Hi pani,
Much like you - I've done the Naim Nait thing three times in my life with an original version in 1986, then a Nait 2 ( Olive ) in 2002, which I sold in 2003, it wasn't until last year about this time that I got another Nait 2 ( Olive ) and enjoyed it until a friend of mine whom is the moderator for a group in the states sold me a Woodham Audio Kalypso by CR Developments from England ( EL84 based ) - that I found myself placing said Nait 2 - along with an Audiomat Arpege 10 Reference into the closet, and as a result haven't remotely thought about going back to either.
Long story short - the Nait 2 was sold last Friday.
What I'm getting at, as you might recall?, I've heard the entire Leben line at a place in Cleveland, Ohio called Don Better Audio and while two friends and I were taken back by its overall sound - it wasn't until the owner/dealer replaced it with a Shindo Labs Appetite ( EL84 @ 15 w/pc ) that we became aware that to all of our ears this was indeed a richer - more refined - more textured - more beautiful sounding amp, and in fact made said Leben C-300XS as well as their CS-600 sound more akin to what I'd call hybrid amps with more of a slight solid state edge to them.
And, having owned an Almarro A318B, back in 2007/09, and selling it only to regret doing so later - I'd have to say because of the fact that it was a SET based amp with those 6C33C's and used with a pair of Brimar 6SL7GT ( Black Glass NOS 1950's ) I was in heaven and came to realize only after letting it go, how much I had actually missed it.
Now, I'm all down with the sense of PRAT that Naim is renowned for, but as I see/hear it through said A318B and now through the Kalypso - it's about compromises that best suit my sense of maturity as well as being able to get beyond said factors and now be at a point in my life - where I'm able to enjoy a boarder range of music in a more intimate manner.
Simple put - I've outgrown Naim..........., and can only look forward to the future with said amp in my system thats brings tears to my eyes upon powering it up - it's nothing more then coming to the realization of what we lost when we began pursuing solid state amps back in 1963 or thereabouts - Musicality.
Yet, some tube amps do it better then others - and it's just a matter of selecting your taste/flavor carefully - but for me - I'd much rather have the linear sound of either tubes like the 6C33C's or EL84's any day as opposed to the lusher sounding EL34's in which I had become all to accustomed to since 1989.
There's a how how do I put it -
Correctness - Rightness about what I'm hearing now that has me sitting on my hands/knees and begging for more. As I've mentioned to a few friends here in the states - I'm at a point where I finally know that through inner-growth I'm done amp/speaker wise as both have opened up my mind/ears to a point where I'd have to add that my point of diminishing returns has kicked in - and if it gets better then what I'm hearing/loving/feeling right now?, I'd care less.
I'm done. Bring on the various cartridges - tubes and Vinyl.
Enough is enough.
This simple little 15 w/pc amp driving speakers rated at 86dB, are both filling my entire home/space with music that is beautifully rendered unlike anything I've heard short of said A318B and taking into account your speakers are more efficient then might - pani - you should be in Heaven.
I hope this helps in clearing up matters?. One can't stop growth. It's time to move onwards.
Regards,
scar