A tale of 4 integrated amps

Surly Sid

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Feb 6, 2020
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Ole Sid and his brother went amp shopping last weekend. Sid's brother was looking to upgrade from his Rega Elex-R (2200$).

We listened to the Moon 340ix, (5000$) Naim Supernait 3 (6500$) and Rega Aethos (6000$). We volume matched the amps before listening to them. The source was a Naim ND5 XS2 playing music from Tidal, speakers were Sonus Faber Sonetto 3.

Up first, we listened to his current Rega Elex-R. It is already a very nice amp. We then listened to the Moon 340ix. It sounded smoother and less shouty than the Rega Elex-R. It sounded very pleasant and non fatiguing. Smooth is the best word to describe it. It was a nice upgrade over the smaller Rega.

We then listened to the Naim Supernait 3. Now were talking! It had the solid smootheness of the Moon, but much more meat on the bones. It was fuller, faster and more detailed. A clear upgrade over the already nice sounding Moon 340ix.

Then came the Rega Aethos. Another mighty fine sounding amp! Easily in the same class as the Naim. We switched back and forth between the Rega Aethos and the Naim several times. It was a 50/50 toss up as to which was better. The Naim was a little stronger down low in the bass, the Rega Aethos a little clearer up top in the treble. But, you can't go wrong with either amp. They are both winners in my book. The Moon at its price point was also very nice. Although the "little" Rega Elex-R was outgunned by all 3 more expensive amps, it still sounds very good for its much lower price.

So, which amp did Sid's brother take home? After a lot of listening and thinking, he finally took home the Rega Aethos. There was no wrong choice between it and the Naim, but he preferred the Rega Aethos slightly.

A very fun day listening to some great gear!
 
Last edited:
Ole Sid and his brother went amp shopping last weekend. Sid's brother was looking to upgrade from his Rega Elex-R (2200$).

We listened to the Moon 340ix, (5000$) Naim Supernait 3 (6500$) and Rega Aethos (6000$). We volume matched the amps before listening to them. The source was a Naim ND5 XS2 playing music from Tidal, speakers were Sonus Faber Sonetto 3.

Up first, we listened to his current Rega Elex-R. It is already a very nice amp. We then listened to the Moon 340ix. It sounded smoother and less shouty than the Rega Elex-R. It sounded very pleasant and non fatiguing. Smooth is the best word to describe it. It was a nice upgrade over the smaller Rega.

We then listened to the Naim Supernait 3. Now were talking! It had the solid smootheness of the Moon, but much more meat on the bones. It was fuller, faster and more detailed. A clear upgrade over the already nice sounding Moon 340ix.

Then came the Rega Aethos. Another mighty fine sounding amp! Easily in the same class as the Naim. We switched back and forth between the Rega Aethos and the Naim several times. It was a 50/50 toss up as to which was better. The Naim was a little stronger down low in the bass, the Rega Aethos a little clearer up top in the treble. But, you can't go wrong with either amp. They are both winners in my book. The Moon at its price point was also very nice. Although the "little" Rega Elex-R was outgunned by all 3 more expensive amps, it still sounds very good for its much lower price.

So, which amp did Sid's brother take home? After a lot of listening and thinking, he finally took home the Rega Aethos. There was no wrong choice between it and the Naim, but he preferred the Rega Aethos slightly.

A very fun day listening to some great gear!
then let's hope it sounds as good back in his house with his speakers....
 
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Ole Sid and his brother went amp shopping last weekend. Sid's brother was looking to upgrade from his Rega Elex-R (2200$).

We listened to the Moon 340ix, (5000$) Naim Supernait 3 (6500$) and Rega Aethos (6000$). We volume matched the amps before listening to them. The source was a Naim ND5 XS2 playing music from Tidal, speakers were Sonus Faber Sonetto 3.

Up first, we listened to his current Rega Elex-R. It is already a very nice amp. We then listened to the Moon 340ix. It sounded smoother and less shouty than the Rega Elex-R. It sounded very pleasant and non fatiguing. Smooth is the best word to describe it. It was a nice upgrade over the smaller Rega.

We then listened to the Naim Supernait 3. Now were talking! It had the solid smootheness of the Moon, but much more meat on the bones. It was fuller, faster and more detailed. A clear upgrade over the already nice sounding Moon 340ix.

Then came the Rega Aethos. Another mighty fine sounding amp! Easily in the same class as the Naim. We switched back and forth between the Rega Aethos and the Naim several times. It was a 50/50 toss up as to which was better. The Naim was a little stronger down low in the bass, the Rega Aethos a little clearer up top in the treble. But, you can't go wrong with either amp. They are both winners in my book. The Moon at its price point was also very nice. Although the "little" Rega Elex-R was outgunned by all 3 more expensive amps, it still sounds very good for its much lower price.

So, which amp did Sid's brother take home? After a lot of listening and thinking, he finally took home the Rega Aethos. There was no wrong choice between it and the Naim, but he preferred the Rega Aethos slightly.

A very fun day listening to some great gear!
Seems like you and your bro had a whale of a time. Very fair, based on price alone, review.

All you have to do now is persuade your bro to buy some Harbeths. ;)
 
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