Advice for novice Naim buyer

No benefit whatsoever! 72/Hi/140 is a classic combination especially with vinyl.  A 122X is an ok pre, and the 180 a very good power amp, but together an unlikely harmonious pairing. Alternatively a 72/180 could prove more interesting.

Thanks for that - what would a better pairing be for the NAP180? 

I amended my reply as you were asking.... 

I'm with Gary on this one: grab the 72/Hi/140 and enjoy! (Though you may want to consider getting them serviced, but I'd hook them up and have a listen first.) You'll also need to get 3.5+ meter lengths of NAC A5 to connect to your speakers.

...and when it comes time for streaming, you really don't have to break the bank. I've been using a $90 Topping D10 DAC lately, and it's superb.

Assuming the seller won’t split the 122x and 180, you could buy the set and sell the 122x and buy a 72 or 102 pre. The 102 has remote and more inputs. I dare not say which pre sounds better than the other, but I love my 102. And the 180 has more power with a larger transfo than the 140. Add a serviced Olive HC later when funds permit.

On the basis you are not looking to drive demanding loudspeakers, the 72/Hi-Cap/140 are in good condition (care about the servicing - could be a lot relative to the purchase cost), you are happy with the price and can live without a remote, I would go for these.

As above, a classic Naim combo - I loved mine. 3 little shoe boxes which IMV outperform so many other 'bigger' non-Naim amps. 

Do make sure you get all the right cables with them and check what boards may be installed in the 72/the vendor has - I'm not sure of the availability of the vinyl boards for putting inside a 72, unless you are going to use an external phono amp for the vinyl. 

I would go with the Olive range if you are only playing vinyl I own a 102/HC/180 and it's a classic combo but as has been mentioned  so is 72/HC/140 and £1,000 is a fair price.                                                                   

Thanks for all the advice - been really useful.  Think I’m going for the NAP180 + NAC 102 as suggested.  Also will have a play with the Topping DAC as a start.

Thanks again!

Don't dismiss the 72, much harder to find, and more expensive than the 102 when you do. That might tell you something.

Boatmancalls posted:

Just wanting to slowly get back into HiFi again and wondered on the perceived benefits of a used NAC 122x with NAP 180 power amp compared to NAC72/HiCAP/NAP140 (on eBay for approx 1000GBP ?)  I’m going to listening to Vinyl but may add some streaming at a future date.

which option would you choose?

 

If you have a vinyl setup currently, do you have a phono stage? If not you'd need to consider if the boards for the 72 (or I assume 122x) are available for your MM/MC cartridge type as well.

Alley Cat posted:

Boatmancalls posted:

Just wanting to slowly get back into HiFi again and wondered on the perceived benefits of a used NAC 122x with NAP 180 power amp compared to NAC72/HiCAP/NAP140 (on eBay for approx 1000GBP ?)  I’m going to listening to Vinyl but may add some streaming at a future date.

which option would you choose?

 

If you have a vinyl setup currently, do you have a phono stage? If not you'd need to consider if the boards for the 72 (or I assume 122x) are available for your MM/MC cartridge type as well.

You cannot fit phono boards to a 122X.

gary yeowell posted:

Alley Cat posted:

Boatmancalls posted:

Just wanting to slowly get back into HiFi again and wondered on the perceived benefits of a used NAC 122x with NAP 180 power amp compared to NAC72/HiCAP/NAP140 (on eBay for approx 1000GBP ?)  I’m going to listening to Vinyl but may add some streaming at a future date.

which option would you choose?

 

If you have a vinyl setup currently, do you have a phono stage? If not you'd need to consider if the boards for the 72 (or I assume 122x) are available for your MM/MC cartridge type as well.

You cannot fit phono boards to a 122X.

Thanks Gary - I have a 72, not really familiar with the 122X - does it have any phono inputs or needs an external phono stage, or something else perhaps?

Alley Cat posted:

gary yeowell posted:

Alley Cat posted:

Boatmancalls posted:

Just wanting to slowly get back into HiFi again and wondered on the perceived benefits of a used NAC 122x with NAP 180 power amp compared to NAC72/HiCAP/NAP140 (on eBay for approx 1000GBP ?)  I’m going to listening to Vinyl but may add some streaming at a future date.

which option would you choose?

 

If you have a vinyl setup currently, do you have a phono stage? If not you'd need to consider if the boards for the 72 (or I assume 122x) are available for your MM/MC cartridge type as well.

You cannot fit phono boards to a 122X.

Thanks Gary - I have a 72, not really familiar with the 122X - does it have any phono inputs or needs an external phono stage, or something else perhaps?

Like all black series pre amps, it requires an external phono stage. That is the beauty for vinyl users of the Olive/CB series, where internal cards were an option.

The right phonoboards are almost impossible to find these days. I'm stuck with 323k boards which means I need an expensive turntable. My wife is not convinced by these logics.

I don't think the op wants vinyl though.

Ardbeg10y posted:

I don't think the op wants vinyl though.

I’m going to listening to Vinyl but may add some streaming at a future date.

which option would you choose?

Alley Cat posted:

Ardbeg10y posted:

I don't think the op wants vinyl though.

I’m going to listening to Vinyl but may add some streaming at a future date.

which option would you choose?

 'Also will have a play with the Topping DAC as a start'. Is what confused me. It would be good to know what vinyl setup is going to be used. I don't think the op has decided yet.

Well NAC 72/HiCAP/NAP140 bought and just need a MM phono card sourcing and I should be good to go!  Appreciate all the advice and help!

Great stuff. That's a lovely set.  Have a ring around the usual dealers - they often have cards stashed away or forgotten in drawers.  Otherwise they do turn up fairly regularly in the usual online places, so be patient. Try to go for the latest cards you can - NA322/4 was the last version of the MM cards - or at least a set that has been recently serviced. 

joe9407 posted:

I'm with Gary on this one: grab the 72/Hi/140 and enjoy! (Though you may want to consider getting them serviced, but I'd hook them up and have a listen first.) You'll also need to get 3.5+ meter lengths of NAC A5 to connect to your speakers.

...and when it comes time for streaming, you really don't have to break the bank. I've been using a $90 Topping D10 DAC lately, and it's superb.

Hi

Well my topping D10 arrived today and you were right it’ superb!  Many thanks for the top tip!!