Hi all,
I am a new member here and also a new owner of the Nait5 amp. I have owned the CD5i for 6 month with a non-naim system. I just bought a used Nait5 to try out with my Totem Sttaf speakers. My first impression was that the little Nait5 doesn't have enough power to run the Sttafs! The sound was soft, not PRat that I expected from Naim! Do you think that if I add the flatcap or a NAP180 amp that I just bought but haven't received it yet will improve the sound? Or I just re-sell it to buy a preamp to run with the NAP180? Or I use the Nait5 as a preamp? Please give me your suggestions.
Thanks.

Just use the Nait as a pre and then try to change it for a 122x s/h or even a 112x.I would try to buy on bay a 102.The match for your 180 is the 102.The 102/180 were replaced by 200/202,so try e bay .Bear in mind that 202/200 is much better than a 112/150!Just hear vyour 180 as a power and you will know the difference!

Will the combo 102/180 better than the Nait5i?

Hi Calinaimer

The Nait5 was probably the softest and least punchy of all the Naits in terms of sound and won't really get a good grip on the Sttafs, which like a bit of extra power to drive them, particularily in the bass department - I think Nuno is right that a 102/180 combo will give you that extra sparkle that you are missing at the moment. Drive the Sttafs properly and they are an excellent speaker but they certainly demand a bit more than the Nait5 can offer.
Regards
VZ

Hi,

I ran a Nait5 for 5 years, still use it on the TV. What you decide to do with it depends on where you'd like to go with Naim. It's limitations, imho, are lack of transparency compared with say a 202/200 combo, even if the nait5 is capped, and lack of absolute power. In other words, not a good choice to use as a pre.

My feeling is that it's better to move on, go for a nait5i or i, for the cheapest option. Or go for something that approaches or exceeds a 202/200.

You could HiCap the Nait5, but unless you are sure you'll go to the 202/200 level, at least, later I don't think it's worth it. The HiCap will give more authority and scale, but absolute loudness will still be quite limited.

regards

Peter

I would keep the 180 and match it with a decent pre.Beer in mind that your Nait 5 does not have much value

quote:

Originally posted by Nuno Baptista:
Beer in mind that your Nait 5 does not have much value

Without the beer, a Nait 5 is worth in the order of 450€. It just doesn't get any respect these days. It is in no way a bad integrated amp. It's just not an amp for headbangers.

I see that you're waiting for a FC and a 180, missed that first time, by all means use the Nait 5 as a pre to get you started, but quickly find a suitable pre-amp, because the transparency of the naits pre-amp section, is really going to hold back the combo.

regards

Peter

regards

Should I get the NAC 112 or I have to get NAC 102? What different between those two?

Hi,

Do aesthetic judgements come in to your considerations at all? If so, I would choose the 112 over the 102, since you already have a CD5i and I prefer the black gear to the olive. Plenty of others don't! Truth is, I don't know either of the preamps you ask about but two I do know are the 122x and the 202, which have the same styling as your CD5i and have the added advantage of being later, improved sounding designs.

The trouble is the 202 probably demands a better CDP, perhaps a CDX2 so that you don't end up with a mullet, potentially taking you down an upgrade path that you may not want to travel. For a while it might also mean fewer beers. Where do you want to go?!

Regards, Chris

Having just enjoyed a beer myself, I'm just wondering how a CDX2, Nait 5i [repeat, 5i] and Staffs would sound? My guess is - awesome!

But I could easily understand if this wasn't a route you wanted to follow.

Given what you have, Peter's advice of enjoying the Nait 5 with FC and 180 has to be a good start.

Regards, Chris

quote:

Originally posted by calinaimer:
Should I get the NAC 112 or I have to get NAC 102? What different between those two?

The 102 was replaced by the 202!I would try to buy on e bay the 102!I adviced the 112x because I think it´s easier to get,but the 102 is the ideal match!Once I heard the olive serie and I must say that I like it very much.

OK. Thanks for your advices! Now, I am thinking if I should sell everything I have and buy the Nait5i. What do you pick? 102/180 or Nait5i/Nait5i-2?

quote:

Originally posted by calinaimer:
What do you pick? 102/180 or Nait5i/Nait5i-2?

I would pick 102/180

Hi,

I think you are going to have to get yourself to a dealer and do some dems. I don't doubt that the 102/180 is a fine combo as Nuno suggests. The nearest equivalent that I have heard (at my dealer's, who loves Naim with Totem btw) was the 202/200 which sounded wonderful but was fronted by a CD5x or better.

My concern is that you may end up with a mullet if you stick with your CD5i, and it being only 6 months old I can understand why you would.

Depending upon your room and how loud you like to play, the CD5i, Nait 5i (or 5i-2) with your Staffs just might be brilliant, mullet-free listening! By selling the bits of amplifier, FC etc that you already have, it would also be the cheapest option, and as if that were not enough, a cosmetic match. As the fashion people say, 'What's not to like'!

Regards, Chris

quote:

Originally posted by calinaimer:
OK. Thanks for your advices! Now, I am thinking if I should sell everything I have and buy the Nait5i. What do you pick? 102/180 or Nait5i/Nait5i-2?

You're getting confused, think about where you'd ultimately like to go with Naim.

regards

Peter

I've always wanted to try a Naim system since I bought the CD5i. Now, I got the Nait5, but I don't feel this is the my final destination, so I bought the NAP180, but still not sure will it satisfy my needed! When it arrives next week, I will try it out with the Nait5 as a pre. Do I need any cables to connect them? As the seller stated, there's will be a DIN cable included. But can I use it to connect the amp and pre? I am confused with the DIN world!

Here's what to do:

Turn off Nait 5. Let it go 'pop' through the speakers.

Remove the plugs connected by ribbon cable between 'Signal Out B' and 'Output'. Carefully store the connector somewhere. You're going to need it again if you ever sell the Nait.

Insert the the signal end of the "DIN cable" that comes with the 180 into Signal Out B. (The signal end is the end with the coloured band on it).

Remove the power cable from the Nait 5 and plug it in to the Nap 180. (The Nait is not powered when it is used as a pre).

Turn the volume to zero on Nait.

Switch on 180.

Select a source and volume to suit.

Enjoy your music.

Don't turn it off unless it looks like there are going to be thunderstorms or you are going on holiday.

Regards, Chris

PS. go to Products on the main site btw and the manuals are all on there.

Er, having turned off Nait 5, transfer speaker cables to Nap 180!

"Don't turn it off unless it looks like there are going to be thunderstorms or you are going on holiday." Likewise the CD5i.

Also don't stack any of the boxes one on top of the other.

You're good to go!

Chris

Thanks Chris for your help! The problem is I have to stack box over another box because of the space issue. Now, my Nait is over my CDP.

quote:

Originally posted by calinaimer:
Thanks Chris for your help! The problem is I have to stack box over another box because of the space issue. Now, my Nait is over my CDP.

If you stay in the mad house, you'll be getting a rack soon. FWIW, the power supply in a 180 is considered equivalent to a flatcap. You'll, most likely, find a sound improvement just because of the PS in the 180.

regards

Peter