72/140 vs. 115/150
Posted by: maxwellspeed on 15 September 2002
I am sure this has been asked before, and i have scrolled through quite a bit of messages, but here goes. currently have 72/140. these are about 8-10 years old and have never been re-capped. have only had them 6 months, and local dealer gives 80% trade with upgrade within a year. should i go with the 115/150, brand new, or just recap the 72/140. Basically,is this an upgrade or just a horizontal move. i will be moving to either credo's or sbl's within the next 5 months also.
system: planar25/benz micro ace-cd3-72/140-tannoy saturn 6LR
components on quadraspire
max
p.s. this is my first post so i hope the heck i make some sense.
system: planar25/benz micro ace-cd3-72/140-tannoy saturn 6LR
components on quadraspire
max
p.s. this is my first post so i hope the heck i make some sense.
Posted on: 15 September 2002 by maxwellspeed
sorry for my ignorance.
max
max
Posted on: 15 September 2002 by Markus
Maxwellspeed,
A couple of things to consider, and a couple of questions.
1. Whats your budget? Do you want to minimize your out of pocket cost? Or improve the quality of sound reproduction? If minimizing costs is an objective, then recapping is a v. good option and keeping the gear for multiple years.
2. The fact that Hawthorne (I'm assuming you are buying/trading there since you are in Seattle) will give you 80% trade if you upgrade within a year is, to me, a kind of a big deal. Here's why--with the new Naim products coming out the value of the older gear will be pretty soft for a while. Indeed, a couple of years ago I had a standing offer from Bob that he'd pay me $750 for my 72 and the same for my hicap. He sells used hicaps for about $1k, recapped or not (at least did back then. He may do something different now). When the 112 came out the wholesale value of my 72 went down to like 400-450...IIRC. In a year, it'll probably be even worse, though the article proclaiming the 32.5/72 "classics" in Listener has helped to stabilize demand and value on the second hand market (my opinion). SO, long winded way of saying you should take advantage of the trade-in option while you can. Bob has done a tremendous job building the local reputation of Naim in Seattle and stabilizing the value of second hand gear. He deserves what he earns and what you pay him, however you work a deal with him. He's one of the most trusted Naim dealers IN THE WORLD (my opinion) that is why his dealership has been ranked #1 in Naim sales in the US. (don't now where it ranked last year or this year but I do know he was #1 which boggles the mind out there in the "boonies" in the Pac NW).
Wow, I'm really off on a tangent, aren't I?
Now, what was your question?
Best of luck, and ENJOY. I've used a 72 for 12 years and still marvel at what a great preamp it is... Also, a word of advice. If you want to enjoy your equipment, don't audition other gear! Just set it and forget it! Besides, those two half-width boxes you've got are true classics and heritage indicators of the subtle and sophisticated music connoisseur. did I spel that rite?
Markus
A couple of things to consider, and a couple of questions.
1. Whats your budget? Do you want to minimize your out of pocket cost? Or improve the quality of sound reproduction? If minimizing costs is an objective, then recapping is a v. good option and keeping the gear for multiple years.
2. The fact that Hawthorne (I'm assuming you are buying/trading there since you are in Seattle) will give you 80% trade if you upgrade within a year is, to me, a kind of a big deal. Here's why--with the new Naim products coming out the value of the older gear will be pretty soft for a while. Indeed, a couple of years ago I had a standing offer from Bob that he'd pay me $750 for my 72 and the same for my hicap. He sells used hicaps for about $1k, recapped or not (at least did back then. He may do something different now). When the 112 came out the wholesale value of my 72 went down to like 400-450...IIRC. In a year, it'll probably be even worse, though the article proclaiming the 32.5/72 "classics" in Listener has helped to stabilize demand and value on the second hand market (my opinion). SO, long winded way of saying you should take advantage of the trade-in option while you can. Bob has done a tremendous job building the local reputation of Naim in Seattle and stabilizing the value of second hand gear. He deserves what he earns and what you pay him, however you work a deal with him. He's one of the most trusted Naim dealers IN THE WORLD (my opinion) that is why his dealership has been ranked #1 in Naim sales in the US. (don't now where it ranked last year or this year but I do know he was #1 which boggles the mind out there in the "boonies" in the Pac NW).
Wow, I'm really off on a tangent, aren't I?
Now, what was your question?
