Upgrade help please

Posted by: CraigP on 25 February 2003

2 months in to finding Naim (Nait 3 and CD5), and i already have the bug to do something more, (on a budget), but advice is required please.

Top of my priority list is a Headline, and i was going to get a NAPSC to power this, but have found a used Flatcap 2, which would obviously power the headline and CD5. But on looking at more used hifi equipment websites i have come across a used 112/150 combination. From which i could use the 112 to power the headline and not have to buy another power supply (i cant afford to buy both a flatcap and 112/150, it has to be one or the other)

So which is my best upgrade???

1. Keep Nait 3, buy Flatcap 2, and use it to power the headline and CD5

OR

2.Sell nait 3 (get approx £300). Dont get Flatcap 2 (save £400), and add another £350 to buy the 112/150 combo (£1050 used).

Your opinions would be much appreciated.


Thanks

Craig
Posted on: 25 February 2003 by Mike Hanson
If you have 112/150, then the 150 is providing power to the 112. From my perspective, this is a "bare minimum" to begin with. If you also ask the 150 to power the Headline (via the 112), then performance will be significantly compromised. Although Naim gear can work in this fashion, it's really designed to shine with separate power supplies.

Of course, if you consider this to be a starting point, and you have the intention to add a Flat-Cap2 or Hi-Cap as soon as possibility, then this can work fine. Also, even with the compromised power, I would expect that CD5/112/150/Headline would sound better than CD5/Nait3/Headline/NAPSC.

Here's a possible upgrade path, depending on how fast you can afford to go:

  • CD5/Nait3 (your current setup)
  • CD5/112/150/Headline
  • CD5/112/Flat2/150/Headline (Flat2 powers CD5, 112 and Headline)
  • CDX2/112/Flat2/150/Headline (Flat2 powers 112 and Headline)
  • CDX2/112/Hi/150/Headline/Flat2
  • CDX2/282/Hi/150/Headline/Flat2
  • CDX2/XPS2/282/Hi/150/Headline/Flat2
  • CDX2/XPS2/282/Super2/150/Headline/Flat2
  • CDX2/XPS2/282/Super2/250/Headline/Flat2
  • CDS3/XPS2/282/Super2/250/Headline/Flat2
  • CDS3/XPS2/252/Super2/250/Headline/Flat2
  • etc.


-=> Mike Hanson <=-
Posted on: 25 February 2003 by steved
Craig,
As far as I'm aware, the 112 cannot power the Headline, so you will need the FC2 or a NAPSC.
Steve D
Posted on: 25 February 2003 by Mike Hanson
quote:
Originally posted by steved:
As far as I'm aware, the 112 cannot power the Headline

That's what I thought at first. However, after checking the manual online at Naim, I discovered that it can.

-=> Mike Hanson <=-
Posted on: 26 February 2003 by CraigP
Thanks for all the advice. I decided to go for the 112/150 combination, and although i only got to listen to it for a couple of hours last night, there was a definate improvement on the Nait 3. The room just seemed to be filled with much more music, and it added the extra depth that i had felt the Nait was lacking. It also seems easier on the ears at higher volume levels. The Nait used to feel like it was screaming, whilst the 112/150 just gets louder as you raise the volume, with no apparent degradation in the music.

I dont think i am benefiting fully from the upgrade at the momeant, as i only have 2 shelves for my quadraspire stand, so the 112/150 are on top of each other in the middle, with not a lot of room to spare, with the CD5 on the next shelf, but its only about 1cm above, so i dont know how much interference i will get from having all of the components so close together.

Now i cant wait for the new headline to arrive so i can listen to it after the other half has gone to bed. How much loss in quality will i get powering the headline via the 112, and if it is considerable then should i switch the headline off when listening normally through the speakers???


Thanks

Craig
Posted on: 26 February 2003 by Martin Payne
Craig,

try it with the 112 on top of the CD5 instead.

cheers, Martin

E-mail:- MartinPayne at Dial.Pipex.com
Posted on: 26 February 2003 by ChrisBathory
Hi Craig,

Seperation of signal boxes and mains powered boxes is VERY critical, and do bear in mind that the CD5 also has mains power in it.

- I'd recommend having at least 15 inches between every box - even sticking the poweramp on the floor away from the CD5 and 112 will be better (I suspect that CDP's and preamps are also a bit more sensitive to supports than the poweramps)...

hope this helps!!!
Chris