Naim Supernait 3 vs KT120 Tsakiridis -- Solid State vs Tube Amp?
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- Опубликовано: 3 авг 2024
- Naim Supernait 3 vs KT120 Tsakiridis -- Solid State vs Tube Amp?
Tested with semi open baffle loudspeakers - Qualio Audio - www.qualioaudio.com?sca_ref=3235308.NKh93CeqLQ
The speakers sound amazing, but require an amp that can deliver a bit of current. Naim Supernait 3 does great job, but KT120 Tsakiridis Aeolos also has plenty of potential.
Please let me know which amp did you like more.
Looking forward for your comment
00:00 Introduction
00:39 Naim Supernait 3 Vs Tsakiridis Aeolos KT120
14:30 Outro
solid state vs tube amp blind test
tube vs solid state amp hifi
solid state vs tube amps metal
solid state vs tube amp audiophile
solid state vs tube amp wattage
solid state vs tube amplifier
tube vs solid state amp comparison
tube vs solid state amp sound
vacuum tube vs solid state amplifier
Exceptional sound demos, this is how it’s done. It’s so annoying when demos have gaps between the tracks, this is much more work I understand, but it’s what allows the differences to actually be heard. Thank you.
Once I put headphones the difference was obvious to me. The Naim was more dynamic, seemed to fill the space a little more, and to me the Tsakiridis was warm-sounding and felt like it played back on its haunches. Great demo
Thank you for your opinion. Yes using good headphones you can clearly hear the differnce
Naim sounds more refined and dynamic
So to everyone that heard a huge difference and preferred one "obviously" over the other, I say: bias! I thought I heard a difference when watching as the tubes sounded ever so slightly fuller or maybe it was sider sound stage, but then I would close my eyes and listen for the change but it never came. The changes in the music itself were WAY more apparent than the sound differences between these two amps on these speakers. This was the hardest for me to tell any difference of any of your videos so far, with the Tannoy v Qualio being the easiest. That said, I haven't heard them all yet, but would be surprised if any were harder than this, and I WANTED to hear a bigger difference...but couldn't. Maybe it was there, but just as likely my own bias showing instead. WEll done as well as informative.
Without question the Naim is considerably more there, there, clearer, snap, punch, and detailed. The Tsakiridis surprisingly sounds wirey, lacking a warmth, and like a veil was thrown over any of the music played
Wow, Naim so obviously superior, I did not expect such a big difference. Naim is much more similar to the live studio sound, and the KT120 has some of the Bose spread and diffusion that I personally hate.
Naim sounds wider, more open, big, stronger lows and highs and it sounds squashed, Tsakaridis is like a punch, distinctive, natural, vibrant and vocals and distortions are superb. I like Tsakaridis much better.
Excellent test, subscribed !!!
thank you ;)
I preferred the Naim in this case
Perfect thanks for sharing.
You can tell they're both very good amplifiers. Listened to in isolation, most people would be quite happy with either.
I have two systems. Tubes and solid state..as well.
My systems have significantly different sound...but
I like both of them...and listen one or the other...depends on my mood.
Sound from yours two is equaly great!
Thanks for sharing and all your comments ;)
I own the Tzakiridis and LOVE IT! Powerful, dynamic and tubey.with my digital front end it’s detailed and dynamic…with my analog setup it’s a nostalgic event
I liked Tsakiridis very much as well
Im a brit living in Greece and we don't have much in the way of good hifi shops unless i visit Athens from here in crete. I purchased a pair of used proac tablette anniversary speakers from a company on the mainland and have asked them to look out for a nice tube amp as an upgrade to my lovely kraken amp. Ive been offered the one you have and wondered if you tried any others before buying it. Ive thought about just trying to import the willsenton
@@darryllnorwood2709I demoed a ton at the hifi shops in Vancouver. But they were all from your notable brands and not from china hifi.
The Tzakiridis is hand made in small batches with mundorf caps, etc.
