Kinki Studio EX-M1+ vs Naim Supernait 3 - The winner is ...

Kinki Studio EX-M1+ vs Naim Supernait 3 - The winner is ...
The Naim Supernait 3 and Kinki Studio EX-M1+ are integrated amplifiers offering high-quality sound. The Naim Supernait 3 is a British-made amplifier that delivers 80 watts per channel into 8 ohms. The Kinki Studio EX-M1+ is a Chinese-made amplifier that delivers a whopping 215 watts per channel into 8 ohms.
The Naim Supernait 3 has a built-in phono stage. The Kinki Studio EX-M1+, on the other hand, does not have a built-in phono stage, but it does have a preamp-stage output and a home-theater bypass to entirely bypass the preamp stage.
Both amplifiers have received positive reviews from critics and users alike. The Naim Supernait 3 has been praised for its musicality, clarity, and detail, while the Kinki Studio EX-M1+ has been lauded for its power output, build quality, and value for money.
Ultimately, choosing these two amplifiers depends on your preferences and requirements. If you’re looking for an amplifier with a built-in phono stage, the Naim Supernait 3 might be the better choice. However, if you’re looking for an amplifier with more power output and don’t need a built-in phono stage, the Kinki Studio EX-M1+ might be the way to go.
Please let me know if you have any questions. You can leave a comment or write me directly at - [e-mail]
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[@timleelim9930]

I have spent time with both amplifiers and i wouldn't begrudge anyone for picking one over the other. In my country, the Kinki is much less pricey, but the Naim brand tends to retain resale value much better, so there are pros and cons to choosing one or the other. But both are really enjoyable to listen to

[@VirtualHiFi]

Thank you for sharing your feedback. I totally agree. If you can't affort the naim you can still easily live with the Kinki. And if one is in this hobby for a looks alone (that would be great mistake ) the Kinki Looks like way more expensive amp ;)

[@danielcaldaci7635]

I have the feeling left right channel also switches... Many thanks for the videos. They are great!

[@VirtualHiFi]

Thanks for watching and thank you for your amazing feedback ;)

[@avbozo]

These are both fine performers. As soundstaging and imaging are not available in this shootout ...we are relying mainly on tonal differences for analysis. That said... the Naim is preferred very slightly because of the midrange weight of it's presentation.

[@VirtualHiFi]

Thanks for sharing your feedback ;)

[@peterborelli3877]

I too heard the left and right channel shifting. I wondered if perhaps the amps were connected different... which would make a comparison a little difficult. In any case, I preferred the Kinki.

[@Anand.Asrani]

Beautiful choice of music !!

[@VirtualHiFi]

Thank you :)

[@mischafuchs1153]

Greately appreciated😊

[@VirtualHiFi]

My pleasure 😊

[@rorybuszka2215]

There's a difference, and it's not subtle. Kinki is lit up on top and more transparent, Naim is more weighty but thickened in the midrange and comparatively veiled in the treble. These seem to be the ideal speakers for hearing the difference.

[@kodtech]

Put a link to original track! I can't compare bad apples with bad oranges, or good apples with good oranges WTF!? 🤨

[@jamesromeyn8165]

Great job by the channel! IMO it's not subtle. I prefer the SN3: less mechanical, more tender, nuanced and musical with (a little) greater image density. I think most of the differences I hear between electronics is in the leading edge, very possibly correlating to intermodulation distortion (props to Dr. Mati Otala, RIP who first identified ID or TID.) I'd love to compare the two power amp sections alone with my Slagleformer preamp and Infigo Audio Signature Cryo XLR. IIRC users can roll op-amps in the EX and it's possible the right op-amp would invert my preference. A professional reviewer documented rolling op-amps in his review EX. Some op-amps excelled in the differences I listed above. I'm disappointed Kinki's stereo amp prohibits rolling op-amps. Maybe all the op-amps rolled in the EX are in the preamp stage.

