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Naim Supernait 3
The SUPERNAIT 3 has undergone significant performance improvements, including the integration of a phono stage, making it the ideal partner for turntables, as well as streamers, CD players, or any other music source you wish to enjoy with Naim's signature sound.
POWER AND MUSICALITY
The latest NAIT integrated amplifiers are the result of six years of research and development, where the focus was on improving the amplifier sections to deliver an even more engaging and intimate musical experience. The SUPERNAIT 3 is equipped with upgraded power amplifiers, which are perfect for driving loudspeakers or headphones. It also features a built-in phono stage, making it an ideal choice for turntables. Whether you're using it with a streamer, CD player, or any other music source, the SUPERNAIT 3 delivers the signature Naim sound with exceptional performance.
A CONCENTRATE OF TECHNOLOGIES
This device features a Class A preamp output stage that also acts as a headphone amplifier. It uses ceramic heatsink technology to minimize capacitive coupling for optimal sound quality. The inputs are individually decoupled and hand-wired to reduce noise and interference. Additionally, it uses ultra-low-noise, constant current sources for internal switching. The SUPERNAIT 3 is upgradable with external power supplies, power amplifiers, and cabling upgrades to enhance the performance of all sources.
Features
With our meticulous attention to detail, the SUPERNAIT 3 includes features that deliver an authentic musical performance.
• Class A headphone amplification
• Alps Blue Velvet volume and balance control
• Reed relay input selection
• Ceramic insulators for the power transistors
• Galvanically isolation of control and audio circuits
• Microphonic-isolating PCB mounts
Upgrading from the NAIT XS3 to the SUPERNAIT 3 comes with advanced features that improve the sound quality. These features include a full 24V DR module built-in, which uses Naim's Discrete Regulation technology to provide purer power and better performance throughout the pre-amp stage. A larger toroidal transformer in the power supply delivers greater power and faster recovery, while additional leaded through-hole components in the signal path minimize negative effects of vibration and transient thermal conditions. The chassis-mounted input sockets are hand-wired to the circuit boards to offer enhanced vibration isolation, and the full Alps Blue Velvet balance control ensures a balanced sound output.
Technology & Craft
Over the years, our R&D team has made significant upgrades to this product. The voltage gain stage speed has been doubled, which results in a corresponding doubling of the rate at which the speaker output stage can react. The second gain stage transistors have been optimized, and they no longer require shielding by a cascode stage transistor. This change has led to less amplifier stabilization that has doubled the slew rate and improved sound quality.
The phono circuit topology comprises: the gain stage, passive equalisation, and final gain and active equalisation. This unique design enables excellent noise performance, extended RIAA equalisation, and great overload headroom. All RIAA equalisation capacitors and resistors are 'through-hole' mounted film designs, with low microphonic pickup and excellent transient performance. As phono stages are 1000x more sensitive than other inputs, this greatly benefits the sound quality. The input impedance is 47kΩ in parallel with 470pF capacitive loading, and the gain is perfect for 5mV moving magnet cartridges. Major performance with added love for vinyl.
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Professional Reviews 93/100
Deliciously Crispy
Sound Quality
94/100
Build Quality
91/100
Features Connectivity
88/100
Value for Money
95/100
The Supernait 3 delivers explosive rhythmic drive, taut bass and newfound delicacy in a superbly focused, spacious all-analogue performance. Hi-Fi Choice praises its nuance and speaker-gripping authority, while What Hi-Fi? highlights its commanding dynamics. A quiet, capable MM phono stage and upgrade-ready architecture complete a deeply musical system anchor.
What Reviewers Are Saying
Pros
Exceptional pace, transient punch and authoritative, tightly controlled bass.
Detailed, tonally rich presentation with convincing soundstage depth, layering and imaging.
Excellent low-noise MM phono stage, extensive analogue connectivity and meaningful external power-supply upgrade options.