The Wilsonton, Cayin, etc will be cheaper in their build. But at their price may be worth it.
I actually plan on getting a wilsonton or similar for my office rig to try
Thank you so much for this. I could tell the most difference on the vocal tracks in the middle. Fascinating. I’m actually not sure which I prefer. Both sound great in their own way.
Thank you for your very kind words.
I'll put more effort to publish more videos like that and this week will be an Isoacoustic Gaia vs spikes ;)
grow a pair buttercup..pick one.
Tsakiridis is inside the room while Naim fills the room. Great speakers btw.
Thank you for sharing ;)
Hello, I have a pair of Lowther PM4A drivers which I would like to put in open baffle, but I don't know what to put for bass. Do you have a suggestion?
Naim Supernait 3 more dynamiс , rich and detailed sound.
Sound more musical and harmonious, but Tsakiridis is more warm sound
Which amp do you like better?
Better balance and extension with the Naim. I’m awaiting my order, have not gotten a ship date yet. I’m using a Kinki EX-M7 / P7, they should pair well.
Tube amps build right is superior in Musicality, harmonics and the timbre is so different than a SS. I vote for the Tsakiridis! Class A and Tubes is my thing, because it's sounds more true to the real thing to me 🙂
Fantastic test, thank you so much!! The Naim sounds much better. Crystal clear sound with big, tall soundstage and more natural..
Thank you for your vote. I purchased the Naim after testing several other integrated ams and it is a very good amp ;)
@@VirtualHiFi what other integrateds did you test? Hegel,Rega, kinki, Copeland? Thanks....
Well done. Subscribed.
thank you very much 😊
I use a valve amp myself but would never say we're better than a good solid state amp it's a personal thing based on your preferences and you're speakers
Totally agree it's case dependant. But one thing is sure Cube loves Tube ;)
Preferred Naim, especially the articulacy of the bass envelope. Hard to get sense of soundstaging with headphones (BD Tesla) but easy to hear difference in tonal balance and dynamics. In this video and in the tube rolling video I was surprised by how much the KT-120s seem to shrink the image. In either case I don't care for the Vivaldi selection, sounds like angry fiddle scratching - got to be a better choice for classical (please). Very impressed with the effort you take to make these comparisons. Subscribed!
Thank you very much for the comment and positive feedback. I overall also preferred the Naim ;) from my experiment with the tube PP amps I'd go for 6550 or the kt150 since they are the most edgy ones ;)
A professional effort. With the Naim you can hear a bit more high frequency details, at @14:50 the brushwork is less distinctive via the valve amp, so the track loses a bit of its rhythmic intent as a result.
Thank you very much. I am a professional speaker designer and manufacturer and not studio recording producer, but I'm here to learn how to record the best quality possible ;) this week the recordings will be even better ;)
Hi,
Naim is the clear winner for me!
In contrast to KT120 he has more attack and is more present)
Thanks for testing)
Yes espacially the attack on the lower midrange and bass. KT has more presence in the upper range, but on the other hand Naim cost 2x more ;)
@@VirtualHiFi Can be good) probably a transistor fits your speakers better.
I can only judge here by YT, your speakers seem to be relatively midrange) is that a 10" or 12" woofer? I think a PA woofer would create a better level balance to the midrange)
But if that's your taste then that's something else))
Best regards, Boris 🙂
8“ woofer by eye sight
@@bikemike1118
IT is 9.5" SB Acoustics satori driver
I think the Naim is technically the better amplifier. However, with your speakers and room I prefer the Tsakirdis. It's smoother and easier to listen to for longer periods. Naim gives you more but lacks some warmth and smoothness that wouldn't allow me to relax. It's really a personally preference. Sometimes both flavors are nice. Can you keep both? :)
Thank you for your comment. Yes we have both as a test units which is very handy since we can find the best match for any room and system
Dynamic and more control over tube amp, That fact.
I heard the tsakeridis more powerful than the Naim.
But it’s my own feeling.
