Want to go back to Naim - My options, could use some input

Hi-Fi Corner
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I currently have a really beautiful full tube integrated amp. The sound stage, clarity, midrange, it’s amazing. I had a Uniti Atom before that, and when I got my tube amp, the Atom was demoted to a streamer/DAC function. The combo worked very well.

I’ve recently sold the Atom. When the buyer came over for an audition and I hooked up the Atom to my speakers, I was so pleasantly surprised again by how amazing the little amp sounded. Even with its 40Wpc it had more authority over the speakers than the tubes have. The sound stage was way more compacted and flatter compared to the tube amp, but the signature Naim PRAT and bass control got my foot tapping.

I’ve decided I want to go back to Naim, and with my budget, I have some options.
Right now I have €1700 and when I sell the tube amp, I expect to be around 3200-3400 range.

Option 1:
With the money I have from the Atom sale, I can buy a Nait XS3 (used) and when I sell my tube amp I will also have budget to buy a decent streamer+dac (Bluesound Node or an Eversolo DMP-A6?) and also upgrade my phono preamp, for example a Lehmann Black Cube SE.

Option 2:
Buy the streamer+dac first (as in option 1) and once the tube amp is sold, find a used Supernait 3. Either use the built-in MM phono stage or continue using the Mani.

Option 3:
Go with separates. There’s a NAC282 used for sale and a NAP250 (non-dr). And a very cheap combo of NAC202 with NAP200. There’s also a NAP200DR.
And finally there’s also a NAC-N272 with NAP250DR for sale but that is a smidge above my total budget, and I haven’t sold my tube amp yet. Of course I also have to keep in mind the budget for streamer+dac.

Option 1 seems the better budget choice, but if the sound stage is too similar to the Atom, I may feel disappointed.
Option 2 seems to be the better sound quality choice, but used SN3’s don’t grow on trees and I may be sitting without an amp for an undefined amount of time.
Option 3 is so many choices, I’m afraid I will make the wrong one.

Any thoughts and insights are greatly appreciated!

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I think if you after the Naim sound, then you should have a Naim streamer as source. That leads more towards a Nova or the standard streamer/integrated options (ND5 XS2/XS3, SN2/3 and NDX2), or NDX2 and separates - basically performance and cost increases as you go up the range.

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For value I’d have no hesitation looking at s/h. Check service histories of course and buy from reputable sellers.

The 272/250 strikes me as a good value proposition, or maybe an alternate Naim (or other brand) streamer/72/Hicap/250. That would be a ‘classic’ Naim system with lots of potential for upgrades.

I note your Sonus Faber speakers. They don’t have a reputation for huge PRaT (I haven’t heard them myself) but going from a tube amp with these to a Naim amp is going to be quite a change I reckon.

I guess my system suggestions are built around a 250 as it is the amp character you seem keen to change.

Bruce

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If I were starting again I would get the best streamer I could afford and a Nait 50.

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Your budget would get me looking at the seperates plus a budget streamer as you suggest. Second choice would be the sn2 as you already have a phono stage. That might release money for a better streamer and dac.
I wouldnt consider the xs2 as an improvement on your previous Naim set up, or at least too small an improvement.

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For value I’d have no hesitation looking at s/h.

Forgive my ignorance, what do you mean by s/h?

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Used or second hand.

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Ah, of course!
@BruceW Yes all my options are s/h.
I’ve heard the sonetto 5’s paired up with a Uniti Nova and it blew me away, like they were made for each other. I’ve not considered a Nova for myself because I want to stay away from all-digital. I’d like my TT to have a full analog signal path. But you’re correct, the difference between my tube amp or the Atom driving the speakers was massive. I can only imagine what they will sound like when they get more power fed to them. Thank you for your insights.

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Just on the so many choices with option 3. The 82 or 282 is the pre to go for. That with the 250 would give closest to your analogue ‘warm’ sound while losing none of the Naim goodness. The 200 would make a good fist of it too if budget is limited. Personally I would not go for the 202 from where you are now. The 82 Olive or 282 classic black is far better.
If you can run to it, the DR version of the 200 or 250 is worth the money even with the Olive 82.

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There really is no need to worry about the all analogue signal path. In practice it doesn’t matter. If going for the Supernait I certainly wouldn’t compromise by getting a cheapo source. As @Mike_S wisely suggests, a matching Naim streamer is the way to go. If that’s too expensive, a Nova would be excellent.

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My recommendation would be the 282/200DR as an amp and the remaining cash on the best Naim streamer you can afford (NDX2 would be v nice).

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For me this would be a no brainer if you love the Atom and want a step up from that with used equipment.

Budget option (With a little compromise)
Supernait 2
NDX

Mid
Supernait 3
ND5XS2

High
Supernait 3
NDX2

Then take it from there.

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I’d go for the 272/250 DR option. You will have a great basis for a fine system and can gradually upgrade the front end if you want, knowing that you have an amazing power amp, that would need a major investment to be bettered.

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My wife’s system is a 202/200/ND5 XS2 and sounds wonderful.
After checking a few of the more reputable outlets, I could build an identical preloved system today for less than £3k in the uk.
If you went this route you could upgrade individually each component as your finances allow and steadily build yourself up to a more premium system if desired.
I often sit down to listen to my wife’s system and am truly delighted by its performance.
YMMV😉

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The 272/250 (DR) combination plays well with Sonus faber. I used this combination with old SF Amators and enjoyed the sound very much. I also agree that the 272/250 combination can be upgraded easily when funds allow.

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For a great deal less money and a different option I have a superuniti 2, sure it has last gen streaming but it works - I mostly stream Tidal- it def has the naim sound and continues to amaze for its price to sq ratio- I drive old proac response 15’s, a fantastic sounding inexpensive combo… perhaps u can afford to keep the tube amp u so love

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The first generation streaming technology aside, the 272 has a DAC and streamer built in. I assume the budget issues apply to the NAC282/NAC202 sub-options of option 3? :slight_smile:

Would you have been happy retaining the Atom if you hadn’t already sold it? Or liked the positive attributes of it, but want more of what your tube kit offers with higher end Naim options as you list? In which case are you asking which of those options might add back some of the stage depth, clarity and midrange that your tube amp gives you?

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If you liked the Atom, get an Atom HE this time. It has everything but better without the poweramp. Just add a poweramp and you’re done.

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Great questions and I should have been more clear about that in my first post. You hit the nail square on the head. I do realize that tube amps deliver a holographic sound stage that I should not expect from a transistor amp, but a sonic marriage between the Naim PRaT, bass control, and the big soundstage with sweet mids and clarity, is indeed what I hope to find.

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Nova is quite a big uplift on an Atom.

NDX2 + SN3 is a lovely uplift too. SN2 + ND5 XS2 would be a decent way of getting most of the way there for less. All available S/H.

I’d demo Nova and NDX2 +SN3 if you can.

I went from one to the other and was happy with both. In fact still happy with the Nova as my second system. Went off the deep end since. But any of these will give you are very hefty slice of Naim goodness.

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