Is it worth risking money on a 20-odd year old amp or should I just buy a new one?

Some of my Naim gear is 20 years old and it's still going strong.

Of the two Naits I think the Nait 2 is the one with the slightly more modern look (gray finish with green glowing logo). The Nait 1 is just a black box. I'd go for the Nait 2 but I like Naims.

If you go for the Naits you can be fairly certain you won't lose money if you want to sell them later.

Can you listen before you buy? Some people don't get on with the sound.

s/h naim.
you can get them re-capped at the factory.
i'm still running a 92/90 (actually a converted nait3)
different class to a NAD but i guess you have to like the sound as some people don't.
they are certainly not laid back in their presentation and don't sound 'soft' despite their age.
i'm thinking of getting one of the Uniti Qute all in one thingys. if i don't and keep the amps i'll get them serviced.

If it were me I would get the NAIM Nait 2. They are in essence collectors items these days, you will not lose any money if you decide on something else down the line.

I have had an all NAIM system for over a decade. First Olive and now Black. The Olive amps are more forward in their presentation than the newer Black series IMO.

Only heard bigger Naim amps with Linn speakers back in the old days -
sound ranged from awful to superb depending on the set up and the room . 🙂

I'm open minded and obviously I'll listen before I buy.
The dealer is happy to give me the serial numbers so Naim can verify the date of manufacture and an subsequent servicing and upgrades.

The Creek is a known quantity - have always liked the sound and in terms of compatibility with existing kit it's looking favourite at the mo.
However, it's over 20 years old and unlike the Naits if it goes pop it goes in the bin, no spares available.

Thanks for the advice - think I'll go and have a listen on Monday.

Only heard bigger Naim amps with Linn speakers back in the old days -
sound ranged from awful to superb depending on the set up and the room

My experience too.

I'd want to try the Nait with the speakers you'll be using and preferably in the room you'll be listening in.

I had a Nait 1 many many years ago, then bought a 72/140/CDi about 20 years ago (when I was a bachelor with disposable income - what a thought!) and it still sounds as sweet as it ever did. I also have a Rega 3 and it sounds wonderful. If anything does go wrong you can get it all serviced anyway.

I have nothing modern to compare it to but I'd definitely go for the Naim...

I heard some top flight Naim gear with Linn Isobariks at a Hi-Fi show in Bolton years ago - was in a huge room with about 80 people listening and it sounded bloody awful.

Just down the hall was a little room with an Rega, Nait, Royd system for a fraction of the price which sounded superb.

Speakers will either be some cheapo Gale floorstanders that I've had for years and like very much or some Mission bookshelf speakers I've been given.
Will be moving house shortly (with luck) so not sure of the final size of the room they'll be used in. Will probably buy some new speakers to suit then.

Have you considered a Rega amp? Supposed to be good. (hopes no-one from work reads the forum) 😉

I had an olive Nait 2 for ages, sold it for 50% more than I paid for it. Wish I still had it sometimes. Worth the extra over the Nait 1 I'd say.

Rich, funny enough you should say that - my other option (that I forgot to mention in my original post - doh!)is a Rega Brio.

They've been reduced to £250.00 at the mo as I believe that there is a new model coming out in April.

I MIGHT be able to pick up a pair of older Rega speakers for £100 as well (same dealer as the Naits). Will have a look on Monday.

Do you remember if the Naits have an integrated phono board or do I have to mess about trying to find separate secondhand ones?

It's complicated 🙂 I think Nait1 and earlier Nait 2 has MM stage I/P, later Nait 2 does not. Front panel will show you.

Can I suggest a second hand Audiolab 8000a?

Similar price to a nait or nait2 second hand, but much more "flexible" in terms of interconnets, inputs and still sounds good. Again, they don't seem to lose money second hand.

Of the original q, the nait was from memory, "fussier" over the speakers it was paired with than the 2. TBH the prices of a nait2 (or 3+) you may actually be closer to the cost of a lower end Naim pre/power than you think...

I had a Rega Brio amp. Most impressive little thing. Don't let the lack of power throw you off the scent either.

Now got a S/H (original stuff not TAG) Audiolab 8000P & 8000S pre and power combo.

The Audiolabs only cost me £400 from the same ebayer, with some interconnects thrown in.

Whilst the Audiolabs are nice the Brio wasn't far off the pace by comparison.

I'd definitely recommend the Audiolab 8000a but you must ensure all the connectors are ok as they are go fragile with age. I'm pretty sure you can get the amps serviced too but this will add to your cost so remember that. Buying second-hand Naim stuff is also not without it's problems - if at all possible get one that's been serviced by Naim, Avondale or Class A as they will be much much better than a non-serviced one. Go to the Pinkfish forum site and put a wanted ad on and I'm sure you'll get something there ok. I had the original chrome bumper stuff - 42/110, 32/HICAP/250 and also a Nait Mk1 which was a fabulous little amp. I'm now running the a NAC282/Supercap/300 set up and it's fantastic with vinyl and cd source.

I had a Nait 2 for years (upgraded to s/h 72/140) and got most of my money back when I sold it. I could probably sell my 72/140 at a profit now if I wanted to!

Would recommend the 2 over the 1. As said above would be better to try with your speakers and in your room if you can.

I did listen to an Audiolab 8000 and did not like it at all, most boring amp I ever listened to. BUT, others like them and you should listen and make your mind up, and not care about what us lot think. Your money and you that has to listen to it.

You could try an older Rotel amp such as the 935 bx. Not as upmarket as the others, but you might get a pleasant surprise......

I did listen to an Audiolab 8000 and did not like it at all, most boring amp I ever listened to. BUT, others like them

I listened to one of them when I bought my original Nait 3.

I really didn't like it. Very screechy. But powerful bass.

So whatever you go for, have a listen first.

And if you liked the Nait 3, anyone who likes the Audiolab would hate that. So it goes...

RichPenny - Member
And if you liked the Nait 3

I loved it. Which is why I have a big pile of grey and olive boxes in the corner of the lounge. The start of an expensive hobby.

I did listen to an Audiolab 8000 and did not like it at all, most boring amp I ever listened to. BUT, others like them

Same here - although the 8000M are suppossed to be ok.

My mate went for the creek over the audiolab.