I bought this tsakeridis aelos with in addition, Vienna acoustics (Beethoven baby grand reference) speakers.
Simply awesome !!
Thanks for sharing 😊 Tsakis are certainly a very nice amps so no wonder you are very happy 😁
I have the Martin Logans 20i 4Ohm 90db powered by Rega amplification. I also want to get the Tsakiridis Aeolos. I was wondering, since your Beethovens are 4Ohm also, do you see any luck of power, especially in the lows?
I like the solid state better. Bass firmed up and is much closer to what it would sound like in person. The tube smooths everything out, which you might like, but that's not what it sounds like if you were sitting in front of the instruments live. Overall, the differences are subtle. Listening over compressed youtube video won't provide the last word in dynamics or anything, so my comments are with a grain of salt. I defer to your own in-person experience.
Thank you for sharing your opinion ;)
Seems like the Naim has greater detail/resolution. This was preferable to me until I got to the vocals where I prefer the presentation and tonality of the tubes.
Thank you for your comment. From what I heard Naim has definitely punchier and deeper bass and lower midrange. The KT120 on the other hand is a bit more open so its great for more sluggish but still quite easy to drive speakers
The Tsakiridis KT120 Tubes Sounds More Natural Than The Naim Supernait 3.
Thanks for your vote 😉
@@VirtualHiFi My Pleasure..........🥰
Naim is more dynamic and faster but for long listening I prefer Tsakiridis for sure.
Perfect thank you for your opinion 🙂
Obviously Tsakiridis .........👍
The differences are small but Tsakiridis have a better midrange presence and sound more natural to me.
Tubes are way better
thank you for your vote :)
Both good sounds & how about blind test you can make it. Very hard to choose which is which. Enjoy music.
Tsakiridis more impactful and engaging. Mids sound extended and thicker. Naim good but a bit dry. Tubes roll off a tiny bit of the highs in a very pleasing manner.
Thanks for your comment 😉
The Naim is the better tube amp...😁
Both are great amps with these speakers. Ever so slightly I prefer the space in the KT1220 amp.
The difference will be more significant if you listen to them live. Tubes play a vital role in the amp. I only use NOS tubes except those power tubes which I can’t get NOS such as KT88. Current production tubes don’t sound good and don’t give you the warmth and air of NOS tubes. Unfortunately good NOS tubes are getting extinct now and are very expensive if you can find them. I think that’s why some people don’t find the sound of tube amps appealing. However you can get good sounds from tube amps at a fraction of the price of solid state amps if you know how to set them up properly. Apart from better midrange and vocals, tube amps always sound more accurate and natural to me.
you are chenging amplifier exactly in moments when the character of music changes, do you think it is good for such a comparision?
I wonder how on earth one could hear such nuances and subtle details most of you folks are talking about from the crappy PC speakers - not to mention the mike used for that purpose. 😀😀. Make believe is the name of the game when it comes to "High End" hype....
Headphones will reveal the differences.
Exactly. I edit the videos with Sennheiser HD600 and can clearly hear the difference.
@@VirtualHiFi it depends on the mike you are using - a pair of HD600s won't make an El Cheapo camera/mobile mike sound like a Neumann U87, will it?🙂
To a point, I agree, but I'm using Audioengine powered speakers through a Chord Mojo DAC, better cables which are a few notches above the usual DAC plus some demos like this one are much better than average.
@@VirtualHiFi and I am listening with a pair of my own Sennheiser HD600. Difference very clear to me. Also, trained ear of a classically trained singer, helps with being able to hear nuances.
I preferred the tube for classical, but the naim for everything else. I think the problem with classical on naim is that it reveals the digital nature of the recording too much.
Thank you for sharing your opinion 🙏
Bi Amp the speakers. Run the woofers on solid state and the rest with the tube amp. Run the tube amp in Triode mode ( if it's not already ).
