I have recently auditioned a NAP 160 and a NAP110 back to back. Both had been serviced in the last 3 years. The 160 is bolted case and the 110 is in a sleeve. The 110 was more "in your face" and the 160 smoother. For a given preamp setting the 110 was louder and seemed to go as loud or louder than the more powerful 160.Is this right, or does the 160 have a problem? I play mainly CDs on a CD3. Which should I go for. They are about the same price.
Posted on: 23 July 2002 by i am simon 2
A bolted case 160 is going to be very old.
I have the extruded (sleve) cased one, and when I bought it, I auditioned it against a 140 (which i belive replaced the 110),(about 8 years old).
You are right, the 160 is smoother, but I dont think it lacks any of the detail of the other amps, as for power, the 160 should be louder than the 110.
You say they have both been serviced in the last three years, do you know to what degree?
Naim will be able to help you if you give them the serial numbers.
IMHO you should go for the one you prefer the sound of, but I would try and find a newer 160 to compare this bolted case one to.
Remember a 160 will give you more choices in terms of speakers, and it is supposedly a 250 with a scaled down power supply which in theory makes it a fantastic amp (I love mine to bits)
What pre do you have, most forum members will suggest that this is where the money should go, although in terms of second hand Naim, good pre amps are not expensive, but power amps seem to cost more.
I know Naim kit is meant to last almost forever provided that it is serviced, but the 160 is going to be over twenty years old. So i would take this into account.
How much are you looking at paying, if it is not rude to ask?
Simon
