Naim is celebrating its 50th anniversary with a nod to the past. To mark the occasion, the leading English brand in hi-fi electronics has unveiled the Naim NAIT 50, a remaster of the very first NAIT amplifier released in 1983. Made in Salisbury, UK, this exclusive product is limited to only 1,973 pieces; clearly in remembrance of the late-Julian Vereker who started the brand in 1973.
My uncle owned a NAIT 1 and paired it rather successfully with a set of Spendor loudspeakers and it was my first introduction to the brand in 1984. Having owned 2 Naim integrated amplifiers over the past 33 years, I always wondered if the company would bring this rather unique amplifier back.
Not everyone loves the DIN connections, but I do have a box with older Naim and Chord cables that will work rather well with this amplifier.
25 watts per channel into 8 ohms from the internal class AB amplifier, and we’re happy to see that Naim has designed a new MM phono preamp and headphone amplifier for the NAIT 50.
The output increases to 40 watts into 4 ohms which is more than enough for the type of loudspeakers that will be paired with the amplifier.
The $3,599 USD asking price will raise some eyebrows considering the price of the Naim Uniti Atom Streaming Amplifier that delivers everything but the history and vintage vibe of the NAIT 50.
Who will buy this?
I suspect the 1,973 units will be gone faster than the Toronto Maple Leafs in the NHL Playoffs.
Naim’s customer base prizes the history of this iconic British manufacturer and we suspect the folks in Salisbury are banking on that.
Vintage Heritage
The NAIT 50 is born from the legacy of NAIT 1, released in 1983. With technically improved circuits thanks to the enriched, unique know-how gathered over the years by Naim’s engineers, NAIT 50 offers exceptional amplification performance in its price category.
It reproduces the most exacting dynamics with all the confidence and authority we have come to expect from a Naim integrated amplifier. Linking with all types of loudspeaker, it can also be combined with a streamer to make the ultimate hi-fi system. New features on this anniversary edition include a headphone output, making it an ever more versatile and convenient product, dedicated to sound and to the listener, too.
Vintage Design
Handcrafted in Naim’s workshops, NAIT 50 boasts uncompromising design quality. Alongside its performance, it also presents a smart, sophisticated aesthetic with its aluminum construction providing the legendary chrome-bumper look. Its front panel combines tradition and modernity, with a nod to the iconic design codes of NAIT 1.
The price for the limited-edition Nait 50 is $3,599 and will be available July 2023.
For more information please visit: naimaudio.com/product/nait-50.
Norm
May 18, 2023 at 3:20 pm
Give it to Ort, LOL!
Theodore W.
May 18, 2023 at 5:16 pm
I’ve had a chrome bumper Nait 2, and am on my second olive, having sold my original olive to buy a newer one that had the amp bypass. I am now using it as a preamp and use an NAP 100 to power the system. I would not give up my original, but I sure would love to hear one of these babies.
Ian White
May 18, 2023 at 5:33 pm
Theodore,
I’m probably going to bite the bullet and buy one.
Ian White
Theodore W.
May 18, 2023 at 7:04 pm
I’d love to hear what you think of it, whether the “old” Naim sound gets preserved and elevated by fifty years of engineering progress.
The Ghillie
May 19, 2023 at 4:37 pm
I have a very early “red light” NAIT 1 which have cherished for 40 years. Recently serviced, it sounds like new and has the irresistible excitement and PRaT the Julian Vereker designed into it. I will never part with it. The new one may be more modern, but will it have the unique appeal of the original that was gradually lost by succeeding NAITs until SuperNAIT came along – in short, will it be massively “better”? At 10 times what I paid for mine, I suspect not.
Ian White
May 19, 2023 at 7:27 pm
Neil,
I highly doubt it will be 10 times better as well but it well sell out quickly. Based on the media interest alone, I think most of the buyers will be A/V reviewers.
Best,
Ian White.
Peter Richard
May 19, 2023 at 8:43 pm
For the price ! Try EMOTIVA.
And don’t look back.
Not to this brand is any better but. 25 watts not really ah…for the price.
I got a headfone amp that’s 50 into 8 and 80 into 4 . And is really nice headfone amp to boot. Runs my 600 ohm cans ,EKG, powerfully. I M H O.
@300$
Check it.
Ian White
May 20, 2023 at 12:50 am
Peter,
I agree that Emotiva makes great stuff. Tremendous value for the money.
The best amplifier I ever owned barely output 8 watts so I don’t buy into your logic that the NAIT 50 is not a good deal because it is only 25 watts. My Wavelength Audio Duetto was $5800 almost 20 years ago and it trounced everything I compared it to. Quality over quantity. Look at how well Decware does. The waiting list for some of their amplifiers that barely put out 4 or 5 watts is 24 months long.
Naim is playing on the nostalgia angle here and it will help sell all 1,973 units.
Love the amp that loves you back.
Best,
Ian White
Jim
May 21, 2023 at 1:53 pm
Looks like my old Nait 1, except that the balance control has been replaced with a headphone jack and the tuner input replaced with a streaming input. Captive mains is replaced by a standard IEC connector. I wonder if the mother board is basically identical to the original? I think the original Nait sold for about $675 in the mid 1980’s so $3600 today would be well beyond just keeping up with inflation.
IMHO, this is not very good value relative to Naim’s other integrated amplifiers, however, NAIM is likely banking on the nostalgia aspect to sell all 1973 of its Nait 50’s to affluent buyers, who just want a collectible piece of vintage Naim gear
without the hassle of buying an older Nait that needs a full and expensive restoration.
Ian White
May 21, 2023 at 3:02 pm
Jim,
Bingo. Although the MM phono stage and headphone amplifier are brand new circuits. I do think the price is on the higher side considering the current price of the Uniti Atom which is Naim’s best piece of kit.
Ian White
PerfectDay
August 1, 2023 at 1:16 pm
I have never been a Naim owner, but applaud this era of quirky British industrial design as an original owner (usa) of Meridian 200 series kit.