They sound both beautifull. Their performances are very close. Naim seems to have a tiny edge in separation and imaging while the Tsakirides has an edge (a small one) in musicality and easiness of listening, I mean it never actually triggered my critical mind, never left me "unfulfilled" as a listener (the Naim, on the other hand, by being perhaps a little more accurate, actually did this, distracted me from the music a couple of times). So, by heart, I vote for Tsakirides by a slight edge. What intrigued me most though, despite the beautiful overall performance of the system, was a suspicion that there must be more differences between the two amps than we are "allowed" to notice here. This means that, despite sounding great, the analytical power of the loudspeakes may not allow for an absolute distinction between the two. But then even if it might be so, this might also be a blessing rather than a curse. (Not to mention recording and/or youtube audio limitations, as a more probable culprit.)
Kt 120 👍
Thank you for your vote 😊
The naim is punchy and dynamic but the tubes sound a bit more natural. Tubes just give a texture to the sound that I don’t feel with solid state. Especially noticeable with the instruments in the first track. Must be the even order distortion but I find it addictive with tubes. You knocked it out of the park with those speakers too. If I didn’t already own Nenuphar Mini’s I would probably own these.
Thank you for your comment and very positive words. Ill definitely make more videos and I'll try to publish new videos at least once a week, but i definitely want quality over quantity ,😃
Since you are present during these videos it would be really helpful to hear your opinions on the differences at the end of the video. Thanks.
Thanks for the suggestion. I do that for some time now so newer videos are more insightful :)
Hi VirtualHiFi,
have you recorded Tsakiridis using ultralinear or triode mode?
Very cool video and best regards!
tubes more musical.smoother.less edge with them.
Thank you for your opinion ;)
totally agree less noisy ... many people confuse noise with the spatiality of sound...
SN3 is an awesome amp. Hard to tease out the difference sounds though a cellphone.
Thank you for the feedback. I totally agree Anime Supernait 3 is Super ;)
Any room eq with either of the amp given the Nad amp comes with dirac?
Thanks for the video, I prefer the Tsakiridis, because the Naim seems to be a bit too dry, apart the song with the vocals that for me sounds better on the Naim. On the tube amp the voices were a bit foggy, while on the Naim were was more detailed.
Naim has a little bit better sound stage and resolution than Tsakiridis. But the difference is really small.
Thank you for sharing your opinion ;)
The Naim was like lifting a vail from the music and I'm not a Naim fan boy in any way.
Hi maybe it's my headphones but I don't hear much of a difference Both sound very good by the way Nice speakers indeed
Is the woofer on open baffle? I would sealed it Thank you for the very interesting video kind regards Gino
Yes the difference isn't night and day, but nami has more lower end and richness while KT is more airy and open. Both with very good dynamics, but with KT have more energy on upper midrange and top and Main on the lower midrange and bottom.
@@VirtualHiFi hi thank you for the very kind and valuable reply Both great amps clearly Kind regards gino
Tube amp for sure.
Not a chance. Why mask the music with distortion?
The aeolos has sweet mids and is very pleasant and natural and the Naim drives the tune dynamics, especially from the bass.
I think they are both a bit compromised in the opposite area to each other.
However its the last track which gets very busy and dynamic that trips the amps up and perhaps informs the decision.
Tube has more open airy mids and highs, more sparkle
Totally agree it's definitely more open, on the other hand it can't slam that well on the bottom 😉
Yes It Is......
I am completely certain that Tsakiridis sounds better. Have you left the lamps to warm up? I own the Artemis by Tsakiridis and they surpass any competition
Thank you for your vote ;)
I think the Naim was better. I have listened to many tube amplifiers, for example Conrad Johnson, McIntosh, Audio Research, Aries Cerat. I've also listened to a variety of solid-state amplifiers, such as Accuphase, Sugden, Bryston. But I also listened to several hybrid amplifiers. I listened in hybrid systems with vacuum tube preamplifier + solid-state power amplifier. But I also listened to a solid-state preamplifier + vacuum tube power amplifier. I was never convinced by the vacuum tube (and I have a musical ear, as I used to play music myself). I've never felt the fantastic "warmth", "silkyness" or "airy" sound that vacuum tubes are SUPPOSED to give. Harmonic distortions reduce detail. I think that by the most beautiful (or best) sound, I mean the reproduction of the original recording and its detail. It is not the amplifier's job to change the sound. Tube sound adds harmonic distortion and therefore "colors" the sound, but at the same time it takes away some of the detail.