[@JanJan-dd1wi]

Unambiguously Kinki better trebles and overall sound!! Great test - thx :)

[@VirtualHiFi]

Thanks for sharing. So you are a Kinki Guy :)

[@johnb6677]

Would sound even better with the EX-M1+ single op amps switched out with Burson V7.

[@andik777Arme]

Thanks for the video, great choice of music, for the price I'll take the Kinki

[@VirtualHiFi]

Thank you for the feedback and very positive words 😁

[@Victrola777]

After more listening, I feel the Naim accentuates the mids similar to older Linn equipment.. The Kinki accentuates the treble a little more.

[@VirtualHiFi]

Totally Agree. Thank you for the comment :)

[@Jil8840]

Tough battle. Great test thanks. Naim sounds more open, Kinki a little smoother more atmospheric.

[@VirtualHiFi]

Glad you enjoyed it! Thanks for sharing your opinion 😁

[@jamesromeyn8165]

I did not notice that difference on my own but now that you mentioned it I have to agree; that was one area in which I might have preferred the EX but overall SN3 was a big winner for me.

[@thierrybernot9369]

On the voices, the EX seems a little bit dryer than the Naïm. On the 4th one, still a bit forward, not harsh. Great choice of music as it’s been said and great recording (chair sounds when you’re moving on the piano time). Great amplifiers.

[@VirtualHiFi]

Thank you for you opinion and feedback. Stay tuned for more videos coming soon ;)

[@11RESERVERED]

What is the song at 1:40

[@Victrola777]

To me, the Naim sounds more natural, but the Kinki is more revealing. The kinki almost sounds like dsp has been added to the music. Initially, I prefer the Kinki, but I wonder which one would satisfy best over time.

[@VirtualHiFi]

You are right over there. For my I'd choose the Naim since it has amazing lower midrange and the addition of bass slam totally rocks ;)

[@Victrola777]

@VirtualHiFi most reviewers are onboard with Kinki these days. I still love my Linn Klout !

[@wilsonlee5590]

What is te piano song start from 4.20min?

[@VirtualHiFi]

Hi It's Anna Landström - Turn to You

[@wilsonlee5590]

@@VirtualHiFi thank you 👍

[@mischafuchs1153]

Kinki.cleaner, better controlled,good Subbass...i have the plus Version, and i loved the naim(before)...but the kinki -for me- is better... I also have an allnic t1500 mk1, and that's a total different party But, guess what, you can change opamps with the kinki, almost like tube-rolling, use the allnic as a pre- and the kinki as a power amp...so, much options to "play around" Different moods, different music/listening preferences,etc...soooo versatile!!! The kinki is a keeper. Mischa, from Germany

[@VirtualHiFi]

Yes Kinki is a tank of an amp and yes with different opamps one can definitely push it even further ;)

[@ramlord6669]

I am very interested in the Kinki stuff 🐹 Did you had the opportunity to compare your Kinki integrated to the Kinki P7 or 27 pre with the Kinki M7 mono power amps? I have read that they come closer to the Naim sound signature but with Kinki attributes you described on top and with even more slam 🔥 If it is the case and you heard the pre mono power combi, would you confirm this claim? Mischa, from Germany 🤗 (for real, I am not kidding)

[@mischafuchs1153]

Only had the integrated , but it was very fine, nice control...but now II have two tsakiridis monos,845 tubes..sooo good!!

[@atulnsingh]

Nice video! Kinky a bit more airy, Naim ever so slightly thicker. I am intrigued about how Naim 80w amplifier’s volume dial is at 9 o’clock position (~25%) while Kinky 220w amplifier is playing at its 70%. Wondering if the Naim’s real power underrated or Kinki’s overrated 🤔😁

[@VirtualHiFi]

The power and gain are totally different thing although related. Naim has a very big gain compared to other amps. To explain it in the shortest possible way, since it has only 80 wats it will start distorting faster than the kinki at the same objective volume level in the room. Most amps have 20-30 db gain no matter if they are 3watts tube amps or 500 watts d class monsters. Higher power amps can deliver more current to more difficult to drive speakers and maintain the low distortion for all of the gain they offer without distortion and clipping. That is why naim Dan be very loud at 9th hour and other amp might get same volume at 12th ;)

[@peterborelli3877]

I preferred the Kinki soundstage... which seemed a bit more expansive.

