Sound Different? - nait5/flatcap2 versus nac112/nap150

The flatcap will give the Nait more control over the speakers, however the is no substitute for a bigger power-amp and better pre-amp.


Regards

NB

Wayne, why don't you do what I did and look around for ex-demo bargains now that the new 'classic' range is coming into the dealers? The last 102/180 is vastly superior in many peoples' opinions to the 112/150, apart from being more powerful, and you might find a steal somewhere. it's a really musical amp - I am in heaven with ours. Go for a real dream - it's worth seriously stretching your budget - and you will be happy for years to come!
go for it!
all the best
Kingsley

Wayne -

There seems to be some debate about whether, in your settup, a HiCap on the Nait might be a better move than FC2. In either case, the external supply will free the Nait's supply from having to power the preamp section and this opens things up considerably. The HiCap also "paves the way" for later upgrades and has the new look if you buy new.

- GregB

Insert Witty Signature Line Here

Hi kingsley,

i would love to own the old classic but apparently the naim market is small over here & to find them in 2nd hand is even worse.

btw i was confused by the old model no... can you give me a rough guide on the old range.

* i only know the 52/50 is the highest model for the pre/power.

Hi GreyB,

i would love the hicap... but would like to take things at a time.. haha.. my utimate/dream setup would be a mere

cd5/flatcap2/112/150/rega ela

& if i strike a lottery....

cds3/Scap/252/Scap/250/SL2....

hahahaa wish me luck fellow naims!!!!

Wayne

There's some Naims on sale in Singnet classifieds. I saw a CDX/82/180 recently.

Also, check with ABsolute Sound. I was told that there would quite a number of used classic Naims on sale when the owners upgrade to the new ones.

FC2 will open up the soundstage, giving more seperation between events within the performance.
Really quite impressive if you've lived with just the 5 for a time. Not so sure what it does for control on the lower end, as I had no complaints in that area to begin with. All in all it makes a very balanced system and balance is a valuable quality for a system to have.
There's a big difference between the nait5/112/150 in low end control and extension. The combination does everything the nait does, but with bass and space.
Somedays I felt the CD5/FC2/Nait5 combination got a greater percentage of music "right" than the 112/150. The nait wasn't trying to do as much, as I said, balance is important.

Unless you want more spl headroom, a s/h or ex-dem CDX would be a better idea provided that you've got decent equipment supports.

Regards,

Steve.

It's just a pleasure to hear music as it was intended to be heard.

wayne, for what you are seeking, do the 112/150. the flatcap will tidy up the sound, but to grip those drive units, nothing bests more juice.

older models from naim, higher in the heirarchy, may have more detail, but are muddier and grainier. if you chose this brand to make sense of any music, stick to the new.

vik

Vik - Not in my experience.

I got absurdly good buys on an 82 and a 250.

Very close to retail for a 112/150.

Granted, I skipped all the in-betweens, but there's no mud or grain and I stole them for the price. The entry level series 5 are excellent.

The used gear flying about represents a much better vfm.

At the risk of hijacking this thread, if one wants to plonk down the cash for upper end used, it is much better than the 112/150. Been there, done that.

huh?! 2 school!?

im completely lost now.

Wayne