In the six years since the last Nait integrated amplifier was launched, the R&D team have created a long list of improvements. The result is an upgraded power section in the Naim Supernait 3 that delivers an even better, more realistic listening experience for your favourite music on your speakers or headphones.
The Naim Supernait 3 amplifier has been significantly upgraded to improve its performance. The addition of a built-in phono stage makes the Supernait 3 the perfect partner for turntables – as well as streamers, CD players and any other music source from which you want to enjoy that signature Naim sound. The Class A pre-amplifier acts as a headphone amplifier. For optimum performance, ceramic heatsinks minimise capacitive coupling between the chassis and the output transistors. Each input is individually decoupled to minimise noise and interference. The internal input relay uses ultra-low noise DC power supplies based on our flagship NAC 552 preamplifier.
The front panel is made of stamped zinc (the other walls of the case are made of aluminum by die-casting) and has retained the signature design. On the left, there are still motorized volume and balance controls equipped with a luminous reference point, in the center is the logo, but on the right side of the “triptych” there are not two, as there were in the “Supernait”, but one row of illuminated buttons, which are responsible for muting the sound and selecting inputs. This does not mean that fewer sources can be connected to the amplifier; only the method of selecting the signal fed to the recording has changed, and the front panel began to look neater. In addition, the mini-jack for connecting an analog portable player has disappeared (an obvious anachronism), and the “phone” output is now organized on a 6.3 mm jack.
However, the most interesting changes have occurred on the rear panel. There are still two RCA outputs for the subwoofer and five linear inputs on RCA and DIN connectors, but the unregulated RCA output for recording has disappeared (but the DIN input with a DC contact, which could power the proprietary phono preamplifier of the vinyl turntable, is preserved). Another DIN socket (just like the “Supernight”) can be used to connect an additional stereo power amplifier for “building muscle” or working according to the bi-amping scheme; there is a DIN output from the preamplifiers, connected by jumpers to the input to the output stages (instead of jumpers, an equalizer is connected, for example). In addition, there is an external control bus input, allowing the amplifier to be placed in a closed rack, and a mini-USB input for upgrading the software. Meanwhile, there are no digital inputs. As a result, we have a purely analog device – this model does not have a DAC, which the “Supernight” was equipped with.
Steve Sells, Naim’s electronics development manager, explains this decision by the fact that in a high-quality audio system the DAC must be a separate device (our lab testing of a wide variety of devices clearly confirms this), and Naim produces such components. Among other important innovations, Sells mentioned a more powerful transformer (the volume has increased almost one and a half times) and its new location (the transformer and storage capacitors are as far away from the inputs as possible to reduce the level of interference), as well as the fact that the control circuits are galvanically isolated from the signal ones, and voltage is supplied to them only during direct use (in particular, this is how the volume control motor and the input switch relay work, which are also provided with a “low-noise” control signal). It is also worth noting the so-called Discreet Regulator, the company’s latest development, which allows for a top-quality power signal to be obtained for the pre-amplification circuits. If this is not enough for some audiophile, he can equip the amplifier with one of three external power supplies Naim FlatCap, HiCap or SuperCap. The terminals of all inputs are damped, the wiring is done by hand (this method is used in the assembly of flagship Naim devices, starting with the NAC 282). The headphones are driven by a class A amplifier (the preamplification circuits also work in this class).
The output transistor radiators are equipped with a ceramic insulator, which reduces the capacitive coupling between the transistors and the case. The amplifier circuit board is placed on the so-called floating chassis (in fact, it has a separate suspension), and the resistors most important for the sound are installed by surface mounting, so that their legs act as additional dampers. The volume and balance controls have a similar design – the handles have some play, specially made to eliminate the microphonic effect and rattling at high volume levels. The model is completely designed by Naim engineers and is made in the UK. Supernait 3 can be further upgraded with external power supplies, power amplifiers and cables to get the maximum quality sound.
Naim SUPERNAIT 3 Specifications
Amplifier type: solid-state, push-pull, class AB
Inputs: 4 pairs of RCA, a pair of RCA Phono, 5 DIN, a separate pair of DIN to the power amplifier
Outputs: a pair of RCA to the subwoofer, a pair of DIN, 6.3 mm to headphones
Sensitivity: 5 mW (Phono), 130 mW (Line)
Nominal output power (at a load of 4/8 ohms): 2 x 130/80 W
Power consumption: 400 VA (max), 37 VA (pause)
Dimensions: 432 x 87 x 314 mm
Weight: 14 kg
