HicapDR because it does have a smaller footprint.
Naims best Integrated offering is a Supernait 3 at 80wpc or 130wpc into 4ohm which in my case is not really a suitable choice for my AE Coriniums.
I am looking into demoing a Exposure 3510 Integrated. It has many very positive reviews, with some comparing its performance to a Supernait 3 but at a much lower cost, and at 110wpc or 220wpc into 4ohm it would drive my Coriniums perfectly.
I had a 3010 S2D prior to my Naim gear, I’m pretty confident the 3510 is an excellent piece of gear despite not having tested it. I’d say you can compare it to the SN3 to a certain extent, yet they are two very different amps despite having much in common soundwise.
In my view the SN3 has a more beefy bass and more rounded highs, it can control more demanding speakers better in my personal experience. Having said that, if you like the Exposure, go for it. Keep in mind Exposure has also the 5510 amp, that might be the more comparable option. No idea if it’s worth the extra money though.
And yet somehow you omitted that key point from your original post.
Excellent point ![]()
Depends on what route you wanna take that can last you for years. If you are into separates , remember more boxes meaning more for everything that you gonna spend or add ons in future .. enjoy!!! ![]()
Good luck, maybe you will learn how little the Watt specs mean in practise and daily use, often very misleading.
Brilliant post @Christopher_M.
Yes I did mention a NAP 250, simply because I cant see any other Integrated alternative. Yes I would prefer not to go down the multi boxes route. The Supernait 3 specs into 4ohm is pretty low at 130wpc and I have just found out it has been discontinued.
My only real option going forward with Naim would be a NAP 250, or move to a higher powered Integrated from another manufacturer, which I didnt really want to do.
As an preferred Integrated amp user I feel a bit left out by Naim at present, Here,s hoping Naim have a new Supernait 4 planned with a higher WPC.
Well, Yes I will be learning how little (or not) the Watt specs mean in practise. As I will soon be comparing my 100wpc into 4ohm Nait XS2 and Hicap DR against a home demoed 220wpc into 4ohm Exposure 3510 Integrated with my Acoustic Energy Corinium.
Probably, far more important than constand wpc is the transient load landling. Which, between a SN3 and a 250 is vastly different. The power supply in the 250 can swing a fairly massive current than many amps twice as powerful won’t manage.
Most of the time, even hard to drive speakers are, at volume, just using a few watts. It’s those transient punches that will ultimately have more impact. In that respect, a 250 can swing almost 500w on demand where a similarly powere XS3 cannot get anywhere close to.
As you look for an integrated amp, I might suggest you to listen to the Moonriver 404 Reference as well as the Rega Aethos. Personally I think the Moonriver is the closest amp to the SN3, you might think differently.
Just to throw a spanner in the works,
Have you thought about changing speakers
Not sure on the Nap 250 delivering 500w on demand into 4ohms
The Naim NAP 250 power amplifier’s burst power into a 4-ohm load varies by generation. The latest 6th-generation model delivers a burst power of 300 watts per channel into a 2-ohm load (which suggests significant power into 4 ohms), while the earlier NAP 250 DR model delivers around 256 watts dynamic power into 2 ohms.
Power Specifications by Model
| Model | Continuous Power (8 ohms) | Continuous Power (4 ohms) | Dynamic/Burst Power (4 ohms) | Dynamic/Burst Power (2 ohms) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Latest (6th Gen) | 100 W per channel | ~190 W per channel | Not explicitly listed | 300 W per channel |
| undefined | -— | -— | -— | -— |
| NAP 250 DR | 80 W per channel | ~160 W per channel | 163 W per channel | 256 W per channel |
| undefined | -— | -— | -— | -— |
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Continuous Power into 4 ohms: While Naim typically rates their amps conservatively into an 8-ohm load, lab tests for the latest 6th-gen model show it produces around 190 watts per channel into 4 ohms at 1% THD+N. The earlier NAP 250 DR produced around 160 watts per channel into 4 ohms.
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Burst Power (Transient): Naim amplifiers are designed to handle transient power demands well. The latest model has a “flat-out” toneburst rating of 300Wpc into 2 ohms, consistent with a peak current of 28A. The NAP 250 DR delivered 256W dynamic power into a 2-ohm load.
The Exposure 3510 Integrated -Key 4 Ohm Specifications:
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Continuous Power Output: 200W (claimed) / 220W (measured) / 225W (measured) into 4 Ohms (<1% THD).
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Dynamic Power: Up to 318W into 4 Ohms.
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Distortion (THD): Very low, e.g., 0.006–0.051% at 10W into 4 Ohms (20Hz-20kHz).
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Frequency Response: -0.19dB to -1.0dB (20Hz–20kHz).
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Signal-to-Noise Ratio (A-wtd): 100.6dB (re. 110W
Definitely NOT, I already have the best speakers, obviously IMO ![]()
The dynamic burst doesn’t really (as you can see) scale with load. The burst is limited to size of the power supply and it’s operating ceiling is static. The classic 250 had a 500w power supply. So while wpc scales with load, peak output hardly budges. Which also means the differential in power between normal driving conditions and transients is less with higher 4 Ohm loads than lesser 8 Ohm loads.
That said, a power amp is not pushing continuous 80wpc. More like 2-3w or 4-6w so the practical differential between normal driving conditions and a transient pull of 200w (for example this pulling 400w from the power supply over both channels) is still significant.
Maybe your obsession with Watt specifications is fulfilled next, if Naim release NC Supernait as Class D, the tech already used in CI Uniti & Nova PE deliver around 150 Watt.
As I understand you can get Class D amps elsewhere, with both 300 and 500Watt, why not settle for such solution ?
Someone mentioned Rega Aethos, I preferred Aethos coming from both SN2/HCDR and 202/200/HC separates. I believe Aethos put out more watt on paper but most important to me is performance, which is very excellent on Rega. Worth a try if possible.
First of all, congratulations on buying the Coriniums, they are superb and great value.
I am not sure if my experience will help you, but I have been listening to various systems in readiness for a big retirement purchase of a whole system later this year.
The Coriniums are by far the stand out speakers I’ve heard. When I first heard them it was one of those ‘instantly knowing’ moments, like when you walk into your perfect home.
This is a decision that is made.
I have also been impressed with the Linn DSM, which if I buy one will be used with a separate power amp.
The Naim NC250 is a possibility, it worked very well with the Coriniums in my auditions, but I still have more listening to do before I purchase.
My advice is to do plenty of listening. I have found that certain products which are highly rated by others just left me cold. Your money/your ears, room.
Also try to made a final decision in your room, ideally over a few days, try loud and soft, and different types of music.
By the sounds of it you use CDs rather than streaming, but if you do move towards streaming, you could consider Linn; I was surprised at how good their integrated systems are.
But the key is listening to as much as you can in suitable conditions.
I’m glad you are loving your Coriniums, though like others I suspect you’re not getting the best from them and in time, and funds permitting, you could probably do with more power.
Maybe a 250DR will be a good solution and should be good value, though used NC250s are out there at a good price too!
Happy listening. ![]()
Though I shudder at the thought of a Class-D Supernait 4, Naim’s use of high inductance speaker cables could work in their favor to filter out the significant RF components that remain on the output of nearly every other CLass-D design.
I reiterate that I would shed a tear if this were the case.
I’d get a SN3. It’s a truly fantastic amplifier.