180 equals flatcap?

Posted by: Bas V on 14 December 2000

Hi!
I'm still in doubt about the best upgrade path...
I think the 250 may be overkill in my system at present. But what about the 180?
I have read that the 180 has a better built-in power supply for the pre-amp than the 90/3. As I can buy a 180 for a good price s/hand, would it be wise to trade in my 90/3 and flatcap, or would the diference be very big? I still intend buying a HiCap, but I can make the trade with just paying UKP100. So the HiCap can be bought sooner, or I could trade in my 92 for a 102. Any suggestions? Source: CDI +NAT03, Speakers: Intro's

Regards, Bas

Posted on: 14 December 2000 by Former member

Bas,

quote:
I think the 250 may be overkill in my system at present

Correct. Don't even bother with a 250 until you have a 72/Hicap or 102/Hicap/NAPSC.

quote:
But what about the 180? I have read that the 180 has a better built-in power supply for the pre-amp than the 90/3.

A 180 is still overkill for your 92. A better power supply isn't going to turn your 92 into a 72 or 102.

You really need to decide how far you intend to go with the Naim hierarchy (and add another step or two for contingency). It is very costly to keep buying and trading bits for small or illogical gains. Assuming you want to end up with a mid-range system, here is what I would do in your shoes:

(1) Replace 92 with either 32.5 or 72 (if buying used) or 102/NAPSC (if buying new);

(2) Replace flatcap with Hicap;

(3) Replace 90 with 180 or 250;

(4) Replace CDI with CDS1 (if you can find one) or stretch for a CDX(/XPS);

(5) Replace preamp with 82 and get a second Hicap if possible;

(6) Buy SBLs or equivalent.

James

Posted on: 15 December 2000 by Bas V

I think source first is best too, but as I can buy the 180 for almost nothing when I trade in my 90/3 and flatcap, it seems like a good deal. The question is: will the 180+92 sound (much) worse than the 90/3+92+flatcap?

I can also trade in my 92 for a 72 with paying just a little extra. Is the 72/180 much better? A HiCap will come within a year after that?
Any comments are welcome!

Regards, Bas

Posted on: 15 December 2000 by Former member

chuck all your money at the preamp and powersupply. A nap 90 is fine driving intros; I powered credos with a Nait 3 for ages and it was blissfull unless you're desperate for window shattering volume levels. Demoing a nac 92/nap 180, I couldn't honestly tell the difference much of the time, but change to a Nac72, ahh.. now that was obvious. There is more 'speed' with a 180 but that's insignificant beside the preamp gains.
cheers

Posted on: 15 December 2000 by Jay

IMHO - if you can get a 180 now for a good price, why not go for it? The next stage would then be a 72, etc...

I know it's not the perfect source first progression, but you're got to take your chances when they come.

Jay

Posted on: 15 December 2000 by Former member

Bas,

quote:
will the 180+92 sound (much) worse than the 90/3+92+flatcap?

No, I don't think it will sound any worse but it won't sound much better either. You will gain more volume and if you will upgrade you preamp and get a Hicap soon enough, it makes sense to take advantage of the bargain. I'm somewhat surprised that you can trade a 90/3 and flatcap for a 180 for no cost though. If it's an older unit, it'll need to be serviced and you might need to factor the cost of that in your upgrade decision.

James

Resistance is Futile

Posted on: 16 December 2000 by Bas V

Hi!
i cannot believe it, but it seems that I have just bought a 72, Hicap and 180 (all from 1996). I will collect them the last week of December. I bought them without hearing, but full of confidence regarding Naim!

No mullet system for me then hey!!!

Regards, Bas