Servicing / Recapping

Timmo, 8-10 years is what Naim recommend, although some newer items like the 500 series and some of the Reference range have been quoted at 15 years.  

Provided the kit has not been abused (in particular here, it's important that suitable speaker cabling has been used) and also provided that a component has not prematurely fallen out of spec, then performance should remain at an optimum for at least this period of time.  I have noted though that regulated amps go "off" fairly rapidly once servicing is overdue.  I guess this is because they are effectively two amplifiers - i.e. one acting as regulator of the other, so very finely balanced.

Unregulated amps can go on for much longer and any drop in performance appears to be a much gentler slope.  Indeed, the caps in NAP110s in particular appear to be very long lived indeed and many measure just fine when serviced.  And then you get something like an '82 NAP160 that I bought some years back and it sounded really flat and a bit unbalanced left to right.  That was in serious need of a full service - now, post factory service, it is sounding like a different amp entirely.

Power supplies are similar.  A Hicap that is overdue a service can make a pre-amp sound really slow and ponderous, to the point where powering from a suitable power amp is actually much better.  A full service from the factory would of course rectify matters.

It's not just Naim kit that needs servicing - all kit does, it's just that Naim are one of the few manufacturers who not only provide such a service, but also encourage it to ensure your system is always performing at its optimum level.  Naim are also one of the only amp manufacturers who make fully regulated amplifiers and with these regular servicing is a must.

Another solution is to not worry about servicing and pop down to your friendly dealer Mick  who I'm sure will be pleased to upgrade you to the latest and greatest from Naim

Richard Dane posted:

Timmo, 8-10 years is what Naim recommend, although some newer items like the 500 series and some of the Reference range have been quoted at 15 years.  

Provided the kit has not been abused (in particular here, it's important that suitable speaker cabling has been used) and also provided that a component has not prematurely fallen out of spec, then performance should remain at an optimum for at least this period of time.  I have noted though that regulated amps go "off" fairly rapidly once servicing is overdue.  I guess this is because they are effectively two amplifiers - i.e. one acting as regulator of the other, so very finely balanced.

Unregulated amps can go on for much longer and any drop in performance appears to be a much gentler slope.  Indeed, the caps in NAP110s in particular appear to be very long lived indeed and many measure just fine when serviced.  And then you get something like an '82 NAP160 that I bought some years back and it sounded really flat and a bit unbalanced left to right.  That was in serious need of a full service - now, post factory service, it is sounding like a different amp entirely.

Power supplies are similar.  A Hicap that is overdue a service can make a pre-amp sound really slow and ponderous, to the point where powering from a suitable power amp is actually much better.  A full service from the factory would of course rectify matters.

It's not just Naim kit that needs servicing - all kit does, it's just that Naim are one of the few manufacturers who not only provide such a service, but also encourage it to ensure your system is always performing at its optimum level.  Naim are also one of the only amp manufacturers who make fully regulated amplifiers and with these regular servicing is a must.

What about the two box 300.

Tony, best to get Naim's advice on the current amp range.

Alfa4life posted:

Another solution is to not worry about servicing and pop down to your friendly dealer Mick  who I'm sure will be pleased to upgrade you to the latest and greatest from Naim

A strong likelihood - you obviously know me too well!!

Seriously, though, unless my circumstances were to change radically (house move, much larger listening room, more cash etc...) I honestly don't think what I'm hearing will ever disappoint me, so why go searching? I've tried the 300DR, which doesn't work for me. I've tried SL and Sarum speaker cable, and prefer my Chord. I don't have the space for seperate streamers, preamps and their power supplies. So, short of perhaps one day replacing the 272 with another single box it's 'game over' for me.  

I have a nap200 which is nearly 8 years old and sounds fantastic to me, however I heard a 14 year old one last week against a recent demo example and it sounded well below par (ok the recent one was dr but wasnt using the internal psu for the preamp).

I hope I'd notice if the performance drops off my unit - I'm inclined to get the service done in the next year or two for peace of mind but my head says if it ain't broke..

Fueller posted:

I have a nap200 which is nearly 8 years old and sounds fantastic to me, however I heard a 14 year old one last week against a recent demo example and it sounded well below par (ok the recent one was dr but wasnt using the internal psu for the preamp).

How many 200s have you got?! An 8 year old one isn't a DR.

My NAC 202 and NAP 200 are 16 years old now though I bought them used 9 years ago. I am currently using them in the 2nd system and they still sound splendid. The NAP 200 probably still sound good because it is an unregulated amplifier.

So the regulated NAP 250 DR will undergo rapid deterioration in performance when servicing is overdue. Fortunately it's still 9 years away before it approaches the 10 year mark.

ChrisSU posted:

Fueller posted:

I have a nap200 which is nearly 8 years old and sounds fantastic to me, however I heard a 14 year old one last week against a recent demo example and it sounded well below par (ok the recent one was dr but wasnt using the internal psu for the preamp).

How many 200s have you got?! An 8 year old one isn't a DR.

I have mine (which I wasn't suggesting was dr) then went to a dealer to demo 282 200dr and 282 hicapdr 200. The dealer had both old and new for comparison.

I sent my Nait 2, olive bumper, to the shop after 14 years of faithful service when I noticed that the sound was suddenly flabby and unstable.    Sent it back after another 14 years because one channel kept cutting out.  Am patiently  awaiting its return. 

I have had 3 NAP 250s serviced and all ran extremely hot and started to cut out. Time frame was between 10-14 years. Very noticeable degradation prior to recap.

In my experience you can generally hear quite clearly when an amplifier is due a service as the detail isn't there and they don't have the boogie factor.  Saying that, I do have several items that are completely unfettled and probably overdue a service, however, they still sound great.  I guess that's a testament to how well built they are in the first place

I may need to get my 135's serviced soon when I have some spare cash!