JimmyBlues

Overall Rating
 5 of 5

Value Rating
 5 of 5

Used product for
More than 1 year

Visitors rate this review
4.50 of 5, 2.00 votes

Price Paid:  $800.00 from Music For Pleasure

Summary:
This reveiw is actually for a Naim Nait 3, as well as a Naim NAC 92, and Naim NAP 90 series 3 amplifier.

The reason that I say this is that back in the early 1990's I purchased a new Nait 3, and then had it modified so that both the 92 preamp and 90/3 amplifier could be used independently of one another.

The system worked out quite well, with enormous flexibilty, and could be used as either an Nait 3 integrated, or separate preamplifier or power amplifier.

This modification also allowed the me to use the Nait 3 with an outboard power supply, which demonstrably improved its sonics. (I added a Naim Hicap).

The NAC 92 and NAP 90/3 are typically characteristic of Naim's PRT (pace, rythm and timing focus), offering an involvement in the music, which is uniquely Naim.

Voices and instruments maintain their natural qualities, never giving the listener a sense that they are being rendered as anything less than what one might hear in real life.

Aesthetically, the Naim 3 series was a radical departure from Naim's earlier shoebox style components, and as was not entirely accepted by long-term Naim officionados -- which is a shame, given how functional the Nait 3 with the aforesaid modification could be.

Overall, and as an owner of many Naim systems in the past two decades, I remember my time with the Nait 3 quite fondly.

Strengths:
Pace rythym and timing, involving to listen to, faithfully honors the music, with modifcation which splits the Nait three amp and preamp section, the great flexibility this unit offers.

Weaknesses:
Build quality not quite up to the Nait 2, aesthetically nto as pleasing to some as the Nait 2

Similar Products Used:
Ensemble B50 Tiger, Naim Nait and Nait 2, NAD 3130

Summary:
Nice amplifier when used with the NAC92 preamp, especially retrieves full detail from the sound. Percussion is unbelievably good, when recorded properly.

However, vocals are not flattered by the sound, nor is the singer pushed unduly to the fore, which means that the Naim seems to reveal production defects. The mix on some 1980s CDs sounds awful but that is not the Naim's fault, merely to say that it does not flatter bad production. British rockers Status Quo sound awful and flat. Jon Anderson's vocals in Yes's recordings reveal how his voice can struggle. Vocals can get lost in the Naim sound and some people might not like this.

On good recordings the sound is excellent. Dave Brubeck's 'Time Out', 20-bit remastered, sounds very good, via my Arcam Alpha 9 CD player. Classical music is similarly impressive, especially again the delicate percussion.

On the whole I like this NAC92/NAP90 system and find that for delicate music it really excels. Have a listen to all of your music on this amp first, because it reproduces some of that music stunningly and some of it not quite so well.

Build quality is superb and you get the feeling that you could stand on this amp without damaging it. Literally.

Strengths:
Detail, percussion, broad and democratic soundstage.

Weaknesses:
None glaring. Some people may prefer more bass. Does not flatter bad production.

Similar Products Used:
Naim NAC92.

Summary:
Auditioned with a full naim set-up, w/2nap 90's actively driving a pair of credo's through a nac 92 and an IXO external crossover.
Simply stunning; these amps belie their power rating, filling a large room with detailed, smooth, cohesive and beautiful sound. Bass is full and clean, mids are perfectly fluid, and treble is just right. A great amp, but it naim gear can be rather unforgiving with certail material: ie. if it was recorded poorly, you will hear it. Naim equipment is also HIGHLY dependant on the fact that it has to be used within a naim system. The same amps with a different set of speaker cables, or through a comprable cd player, even in the same league as the 3.5 I heard, will not sound like the complete naim system. As odd as it may seem, or as ignorant as some may see it, naim integration pays off when used as a cohesive unit, playing music like nothing else I have heard to date. Truly worth a listen.