Best of luck, and ENJOY. I've used a 72 for 12 years and still marvel at what a great preamp it is... Also, a word of advice. If you want to enjoy your equipment, don't audition other gear! Just set it and forget it! Besides, those two half-width boxes you've got are true classics and heritage indicators of the subtle and sophisticated music connoisseur. did I spel that rite?
Markus
Posted on: 15 September 2002 by Eric Barry
1) I think the economy has as much to do with used prices as any other factor.
2) It takes a bit of time for prices on private sales to fall. A couple of years ago a 72/140 was $1500 used. Now, $12-1300 is probably a stable price for a year or so. A used 112/150 is probably more like $16-1800, so the 72/140 won't drop too dramatically below that. But in a couple of years, the 5 series gear will be on the market, those prices will fall, and then a 72/140 will be $1000. But the stuff can't go too low. The price of a 32-5 has not changed in the least in the last three years--in fact in the UK it has gone up because of ebay (like LP12s). You used to be able to get one for 100 pounds. Not any more. A 32-5 for $300 is always gonna be a great value. And the 72 has to stay somewhere above that--I'd say $475-$500 is as low as it will be in the next five years.
--Eri
2) It takes a bit of time for prices on private sales to fall. A couple of years ago a 72/140 was $1500 used. Now, $12-1300 is probably a stable price for a year or so. A used 112/150 is probably more like $16-1800, so the 72/140 won't drop too dramatically below that. But in a couple of years, the 5 series gear will be on the market, those prices will fall, and then a 72/140 will be $1000. But the stuff can't go too low. The price of a 32-5 has not changed in the least in the last three years--in fact in the UK it has gone up because of ebay (like LP12s). You used to be able to get one for 100 pounds. Not any more. A 32-5 for $300 is always gonna be a great value. And the 72 has to stay somewhere above that--I'd say $475-$500 is as low as it will be in the next five years.
--Eri
Posted on: 15 September 2002 by bec143
I went thru a similar series of events last year. Bought a 92/90/FC, then added a Hicap, and then upgraded to a CD5/112/150, (all demo/used) from Hawthorne. Two bits of advice. The first is that I really preferred the sound of the 112/150 over the older equipment, even a 102 I borrowed from a friend. But that's a personal preference, and you will have to decide for yourself. I can tell you that many people came by to hear my comparisons, and everyone picked the 112/150/HC.
However, I definitely agree it's worth spending a little more to stick with Hawthorne if you are in Seattle. I have really benefited from the trade-up policy, their advice, and the piece of mind of a good dealer. Nothing beats taking the equipment home for a while and trying it out in your room, with your own tunes, and as relentlessly as you wish. You just can't do that with an online bargain, and that's worth a few hundred bucks to me for sure.
Hey all you Hawthorne folks (Connan I know you will see this!), thanks!
Bruce
However, I definitely agree it's worth spending a little more to stick with Hawthorne if you are in Seattle. I have really benefited from the trade-up policy, their advice, and the piece of mind of a good dealer. Nothing beats taking the equipment home for a while and trying it out in your room, with your own tunes, and as relentlessly as you wish. You just can't do that with an online bargain, and that's worth a few hundred bucks to me for sure.
Hey all you Hawthorne folks (Connan I know you will see this!), thanks!
Bruce
Posted on: 15 September 2002 by Steve Toy
I haven't heard the 72, so I can't comment there. However, I've heard the 102 and the 140, the 112 and 150, and have tried all possible combinations of the above.
The 102 is better than the 112, and the 140 is better than the 150.
Despite being slightly less powerful in terms of wattage, the 140 is more dynamic, direct and subjectively louder than a 150.
Regards,
Steve.
It's just a pleasure to hear music as it was intended to be heard.
The 102 is better than the 112, and the 140 is better than the 150.
Despite being slightly less powerful in terms of wattage, the 140 is more dynamic, direct and subjectively louder than a 150.
Regards,
Steve.
It's just a pleasure to hear music as it was intended to be heard.
Posted on: 16 September 2002 by maxwellspeed
thanks for all the info
Posted on: 18 September 2002 by Greg Beatty
...owned the 72/140 combo for over 3 years and haveing heard the 112/150, I would take the new stuff. Also much less fussy about supports than the old stuff.
- GregB
Insert Witty Signature Line Here
- GregB
Insert Witty Signature Line Here