Naim Supernait vs Nait XS vs Nait 5i: Differences

Thanks all for your comments. Tried to access the Naim forum but membership still pending approval. Guess my application may have been rejected.

To paraphrase Groucho: I wouldn't join any forun that would take someone like me as a member.

I have owned all three. Unless you need the DAC in the Supernait, I would not recommend it over the Nait XS. That is my favorite. It has almost as much power. Supernait is more than twice the price of Nait XS at retail.

Having said that, The Nait 5i is pretty darn close at a much lower price. The Nait XS can take a power supply, Nait 5i cannot. Power supplies in the world of Naim are a big upgrade, worthwhile. Nait XS can power a Stageline phono preamp and it has a subwoofer output, Nait 5i cannot do either.

Can't go wrong with any of them. Naits are always great, no matter which one you choose.

I have compared the three at a local dealer, and bought the XS. It is quite a bit more detailed than the Nait 5i, with a lot more soundstage information and inner detail which the 5i misses. The 5i does have the characteristic Naim prat, and feels more powerful than its rated output, but less powerful than the XS.
I think that for a careful listener who likes the typical audiophile values such as transparency, detail, soundstaging, etc, combined with musicality, the XS is well worth the bump over the 5i. On the other hand, the 5i, would certainly be a better choice than many similarly priced options. I felt it was just as enjoyable as the XS, just not as detailed. I really could see some people choosing it over the others... They all three really get to the heart of the music.

I have been listening to the nait 5i and just switched over to the nait 5xs and found it easier to drive my b&w dm3000 that require min. 100 watts. It seemed to have a lot more then 10 watt differance between the two. Both have that great naim sound.If you dont need a lot of power get the nait 5i.