Full NAIM system

Looking good.

Most Naim people will tell you to put the 552 on the second shelf, assuming the interconnects reach.

And then most people will tell you to split up the power supplies onto a separate Fraim stack. But honestly it becomes diminishing returns. BUT that said, moving the pre and streamer further from power supplies does provide sonic improvement. It just gets to be a COMMITMENT to go from 1 to 2 stacks. I eventually did, however:

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I'd be interested in your opinion on adding a HiCapDR to the SN3. I thought it definitely improved things with my SN2, but there was always a (smaller?) camp that preferred the SN2 without it.

We did it here in the store and it definitely improved focus and separation and noise floor. Well worth it.


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So, I don't know what we're lookin' at here as I don't know Naim's "naimenclature" :P ;).

What's what, functionally speaking, and what are the model numbers that correspond?

From what I can tell from looking it looks like there's a preamp, an amp, and a streamer/DAC? Then, three separate Naim power supplies for each (those being the units that all look identical and don't have any controls, displays, etc.)?
 
So, I don't know what we're lookin' at here as I don't know Naim's "naimenclature" :P ;).

What's what, functionally speaking, and what are the model numbers that correspond?

From what I can tell from looking it looks like there's a preamp, an amp, and a streamer/DAC? Then, three separate Naim power supplies for each (those being the units that all look identical and don't have any controls, displays, etc.)?

NAIM 300DR and 300PS (amp and power supply)
NAIM NDX 2 and XPS DR (DAC/streamer and power supply)
NAIM 252 and SuperCap DR (preamp and power supply)

All cables are SuperLumina (NAIM).


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NAIM 300DR and 300PS (amp and power supply)
NAIM NDX 2 and XPS DR (DAC/streamer and power supply)
NAIM 252 and SuperCap DR (preamp and power supply)

All cables are SuperLumina (NAIM).

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk


Thank you, Mike! :D
 
Thank you, Mike! :D

Naim have some power amp separates that are one-box; not until the 300 do they separate the amp and power supply into 2 boxes. They do that for the 300 and the 500.

Likewise - some preamps can function without an external power supply. Once you reach the 252 level, you must use an external power supply. Same with the 552.

This applies to the digital streamers as well. Up to a point, an external power supply is optional. But not with the top-of-the-line streamer player, the ND555.
 
I replaced my active SBL olive system with a Naim Uniti. Simply marvelous! And a lot less fussy, almost cable free! Actually, Not totally true, but a huge downsizing did occur around 2010, and the active system was already gone by then, but I bought the Uniti and still use it almost daily, and it still amazes me.

I have had Naim in my home since the very early 80’s, and it has just stuck with me, in one shape or another. I am somewhat intrigued by the Supernait 3 these days, but I really do not need it, yet the force is strong.....
 
The SN3 would be well worth listening; a big step up from the original Uniti. As would be the Nova, if you like the all-in-one concept.
 
I am sure both would be the typical “upgrade” from my updated Uniti, but in reality, this thing just works great with my Guru Junior Plus speakers as a fun, simple setup.

My main LinnenberG/Duevel system will probably see me out over the long haul. I guess my musings on the SuperNait 3 were just kind of that. As far as the new streamers from Naim, while I do like them, they offer me less for more money than what I have in general, no FM as standard, and quite frankly, the cutesy volume control knob would never get used, nor the fancy multi-colored display, as I use an iPad for complete control anyway. I just find the money engineered into it with these things do nothing for sound in general. Just my opinion, nothing more...but they do sound very good!
 
The new streamers have a much better streamer front-end; they are Roon ready and work with online streaming systems much better. And the SQ is significantly improved. I have a UnitiQute2 for my second system, and the Atom really is quite a bit better. May pick one up used once there are more on the used market. So it's definitely not about the cute volume control. But obviously if you like what you've got now, no need to upgrade.
 
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