better amp or power supply?
Posted by: ET on 02 October 2002
another general newbie question I am afraid. I am currently running a Nait1, and am angling towards getting a NAC72. Assuming I get the 72, would it be a better idea to get a amp such as the 140 or 180, or get a NAP90 or 110 and a flatcap or an older power supply. I know stylistically this would be a disaster, but system wise, which would provide the better sound?
thanks
Tim E. - Seattle
Posted on: 03 October 2002 by NB
It depends on what speakers you are using!!
If it was my choice I would buy the best power amp I could afford at the time. If you can strech to a 180 then do it. A 72/180 is a fine amplifier.
Then when funds allow I would purchase a power supply, preferably the Hi-cap.
Its my opinion that the 72/180 would sound better than a 72/hi-cap/110, which to me would be under-powered.
Regards
NB
Posted on: 03 October 2002 by Phil Barry
I'd lean toward a hicap and lower amp, especially with a 72.
If you're buying at a Naim dealer, you can do the following test:
1) play music through a 72 for about 5 minutes
2) paly music through a 72/hicap for about 5 minutes
3) play music through a 72 for about 5 seconds
If the 72 doesn't sound sick to you at step 3, you can live without a hicap - for a while.
Regards.
Phil
Posted on: 03 October 2002 by Matt Gear
...alternatively, you could just go for 1 step: listen to the bare 72, and if you like what it does, get yourself one either new, or 2nd hand.
listening to the 72 with a hicap will of course make the bare 72 sound inferior in comparison, there would be something wrong if it didn't. the key word phrase though is "in comparison".
i run a 72 / 180 and it sounds pretty damn fine to me. next step was going to be to add a hicap, but now the new kit has come out i may be targeting my funds towards an upgrade for my cdi.
when i first got into naim, i listened to a 72 / 140 combo, and unless you've got speakers which are very difficult to drive, i reckon this would really impress you, it certainly did me.
the good thing is too, that you can pick them up for a good price if you're prepared to go the 2nd hand route.
stylistically speaking, the 72 with a 140 sat next to it looks pretty damn groovy!
cheers
matt
Posted on: 03 October 2002 by shinpad
You could probably get a s/h 140 and a s/h hicap for only a little bit more than a s/h 180 - if you can afford it that's what I would do. The 72/140 is a great combination (I had one for 5 years) and is even better with a hicap on the 72.
good luck
Graham