Mam odwrotne przekonania
@@grzechu0108 Surely you couldn't experience it. Because it is an objective fact (proven by measurements) that vacuum tubes lose some of the details of the music due to harmonic distortion. Semiconductor amplifiers do not take anything away from the details of the music.
I think it was difficult to tell the difference in any meaningful way. But- to be fair, my eyes and ears need an upgrade that would probably cost me a lot more than either of these products!
Thank you for your great comment 😃
BTW, the NAIM is too much fast, energetic. Tsakaridis with KT120 but with much less distortion and harmonics -> a clean hybrid is better choice (as me with my second audio system).
Thanks for sharing ;)
The differences are small but what I learned the last few days with my new hobby is that tube amps make the sound carry and they kinda sound heavenly. And expensive! And solid state amps are the normal sounding rumbling jangrrrr which seems to come from underneath. They try to swallow back the sound which is a good thing(?) And no matter how loud you play it you can never quite hear the melody and the harmony from all the jangrrrrr.
Source and preamp? Roll between SS and tube preamps for a discernable difference.
Thank you for the feedback
The source is MacBook and Tidal going to Lampizator Amber 3 DAC.
Both amps are integrated.
Thank you for the suggestion. I'll put it on the to do list.
Sorry for me I couldn't discern any meaningful difference. Controversial I'm sure but true in my case.🤔
Mcintosh и Tannoy и вечный кайф.
Naim more dynamic
Indeed and more color in the vocals than Tube ;)
I like Naim gear but clearly prefer the Tsakiridis here. To my ears (listening with a Mojo2 and a Grado RS2e) the Supernait bass is thighter but the Tsakiridis has more air and presence and is more refined. Thanks for this A/B comparison, I like this.
You need to get neutral headphones.
cant hear any difference :(
Sorry for that. Did you used your headphones. It gets obvious with something like even a decent pair of earbuds
naim
Thank you for your vote. I choose the Naim as well 🙂
Unlike the common belief ss here has more emotive vocals. Ss has more depth ans clarity. Tube sound lacks depth.
Yes that is interesting since Naim is reacher and darker white tubes are more open and brighter. Supernait is a very interesting amp that accents bass and midbass quite a lot having beautiful midrange at the same time.
That’s all the distortion with the tubes.
Guten Tag,
was ist das für ein schönes Sideboard?
Gruß aus dem Spessart.
Hallo. Vielen Dank für Ihre sehr freundlichen Worte. Die Lautsprecher sind erstaunlich Qualio IQ, die Sie unter www.qualioaudio.com finden können
I think if you used a better quality tube amp like Ayon...the results would be much different...in this comparison i'd still pick the Tubes...
Thank you for sharing ;)
Naim is better sound ..very close sounding
Thank you for sharing 😊
Like the supernait 3
Thank you for sharing your comment :) 😃
I do think grahamreld's comments were spot I feel some of the tonal richness is not quite as rich and warm as it use to be with the very inexpensive Aiyima with the Staccato op amps, that opened up an intresting window into warmth and tonality from a rediculously cheap mono amp....
Yes Aiyima A07 is great ;)
Really interested in these speakers, but that would mean I would have to sell my Amphion Xenon’s!
Can not justify three pairs of speakers in my house🤔
The solid state amp sounds finer.
Thank you for your vote 😊
KT120 Tsakiridis hands down is the winner. More open , more air, more lifelike. The Naim sounds like you put a thick towel over the mike.
