Nait5 v 72/140 v 112/150

Posted by: silklee on 13 June 2002

Thinking of getting my first naim amplification. Obvious choice seems to be a new 112/150 or nait5. However a 72/140 is available used.

Nait5
Affordable and I can even get new spks to go with it.
Matches well in terms of looks with the CD5 which I already have.

112/150
If I get the 112/150, I would not be able to afford a new pair of spks.
Matches well in terms of looks with the CD5 which I already have.

72/140
Cheaper way to go pre power.
Can still afford to get a new pair of spks.
But it is at least 5 years old according to the seller and I believe both is at least a 10 year old model.
Does match in terms of looks with the cd5.
No remote

Any advice or comments?

Posted on: 13 June 2002 by Manu

If the lack of remote is not a problem for you, go for the 72/140 and service them when you can afford.
Ask the seller for the serial numbers, and check on this site for the manufacturing date. I you are in England call Naim, they will tell you if they have been serviced.
A Hicap will have to be in the upgrade path soon.

Emmanuel

Posted on: 13 June 2002 by Steve Toy

To keep the system in balance and not become annoyingly analytical of a relatively weak source, the Nait 5 is your best bet.

However, in absolute terms, the s/h 72/140 combo looks like your best option, but you'll soon be hankering after a CDX - and not just because it is a visual match!

The 112/150 combo doesn't really set my world alight - sounds okay after about six hours' warm-up, but it only sounds ok, imho.

Regards,

Steve.

The proof of the pudding...

Posted on: 13 June 2002 by herm

Hi SL,

if you are used to having a remote, my guess is the 72 / 140's lack thereof is prohibitive. Also, you are in Singapore, aren't you? Perhaps that makes sending stuff to Salisbury for service rather expensive. And have you trialled any of these options? I seem to recall you now have a (failry recent) valve pre/power. Why don't you first check out what the Nait 5 sounds like? A lot of people really like those Naits.

Herman

Posted on: 13 June 2002 by bec143

SL,

I just traded in my 92/90 for a 112/150. I listened at home to a 72/140 and a 112/150 compared with my 92/90 over the recent past. I have a cd5 (AKA as the "relatively weak source"

I have to say I thought that the 112/150 the best choice. I found the 92/90 exciting but harsh, I found the 72/140 exciting, and no longer harsh, but somewhat dry and analytical. The 112/150 is much lusher, and has unbelievable dynamics. I tried the 72/140 because I was looking for more bass control, but to my ears, the bass is deeper and tighter with the 112/150. So, that's my experience, for what it's worth.

Posted on: 13 June 2002 by redeye

If the CD5 was designed as part of a system with the other 5 series stuff then the 112/150 is the obvious choice?
In isolation the 72/140 may be a slightly better amp but you're building a system here are you not?
Look on the bright side...when you finally get around to binning the CD5 (?) the CDX will have had a makeover to match your amp.
Sweet!

Posted on: 13 June 2002 by airness

What's that you don't like about your speaker and thus the plan to change? IMHO, it's not advisable to change too many components at the same time. You can buy an amp of your choice, let it settle down. You will then be in a better position to decide whether you want to change your speakers. Or at least you will have a better idea of what kind of speakers to go after.

Posted on: 13 June 2002 by Lightkeeper

72/140, there is no doubt. This is much better than 112/150.
112/150 is from another story and it is the dryest and most analitical amp what I heard.

Oz

Posted on: 14 June 2002 by garth

From what Steven Toy and Mad Max have said in this posting it seems like they prefer the Nait 5 over the 112/150 combination. Am I missing something? Shouldn't a 112/150 be superior in every way to a Nait 5 (?) - excellent as I am sure it is.

Garth

Posted on: 14 June 2002 by Arthur

I would be confused now. Advice is so different per post. Good part is, you can follow the advice that suits you best...
Arthur

Posted on: 14 June 2002 by Steve Toy

quote:
From what Steven Toy and Mad Max have said in this posting it seems like they prefer the Nait 5 over the 112/150 combination. Am I missing something? Shouldn't a 112/150 be superior in every way to a Nait 5 (?) - excellent as I am sure it is.

I can't speak for Mad Max, but from my own perspective of balance re. the source component, the Nait 5 would be better. Of course, the 112/150 is better in isolation than the Nait 5, and may well be so driving certain speakers even with just a naked CD5.

Ponder on this one if you wish, but better still - GO AUDITION!

Regards,

Steve.

The proof of the pudding...

Posted on: 17 June 2002 by Markus

And I own a 72 and have used a 140, 140/hicap and 250/hicap. (Loved 'em all and the 72/hicap/140 or 250 systems are wonderful).

But the 112/150 combo pushes the state of the "bottom rungs" of the Naim ladder quite a bit futher up the performance curve.

But, one advantage of the 72/140 pair is that they come in the extremely cool, very funky and idiosyncratic looking narrow width cases...

I'd get the 112/150 combo. If possible, a home audition over a weekend is a must...

Markus