Dear all!
I have a couple of questions on different caps Connected to a Dual rail Nac 12 into 160 (recaped and in excelent condition? I have a nice Hicap-DR but Wonder about how it matches my 12-DR compared to an olive Supercap or hicap, soundwise? Is the Hicap-dr somehow a mismatch in terms of caracter compared to its older siblings? I have read that an Olive Supercap can sound great With the 12, but is the O-supercap really much better than an hicap-dr?
The 12dr-hicap-dr sounds good to me, but it has a rather special caracter. Its not that open, a bit shut in, but at the same time very warm, powerfull, detailed and with lots of prat.
Would love to attain some genuine Naim-wisdom from experienced gentlemen out there.
Regards
Fred
Posted on: 04 May 2016 by gary yeowell
I did once run a 32.5 with a SC2, and it was very very good. I have no experience of the 12, but i didn't think that my HicapDR was a great match with my 72. Others have had different results, but i actually thought that the pre amp psu in the 160 (has a dedicated set of windings unlike other Naps) was really nice with the 72, and the HicapDR changed its character in a way that i didn't like, being rather too 'hifi'.
Posted on: 04 May 2016 by Fred11
Dear Gary,
thank you for answering. Very interesting experience. Its really the caracter, which you mention, that does not feel right. Maybe a supercap or olive one will work better?!
Regards
Fred
Posted on: 05 May 2016 by Fred11
More listening done, I realised that I have been in a sort of manic state the last days after reseaving the Nac and nap (12-dr and 160). I now would say that its far from hi-fi in my system, rather a little shut in, BUT I also realise that I have never heard my system as warm and non-digital. Bass is really powerfull with. With lp12, armageddon, akito, adikt into the 322/4 I have never had more valve-like praty sound. Guess I just wonder were the olive supercap would bring the system!?
have a nice weekend
fred
Posted on: 05 May 2016 by gary yeowell
The 160 is an absolute peach of an amp, either in bolt down form or later one piece extruded case, and although i have never heard one, the 12s has a great reputation. I loved my times with the 160, have had four of them over the years and valve like with PRAT is a good description. With a crystal ball in my hand years ago, i would have stuck with my LP12/Ittok/Asak 'T'/32/160/Kans. You are in a good place.
Posted on: 05 May 2016 by Fred11
Dear Gary.
Appreciate the experience and wisdom. The 160 is marvelous. Like it more than my 200 I had for many years. The sound of the 12-dr is setling more and more, also in my perception, which also needs 'break in'. Your former setup sounds like a classic line-up. A time machine to listen to it would be great. In modern times it is easy to think that everything new is better. Everything evolves in a linear way. From my work I have learned that we often do backwards steps... Speaking of time I am doing a travel back right now. Listening to Slave to love, original press from Ferry. Drums, synths and his epic voice flows through the living room. Goose bumps...
regards
Fred
