Nac 112

I hardly think 'it's a race to see who has the most expensive kit'. The early Naits get lots of talk and exposure. I'd say it's just comparatively speaking the 112 was weaker, and updated to the 122X, due to the excellent Nait 5i at the time which was arguably better.

The 112x and 150x were improvements on the originals. I think the problem was that the original 112/150 had a different sound signature than Naim owners were used to and liked at the time they were introduced. By regular music loving standards they were well built and very nice sounding. Adding  a FlatCap to the 112 made a very nice improvement. The original Nait 5, a comtemporary of the 112/150 suffered as well when compared with previous Naits. Overtime it has become more appreciated especially with a FlatCap or even HiCap.

No apologies needed for any of them. Just different.

I can't answer your question, but for years I ran a 92/90 into Royd Apex (which are very similar to your Regas) and really enjoyed them. They, too, are not very highly regarded these days, but frankly I couldn't care less.

There's absolutely nothing wrong with a NAC112 or NAC112x.  Just be sure it's used within the right system - partnered with a CD5, NAP150 and a Flatcap2 is ideal.  In no way is it a poor preamp, for what it is, it's excellent, it's just that Naim do make better ones....

Garry posted:

.....I have the 112x and the 150x.......My speakers sound fast and immersive...Rega mk 1 Ela..

 ......am I missing something..???

No.

Chris

The 112x/150x made sense of my cd5x where the nait 5i couldn't. I agree with you regarding its rythmic drive - that's definitely its strong suit.  There's plenty of people with "better" pre/amps who are nevertheless unsatisfied (ie looking for the next upgrade).  Glad you found a worthy end point for your journey.

Clay Bingham posted:

The original Nait 5, a comtemporary of the 112/150 suffered as well when compared with previous Naits. Overtime it has become more appreciated especially with a FlatCap or even HiCap.

Having owned every version of the Nait, from the 1 through the 5, I'm confident in saying the 5 is simply *better* than all its predecessors. 

Similarly, the 112 is inarguably better than the 92R, or the 92, and is a very good sounding preamp in its own right. 

There's nothing wrong with the original 112/150. Later versions may have improved, I've not heard them, but I lived happily with the original until funds allowed me to climb back up the ladder. Yes the more pricey amps are better but for what you pay you'd expect (hope) that was the case.

There was nothing 'bad' about the 112, but it did exchange some of its predecessors (the 62) sonic advantages for enchanced function and convenience. Gone for instance was low-level channel imbalance, three input limitation or manual only control. These were exchanged for a somewhat more forward and lean, less harmonically rich and slightly glary sound which seemed ill-matched for certain mini-monitors that were already endowed with a forward presentation. 

For interst I tried a 112/Supercap/135's directly against a 52/150 which the latter being hugely better in every possible way. Which is by itself not a slight on the 112....a 552/150 (which I also tried) probably would obliterate a 272/300DR (which I did not). 

Thanks for all the replies...Think I will go down the route of a Naim NAC-N 172 XS Streamer to see how the pre amp sounds,,?? compared to the 112x and have all the obvious benefits of decent DAC and different audio streaming choices.... Can it be powered by the NAP150..??...

The NAC-N172 is self-powered.

Ron Toolsie posted:

For interst I tried a 112/Supercap/135's directly against a 52/150 which the latter being hugely better in every possible way. Which is by itself not a slight on the 112....a 552/150 (which I also tried) probably would obliterate a 272/300DR (which I did not). 

Interesting. I've always wondered if one doesn't need much of a power amp if all else is right. Would love to have it demonstrated but can't waste a dealer's time as I can't buy.

C.

I don't think you do need much of a power amp with a 552 - unless you are using hard to drive speakers and/or want serious volume in a big room.

I've used my 552 into a 140 and IBLs. It sounded wonderful - in a small room! The same 552/140 into NBLs in a large room started to sound a bit flat and lacking in dynamics at anything more than a background music volume. As the volume went up, unsurprisingly, it got worse!

A NAC552 with a NAP110 driving SL2s is rather nice too.  And, with a NAP160, even nicer...