Naim Audio, the British Hifi brand that has been with us for 46 years, has launched the 3rd generation of its NAIT XS and SUPERNAIT integrated amplifiers.

Naim NAIT XS3 And SUPERNAIT 3

The NAIT XS3 and SUPERNAIT 3 each have received significant performance upgrades, plus now both include built-in phono stages. Like their popular predecessors, both integrated amplifiers are designed and manufactured in Salisbury, UK.

Phono Stage

In the six years since the previous NAIT integrated amplifiers were released, Naim Audio’s research and development team has worked on amplifier improvements, detailed below. The result is upgraded power amplifier sections for both NAIT XS3 and SUPERNAIT 3. The new phono stages built into NAIT XS3 and SUPERNAIT 3 are based on classic Naim designs and are ‘crafted from superior components’.

Upgrade Details

The second gain stage transistors have been improved with far greater power handling, so they no longer need to be protected by a cascode stage transistor. Removing the cascode means less amplifier stabilisation is required: this doubles the slew rate, reduces the group delay and delivers an improvement in sound quality.

The phono circuit topology comprises 3 stages: the gain stage, passive equalisation and final gain and active equalisation. This enables excellent noise performance, extended RIAA equalisation beyond the audio band and great overload headroom.

All RIAA equalisation capacitors are ‘through-hole’ mounted film designs, with low microphony and excellent transient performance. As MM phono stages are 30dB more sensitive than other inputs, this greatly benefits the sound quality.

The RIAA low-frequency response is a custom curve in between the traditional and the IEC curve. This delivers a good bass performance with enough very low frequency roll off to protect the critical mid-band from rumble induced intermodulation.

Input impedance is 47kΩ in parallel with 100pF capacitive loading;  the gain is perfect for 5mV moving magnet cartridges.

“These are the best-sounding integrated amplifiers Naim has produced, now with added love for vinyl. Major performance upgrades mean you’ll hear more from your music – whatever format you’re listening to”, says Naim Audio MD, Charlie Henderson.

The  NAIT XS3 and SUPERNAIT 3 also benefit from the following features:

Class A headphone amplification

Alps Blue Velvet volume control

Reed relay input selection

Ceramic insulators for the power transistors

Galvanically isolated microprocessor control section

Microphony-isolating PCB mounts

Step up from the NAIT XS3 to the SUPERNAIT 3 and you benefit from a range of superior features, all designed to deliver even better sound quality:

Naim’s 24V Discrete Regulator (DR) module powering the pre-amp

Larger toroidal transformer in the power supply: provides greater power and speed of recovery

Additional leaded through-hole components in the signal path: further minimises negative effects of vibration and transient thermal conditions

Chassis-mounted input sockets hand-wired to the circuit boards: offers enhanced vibration isolation

Full Balance control

Price And Availability 

NAIT XS3 and SUPERNAIT 3 will be available from Naim Audio’s global network of specialist retailers from 31st July, with suggested retail prices of£2199/€2699/$2999 for the NAIT XS3 and £3499/€4299/$4599 for the SUPERNAIT 3.

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