New Naim Integrated Amp!!! Nait XS

[elapsed]

...and I concur with AA, I've always liked the presentation and the very solidly-planned progression of your system, elapsed.

Actually my system was anything but solidly-planned. I spent a year planning and saving before making my first purchase, thinking I had it all worked out. But in actuality I had plenty of missteps along the way, there sure are a lot of learning experiences in building an audio system!

My early system 2 years ago consisted of a Krell Integrated with a Naim CD5i. Sounded really awful as these are a bad pairing to begin with, but also the Krell didn't play well with my speakers

Over time I've had to switch out my integrated, speaker cabling, interconnects, rack, power strip, and sell my subwoofer, to finally build a system I'm happy with. I learned an awful lot about synergy along the way, which is one of the reasons I absolutely love a Naim system. When you get it right and all of the components play well together, it's no longer about the system and you can relax and enjoy the music

If I'd known this when I first started I would have probably purchased a Nait5i and CD5i and would have been happy without ever feeling the need to upgrade (and spend more than twice my budget in the process!) So my advise is if you are considering a Nait XS, whatever you do make sure you don't ask to hear a 282/250/Hi-Cap system, avoid the Naim forums at all cost, trust that Naim interconnects and speaker cabling offer the best synergy, and budget for a FlatCap-2x power supply and Hi-Line interconnect as they're both well worth the upgrade cost.

cheers,
elapsed

[Mr Peabody]

The reason any ML's would be 2nd is room and the fact that my HT and stereo rigs are in the same room and share my main speakers. I need a winfall of cash to come my way so I can buy a house that would allow me to separate these systems into their own room.

[audio amateur]

How doyaknow they'll be relegated to "secondary" status?


Peace, gents.

It's a matter of honor

[elapsed]

Nait XS hit the shelves yesterday, have to wait and see some early reviews of her over on the Naim forums (esp. vs Nait 5i-2, 122/150 and SuperNait), once she's been warmed up and broken in

cheers,
elapsed

[Ajani]

Nait XS hit the shelves yesterday, have to wait and see some early reviews of her over on the Naim forums (esp. vs Nait 5i-2, 122/150 and SuperNait), once she's been warmed up and broken in

cheers,
elapsed

Should be interesting to see how it stacks up against the 5i-2 - Is it worth the extra cost on sound quality alone (the upgraded features certainly are nice)?

Also versus the 122/150 - Might it be better than the more expensive pre/power combo? It does have an extra 10 watts over the combo... and like the combo it can be upgraded....

Supernait should hopefully sound quite a bit better, given the doubling of price (though we should figure the cost of the internal DAC into the price equation)... but it would still be interesting to see how close the XS gets....

[Ajani]

The first reviews are in for the new NAIM:

5 Globes from Hi-World

&

5 Stars from What HiFi?

http://whathifi.com/Review/Naim-Nait-XS/

And based on the reviews it is supposed to be a substantial improvement over the highly regarded NAIT 5i-2 & is good enough to challenge the Supernait (as long as you are willing to do without the headphone amp, DAC and extra 20 watts of power)...

[Ajani]

Yet another 5 star review for the new NAIT, this time from HiFi Choice:

http://www.techradar.com/reviews/aud...view?artc_pg=1

I'm dying to see some North American reviews of this amp....

[elapsed]

I auditioned the Nait XS last week with my speakers, was really impressed! But didn't have an opportunity to audition against a Nait 5i-2 or SuperNait. I've never been a fan of the SuperNait though, but if I were to purchase my system again I would give high consideration to the XS over my 122/150 separates, and spent the difference on a Hi-Line interconnect.

cheers,
elapsed

[Ajani]

I auditioned the Nait XS last week with my speakers, was really impressed! But didn't have an opportunity to audition against a Nait 5i-2 or SuperNait. I've never been a fan of the SuperNait though, but if I were to purchase my system again I would give high consideration to the XS over my 122/150 separates, and spent the difference on a Hi-Line interconnect.

cheers,
elapsed

Thanks for the info.... It's good to a get an idea of how well the XS compares to the 122/150 combo.

Quick question: have you listened to a Naim(electronics)/Rega(speakers) combo and what did you think of it? I see Rega has out a new RS range, that should compliment the Nait 5i-2 or XS well (in theory)...

[elapsed]

I haven't auditioned Naim/Rega for myself, but I do know a few people who swear by Rega Kyte, you can often find these on Audiogon or eBay for under $150.

Best match for Naim separates are... Naim speakers! And of course the usual suspects.. Neat, Rega, Epos, Linn, Sonus Faber, Totem, Royd, Spendor, Shahinian

You may want to consider a Nait 5i with Neat Motive 2's, great combination!

cheers,
elapsed

[Ajani]

Best match for Naim separates are... Naim speakers! And of course the usual suspects.. Neat, Rega, Epos, Linn, Sonus Faber, Totem, Royd, Spendor, Shahinian

This is the prob I have... I would love to try Naim, but I'd probably have to buy without auditioning and the only recommended speaker I've heard on your Naim list is Totem...

So when the time comes to buy, I'll have to either play it safe and get Monitor Audio and a non-Naim amp or risk Naim and Rega or Epos (without having auditioned any of them)...

[Auricauricle]

That shore is purty!

Mr. P, if you wanna go the Stax route, yer gonna feel it! D'ya recall their electrostatic loudspeaker? Sorta looked like Apogee, if'n I recall right....

[elapsed]

Here ya go Ajani, just announced.. the NaimUniti: http://www.naim-audio.com/products/uniti.html

Just so long as it is better than the ill-conceived Naim n-Vi

Btw, exciting news, my Naim Hi-Line interconnect will be arriving next week!

cheers,
elapsed

[Ajani]

Here ya go Ajani, just announced.. the NaimUniti: http://www.naim-audio.com/products/uniti.html

Just so long as it is better than the ill-conceived Naim n-Vi

Btw, exciting news, my Naim Hi-Line interconnect will be arriving next week!

cheers,
elapsed

Damnit!!! I just went to this site to start a thread about the Uniti and you beat me to it!!!!

EDIT: Started a thread anyway:

Naim Uniti All-In-One just launched