I thought for this month’s blog we’d take a look at two old British stalwarts - Naim and Rega. Both companies were founded in the 1970s and over almost a 50 year period, have built a reputation for quality, reliability and serviceability that is almost unmatched in the hi-fi industry. Let’s just say that Julian Vereker and Roy Gandy both have a lot to answer for…

To be fair, we must not forget the contributions of another British hi-fi old guard - speaker manufacturer, ProAc. First founded by Stewart Tyler in the late 1970’s, without whom, Simon and Garfunkel’s the “Sound of Silence” would be the only playback choice!

Land of the giants - with not too giant a budget of £6K.

So this month’s challenge was to put together a system from these three behemoths, with a cameo appearance from Bluesound, in a head to head for a budget of circa £6000.

The focus will be on digital streaming playback, although one of the two systems has the option of vinyl connectivity with no CD playback and vice versa for its challenger. Of course, both systems can play either format with the addition of a CD player or phono pre-amplification stage, utilising one of the spare line level inputs both of which have in their arsenal, should their owners decide to expand their musical playback options.

This sort of makes sense because most people considering a current system will probably be looking at introducing streaming to their playback options. However, depending on your most recent prior playback format, you may have either a collection of CDs, or records somewhere in the attic to utilise as well, so this may ultimately affect your final choice, especially if you can’t favour one or the other sonically.

Ready Player One - Naim and ProAc

naim nd5xs2 streamer, naim supernait 3 integrated amp and proac d30rs speakers

Our first system consists of a Naim ND5XS2 streamer, Naim Supernait 3 integrated amplifier and ProAc D30RS floor standing loudspeakers. Speaker cable consisted of Naim NACA5 and interconnects were the Naim standard 5 pin DIN to 5 pin DIN, sometimes known as a “Lavender” interconnect.

naim nd5XS2 streamer/dac and a naim supernait3 integrated amplifier

The Naim ND5XS2 streamer/DAC is a lovely sounding piece of kit with options to be used as a DAC with external devices, for example, a CD player, via coaxial SPDIF or optical TOSLINK connections. Analogue outputs are through Naim’s DIN connections or via standard stereo RCA cables.

The USB-A connection at the rear of Naim’s ND5XS2 operates in a different way from that provided on the back of the Rega Saturn Mk 3 CD player/DAC, using a type A connection rather than a type B. Naim’s ND5XS2 type A connector allows for a hard drive (up to 1 Tb storage) or memory stick (up to 128Gb storage). This feature allows the Naim ND5XS2 to serve as a music media hub, using the Naim app as a control interface, with other Naim Uniti products such as the Uniti Nova, Uniti Star, Uniti Atom, Uniti Atom HE, Mu-so 2 and Mu-so Qb2, whence they can be operated as a fully featured multi-room system.

Naim’s Supernait 3 integrated amp has a plethora of DIN/RCA inputs and outputs, with a separate moving magnet (MM) phono stage for turntable users and the ability to add additional power supply upgrades, like the Naim HiCap DR or Naim Supercap DR, to boost the preamplifier stage. Naim’s Supernait 3 can also separate into a standalone pre-amplifier or power amplifier if required. Naim’s Supernait 3 really can be the heart of a substantial pre-amp and power amp system if required, with options to upgrade along the way.

Second Suitor - Rega, Bluesound and ProAc

rega saturn mk3 cd player/dac, rega aethos integrated amplifier, bluesound node 2i streamer and proac d30rs floor standing loudspeakers.

Our second contending system consists of a Rega Saturn Mk3 CD player/DAC, Rega Aethos integrated amplifier, Bluesound Node 3 streamer and ProAc D30RS floor standing loudspeakers. Speaker cable was again Naim NACA5, although this time we used the Rega Couple 3 interconnects for analogue and digital connections.

rega saturn mk 3 cd player/dac and rega aethos integrated amplifier

Rega’s Saturn Mk3 CD player/DAC has plenty of inputs and outputs for both digital devices and analogue playback.

First and foremost, the Rega Saturn Mk 3, is an exceptional CD player when connected via its analogue outputs. One advantage the Rega has over the Naim setup, in that CDs can be played without attaching a separate disc drive, connected to one of the digital inputs (optical, coax and USB). The asynchronous USB-type B input on the back of the Rega Saturn Mk3 is unusual, in that they are not usually provided by DAC manufacturers. This will allow a PC or Mac to be connected directly and play back music at a higher quality than would be possible via the rather inferior DACs included on most computers.

Another important thing to consider is that the Rega Saturn Mk 3 is a top-loading cd player, which personally I like, but you will have to allow for placement on the top shelf of your rack or without impediment above.