[@CinemaDemocratica]

Detail resolution and bass grip aren't independent. That should be a tautology, but I can't help but notice how many reviews out there think that an amp with inferior damping can still compete on detail. To me, the NAIM wins this in a rout -- and that's through four or five layers of sub-optimal evaluation framework.

[@VirtualHiFi]

Yes damping factor has a significant impact so definitely it so something to consider. Thank you for the comment 😊

[@GOLD4MUSIC]

Probably the biggest difference between them at this comparison is that the two amplifier's play with right and left channels opposite!!!!! This happen because of the driver DAC. If you want to find the difference look at final song! But for me the difference between two amplifier's is very small on sound, in some songs is better the one amp some songs is better the other.

[@VirtualHiFi]

Hello, Thank you for your comment. Indeed something tricky happened here. I have to investigate it and check the channels in the raw material. I only slice the music in production with no additional effects so ... Thank you

[@alphaniner3770]

thanks for setting this up for us. differences here seem to be rather small - at least smaller than I expected. with this in mind, speaker matching probably plays a lot bigger role - I am curious if 'difficult' speakers will cause a larger difference. apart from the phono stage, nostalgia and possible geo-preference, a quick look at the interior and price tag of both units will convince many that the choice isn't really that difficult.

[@VirtualHiFi]

My pleasure!

[@markc8773]

Both sound amazing, but I would have to vote for Naim as it sounds more richer and denser than the Kinki. I would imagine those that prefer a more holographic sound would choose the Kinki.

[@VirtualHiFi]

Thanks for sharing your comment and the difference is just as you got it :)

[@h.a.6628]

Die Unterschiede sind sehr gering, es sind beides tolle Verstärker. Ich würde aber den Kinki bevorzugen, da er doppelt so viel Leistung hat 30 % günstiger ist und viel besser verarbeitet ist!

[@VirtualHiFi]

That is fair ;) Thank you for your comment ;)

[@matytinman]

At the beginning of the video I like more the Kinki Studio EX-M1+ but at the end it is clear that the Naim Supernait 3 is better. And you wonder how you liked Kinki better at first. I would not buy either, at least new. Oooh, with orchestral Naim is much betterrrr without any doubt!!!

[@VirtualHiFi]

Thank you for your feedback. I also preffered Naim and if the budget allows and those would be the only 2 amps to choose from I'd go for the Naim

[@user-gv2qx1je1m]

Naim , Naim, Naim… Always

[@VirtualHiFi]

Thanks for your vote ;)

[@dennis3779]

The Nait sounds a bit less artificial and more analogue on my system (WF 1000 XM4) 🤔

[@VirtualHiFi]

That is exactly the sound of the Nait ;)

[@mischafuchs1153]

Ps : i love those speakers...have to hear them..."in real life"..nice!

[@VirtualHiFi]

Thank you very much 😊

[@rehanamutlagh9473]

Kinki all day long

[@vonjuergen]

3:28 10:34

[@VirtualHiFi]

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[@richardseibold7795]

NAIM is louder but otherwise the same.

[@VirtualHiFi]

naim has richer warmer sound and bigger bass slam, but both amps are very interesting ;)

[@user-vz5dm6nq8i]

Naim sounds more balanced

[@VirtualHiFi]

Thank you for sharing your feedback

[@hrvojekant9415]

KINKI..better bass...slightly

[@VirtualHiFi]

Thank you for sharing your comment :)