Looks good - for those that don’t need the phono input, there should be some good deals around on the SN2 / XS2.
How useful will that be though? I’d guess that most people looking at an XS3 or SN3 will have MC carts in their turntables.
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All looks very good, and I also didn’t think I would ever see ‘phono’ on a naim unit again!
I am guessing that a Supernait 2 will not be upgradable to a 3 should anyone have the desire?
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I had heard the phono stage rumour, but not this:
“our research and development team have worked on a range of amplifier improvements. The result is upgraded power amplifier sections for SUPERNAIT 3, delivering greater pace and intimacy to their musical delivery – whether it’s driving a pair of loudspeakers or your favourite pair of headphones.”
So having just bought a SN2 and NDX2, are feeling a bit frustrated by being beaten by new technology so soon. I guess that’s the luck of the draw, but still, having saved for a 2 box solution to have it outdated in 3 months is darn frustrating.
Always worth a discussion with your dealer with a hint of frustration, and you
may get a not too expensive upgrade. Worth a try.
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Isn’t it great, though, to be able to plug in something like a Rega 3 without needing yet another box. If anyone wants to use an MC there is the powered socket for a Stageline MC version.
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There are good reasons why an MC stage in the same box is not a good idea - even in the NAIT 3, Naim warned against using the MC boards as noise and interference from the transformer was a problem that was only partially cured through a special shielding kit.
I guess that anyone moving up from a MM cart could either then go to a high output MC, which should work fine with the MM phono input, or else a dedicated stage such as the Stageline or Superline for low output MCs. Otherwise look at a step up for the MM input. I’ve used a few SUTs on my NAIT 2 with low output MCs. Even with the little Ortofon T10s, performance was surprisingly good.
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Hi Mike - I’m sure your system sounds just as good as it did yesterday. It’ll be an incremental change with the SN3 rather than a massive step so relax and enjoy the music.
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And my supernait 1 and Nait 5 still sound fantastic! In the Naim world old does not mean worse.
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Great news – I have been waiting for this announcement for weeks; and I really look forward to listening to the new SN3. I hope it does present a big improvement over its predecessor. If not, well, I’ll buy a pre-loved SN2, and save a lot of money.
Looking at the spec, I noticed that the SN3’s quiescent power consumption is quoted with 37VA – that almost quadruples the SN2’s power consumption when idle (10VA). How is this possible? If true, the SN3 might produce more heat than my late granny’s electric blanket…
I know that most people here don’t really worry about power consumption and carbon footprint in the audio department, but I felt uneasy when leaving my XS2 permanently powered up. With the SN3, it would be even worse… Maybe I have to switch it on and off – against advice from Naim… Anyway, I hope the quoted quiescent power consumption isn’t correct…
I think that’s exactly my point Richard, it is just that the phono stage IMHO will be of limited use to the sort of person who is considering an XS3 or SN3.
On the issue of performance, I wonder as to whether the improved power supply for the pre-amp section makes a HicapDR upgrade more or less obsolete – too little improvement to be bothered… Obviously, not only would this help with keeping the box count low but also help with saving energy… 
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I was also just thinking whether a Hicap DR would still be of much benefit- if not then I’ll have another box to lose if I go down the NDX2/Supernait 3 route as opposed to keeping the pre/power setup.
The power supply for the preamp is pretty much unchanged from the SN2, both being DR. It’s the power amp where the big improvements lie.
Really ? - I would have thought an XS3 with a Rega Planar 2 or 3 would make a great vinyl system. With the MM input, it certainly adds a degree of flexibility for those who don’t consider vinyl a primary source but want add a starter type turntable (Low end Rega / Project etc) for occasional vinyl sessions.
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Maybe it’s just marketing spin without much meaning – I have no clue with a DPhil in field of social rather engineering sciences:
SN2: “Built in Naim Audio DR (Discrete Regulator) power supply for preamplifier section”
SN3: “Full 24V DR module built-in: enjoy the purer power and performance improvement of Naim’s Discrete Regulation technology for the entire pre-amp stage”
With regards to the power-amp and more generally power supply, what makes a torodial transformer “larger”? In both SNs (2 and 3), the input power is quoted with 400VA.
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I’m wondering on that too, not much detail on the power amp. But adding the phono I think is meeting the market.
Not necessarily. I would guess that many who are spinning vinyl, or thinking of doing so, are doing it as an adjunct to their usual digital source - quite often streaming. As such, an MM or HO MC of up to £1k is probably the most likely cartridge choice. for the vast majority of record decks being used in this role (our own HH being just one example). And once you move beyond this level, and vinyl becomes a more important or even primary source, then a dedicated MC stage such as a Stageline or Superline becomes far more relevant (nice to see that the powered AUX2 remans for this upgrade). I would also guess that Naim have done their homework on this through consultation with their dealer and distributors. Time will tell…
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I would guess that it measures and weighs more. Always one of the favourite parts fo the factory tour was the area where the transformers were checked, tested, and stored. There’s nothing like actually picking one up in the hands to get an idea of what it’s about.
@RichardDane – maybe it’s actually time to change the thread title to New XS3 and SN3 Announed, or something like this… 