Several days ago I asked Omer what does he think about the 180 vs 140. He said that every Naim amp has its own character - so a 180 is not just more powerful than a 140 - and the question is if a person likes the difference or not.
I recalled his words when I visited this evening a friend of mine who owns a cd3, flat/90/92 credos
and he bought nat03. I took his old ARCAM tuner to check if it is better than my NAD tuner.
His system sounds great, but I thought at his home and I'm sure now when I'm listening at my home that the two systems (his and mine) have a different sound. Not like I used to think abouth Naim character, my system (cdi, flat/72/140, ibl)
has a different approach compare to his and it striked me this evening.
Reading another post here dealing with the 102 vs 72 - some answers seem to approve that the 102 is not only a better pre than the 72 (for those who think so) but it has another approach - although members put it in another words like more deatails vs less or more musicality - I think that the main idea is that a 102 differs than a 72
like the two are not made by the same people.
What do you think ?
Arie
BTW - the arcam is a better tuner than the nad.
Posted on: 11 January 2001 by Andrew Randle
Arie,
Yep I agree there. I did a direct comparison with a 72/Hi-CAP/250 v 82/Hi-CAP/250.
What I heard was that the 82 was clearer, more detailed and lighter. The 72 was darker, more atmospheric and had more groove. I preferred the 72 and will probably stick with it until I get around to the 52... if I don't prefer the 72 
Andrew
Andrew Randle
2B || !2B;
4 ^ = ?;
Posted on: 12 January 2001 by Bas V
Arie, I seem to recall you have had a Nait3 before. Didn't you experience the same difference when you switched from this to the 72/140? I know the Nait3 and my 92+90/3 have the same sound-character and I am really in doubt whether or not I should switch to a 72. I have a CDI also, so I'm really curious what the change is you hear between the Nait and the 72/140!
Regards, Bas
Posted on: 12 January 2001 by Arye_Gur
Bas,
First, in another thread you said that the higher power amp the more volume you can set - I want to say that I agree with you only I think in small rooms even the Nait3 has eanough power and the benefit for a higher power amp is in sound quality
and not for power.
I wanted to clarify this.
I have difficulties to explain changes in systems with words like more bass (almost more of you...)
sweeter highs, liquid mid etc. When somone says this, I realy don't know what does he mean.
I heared at my friend's system some jezz and guitar discs. Both, piano and guitar has a different character at his system compare to mine.
It is like the piano at his house is not the same as if it would be played at my house.
After explaning my difficulties, I can assure you one thing. In terms of pleasure recieved by listening to music, the flat/72/140 gives much much much more pleasure than the flat/nait3.
You will be very happy if you have a 72/140 instead of your present system.
Arie
Posted on: 12 January 2001 by Bas V
Hi Arie,
I have heard the difference is especially in the treble. Right now, when I listen to my system and I hear a cymbal, it really sounds like a cymbal: metallic. A friend of mine, who is a drummer always says it's terrific, he doesn't hear that on his system. When I heard the 72, it wasn't the case, but I must admit, the 72 was on for about 5 minutes. I know my system takes about a week to warm up properly, so.... What's the treble of the 72 like, please try!
Regards, bas
Posted on: 12 January 2001 by Arye_Gur
Bas,
Come to my home in Haifa and listen for yourself....
I'm sure that the 72/140 is better than the 92/90
in any aspect you can think of.
The 72/140 is far better in the low's and this may lead you to a faulse feeling that its treble is worse than the 92/90.
I don't know what is your system but I have no doubt that at my house, a CDI, LP12, flatcap/72/140, ibl's are much better than
the same with a Nait3 instead of the 72/140.
The 92/90 have the same character like the Nait3.
Anyway, give me some examples of CD's you want me to listen to and I'll try to tell you what I hear although I think is a kind of mission impossible...
Arie
Posted on: 12 January 2001 by Bas V
I agree with you Arie, that's not to be done. I can buy a 72 and a 140 for good prices, BUT without listening. So, I'll just have to think if I will gamble or not.
Thanks anyway,
Regards, Bas
