Naim Nait 5si owners...

[Stevie9]

Hi,

I just wanted to know why you chose this amp..? What are its good points and bad points.. it would also be good to know what is your front end and speakers. Do you use it with headphones too? Did you audition it against any others?

I am in the market for an amp. I currently have an Audiolab 8000a mk2 which does have tone controls (which I like fiddling with). It's a superb amp but I am shortlisting a possible replacement. I was told that in todays money it would be worth around £900. So thats why I am considering the Naim Nait 5si.

Thanks

 

[james_LR90]

If you don't mind having older speakers then from what I have read Royd are a good match for Naim.

 

[plastic penguin]

Hi,

I just wanted to know why you chose this amp..? What are its good points and bad points.. it would also be good to know what is your front end and speakers. Do you use it with headphones too? Did you audition it against any others?

I am in the market for an amp. I currently have an Audiolab 8000a mk2 which does have tone controls (which I like fiddling with). It's a superb amp but I am shortlisting a possible replacement. I was told that in todays money it would be worth around £900. So thats why I am considering the Naim Nait 5si.

Thanks

Okay - not heard the newer si version but have the 5i and the later i versions many times.

With the right speakers (PMC, Neat, Dynaudio etc etc) the entry-level Naits sound impressive. By contrast, with the wrong type of speaker - these are ones that can provoke top-end - the Naim does have a knack of sounding fatiguing (MA Silver range, earlier Focals...). Now whether the si version chimes sonically with earlier models, I couldn't say. But it will need a dem with your Tannoys to see if it tugs your rug, as will the Rega you mentioned in a earlier thread.

Personally, I would look at the Naim XS. It has a little more agreeable presentation as regards speaker matching.

 

[richardw42]

You say the Audiolab is a great amp, so why do you want to change ?

 

[chebby]

You say the Audiolab is a great amp, so why do you want to change ?

It could be over 25 years old.

Maybe the OP just wants something newer for a change.

I notice the whole system is about 23 - 25 (ish) years old (except for the CA CXN).

I suspect the OP will look to replacing the whole lot soon.

Anyway, have you considered the Cambridge Audio CXA60 or CXA80 amplifiers (£500 or £750) to match your network player?

http://www.whathifi.com/cambridge-audio/cxa60/review

They also have built-in tone controls so you don't have to forego that facility.

 

[Deleted member 116933]

Hi there i have a naim uniti 2 with PMC 20 23s and as i understand it the Uniti amplification shares alot incomon with the Nait 5si.

Mine has Linn k20 (but any good quality thick copper cable will do) linked between them and it gives a what i can only describe as a very flat (bass and treble), smooth and wide sound scape. but in my room currently it could possbily sound to smooth due to all the plaster board walls.

I would say its not fatiguing at all unless the speakers are placed wrong..... I have never listened to the audiolab but i shound imagin it will be a very a different sound to naim and echoing what others have said already your best to go and have listen. Or better yet try and get a home demo. They're's also good examples on the big E at the moment, which could save you a fair chunk of change if you don't mind secound hand.

But other things to bair in mind with naim is there designed to be on all the time so no standby, i know it bothers some people so thought i would mention it. And your also ment to use the recomended lengths of cable, Nac a5 being the preferred choice. But i went with the Linn as it pretty much a carbon copy of there older a4 and Nac a5 is a silly price at the moment. But as i understand it there more modern machines are more forgiving of there cable rules. But you probably already know that if your looking into naim.

 

[Stevie9]

Hi to all... Yes my system bar the cxn is old but I may feel that a change is on the horizon. I'm setting up this system again in Germany (due to a move) so I will sit back and listen to it again with different acoustics. At the moment I'm just making a shortlist of potentials. There may not be any change made if I don't hear significant differences in newer amps or speaker combos, but let's see.

 

[BigH]

You need to hear Naim, its a bit of a marmite brand. I would be more inclined towards Creek.

 

[stevebrock]

if you have money for a Nait you must demo a Rega Elex R - lovely amp IMO heard one recently driving a pair of Totem Arros - it was so punchy, detailed musical thoroughly enjoyable.

Excellent phono stage too if you ever get the vinyl bug

 

[Stevie9]

if you have money for a Nait you must demo a Rega Elex R - lovely amp IMO heard one recently driving a pair of Totem Arros - it was so punchy, detailed musical thoroughly enjoyable.

Excellent phono stage too if you ever get the vinyl bug?

 

Steveb,
Yes I did notice the Regs Elex
r phono stage. This would be useful as I do have a Linn Axis knocking about somewhere. The Rega is rising to the surface.
The cxa80 looks too over specified for me. There's lots of features I won't use on that as I will have a cxn in the line up. I think the rega doesn't have a headphones out. I'll just have to get a headphones amp which is something I have to read up on. Thanks for your input.

 

[radiorog]

I know you aren't asking this, but also in this price point and worth an audition is the roksan k3.

 

[Stevie9]

I know you aren't asking this, but also in this price point and worth an audition is the roksan k3.

Radiorog,

Glad you responded but yes I have been glancing at it.. but for average room sizes it may be too overpowered.. I wont do it justice. Please remind me what made you get it, whats your room size.. and what is the watts per channel..?

 

[rainsoothe]

I know you aren't asking this, but also in this price point and worth an audition is the roksan k3.

Radiorog,

Glad you responded but yes I have been glancing at it.. but for average room sizes it may be too overpowered.. I wont do it justice. Please remind me what made you get it, whats your room size.. and what is the watts per channel..?

hi - volume is not about watts - a double amount of watts only increases volume by 3 decibels. But a more powerful amp will be able to control a wider range of speakers, should you decide to upgrade in the future - harder to drive speakers, like ATC, PMC, Spendor, Harbeth and the likes just love watts - and it's not about loudness, but soundstage and bass control. So do not discount a Roksan K3. You should also listen to a Nait 5si and the Rega offering, you might like the stuff.

 

[BigH]

I know you aren't asking this, but also in this price point and worth an audition is the roksan k3.

Radiorog,

Glad you responded but yes I have been glancing at it.. but for average room sizes it may be too overpowered.. I wont do it justice. Please remind me what made you get it, whats your room size.. and what is the watts per channel..?

Watts is not all about volume, its more to do with control, so even at low volumes it can be benificial.

 

[radiorog]

I know you aren't asking this, but also in this price point and worth an audition is the roksan k3.

Radiorog,

Glad you responded but yes I have been glancing at it.. but for average room sizes it may be too overpowered.. I wont do it justice. Please remind me what made you get it, whats your room size.. and what is the watts per channel..?

Hey Stevie, I got the k3 because I needed more power to drive my dynaudio speakers (4ohm). The sound with a rega brio r was very nice and sweet, but on the light side, not enough bass. The k3 sounds just as sweet but with a lot more bass which makes all genres sound more realistic to me, and I can listen to dance music again 🙂

I have a small room, 4.5 X 5.5m and I think the amp and the larger standmount speakers are both superb. I have clarity, punchy dynamics, and oodles of bass when I want it.

I would advise having a listen to all the three main amps you have mentioned. I have not heard the elex r, but expect it sounds great.

 

[Stevie9]

Cheers guys.. I understand now.. The K3 is on my bucket list.. !!! thanks..