News

Naim launches the 'italics' - new Naim Nait 5i integrated amplifier and CD5i CD Player (16/11/2007)

The new Naim Nait 5i integrated amplifier and CD5i CD Player, nicknamed the italics due to their subtle change of nomenclature

The subtle change in names belies the significant improvements to the two products. The improvements to the performance are profound. The new Nait 5i integrated amplifier has a level of control, especially at higher listening levels and for more complicated passages of music, that is exceptional. The new CD5i's improvements deliver a more detailed sound, but it retains the characteristic 'draw you into the music' character of Naim CD Players.

The new NAIT 5i adds an auto switching iPod/MP3 player input on the front panel to improve convenience and the flexibility of an extra input.

Enhanced performance has been achieved by the design upgrades listed below:

* Ceramic heat sink material delivering better efficiency and far lower capacitive coupling of transistor to chassis. * Restructured ribbon cables to maximise isolation of PCBs * Reduced overall feedback for lower TIM distortion and better stability into difficult loads * Improved RF filtering on passive preamp stage * Flying winged heat sinks on complimentary compound drivers to improve the consistency of bias. The following key areas remain the same: * The power supply: after many potential changes were investigated, the original design still delivered the goods in the most musical manner * Specific components distanced from PCB for reduced microphony. * Blue Alps volume potentiometer * Control processor sleeps while not in use. Separate winding on transformer * Aluminium chassis and sleeve with zinc die-cast front panel. * Control signals optically isolated from audio circuit.

There have been no changes to the functionality of the CD5i CD player: it still has the intuitive Naim user interface. Enhanced performance has been achieved by the design upgrades listed below:

* Wolfson WM8706 DAC chosen after extensive listening tests. * The first pole of the output filter has been moved closer to source. * Star grounding has been optimised * Tantalum capacitors replace electrolytic in key areas * DAC regulated power now supplied from digital supply

The following key areas remain the same:

* Very low jitter clock * Low inertia clamp * Unique transformer with separate windings for Digital and Analog * 13 regulated supplies * Aluminium chassis and sleeve with zinc die-cast front panel to ensure a rigid mount for the swing-arm tray.

www.naim-uk.com