Comparison naim nait xs3 rega Elicit mk5

[12th Monkey]

using alternatives may degrade the performance or even damage the amplifier

I have no experience here, but that sounds implausible to my cynic's ears.

 

[nopiano]

I have no experience here, but that sounds implausible to my cynic's ears.

Naim amps used to blow up regularly if not connected as recommended by them. It’s a long established problem as Naim used never fit (protecting) Zobel networks, meaning they rely on the cable to load the output safely.

 

[FraD]

I have just seen and read what hi fi's review of the Rega Elicit mk5 just made, I would like to have a comparative judgment between the Rega Elicit mk5 and the Naim nait Xs3 reviewed at the time from those who performed the listening tests.
Thank you

 

[12th Monkey]

Naim amps used to blow up regularly if not connected as recommended by them. It’s a long established problem as Naim used never fit (protecting) Zobel networks, meaning they rely on the cable to load the output safely.

I see - seems unwise to me, but what do I know?!

 

[nopiano]

I see - seems unwise to me, but what do I know?!

Well, I can’t think of another SS amp that’s equally vulnerable, but they maintained it delivered better sound iirc. On balance though, not blowing up sits higher in most customers requirements!

 

[Gray]

On balance though, not blowing up sits higher in most customers requirements!

🙂
Classic sardonic understatement.
(Something that could only really come from - and be appreciated by - English people).

'On balance' 😆

 

[nopiano]

🙂
Classic sardonic understatement.
(Something that could only really come from - and be appreciated by - English people).

'On balance' 😆

 

[daytona600]

Naim amplifiers are designed only to work with Naim loudspeaker cable and using alternatives may degrade the performance or even damage the amplifier.

What about the internal cable inside the Speaker

 

[painter24]

Naim amplifiers are designed only to work with Naim loudspeaker cable and using alternatives may degrade the performance or even damage the amplifier.

This most definitely was the case on older series amps - Olive, Chrome Bumper etc, but modern lines are no longer this prohibitive - such as the 5si, XS2 & 3, SupertNaits.

Many Naim users of modern series amps use Tellurium Q, Atlas as an alternative just as an example. As someone else mentioned, Witch Hat make alternative speaker cables for Naim amps albeit designed by ex-Naim engineers, within the parameters of Naim specifications.

Advice I received when I bought my 5si last year was that using alternative cables was no longer a concern to worry about.

 

[nopiano]

What about the internal cable inside the Speaker

It’s irrelevant as long as the correct speaker cable is in place. It is that which protects the older type Naim amps. However, the condition I quoted earlier is still in Naim’s manual.

 

[skinnypuppy71]

.....And keep away from silver type speaker cables with Naim, I couldn't stand the sound of my Nait xs with some qed silver anniversary, if you need something a bit less expensive than the naca 5, tellurium etc, I'd recommend the linn k20 (aka naca a4), I doubt you'll find it new, so eBay is your friend here. I actually have a couple of 3-4 metre lengths of it kicking around, oh and mogami quad core 2972 is pretty good also.