Hi I’m planning to upgrade from my Nait 5i later this year. I’d like to give a pre/power ago. My plan is to save for the power amp, get a cheap stop gap pre amp to start with. Then when I’ve sold the 5i and and saved some more get the Naim pre to go with it.
With that in mind what’s the best used Naim power amp I could get used for under £900?
I have kudos Cardea 2 speakers. A Cambridge MXN10 streamer with Fiio Warmer R2R DAC and a systemdek 2x2 turntable with dynavector P75 mk ii phono stage.
I would take a different path and not look at the classic range, but yes the 200dr would be a good choice from there. If you can accept the look of the older range I would look at a NAP 140 and a NAC 62 (CB) or 72 (Olive). you could then upgrade with the further addition of a Hicap when extra funds come available. the combination in either chrome bumper or Olive form would be an improvement is sound quality over the 5i. if you go the classic route the cheaper stop gap pre amp may inhibit the sound.
If it were me I’d do the saving now and make the swap when you can do it all at once. I’d also consider a Supernait 2 or 3 rather than a pre/power. Your DAC is very much a budget model and if you improve the amplifier you are very likely going to experience its limitations.
Great idea, but wait until you have funds for the entire combo, be ready when the right offer comes in.
A stop gab preamp could be a waste as the needed interconnect could cost a good part of a s/h preamp, especially Nac 92, 112 and 122 are affordable nowadays. Maybe you even find someone would part exchange your 5i amp in ?
Beware older preamps don’t have RCA phono plugs - might need DIN/RCA interconnect if not included.
The DAC was £350 and sounds great. It’s an R2R ladder DAC with a tube buffer stage and I really like it. I know it’s not high end but I don’t class £350 as very much entry level. If once the pre/power combo is on place I decide it needs upgrading I can do that then. I don’t earn huge amounts of money so need to be realistic. I’ll never be able to justify a £1000 plus DAC.
The challenge you have is that your amplifier really isn’t good enough for your speakers. You know that of course. If you really want a pre/power to work with them then the NAC202 and NAP200DR is a good place to look. There is a 200DR on eBay at the right price.
Bear in mind that a good match for a 202/200 is an NDX2 or a ND5XS2. If you are set on the pre/power just be aware that your current streamer and DAC are limiting factors. The front end is hugely important so don’t underestimate the need to make improvements there if you want a balanced system.
I’d look seriously at a Nait XS3 or a Nait 50 if you don’t want to open up a potential upgrade path that you can’t afford.
The amp works really well with the speakers. I had it 1st and upgraded the speakers at the start of this year knowing they would work well together but also knowing they would work well with a few amp upgrades.
My first Naim system was CD5XS/Nait XS with Kudos C2s. The Nait XS drove them OK, though I ultimately moved the speakers on as I encountered room effects that overemphasised the top and bottom. I suspect a 202/200 might complement C2s rather well, but the problem is getting there with limited funds. Ideally, I’d get the preamp first, but you’d need a power supply + temporary power amp and that puts up the cost. So an integrated like a Nait XS or SN looks like the way to go.
I would be careful what you do as your source will be mismatched with better amplification. The system will be more revealing and may sound worse.
If funds are limited I would do nothing for now. Perhaps do some research on the forum!
If you want a pre and power amp then @bruss suggestion of shoe box 62 or 72 and 140 could be done in one hit, once you have the funds.
Also, what are your system goals? What system are you aiming for?
I went from Nait 5Si to 82, HiCap and 250 CB. What a huge transformation. But CD5Si wasn’t up to it IMHO. Better sources and more upgrades followed, including NDS, CDS2, power supplies and so on.
The better amps generally require better sources and things can get expensive. The Nait 5Si is a good amp.
It is, the first Naim amp i ever had was the 5i (italiic). I always likened it to an eager puppy. Playful and wants to impress. Unlike a puppy though, it will never grow out of that puppy stage.
Hello, have tried removing the fiio dac from the chain, and just use mxn10.
I have cxn100 and few on here have the mxn10 with good results. Won’t cost anything too try,
If possible save money and get a nait 50 if want a 1 box, or like others have said 62/72 with any amp 180 or below then when funds allow add a HC
Good luck