In the six years since the last NAIT integrated amplifiers were released, Naim's research and development team has worked on a range of amplifier improvements. The result is upgraded power amplifier sections for SUPERNAIT 3, delivering greater pace and intimacy to their musical delivery – whether it's driving a pair of loudspeakers or your favorite pair of headphones.
OVERVIEW
SUPERNAIT 3 has received significant performance upgrades, including a built-in phono stage, making it a perfect partner for turntables, as well as for streamers, CD players, or any other music source people want to enjoy with the signature Naim sound.
It also includes a Class A preamp output stage which doubles as a headphone amplifier and ceramic heatsink technology that minimizes capacitive coupling between the chassis and output transistors for optimum sound quality.
Its inputs are each individually decoupled and hand-wired to minimize noise and interference while internal switching employs ultra-low-noise, constant current sources which are derived directly from the electronic design of the flagship NAC 552 preamplifier.
Naim's R&D team has found a way to more than double the speed of the voltage gain stage, which in turn doubles the rate at which the speaker output stage can react.
The second gain stage transistors have been optimized, so they no longer need to be shielded by a cascode stage transistor. Removing the cascode means less amplifier stabilization is required: that doubles the slew rate and delivers an uplift in sound quality.
The phono circuit topology comprises 3 stages: the gain stage, passive equalization and final gain and active equalization. This enables excellent noise performance, extended RIAA equalization beyond the audio band and great overload headroom.
All RIAA equalization capacitors and the RIAA resistors are ‘through-hole’ mounted film designs, with low microphonic pickup and excellent transient performance. As phono stages are 1000x more sensitive than other inputs, this greatly benefits the sound quality.
Input impedance is 47kΩ in parallel with 470pF capacitive loading; the gain is perfect for 5mV moving magnet cartridges.
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
- Microphonic-isolating PCB mounts
SPECIFICATIONS
Audio Inputs
- MM Phono Input: via RCA, 47k parallel 470pF input impedance, suitable for 5mV cartridges
- Line Level Inputs: 130mV sensitivity, 47k input impedance, suitable for 2V
- Power Amp In: DIN Socket
Audio Outputs
- Powered Accessory Sockets: +24V for Naim phono amplifier
- Speaker Outputs: 80W per channel into 8 ohms (4mm sockets), 130W per channel into 4 ohms
- Line Outputs Variable (level): Pre-amp (DIN), Bi-amp (DIN), Sub (RCA pair) 775mV, <50 ohms
- Line Outputs Fixed (level): AV (DIN), Stream (DIN) 130mV, 600 ohms
- Headphone Output: 1/4 inch (6.35mm) TRS Socket
Connectivity
- Updates: 1 x USB mini-B
- Remote Input: 1 x 3.5mm jack on rear
Finish
- Case: Black powder coated
- Front: Brushed and black anodized
Physical
- Weight: 31 lbs.
- Dimensions (HxWxD): 3.5" x 17" x 12.5"
Power
- Power Consumption (max.): 400VA
- Mains Supply: 115V, 230V; 50 or 60Hz
- Power Consumption (quiescent): 37VA
Accessories
- Supplied with NARCOM-5 Remote Control, Mains Lead, Link Plug and Safety Manual
User Control
- Front Panel: Volume control, balance control and front panel buttons
- Remote Control: Infra-Red (RC5)
