Supernait 3 vs Hegel 190
- Thread starter VVV
- Start date
Others don't hear that much difference 3 vs 2, but I'd choose a Naim vs Hegel anyday of the week.
You upgraded from the 2 ? I'm not sure to go with a 2nd hand sn2, get a decent phono stage and save a decent amount of money, or just hell with it and go with a sn3. I've currently got a roksan k2 so think either will be a decent step up.
manicatel
pfm Member
I’m another who has heard the SNait 3 vs 2, but not the Hegel.
I thought there was a fair step up from SNait 2-3. More of everything, but still with the Naim character. The internal phono stage is a welcome addition even if it is only MM. Maybe people buying an amp at this level would be running a fairly decent tt with an MC cart?
I’d be interested to hear people’s views on the Hegel gear.
I thought there was a fair step up from SNait 2-3. More of everything, but still with the Naim character. The internal phono stage is a welcome addition even if it is only MM. Maybe people buying an amp at this level would be running a fairly decent tt with an MC cart?
I’d be interested to hear people’s views on the Hegel gear.
geetee1972
pfm Member
Having owned a large stack of Naim equipment as my last system, I have to acknowledge my opinion is somewhat biased, but for what it is worth, I did audition both the Supernait 3, the Hegel 190 and the Hegel 320 late last year and have some thoughts on them as follows:
I much preferred the Hegel integrateds to the Supernait but it's very much a stylistic preference. I'm not sure either is objectively or measurably better.
The Supernait is JANA - just another Naim amp - where all Naim amps do the same thing but to a greater degree the more you spend. So, great leading edge dynamics, effortless transients and reasonable detail but with the tendency to make your ears bleed and sound 'ugly' and harsh, especially the higher up you go (I experienced this - a good friend got as far as a ND555, 2x 555PS, NAC252 and active S600s driven by SNAXO and NAP300s before he finally bled out. He chopped it all in and has built a vastly different sytem. When I heard his final Naim set up I didn't have the heart to tell him it sounded utterly ghastly. Fortunately he reached that decision for himself.
But a lot of people like it (and at one time so did I) and as correctly pointed out, you rarely lose much money when you do finally bleed out and decide to take a different direction. It's also possible to get hefty discounts on Naim kit as the way Naim require their dealers to operate means they always have rotation demo stock they need to off load.
The Hegel amps in comparrison sound very musical; fluid, detailed and engaging. They had enough PRAT to be hugely entertaining but leading edfges weren't quite so brutal and the experience much more relaxing as a result. They were very similar to the T&A integrateds I also listened to at the same time, which were similarly impressive.
I much preferred the Hegel integrateds to the Supernait but it's very much a stylistic preference. I'm not sure either is objectively or measurably better.
The Supernait is JANA - just another Naim amp - where all Naim amps do the same thing but to a greater degree the more you spend. So, great leading edge dynamics, effortless transients and reasonable detail but with the tendency to make your ears bleed and sound 'ugly' and harsh, especially the higher up you go (I experienced this - a good friend got as far as a ND555, 2x 555PS, NAC252 and active S600s driven by SNAXO and NAP300s before he finally bled out. He chopped it all in and has built a vastly different sytem. When I heard his final Naim set up I didn't have the heart to tell him it sounded utterly ghastly. Fortunately he reached that decision for himself.
But a lot of people like it (and at one time so did I) and as correctly pointed out, you rarely lose much money when you do finally bleed out and decide to take a different direction. It's also possible to get hefty discounts on Naim kit as the way Naim require their dealers to operate means they always have rotation demo stock they need to off load.
The Hegel amps in comparrison sound very musical; fluid, detailed and engaging. They had enough PRAT to be hugely entertaining but leading edfges weren't quite so brutal and the experience much more relaxing as a result. They were very similar to the T&A integrateds I also listened to at the same time, which were similarly impressive.
Gervais Cote
Predator
To me, the Naim is doing a better job on rock and fast pace music while the Hegel is sweeter on acoustic guitars and female voices as well as soundstage.
I would go with Naim anyway as it’s generally more involving.
I would go with Naim anyway as it’s generally more involving.
Allaboutmusic
pfm Member
Id throw in rega aethos and exposure 3010S2D. Can have tge exposure with a dac, MM or MC.
JoeJoe
pfm Member
Totally agreed. Naim has a polarising presentation and I have to say, bullet-proof residuals. This makes it really easy to try the Naim first and shift it on if not quite for you (especially 2nd hand!)
geetee1972
pfm Member
Or you could just audition them both and make a mistake that costs you £1000, which is about what you’ll at least lose if you buy a Supernait and change your mind.