Hi all, feeling rather out of my depth here as I'm at such an early stage of my Naim adventure (and knowledge!). I've been running a chrome bumper Nac42/Nap110 combo for the last couple of years (having stepped up from an old Aura Evolution VA100) and am looking to upgrade with modest funds. Everything I'd read and heard suggested getting a Hicap would be a worthwhile upgrade and I've recently done just that, only to discover that my Nap42 does have the 5-pin Snaic output (later 42.5s do apparently). I've had the Hicap running via one of the other ports 4-pin ports on the 42 after discussion with Class A, but I must confess that I thought the sound was slightly worse! Concerned that I'd not connected it incorrectly I've removed it again. Looking at my options, I wonder whether I'm better to upgrade to a Nap72 in the immediate future, subsequently upgrading the power amp to a Nap140? Beyond that, it seems like the Nap250 might be the ideal partner for the 72, although it's really pushing my budget.
From what I can glean, moving to the 72 is a really worthwhile upgrade, but views on the 140 seem more varied. Opinion on the 250 seems unanimously positive. So is a 72/250 combo using my Hicap the ideal combo on a modest budget?
And just to fill in the gaps on my system, I'm primarily listening to vinyl on a JBE 3001 (Helius Scorpio arm with Ortofon VMS20E), via Castle Lincoln stand mounts (just bought some beefier Harlechs earlier today), with a Rega MM phono stage. It's all modest stuff that I really enjoy. I like the sound the Naim and Castles produce, but could just do with more of it and a bit more magic! Just tried to upload an image of the JBE but don't think I'm grown up enough yet as it won't allow me to! Ian
Posted on: 18 March 2016 by varyat
72/HC/250 is a big step up from a 42/110- your Castle's will truly appreciate it. My first Naim was a 42/110 and they do produce a wonderful sound , but the 72 is where you want to be with the shoebox line-up. If you don't mind mixing genre's , a black HC DR would be a nice replacement for the Olive from a SQ perspective...
ATB,
Mark
Posted on: 18 March 2016 by ianstent
Hi Mark,
Is it worth considering the 140 with the Nac72, or will it simply not offer any significant improvement over the 110? Obviously, it's at least half the price of a secondhand 250, but if if needs must! 
Posted on: 18 March 2016 by varyat
When dealing with these older boxes and current price points, the 250 is just so much more an accomplished amp vs a 140 for relatively little upside in cost. Imo, make fewer but larger steps in your upgrades. Having the amp and HC serviced would also be a very important consideration - you want to hear the best they can offer. Money well spent imo. A 72/HC/250 will last you through many source/speaker upgrades!
ATB,
Mark
Posted on: 18 March 2016 by ianstent
Useful feedback gents. The 72 is definitely on the hitlist and I just need to see if I can pull together the readies to stretch to the 250. There are a couple on fleebay at the moment that have been serviced in the last few years, so that would save on getting it done again. If not, then the 140 still sounds worth a shout from what you say Taxman.
Posted on: 18 March 2016 by hungryhalibut
My first Naim amp was a 42, snaps, 110, driving Linn Kans. As the Kans like some welly, my first upgrade was to a 250, which worked wonderfully well. The gap between the 110 and the 250 is a lot bigger than that between the 42 and the 72. Given that you have the Hicap, I'd advise that you take a deep breath and go straight to the 72 and 250. For the 250, ensure it had a proper service at Naim or Class A. There are loads out there that have been 'improved' with alternative caps and all sorts, so if you want a proper Naim sound, then avoid them. You would do well to look at Tom Tom Audio, who specialise in used Naim, and don't sell rubbish. If you do use eBay, just be very careful that you know what you are buying. Pink Fish is the other place to look.
Posted on: 18 March 2016 by Belfast Taxman
Wise words from the fish, absolutely agree that a 250 is a big step up the ladder but then so is the price.
Moderated Post: I've edited your post to comply with forum rules.
Posted on: 18 March 2016 by Richard Dane
A NAC42 NAP110 combo is a lovely thing. I find it nigh on impossible to let mine go even though they're currently boxed up and not being used.
As for the Hicap, if it hasn't been recently serviced then it may very well sound worse than without. I know my old unserviced Hicap makes whatever its connected to sound slow and boring. Must get it back to Salisbury...
Posted on: 18 March 2016 by ianstent
More great feedback. Certainly been looking at who has done the servicing on those 250s I've seen online. Most sensible sellers appear to include an image of the service receipt and yes, I've been focusing on Naim or Class A. It was also my intention to get the Hicap serviced as well, as I'd already read elsewhere that they can actually make things worse if not up to muster. So thank you all for talking sense and making my decision making easier, if rather more expensive!
Moderated Post: I've edited your post and removed the name of a certain company who have expressed a wish to not have either their name, their services or their products mentioned on this forum.
Posted on: 18 March 2016 by The Man With Nonaim
The 42/110 is, in my opinion, one of Naim's finest amps. My advice is to sell the Rega fono and invest the money in a pair of Naim's mm cards for the 42. You will almost certainly hear an improvement and should have a few pounds left over to kick-start any future upgrades. Next step would be to sell the 42 and replace it with a 32.5 or 42.5 or 62 or 72 so you can take advantage of the dual-rail output of the hicap. Don't forget to factor in the cost of a service. You might find that this is all you need. The 110 is hugely engaging and hard to live without (unless you own a 160).
My ears tell me that Naim's best power amps were the unregulated cb era models plus the 135s. My all-time favourite was a 42.5/hicap/160 which I preferred to a 52/250 !
Posted on: 18 March 2016 by Ron Toolsie
I have used a 42 with Snaps, Hicaps, Supercaps, as well as powered by 110 and 140. I have also ran it with 180,. 250, 135 and at one point Snaxo/Supercap/6x135. I also may be the only person on this earth to also run it with a Snaps and a pair of Exposure XVI monoblocks. It is naturally bandwidth limited (maybe the TA circuitry has a earlier roll-off point than later versions), so the extra bandwidth offered by the 135 is not fully appreciated (although it can sound verrrrrrrry good with the 135s). In terms of pure enjoyment, the 110 seems to be more than enough with the 42.
I also did a shoot out between a 42.5/Supercap/135 vs a 52/110.....and latter was much better in every imaginable way. If you want to upgrade the 42/110, look for an 82 or better. But then again, the 42/XVI combination sounded sublime.
Posted on: 19 March 2016 by Foot tapper
Hi Ianstent,
Forgive me if you have this point already covered, but have you had your 42/hicap/110 serviced recently (or ever?)
I used to have a 32.5/140 and it was a lovely thing. After a few years, its performance gradually fell away. In the end, they both went for a service. The 140 had its first service in 10 years, the 32.5 its first service in apparently 17 years.
The difference on their return from the factory was very far from subtle. It was one of those Wow! moments.
Hence, a service might be the very first place to start. I would also replace the Rega fono with a set of serviced Naim MM phono cards for the 42 as well.
Once you have done this, then a chrome bumper or olive NAP250 would help more than a little.
Hope this helps, FT
