102-HC & 140

Posted by: Suzy Wong on 14 June 2018

Ok so following a number of years of upgradeitis, I have some spare kit just lying around...(doesn’t everyone?)....    I also have a daughter who is suggesting that Dad might like to offload some of his spare kit - I have other stuff (made in Huntingdon, but not Quad) as well.

Hmmm, anytime my daughter sidles up and opens the conversation with “Papa.....”, I know it’s going to cost! Naturally she has engaged Mum, who would be delighted if some of my collection of amps & speakers were to depart the home, never to return! To be fair, part of the deal would be that said daughter takes all her other stuff that she’s left at home since Uni!

Anyway back OT, the spare kit I have (and no, I’m not trying to sell it) is:         CD3.5-Flatcap, NAC102-Hicap, Linn Kans & a couple lengths of NAC A4.

So the missing link is a power amp. The obvious choice is from the olive range of 90, 140, 180 & 250. Seeing as I am an aging skinflint, the 250 is right out, and even a 180 is pushing the envelope, so I was wondering about a 140. Obviously it would be a good match physically with the other units. I have a feeling that one can get a 90 in shoebox style?

Only interested in a power amp.

So I’m looking at 102-HC-> 140 -> Kans.

Thoughts? Anybody tried this particular combo?

 

Posted on: 14 June 2018 by ChrisSU

You are right that there was a shoebox 90 before the olive slimline version, but I would be surprised if it was up to driving Kans well. I would have thought that a 140 would be a much better idea from your shortlist, which could also perhaps include the 160.

Posted on: 14 June 2018 by Richard Dane

Try to get a NAP140 over the NAP90 - much better, for only a bit more money.

Posted on: 14 June 2018 by Suzy Wong

That was my think as well. Indeed, a 140 went on “that well known etc” this evening for around £250-260, which I thought was a pretty fair price.

In fact It’s almost worth picking one up anyway for use in a second, er, make that, seventh system. Yes, the house does resemble a Vintage Audio Dealer’s at times.