The new NAIT 50 Limited Edition

Yes, the Nait 50 is perfect as a small, simple integrated amp.

I enjoyed the simplicity of the Nait 50 I had in my system for a few days plugged in with a Powerline and fed by EE8 - ND5XS2 - Naim DAC/555DR into SL2s.

But the Nait 50 is not a patch on NAC 52/Supercap 2, which makes music much fuller and more real in the room.

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As I have posted somewhere, I bought a Japanese-built Ortofon ST-7 Step-Up Transformer between an LP12/ARO/Goldring-rebuilt Troika and the Nait 50’s MM input, with Chord Company cable. Loudspeakers are Falcon Gold Badge LS3/5As with NACA5 speaker cables.

It’s a fantastic, very punchy system, with sweet treble and prodigious bass, and goes far louder and deeper than might be expected - I have never had the volume control beyond the twelve o’clock position.

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Could you post a photo of the step up transformer thanks Graham , much appreciated

I wonder why they have dropped out of favour

Oops no need found a photo thanks Graham

I assume Peter rates it ?

Hello Bevo, I never actually asked Peter (Swain) that direct question (nor what he thought of the Goldring-rebuilt Troika cartridge), but I imagine that he would have said something to that effect when he was in my home for a couple of hours setting up the new ‘second’ LP12.

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I assume that step up transformers disappeared from the market because equipment manufacturers started to offer a choice of MM or MC input cards - they’re in just about all Naim and Quad amps that I know of.

I read that the NAIT50 doesn’t offer this choice of input because of lack of internal space to shield the ultra-sensitive phono input (but there may be some other reason).

@anon70766008 Actually, there are many new step-up transformers on the market, from American, Canadian, Dutch, Japanese and Swiss companies, and so on, if you do some online investigation. Many informative reviews as well.

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Fair enough. The Ortofon was the only one that I found, and it’s working very well. It’s also small, so isn’t taking up much space, which is a bonus from my perspective.

Yes I think it depends on room, productions and listening style. In a smaller room with more intimate listening the Nait50 excels, for larger spaces where you are filling the sound into a larger space then yes a 552 based playback would be typically better… based on my experience and ownership of both.
The NAIT 50 does have limitations compared to my earlier 552 / 250 based setup… notably in subtle resolution in the upper mids and sense of space and air… but that is usually offset by a better, to my ears, in a more coherent, but restrained, intimate playback that sounds in some ways more enjoyable or dare I say musical? for a wider gamut of production styles …. Horses for courses … certainly an interesting development in my pursuit of hifi … technically better, doesn’t always mean more enjoyable…. which I think is a nod to the huge variation and quality of production styles of the sorts of music I enjoy.

In short I am not generally missing my earlier higher end Naim and non Naim amplification in my room. Though a few recordings if I am honest I do notice it. However the pluses out weigh the negatives… and the simplified small compact size of the playout system now is an attraction to me as well.

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Are you using it with headphones as well Simon or do you go direct from Dave for that?

Interesting query, I have recently been trying both… they sound different with my Empyreans … I think I am preferring the DAVE headphone amp at the moment… though early days… but both are very good and enjoyable. I think DAVE just gives a little bit more of that immersive feel, and bass in EDM and trip hop tracks etc tends to sound tighter.

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Hello Graham, did Peter Swain take any photos of your new system ?

Is the CD working ?

Best wishes

Ian

I agree @anon77199223 , there’s very few amps that are more coherent and musical than the 52.

I could easily live with the N50 though, it really is that good!

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Another update… with the Nait50 driving the RK RED50s sourced by DAVE, I feel the DNM HFTN copper interconnects compared to my Hilines on the whole give a more natural and enjoyable presentation to my ears. Kind of notice it with fine HF detail… you hear the reverb more and detail of metallic percussion more … also voices take on more of a natural rather than a subtly highlighted presence.
I am fairly sure this is a speaker synergy thing… as the RKs are so fast and tight, they don’t really need the gentle sparkle lift from silver plated copper interconnects such as the Hiline… also removed the little blobs of blu tac between bottom of RKs and my Torlyte stands… why should that open up the high end detail and reduce smearing like it does… yes I know the physics… but it’s always grin inducing to hear it so obviously in action… and becomes so apparent with fast speakers… especially on light wooden stand mounts… and little Nait50 has sufficient goodness to allow all this to playout.

Back to listening…

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Nice write up Simon. I’ve been looking towards the Chord EpicX RCA to DIN but every listening session with the current AR Lunar in place I think why bother as it sounds excellent.
Great synergy with the SL2s / Nait 50, plenty of weight, fast with plenty of PRAT.

@Yorkshireman popped over this morning I got the impression that he was pleasantly surprised by the Nait 50 capabilities :grin:

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Does anyone have or have heard of a system consisting of Nait 50 and ProAc D2R monitors?

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I will also try to compare a couple of RCA to DIN soon and see what happens, helpful to see your thoughts

@HiFiman - never heard the AR lunar, have you compared to something as a reference point?

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The AR Lunar is made by a comapny called AR Sound, there’s plenty of info on their website regarding the Lunar with a full description in fact its quite a long read :grin:

Its the only none Naim cable I’ve owned.
I purchased the cable used via PF a few years ago when I owned a Qutest then stayed up to the Dave / 552DR so curiosity has got the better of me if there’s something better or just stick with the AR.

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Just noticed that the NAIT 50 made Part-Time Audiophile’s 2023 Best Value Awards.

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Temporary set up with Atom HE as the source and Allae (nearly mint 2002 mod) that I purchased two days a go. Works really, really well and will probably be the main setup at our summerhouse (used all seasons) :slight_smile:


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