Amp/Preamp Asylum: REVIEW: Naim Nait 5 Integrated Amplifier (SS) by fidelio

Model:	Nait 5
Category:	Integrated Amplifier (SS)
Suggested Retail Price:	$ unknown
Description:	Integrated Amplifier
Manufacturer URL:	Naim
Manufacturer URL:	Naim

Review by fidelio ( A ) on December 24, 2006 at 12:09:56
IP Address: 69.234.178.167

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for the Nait 5

i picked up a naim nait 5 as asian new old stock, and had it converted by naim usa to american voltage. i had been seeking one for some time based on my research, and my experience with other naim equipment. i also have the flatcap2 power supply and the cd5, as well as their cable. i have had this configuration for about a year now.
i would not characterize myself as a naim fanatic. however, i can say i am glad they are still around making equipment, and i do buy the concepts of equipment synergy, to a degree, and lifetime service. naim's "upgrade path" system could provide fodder for debate, the cynics stating that it is a money-vacuuming system, and the "naimies" that you get what you pay for, naim standing ready to provide ever-better equipment. in any case, the point, for the purposes of an equipment review, is that the stuff does need to be used with other naim pieces to provide the greatest effect; that is generally its design, which, by the way, is somewhat unique (i believe the only similar circuit design these days is exposure). recently, however, with the introduction of the nait5i, naim has said "you can use this piece with anything and it will sound good" (this model offers optional rca receptacles, a first for naim). so, naim has probably turned a corner here, as it has also introduced multi-channel equipment, albeit horrifically expensive. my decison has been to purchase and stay with a very good "entry level" naim sound - the nait5 and cd5, powered by the flatcap2x.
i have to squeeze in a word here about cabling. the naim equipment must be used with specific lengths of its proprietary cable, as this is part of its unique circuit design. also, naim is the last hold-out employing 5-pin interconnects, where there is only one wire per circuit, with a common ground. the best design possible, from the audio engineering stanpoint, but nasty and difficult for those in rca world.
discussion of the difference between the nait5 and nait5i will provide a springboard for an examination of the former's sound. i beleive the consensus would be that the 5i, at 50 watts vs. 30, is the more all-around piece. it does sound good. however, it does not allow for the power supply upgrade, which the 5 does. i also believe that the consensus would be that, with the assistance of the flatcap or even hicap power supplies, the 5 is the better amp.
i was led to purchase of this amp by my love for my speakers, spendor 1/2's. i have had a lot of equipment over the years, including lots of speakers driven by tubes, class a solid state, mosfet amps, modified muscle amps, etc. - vandersteen, dynaudio, celestion, energy, nsm, etc. they were nice speakers, but the spendors are lifetime. i guess i gradually fell into the britsound camp, but not without a struggle. i began collecting little english integrated amps - creek, exposure, and eventually, an old naim nait 1. i was fascinated by this little amp - like a shobox, 10 watts, but what a distinctive sound! i became curious about the whole naim world of audio. i think many have stood on that threshold - do i make the plunge into naimworld? i did, and am not sorry for it, to a great degree bcs. the electronics are very suitable to my speakers.
it is always difficult to reduce the sound of equipment to words. i would say the nait 5 is balanced, forward, but not at all bright, with a quite robust and tight bass. female vocals and piano are my tests, and the naim integrated displays each correctly, in my view. again, the vocalist is not bright or spitty, but not overly smoothed-over or euphonic - balanced, with a righteous touch of kick-ass punch, with the right recording. i love good tube amps as much as the next guy, and smooth can be allright, but i want that bite and punch that communicates the music. piano sounds real, more of a "you are there" effect than other amplifiers, which i have found addictive. (the little nait 1 really gets this accross, but it's limited at 10 watts.) the nait 5 can't go too loud at 30 watts, and distortion can come into play an high volume levels, so you have a little bit of a limiting factor here, as the naim is great for rock'n'roll, not sure why (that punchiness?), and you want to crank it, but need to spend another several thousand quid to get there. finally, the naim sounds deep, but without a soundstage to speak of, if that makes any sense. it's smooth, lacks harshness, but is not cool - hot with the juice of the music. i believe this effect is partly due to the employment of the flatcap.
overall, not just "good" sound, but an interesting sound, a sound full of the promise of music.

Product Weakness: only 30 watts. need to use all the proprietary naim stuff (not really a weakness, but a pain for the casual listener); can lead to bankruptcy if you become a naim fanatic
Product Strengths: balanced, good bass, lively "you are there" presentation, fun to listen

Associated Equipment for this Review:
Amplifier:	naim nait 5
Preamplifier (or None if Integrated):	none
Sources (CDP/Turntable):	linn axis
Speakers:	spendor 1/2
Cables/Interconnects:	naim
Music Used (Genre/Selections):	all
Room Size (LxWxH):	17 x 21 x 9
Room Comments/Treatments:	corner tunes, rug hanging
Time Period/Length of Audition:	year
Type of Audition/Review:	Product Owner

Product Weakness:	only 30 watts. need to use all the proprietary naim stuff (not really a weakness, but a pain for the casual listener); can lead to bankruptcy if you become a naim fanatic
Product Strengths:	balanced, good bass, lively "you are there" presentation, fun to listen