Confused in Canada

Posted by: mykel on 08 June 2001

Can somebody straighten this out for me. In my continuing search for a reasonably priced 110 or 140 in Canada, I called Dimexs ( Cdn Distrib. )

I started to ask about recapping / conversions. I was under the impression that the 110 and 140 were closely related, and the 110 could be upgraded to 140 quite easily at moderate cost.

I was told that this is not quite true, it can be done but is expensive because....

the 90 is an (d)evolution of the 110.
and the 140 is a cut down 160.

I was under the impression that the 160 and 250 were basically the same, and the 110 and 140 were also variation on a theme with the 90 being the oddball.

Can anybody clarify ?

Thank-you

Michael

PS Still looking for a 110 / 140.

mykel

Posted on: 08 June 2001 by Mike Hanson
I'm running a 110 in my secondary system, and I used to have a 140 in my main system. There's very little difference between them, performance wise. During my move last month, I was temporarily running CDX/82/SNAPS2/110/RoydMerlins. I was quite astonished at the capabilities of this little amp. Also, whoever says that an 82 "needs" at least two Hi-Caps to sound good is a ninny.

I believe that some 110s can be upgraded to the 140 spec, but not all. By the time you finish paying for the upgrade, though, it will cost far more than a 140 would be to begin with.

If you can find a 110, just get it recapped (if necessary). You'll be quite happy with the result. If you want to get a performance upgrade, put your money into a better pre-amp or power supply. BTW, what are you planning to use for a pre-amp? Do you have a power supply for it already? What is your source?

-=> Mike Hanson <=-

Posted on: 08 June 2001 by Ron The Mon
Mykel,
Years back when I sent in my 110 for the conversion, I was told it couldn't be done by Naim regardless of price because my unit was too old. Apparently because the 110 was around for many years the inside layout changed. Older models would need to be redrilled and boards, transformer, etc. repositioned. The 140 power supply is all on one circuit board which makes it an easy and cheap update if you have a late model unit. If not just take Mike Hanson's advice and recap only, putting funds into pre-amp. BTW, the other difference between 110 and 140 is that the circuit board layout has changed(true of all Naim amps) and has better components to improve sound, so even with the 140 power supply, you won't have a "140" sonically(but close).

Ron The Mon

Posted on: 08 June 2001 by mykel
I am going to use a 72 spec 32.5.
No PS at this point in budget - next after amp.

Sources are:
Thorens 160 with Linn Basic+ arm and AT 140lc cart Terry Richardson ( Naim Rep ) has offered to re-setup my table using Linn HW
Any suggestioins for a new cartridge ? This one is about done. Dyna 10x4 ??
Cd is Linn MimikII.
Radio is *ahem* Technics - supprising involving if not overly accurate or extended.

Speakers are Kan1's on KanII stands. Any suggestions for wall stands. Linn and Sound Org are no longer available.

thanx and BTW currently running Nait 1.

mykel

Posted on: 09 June 2001 by David Dever
but typically the boards (and their age) which are the problem: older NAP 110s (as with 160s and 250s) used carbon-film resistors and non-Naim output transistors, with which a power supply update would be ultimately lost in terms of performance.

Unless you were willing to shell out for new (or refurbished older) boards with newer transistors, the update may not be cost-effective in the short run (akin to buying a used new-cosmetic NAP 140).

As always, check with your local retailer/distributor.

Hope this helps,
Dave Dever, NANA

P.S. Lines of descent for Naim power amplifiers vaguely resemble this:

110 -> 140 --> 150
160 -> 180
NAIT <-> 90
with recent circuit developments notwithstanding

Posted on: 10 June 2001 by Mike Hanson
quote:
Mike's very fond of saying this. But I'm not sure it's true. At least, not over here - maybe if it has to be sent to England that would make it so.

Actually, I think that's the first time I've posted that statement, and it's simply something I've read a bunch of times on the two Naim forums. Even Dave Dever confirmed it in a message in this thread. Of course there is so much variation in the 110, that it might be:


  • Impossible
  • Possible, but the end result is not a pukka 140
  • Possible, but too expensive (Used110+upgrade vs. Used140)
  • Possible, but about the same price or a bit cheaper

None of the messages in this thread have definitively indicated which applies in Mykel's case. I think he needs to send a message to Naim with a serial number, so that he can get the real story.

-=> Mike Hanson <=-