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New Linn Majik-i or Naim Nait 5i with Linn Ninkas

Hi all, I'm looking to upgrade my current system which consists of Linn Ninka speakers with a Rotel RA-1062 and Sony DVP-NS9100ES.

I hear great things about the Naim Nait 5i, but not much about the new Linn Majik-I integrated. I would like to stick with an integrated for now. Has anyone heard both?

I'm interested in the Majik-I because it can be expanded with another 2 channel amp to drive my Linn speakers in an active mode which Linn people swear by. It's also a higher price point (doesn't necessarily mean anything) so you would think it would be a performance step above the Nait.

I'm also wondering if anyone can compare the Majik-I to the Majik seperate pre- and power amps. I understand that the integrated is based on these seperates but there must be some shortcuts somewhere.

Thanks for any inputs!
bmdduck

Showing 2 responses by knownothing

Ag insider logo xs@2x
knownothing
1,535 posts
 
I am also interested to hear from anyone who has A/B tested these amps with similar speaker loads.

To my ear, Linn's in general have a more neutral "just the facts Mame" presentation with perhaps a little added PRAT. Naim on the other hand, at least the 5i, tickle my ear in a way no other small integrated can. Not necessarily neutral, but definitely more musical and engaging. So without hearing both side by side, I would recommend the Naim.

As for cost, in addition to having the pre-out you mention, note that the Majik-I has both a built-in phono preamp and a headphone amp/jack. Assuming the performance of these internal components are up to Linn standards, that is worth about $600 to $1000 in add-on boxes and the wires to connect it all were you to require these features/capability of the Naim. I would still seriously consider the Naim because of its musicality, but matching features is something else to think about...
Ag insider logo xs@2x
knownothing
1,535 posts
 
If you don't need the other features, I would buy the Naim. I have heard no other integrated amp at that price point that I like as well as the Nait.

One question. Can you bring your Linn speakers to a dealer and try them with the Naim just to make sure they are a good match? Or try the Naim with your speakers in your home with option to return if for some reason it is a bad match? If you did the former, you could compare your speakers paired with the Nait against other options available at the dealer. Then again, maybe that is a bad idea...($$$)
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