The great debate: 102 vs. 72
Posted by: Mike Hanson on 26 October 2002
For quite some time I've been reading silly meanderings on this forum, with a surprising number of individuals claiming that they prefer a 72 to a 102, or at least that the 102 isn't much better. I knew these musings were spurious, and I had a recent chance to verify it.
My secondary system has a 72 powered by a SNAPS2 (dual-railed). I was considering upgrading the SNAPS2 to a Hi-Cap, when a friend suggested that I trade my 72 for his 102. He figured the cost would be less and the performance increase more significant.
I received the 102 yesterday. Unfortunately, it didn't come with any of the link plugs, so I used one SNAPS2 for the audio side, and another SNAPS2 in place of the NAPSC supply, using the SLIC from my Headline (yes this does work).
The difference between 72/SNAPS2 and 102/SNAPS2/SNAPS2 is astounding! The 72 sounds lumpy, muffled, fuzzy, and generally heavy-handed. In sharp contrast, the 102 is detailed and controlled, with a wonderful sense of musical flow. The instruments have more sense of presence and "size". Overall, the improvement is much more than I've observed when changing form a SNAPS2 (or a Flat-Cap which is roughly the same) to a Hi-Cap.
I've seen this pattern before. If you have the option of upgrading power supplies or upgrading pre-amps for the approximately same money, go for the pre-amp upgrade. You won't be disappointed!
Now I need to find an NAPSC-equivalent power supply, because I need that second SNAPS2 and SLIC for my Headline. Since this is purely for the digital side, I'm considering getting a generic 18V power supply (with appropriate current capacity). It will be a whole lot cheaper, and the key issue is getting the digital side onto a separate supply from the audio. Has anyone else done this? Do you know what the current requirements are?
-=> Mike Hanson <=-
[This message was edited by Mike Hanson on SATURDAY 26 October 2002 at 20:52.]
My secondary system has a 72 powered by a SNAPS2 (dual-railed). I was considering upgrading the SNAPS2 to a Hi-Cap, when a friend suggested that I trade my 72 for his 102. He figured the cost would be less and the performance increase more significant.
I received the 102 yesterday. Unfortunately, it didn't come with any of the link plugs, so I used one SNAPS2 for the audio side, and another SNAPS2 in place of the NAPSC supply, using the SLIC from my Headline (yes this does work).
The difference between 72/SNAPS2 and 102/SNAPS2/SNAPS2 is astounding! The 72 sounds lumpy, muffled, fuzzy, and generally heavy-handed. In sharp contrast, the 102 is detailed and controlled, with a wonderful sense of musical flow. The instruments have more sense of presence and "size". Overall, the improvement is much more than I've observed when changing form a SNAPS2 (or a Flat-Cap which is roughly the same) to a Hi-Cap.
I've seen this pattern before. If you have the option of upgrading power supplies or upgrading pre-amps for the approximately same money, go for the pre-amp upgrade. You won't be disappointed!
Now I need to find an NAPSC-equivalent power supply, because I need that second SNAPS2 and SLIC for my Headline. Since this is purely for the digital side, I'm considering getting a generic 18V power supply (with appropriate current capacity). It will be a whole lot cheaper, and the key issue is getting the digital side onto a separate supply from the audio. Has anyone else done this? Do you know what the current requirements are?
-=> Mike Hanson <=-
[This message was edited by Mike Hanson on SATURDAY 26 October 2002 at 20:52.]
quote:
Originally posted by Stallion:
Your input is currently being monitored etc. be good or be gone.
The decision is yours.
Marco
Please also accept my apologies, I hadn't appreciated that my ribbing would have such an effect, sorry again. Rest assured I will refrain from upsetting you further and so avoiding the slip into forum banishment and the 100 hells it surely contains.
After a week or so listening, I'm definitly aware that the NAC 102 is significantly better than my NAC 72 on CD. More low end, more control, smoother highs. On vinyl - not sure - but definitly not worse.
Oh and a 180'd NAP 160 is a definite upgrade from a NAP 140 too!
Stephen
Oh and a 180'd NAP 160 is a definite upgrade from a NAP 140 too!
Stephen
Herm,
Well, not including this one, you've guaranteed at least one more post to this thread.
Joe
quote:
Me
Well, not including this one, you've guaranteed at least one more post to this thread.
Joe