Traded out my tired 110 for serviced 160 - wow!

Posted by: Brad L on 18 January 2016

I have posted here several times of late about recapping, servicing, etc.  In the middle of all of it, a fully serviced 160 showed up at my local dealer.  It was serviced by the new North American distributor.  It took it home for an audition, and once it was even slightly warmed up, I knew it was mine.

All I can say is, "wow".  Other than going from a TD125 Mk2 to my LP12, this is the single biggest upgrade.  More significantly, my system has finally hit that place where I think of it being "hifi" - it now sounds like a top flight system.  

It is much better on both the top and bottom end.

The sound floor has dropped.  I'm not sure I can explain this one, but LP surface noise also seems like it's really diminished too.

The musical narrative has much more flow.

There is a fair amount more detail - to the extent I'm hearing things not heard before.  

Much more dynamic transitions.

Sounds better and clearer at lower volumes.

At high volumes it just gets outrageous.  I immediately took it to volumes I never took the 110 and rocked the house, and it was up for it.

Thanks for all of your prior suggestions/advice.  

Posted on: 18 January 2016 by ianrobertm

Am surprised the OP was surprised...... Oh well..... 

Posted on: 18 January 2016 by trickydickie

I have fond memories of my bolt down 160 which I had with a 42.5/Hicap.  A lovely amplifier.

A good friend of mine bought it off me and he still has it.  

I moved up to a CB 250 and was never convinced that it was more musical but it was more powerful and resolving.

Richard

Posted on: 18 January 2016 by Brad L

"Am surprised the OP was surprised...... Oh well..... "

 Ah well, you know what they say - you don't know what you don't know...nothing like direct experience.
Posted on: 18 January 2016 by analogmusic

nice the 160 is rather legendary...

Posted on: 18 January 2016 by The Man With Nonaim

My favourite Naim power amps are the 110 and 160. They "groove" so much better than the regulated designs. The 160 has such a beautiful mid-range. My all-time favourite was a 42.5/hicap/160. I was a wally to change to a 52/250. Better hifi without a doubt but nowhere near as "funky".

Perhaps I should reinvest in my all-time fave.

Posted on: 18 January 2016 by analogmusic

the non DR 200 is no slouch in the groove area too, and according to some, is better than the 160... (well it is an "updated 160" after all)

 

But I never really understood the unregulated amps groove better than the regulated amps view.

Do they? 

does a 160 groove better than a 135?

Posted on: 18 January 2016 by Don Atkinson
analogmusic posted:

does a 160 groove better than a 135?

No, it doesn't.

160 --> 250 --> 2x135s --> 500 = improvement in all aspects all the way

(I didn't like the 300 ! but I know others who did, and respect their choice)

Posted on: 18 January 2016 by Martin.L
Don Atkinson posted:
analogmusic posted:

does a 160 groove better than a 135?

No, it doesn't.

160 --> 250 --> 2x135s --> 500 = improvement in all aspects all the way

(I didn't like the 300 ! but I know others who did, and respect their choice)

I agreed with the first part but it doesn't work with the second part where I can't find words to describe how good the nap 300 was in my system.

Posted on: 18 January 2016 by gary yeowell

The 200 sounds absolutely nothing like a 160. The words chalk and cheese come to mind. The 160 is one of my all time favourites.

Posted on: 18 January 2016 by Brad L

I went from a 42.5 to a 32.5 and it was no contest, but don't know what it would be like with an HC and the 160...plus neither preamp had been serviced in a while so who really knows...

Posted on: 19 January 2016 by ianrobertm

@BradL - How about you get your 32-5 serviced then...?  What else have you got, which is un-serviced.....?? Confession is good.

I will admit to owning an unserviced 72-140 - BUT they are only back ups.

Posted on: 19 January 2016 by Brad L

Yeah, neither my HiCap or 32.5 have been serviced in a while it looks like.  What would folks do first?

Posted on: 19 January 2016 by hungryhalibut

Definitely get the Hicap serviced and recapped. It's not so critical for the 32, but still worthwhile.