Power amp differences

Posted by: Armbored on 04 April 2017

I've been using my NAC 202 with a NAP 155XS for some time now and love it, I've become very familiar with the crisp, punchy yet smooth sound it delivers.  I've recently got hold of a NAP 150 recapped in 2013 and thought I would try it out as a comparison.  I expected not to hear a great deal of difference but after letting in run for a couple of days, find the bass to be somewhat overpowering.  I just wondered if anyone had any thoughts as to why this may be?  Also the presentation does not seem as transparent as the XS and feels 'further away'.

 

Posted on: 04 April 2017 by Christopher_M

I can't give you any technical stuff but they're from different eras. When I went from my Nait 5 to Nait XS I felt a lot more engaged, for the same reasons as you are.

C.

Posted on: 04 April 2017 by hungryhalibut

If you have a 155, why bother trying a 150? It makes no sense. 

Posted on: 04 April 2017 by ChrisSU

The weakness of the original 150 is said to be its preamp power supply. If you were to use the 202 with a Hicap, it may be a closer contest. As you already have a 155, what's your plan for the 150?

Posted on: 04 April 2017 by Armbored

Curiosity HH!

Chrissu, I have a 112 that I may either put together a second system somewhere else with the 150 or just maybe sell them both, but I'd like to hear how they sound together first.  Again, just curiosity but I think it seems an interesting experience hearing this in the same room, in my normal system, to me it's the only valid comparison.  I do actually have a Hicap on the 202, should have said.

Posted on: 05 April 2017 by Richard Dane

IIRC the original NAP150 had a smaller transformer compared to the NAP155xs.  While I have never actually heard the latter I'm reliably informed that it's a superior power amp whether also powering a pre-amp or not. Which makes sense really.

Posted on: 05 April 2017 by rsch

My 2011 Nait XS still shines, so i guess your 202/155 is even more so.

Regards

Roberto

Posted on: 05 April 2017 by Armbored

Yes, the 155XS transformer is marginally bigger.