I hear all these things but to my ear not nearly as pronounced. May be my old ears.
Everyone has their opinion, you must have had the captions transposed. Everything you said needs switching around.
Is something wrong? They sound exactly the same!
The differnce wasnt't very big, but the tsaki is more open and Naim has bigger punchier bass :)
Was looking for a difference in the sound, like you, but did not found any . Same sound for less money. Nice.
The Naim had a warmer sound but a noticeable uneven lift in the bass. The KT120 gave a thinner sound in comparison but after a while seemed to be more accurate with clarity and finesse. I think the brain will lean towards a warmer sound initially as it is more impressive but not necessarily accurate. Each to his own though.
No it really wasn't warmer.
Do a self blind test. Start somewhere with known model. Close your eyes. When you hear the change in sound signature, open your eyes to see if the model changes. I tried this several times and can NOT hear the difference...
Cant hear the difference very near the same
Cannot hear much of a difference. Every once in a while, a small difference. Naim seemed to have a bit more body. But as someone who is thinking about upgrading from Parasound SS amp to tubes, it is making me re-think.
What do you dislike about Parasound amplifiers?
Is more natural Tsakiridis more real
Thanks for sharing tour feedback ;)
The midle high of tsakiridis are supreme,much more musical and airy.
The rest is what did prefer someone.
Both amps are top.
Musical ! Audiophile nonsense. It just needs to reproduce the music, with no noise and distortion.
Solid state less distortion, valves shouting and edgy
Thank you for your vote 🙂
Seem like Naim volume is turn up a tiny bit louder or is it just me
I use spl meter and noise file to set that same volume for all my tests, but it's always like +-0.5 db in real life
Bad experiences with Tsakiridis , relialibilty issues and not quality build.....transformers have burned out at a friend's amplifiers .....................NO service !
Fortunately we had no issues with the amp and like for the build quality vs price. I believe there is no distributor in the US so if you live there it can be problematic. Nevertheless thank you for your comment 🙂
Solid state sings like a mummy
Tube sings like human alive
Да херня, по нюансам всё, иначе бы трансы н покупали. Даже видео это доказывает, что naim звучит чуть схематичнее и не более того.
Tsakiridis sounded smoother and more lively without those tiny harsh high on the Naim
How can it be smoother and more lively? The Nait sounded way more dynamic and as you put it lovely.
Very easyyyyyyyy. Clean SS is the best with classical. Naim Supernait 3 is the winner.
With a clean hybrid (tubes as preamp), the best of the two worlds.
Thanks ;)
I love tubes, but in this instant Naim sounded wider, bigger and the voices were tangible, but Naim amps tire me after a while, whereas tubes I can listen to all night. I used to have Shindo gear and I could listen to music for a full day with zero fatigue. In my opinion for long term listening tubes beat solid state AB amps, with class A amps like a Pass the difference is much less.
Thanks for sharing your story. Yes tube amps can sound amazing. I like the looks as well but when my little son got interested in tubes solid state amps got way more appealing ;)
Naim has more subdued, less well-defined bass
Tube is better. Baceuse bit more clarity. Not like difference is very big. But sound is more deep. In some scenario difference almost is not visible because looks like acoustics can't reproduce difference between this 2 amps, just not possible for speakers. Maybe need more magnets power or so.😂
=
Well said
둘다 똑같은데..
Why consider tubes if you can buy a Naim.
maybe because they sound better.
..Tsakiridis is more sweet.....
Sweet ? Is that just audiophile nonsense.
I'm sorry, but they sound
the same. No difference.
You never play the same piece on each amp. So how are people supposed to hear a difference? It's like I can't compare the image quality of two cameras if I take a picture out the window of a moving train. I need to take a picture in the same place on each camera
Thank you for your comment. I switch the amps as songs play. You can see amp names written on the screen indicating which amp plays. I record both tracks and than cut them in postproduction without any other editing.
You can hear the difference clearly :)
Same