Description: Wi-Fi (IEEE802.11g, 2.4GHz, 54Mbps) wireless computer networking hub with stereo analog outputs and optical S/PDIF digital data output.
Dimensions: 3.7" (94mm) x 2.95" (75mm) x 1.12" (28.5mm). Weight: 6.7 ounces (189 grams).
Price: $129.
Manufacturer: Apple Computers, 1 Infinite Loop, Cupertino, CA 95014-2084. Tel: (408) 974-2000. Fax: (408) 996-0275. Web: www.apple.com.
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Sidebar: Specifications
The $395 NAIT, rated at 20Wpc, is a good-sounding little amp. It's very open and spacious-sounding, but, like the $250 Rotel RA-820BX, sometimes sounds a little hard in the upper registers.
The real problem with the NAIT, however, is its lack of features. There is no Aux or CD input. If you have a tuner, a tape deck, and a CD player, you're out luck. Of course, you wouldn't need, or even want, a CD player in a Linn/Naim system. (I wonder if Julian Vereker, of Naim, will change his mind about CD now that Linn is producing their own electronics. A Naim high-end CD player might make great…
Robert Harley reviewed the NAIT 2 in September 1989 (Vol.12 No.9):
Before writing another word of this review of a British product, I have a confession to make: I was born in England. Although I left Britain at the tender age of 18 months and am an American for all intents and purposes, I wanted to expose this fact lest some reader with inside knowledge bring it to Stereophile readers' attention, crying "British equipment bias!" By getting it out up-front, I have practiced a political maneuver called "damage containment," thus avoiding a protracted controversy in the magazine's "Letters…
The NAIT 2 also differs from the preceding two amplifiers on the inside. Discrete transistors instead of op-amps are used exclusively. Component quality is very high, with almost no carbon resistors and very few capacitors. The circuitry is densely packed into the small, double-sided PCB. Although not large, the heatsink is bolted to the aluminum chassis, increasing its effectiveness.
The Sound
The evaluation system consisted of Vortex Screen speakers, a Marantz CD-94 CD player, and an AR turntable with a Linn K9 cartridge (MM) and Ortofon MC 2000 (MC). Monster Interlink II…
Sam Tellig wrote about the NAIT 2 in April 1990 (Vol.13 No.4):
You were expecting me to write about Krell, right?
I thought the Anarchistic thing would be to write about the Naim NAIT 2 instead—a 15Wpc integrated amp from Britain that sells in the US for what appears to be a ridiculous $795.
But is it really that ridiculous?
As usual, other audiophiles tried to tell me what to think. Or hear.
"Fifteen watts per channel for 800 bucks!" wailed my would-be Advisor, Wayne. "You could buy a B&K ST-140 amp and Pro 5 preamp for about the same price. 100Wpc…
Sidebar 1: Specifications
Description: Solid-state integrated amplifier. Features: mute switch, tape monitor switch. Inputs: one tape monitor, one MM phono input, two line-level inputs. Specifications: power output, frequency response, distortion, S/N ratio not given. Phono sensitivity: 2.5mV.
Dimensions: 8.125" (206mm) W by 11.25" (286mm) D by 3" (76mm) H.
Price: No longer available as reviewed; $400 (1985); $795 (1990). Approximate number of dealers: 25.
Manufacturer: Naim Audio Ltd., Southampton Road, Salisbury SP1 2LN, England. Tel: (44) 1722-332266. US distributor: Naim…
Sidebar 2: 1989 Measurements
Measuring this amplifier provided some interesting data. The smooth treble performance of the NAIT 2 that I liked actually appears to be due to euphonic coloration. Looking at the NAIT 2's frequency response (fig.1), a rolled-off high end is apparent. In fact, the response was down nearly 2dB at 20kHz.
Fig.1 Naim NAIT 2, frequency response at 1W into 8 ohms (0.5dB/vertical div.).
Not surprisingly, the NAIT 2 had the lowest power output of the group. A 1kHz sinewave clipped at 21W when driving an 8 ohm load (13.2dBW), and at 33.5W into…
Film sequels are a mixed blessing. If an action movie holds my attention, I can't wait to see the sequel: same characters, same actors, new adventures. And if the first film was successful, studios are more than willing to oblige. So Jurassic Park begat The Lost World, which begat Jurassic Park III. But the results are often unsatisfying.
Which brings me to Dynaudio's Evidence Temptation speaker system. Ever since their flagship loudspeaker, the Evidence Master, left my listening room (see Stereophile, May 2000, Vol.23 No.5), I've been waiting for its sequel. Although it costs an…
The Temptation is slightly shorter (78.5" vs 80.7"), narrower (7.9" vs 9.5"), shallower (19.3" vs 22.8"), and lighter (249 vs 297 lbs, with base plinth attached) than the Master. The volume of the Temptation's bass cabinets is smaller (64 vs 106 liters, top and bottom cabinets combined), and the Temptation uses slightly smaller polypropylene woofers (7" diameter vs 8"). Its voltage sensitivity is also lower (90dB vs 92dB (B)/2.83V/m), and the long-term IEC power handling is lower (500W vs 600W). Although both use first-order slopes in their five-way systems, the Temptation's crossover…
Listening
The Temptations followed the all-aluminum Krell LAT-1 loudspeakers into my listening room. Heavier and more expensive than the Temptation, the LAT-1 performed with superb midrange clarity and bass speed, and at first, the Temptation did not seem quite as prominent in the midrange. On the other hand, the Dynaudio was more transparent and reached down further into the lowest bass octaves, offering plenty of satisfying, nonmechanical, well-damped, deep bass, with good heft and pitch definition. This was partially the result of the Temptations' positions, which were closer to the…
The Temptations followed the all-aluminum Krell LAT-1 loudspeakers into my listening room. Heavier and more expensive than the Temptation, the LAT-1 performed with superb midrange clarity and bass speed, and at first, the Temptation did not seem quite as prominent in the midrange. On the other hand, the Dynaudio was more transparent and reached down further into the lowest bass octaves, offering plenty of satisfying, nonmechanical, well-damped, deep bass, with good heft and pitch definition. This was partially the result of the Temptations' positions, which were closer to the…