Substantial, carefully engineered chassis and power delivery that drives demanding speakers with confidence.
&
Cons
No built-in digital inputs, streaming, room correction or moving-coil phono support.
Headphone output can lack headroom and harden at higher listening levels.
Front-panel volume and balance controls lack tactile feel; the balance control has no centre detent.
SOUND QUALITY PERFORMANCE 94/100
Reviewers consistently find the Supernait 3 unusually complete: fast, muscular and controlled, yet also detailed, tonally believable and highly involving. Its presentation favours musical communication over overtly analytical hi-fi effects, while retaining the scale, grip and spatial precision to work across orchestral, rock, electronic and vocal music.
Transparency Resolution
92/100
Part Time Audiophile calls it neutral, quiet, composed and full of detail and resolve, while SoundStage reports that it brings tiny, easily missed details into sharp relief. Hi-Fi Choice also praises its added delicacy and nuance, though The Audiophile Man finds the upper midrange less overtly airy or spacious than some alternatives.
Tonal Balance Musicality
94/100
The sound is widely described as natural, emotionally communicative and non-fatiguing, with The Ear calling it both compelling and addictive. Reviewers hear a little midband density and low-frequency warmth rather than a sterile presentation, but also praise clear vocals, smooth treble and convincing instrumental tone.
Dynamics
96/100
Dynamics are a standout strength. What Hi-Fi praises its handling of both crescendos and subtle low-level shifts, while multiple reviewers describe exceptional pace, slam, transient impact, grip and authority that make its 80W rating seem conservative. It can sound comparatively ordinary at very low listening levels, but becomes notably more alive once the volume is raised.
Soundstage Imaging
92/100
Reviewers repeatedly praise precise image placement, layering and convincing depth, with Hi-Fi Choice noting that the stage extends beyond the speakers and gives large-scale music room to breathe. The presentation is not universally considered the largest or most cavernous available, but it is consistently described as natural, stable and well focused.
Assessments of Build Quality, Usability, and Overall Propositions.
Build Quality
91/100
The substantial metal casework, 14kg weight, orderly internal layout and large toroidal power supply earn consistent praise. Reviewers also note thoughtful isolation measures in the input, control and circuit-board arrangement, although the volume and balance controls are said to lack tactile feel and the finish is purposeful rather than luxurious.
Features Connectivity
88/100
This is a thoughtfully equipped analogue-focused amplifier, offering four line inputs on RCA or DIN, an MM phono stage, headphone output, subwoofer output, preamp and bi-amp connections, fixed outputs, remote control and external-power-supply upgrade paths. The phono stage receives particularly strong praise, but there are no digital inputs, streaming functions, room correction or moving-coil phono support; headphone performance is also reported as less assured at high levels by Hi-Fi Choice.
Value for Money
95/100
At roughly $5,000 to $5,700 depending on market, reviewers repeatedly regard the Supernait 3 as highly competitive against more expensive integrated amplifiers. Part Time Audiophile says it rivals many products approaching five figures, while SoundStage Solo argues that listeners seeking a straightforward integrated with this level of sound would need to spend substantially more.
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Authorized dealers for Naim Supernait 3
- In Living Stereo — in-store — New York City, New York, United States (website)
- The Music Room — online and in-store — Erie, Colorado, United States (website)
- 110Hz — online and in-store — Kielce, Województwo świętokrzyskie, Poland (website)
- Abt Electronics — online and in-store — Glenview, Illinois, United States (website)
- Accent On Music — in-store — Mount Kisco, New York, United States (website)
- Accessories 4 less — online and in-store — Apopka, Florida, United States (website)
- Acoustic Streams — in-store — Lower Drift, England, United Kingdom (website)
- Acoustica — online and in-store — Chester, England, United Kingdom (website)
- Addicted to Audio — online and in-store — Epping, Victoria, Australia (website)
- Adventures in HiFi — in-store — Chester, England, United Kingdom (website)
and 272 more verified dealers