As Rega don’t make any streaming devices, let us introduce our guest component…

Bluesound Node 3 Streamer/DAC

The Bluesound Node 3 streamer/DAC is a well specified product with a built in DAC of its own as well as optical in/out, coaxial out and HDMI eARC for your TV. It also has a 3.5mm headphone socket.

Both the Naim Supernait 3 and Rega Aethos have 1/4 inch headphone jacks (that’s the bigger type to you and me!) which are driven in Class A operation for most headphones, depending on their impedance and output level. Having had a quick listen on all 3 headphone jacks I would conclude Rega Aethos > Naim Supernait 3 > Bluesound Node 3. Not surprising given the output types, cost and the DAC upgrade on the two integrated amps.

Now for the purposes of this blog we shall be using the coaxial SPDIF output into the DAC input of the Rega Saturn Mk 3 CD/DAC player as this is a much higher performing DAC than the one included inside the Bluesound Node 3.

In our Naim rig, the Naim ND5XS2 streamer was connected via the “lavender” analogue cable into an input on the Naim Supernait 3.

To keep signal quality consistent, both rigs were fed a mixture of bit perfect CD rips from our Naim Uniti Core and/or directly from the streaming service Qobuz.

The proof is in the pudding...

Onto the listening.

We selected Massive Attack’s “Angel” from the album Mezzanine to test a systems bass depth, speaker control and ability to track and play a tune in the bass.

Louis Armstrong and Duke Ellington’s “Duke’s Place” to test dynamics and the raspy tone of a well recorded trumpet in a believable 3D space.

Joe Henderson’s track “Blue Bossa” from the album Page One to test the micro-dynamic tracking of the Kenny Dorham’s trumpet tongue flutter in his first solo from this track. Very specific, I know, but quite revealing when you hear it.

Last but not least, “Back Down the River” by John Martyn from the album Bless The Weather for a system’s ability to convey the natural tone of vocals and acoustic guitar.

How did they fare?

“Angel” by Massive Attack, as the band name alludes to, is a great track to test bass performance. Here the Naim ND5XS2 and Naim Supernait 3 win the day! There is just that “something” about the way the Supernait 3 grips and plays tunes in the bass. The Proac D30RS speaker extend down to 30Hz and although the Rega Aethos keeps good control down below, it just doesn’t have quite the foot-tapping quality of the Naim duo.

“Dukes Place” by Louis Armstrong and Duke Ellington is one of our regular test tracks when listening to new kit. In spite of being a 1950’s recording with tape hiss, the sense of acoustic space, dynamic swings and tone are sterling test for any equipment. Result here, is a “score draw”, with the Bluesound Node 3, Rega Saturn Mk 3 and Rega Aethos amp being more dynamic, detailed and forward than the Naim duo. On the flip side, the Naim ND5XS2 and Naim Supernait 3 seemed sweeter, more of a musical whole and recreates an acoustic space around the instruments a little better.

“Blue Bossa” from the album Page One by Joe Henderson and featuring the trumpeter, Kenny Dorham, has a passage during KD’s first solo featuring a rapid trill/fluttering trumpet sound that can easily sound as a single note if your system isn’t revealing and/or dynamic enough. Here I would give a win to the Bluesound Node 3, Rega Saturn Mk 3 and Rega Aethos. The sheer detail and dynamics of this particular section of the track came through more clearly on this setup, highlighting the quality and clarity of the Proac D30RS’s ribbon tweeter.

“Back Down the River” by John Martyn from the album Bless The Weather proved to be another “score draw”, although preferences for detail and dynamics v musical tone and cohesion may sway the listener one way or another. I’ll leave you to decide which flavour you think matches the Rega v Naim system and whether you’ve been paying attention to my observations on the previous tracks.

There are no winners or losers here...

I think it’s important to stress, at this level of playback fidelity, there are no winners or losers, but I have to say both of these systems are brilliant!

Hi-fi listening is a multi-factorial hobby and as I have mentioned in my earlier blogs, the importance of room acoustics, equipment matching, musical tastes and one’s own hearing will influence your final decisions.

So my subjective comments and opinions may differ from yours and ultimately you should listen for yourself, preferably in your usual listening space and for a sufficient period of time, before making any commitments.

On that basis, book a dem and come have a “audition” at our Audio T Brighton store, where these lovely products are currently on show and you can listen in comfort.

Thanks for reading.

Ade, John and Paul - Audio T Brighton

If you have any questions about any of the equipment featured in this article, or any other Hi-Fi or home cinema enquiries, be sure to Contact Us.

If you’ve enjoyed this, why not go ahead and read some more of our other blogs, and be sure to follow us on our social media channels below…