Finally looking to upgrade my old Nait 3 which has stood me in good stead since the mid-90s. Have always preferred vinyl - the Nait 3 has the in-built MM phono stage. Want to stick with Naim but confused about the best way to upgrade!
Love the sound of the Nait 3 but if I was being critical (which I’m not generally!), it can be on the clinical, sterile end of the spectrum. Wouldn’t want to go sharper. Warmer would be better.
Looking at second-hand options (for around a grand or thereabouts) such as Supernait 1 with additional Superline phono stage - if I’ve got that right! - or maybe a pre- and power amp alternative? Or Supernait 3 with in-built phono stage.
Quick P.S. Been offered a Supernait with Superline phono stage for a grand so that’s already a real option. For that money, though, are there better options?
Thanks. Sorry - yes I meant Stageline! Do you think Supernait/Stageline would sound noticeably “better” than my Nait 3 (which has been regularly serviced, etc.)? And/or would the Supernait 3 a better option (i.e. for, say, £250 or £500 more, it’s a step-change)?
Thanks. So the XS3 tends to sell for £1200-£1500 second-hand, which is within my price bracket (at a push!). Is that generally regarded as better sounding that a Supernait?
I love my SuperNait 1 but you should be aware that is is a quite different Nait compared to a Nait 3. Is has a darker heftier sound which is not to everyone’s preference. Add a Hicap DR to add more transparency and detail …
Which SN to choose over your serviced Nait 3? (which is the question you are asking) is a difficult one for me because I’m a pre-power sort of guy.
I have little experience of any of the SNs but they have all been praised in their time, and all should be better than your serviced Nait 3 in the terms of the criteria you set in your original post. But bear in mind that the SN and Stageline for a grand are almost certainly due a service too.
That’s the best I can do. Hope it works out whichever path you choose.
Yes - had seen that, too. Presumably improves on the sound of a Nait 3 while retaining much of the original Nait sound (as compared with, as I now learn, the Supernait range)? Second-hand, the Nait 50 tends to be in the same bracket as the Supernait and XS at around £1250.
(Thanks for picking up on my pre-power preference btw!)
Edit: John, sorry, what am I thinking.
The olive series which were the chunky models concurrent with your slimline Nait 3 contained phonostages.
Such models were the NAC72, NAP140; NAC102, NAP180; and NAC82, HC, NAP250. All these preamps mentioned had the option of boards for a phono input, in other words phonostages.
My excuse for my oversight is that the olives predated my Naim ownership which started around 2005. I’m new around here, only just out of shorts.
Shame! To go from one to three separate units… that feels fussy, hah! So my choices are the XS, Nait 50 or Supernait (one and three options requiring separate phono stage). And £1200 buys me a lot more vinyl. So there’s that! Anyway, thanks to everyone for their comments.
@Christopher_M is on the right lines here, for a grand you could pick up a mint NAC72 / 140. As these units are half width they would take up the same amount of space as a Nait3 (side by side).
The 140 would provide the power to the 72, so only one power lead.
The 72 is one hell of a pre, with the correct inbuilt phono stage this would be a huge lift in performance over the Nait.
@John1966 I don’t know if you are located in the UK, that makes the mandatory service of 15-plus years amps a lot easier and cheaper than elsewhere, and there’s more choice.
Nait XS3, Supernait 3 (SN3), Nait 50 (N50) are good modern preloved choices that don’t need a service yet, all discontinued but at sensible used prices now.
Though if you really like your Nait 3 I’d be inclined to recommend a listen to the Nait 50 first.