Naim Supernait vs XS vs Exposure 2010s

Actually, I do have tubes.

I have a Cary 300b sei single ended
triode and I do like it a lot.

However, I also like different perspectives
and options in sound. That is why I like
to have several integrated amps on hand.
As long as they are not too large in size.
Like the RWA 30.2 which I also enjoy and
is really small and a very different sound
then my Cary and the Naim.

The DeVores sound great with both tubes
and ss. If the exposure is musical like the
naim with a wider soundstage then I would
like to give it a try.

In my room the 15 watt (or is it 20?)
Cary has more than enough
power for the 8's. In fact, it has more
low end weight than my RWA 30.2.
The 30.2 has a little more control of the
low end but I always find the Cary to be
satisfying with what ever genre I throw
at it. My room is on the small side about
12 by 14 and it is a little overwhelmed with
bass at times with the Cary. So, a medium sized room should
be fine.

In addition, I just picked up a pair of
Auditorium 23 speaker wire and I can not
believe how musical this wire and combo is.
Unbelievable bloom, decay and a tonality that
just sounds right. They really make an emotional conection. I still like my Stereovox
for soundstaging but the Auditorium 23 is a must
have for this combo at a much cheaper price.
It also really adds that prat quality you hear
with the Naim gear. It is really hard to stop
listening and I will have to try the Auditorium's
on the RWA.

Dbarger, please elaborate on the Hi-cap.
Is it the latest model? I am not that familiar
with Naim but I know there is a Hi-cap2.
What improvements do you get in regards to
transparency, inner detail and soundstaging?

Have you tried an after market pc and power
conditioner on the Hi-cap?

By the way, I know what you mean by ARC being
audiophile-ish. I have heard several ARC set
ups on both Wilson watt puppies and top of the
line Theils and I must say that I have never heard
a more holographic and illuminated soundstage like
that ever.

First of all, I would like to say thanks
for everyone's input.

It is true that John DeVore recommends both
Exposure and Sugden for int ss amps. He also
really likes my Cary 300b sei for tubes. On
the other hand, he has not had a chance to hear
his speakers with the Naim gear. I can attest
that they are a great musical combo. From what
I am hearing, the XS would be too soft for the
DeVores. As engaging the supernait is with the
DeVores, I did find myself wanting a little more
detail not to mention more sound stage width. The
pluck of a jazz or blues guitar string is just a little
too smoothed over. I would like more sheen on the attack.
However, sax, horns and piano are so dead on.

Even with these minor criticisms the DeVores being fed
by Naim seduced me into listening for hours before
buying the Super 8's. I have been in this hobby for
a long time and have listened to a lot of systems costing
in the 100,000 $ range and this type of seduction has
never happened to me before. Sure these systems sounded
intriguing but I would lose interest after about 20 minutes.

So, I absolutely agree that the right musical tone is way
more important than a huge soundstage. Wish I could have
both.

I do like to play around with gear including power cables
and wire. So, I most likely will have to try both.
I do not have an Exposure dealer so I would want to
buy used. Unfortunately, they always sell immediately
on agon.

Thanks Dbarger for the power cord advice. I am really
curious about Naim and power cords. I know they oppose
anything but naim which is a turn off to me, but I am
sure there are pc's to make them sound better. I also
wanted to ask you if you tried the 2010s or was it
the 2010? I hear the s version is a big improvement.

Dbarger, you have now piqued my interest
in the Nordost pc. I currently have
Shunyata's Python and Anaconda alpha helixes
not to mention an old King Cobra v2. Sounds
like the Nordost is a good match for Naim.
Curious how they compare.

Did you lose any of that Naim musicality?

Were the benefits of the Nordost on par with
the Flat cap?

Like I said, I am not all that familiar
with Naim and I was thinking that the
flatcap would power the XS and not just
the preamp. Thanks for clearing that up.

Sounds like you have really good synergy.
I always felt the Supernait was lacking in
detail although still very satisfying.

I bet you must be curious how much better
performance the Hicap would bring to the table.

Has anyone compared the two?

We tried the cdx2,cds2 and the cds3.
The cds2 with its respective separate
power supply really through out the
widest soundstage that seemed to float
out on a plane. It was very organic
in its sound and was the most satisfying
with vocals. However, the sound of a
jazz or blues guitar was just way too soft.

I really liked the cdx2. The cds3 increased
the front to back imaging but did not really
increase width. Not sure if it is worth that
much coin.

I was not aware of flat caps or hi caps at the
time, so I am not sure if one was used.

With my first listening session via the cdx2
I did notice a profound sense of an aura that
seemed to float high above the music. Its hard
to explain because I have never heard anything
like that before but I really liked it. However,
on my second listening session I did not quite
get that same effect as before.

If you could enlighten us on the differences in
sound between the flat cap and high cap it would
be most appreciated.

Hi John,

Really appreciate your input.
If you would care to compare and
contrast the Exposre 2010s and the
Naim gear it would be most appreciated.

Love your speakers by the way.

Realhifi, I was under the impression that
the flatcap and hicap can only power the
preamp section of the Supernait and the XS.

Are you saying they can also power their
cd players?