hi guys:
all my amplification electronics are at naim for a thorough service prior to the active installation, hopefully soon.
in the meantime i have borrowed a pre/power to keep me entertained -- grahams could only spare 42.5/140.
when i rigged this up on tuesday -- the sound was so inferior to my usual set up that i seriously felt i should simply return the equipment and do without while i wait. however, the sound is a little more in focus, but still quite an effort to relax into. each time i push the volume up, to hear a particular fav track, i have to rush to reduce it when that trach is finished. i rarely do this with my normal set up.
now if i was really clever, i would be able to explain the deficiency in terms of reduced tunefullness, darkness, fast/slow, etc... all i can say is that the emotion that i am used to in substantially reduced, and the illusion is less believable. i suspect the 42.5 is the weak link. i am sure the 140 is OK.
so there is actually a very good reason why i upgraded after all. and here's me thinking this was just to feed my habit ...
enjoy...
ken
Posted on: 02 February 2001 by Mike Hanson
When I briefly had a 42.5/110 in my office, I found it to be pinched and severe. The 32.5 was much better, which is what I have now.
However, before getting the 32.5, I tried my Hi-Cap from home. I can assure you that the difference was remarkable. Naim's external power supplies really do make a difference!
Even though I decided to upgrade to a 32.5, I knew that an outboard PS was a necessity, which is why I'm now running 32.5/SNAPS2/110. This combo is quite satisfying as a secondary system, and I could probably live with it as a main system, if cash were tight.
-=> Mike Hanson <=-
Posted on: 02 February 2001 by Eric Barry
A snaps at least (or hicap) will make all the difference--make it less harsh, more full, more flowing, etc. etc.
--Eric
Posted on: 02 February 2001 by Tony L
quote:
in the meantime i have borrowed a pre/power to keep me entertained -- grahams could only spare 42.5/140.
Almost the amp that got me into Naim about 16 years ago! I first heard a 42/110, and it blew me away, the first amp I had ever heard that made the bass guitar sound like it was being played by a bass player.
The combo you have is probably desperately in need of recapping, and almost certainly sounds very warm, vague, and woolly compared with how it used to, let alone compared to your current kit.
The 32.5 is as Mike says miles better, and when recapped, Hicap'd, 72'd and plonked on a quality stand away from any PSUs, is capable of a far better sound than you could believe for anywhere near the price.
God that 42/110 takes me back…
Tony.
Posted on: 02 February 2001 by BrianD
quote:
God that 42/110 takes me back…
.....to 1985, my first Naim amplifier. LP12/RB300/P77, 42.5/110, Kans. 
Great! But as you say, nowhere near as good as a 32.5 which I currently use too.
Brian
Posted on: 09 February 2001 by ken c
hi guys:
its gotten a little better, so i suspect part of the problem may simply be that the units needed to warm up. also, i guess if you get your ears used to power supply sound -- its hard to do without -- ss a hicap would definitely have helped.
whenever my nephew visits, we ensure we have at least one well into the wee hours listening session. this time around, we both got bored very quickly.
i also think the sbl's may be too revealing for the 42.5?? if i have time, i might plug in my Kan I's instead and see what happens.
my first system was 32/snaps/250/Kan's -- so i guess i have always had some power supply to whatever preamp.
interesting experience nevertheless...
enjoy...
ken
Posted on: 03 March 2001 by ken c
hi, to all those who have been following this thread.
my equipment is still at naim, which is the reason why i am paying a bit more attention to my Kan system. you will recall i was very unhappy with 42.5/140 driving sbl's. i think this is a serious mismatch -- and perhaps illustrates the hierarchy principle, dunno...
however, i moved the 42.5/140 to drive the Kan's. things were better to be sure, especially after chaging the supports from sound org to QS. however, today, i exchanged the loan 42.5 for a (loan) 72 -- and... what can i say??
i have owned the 72 before, it was a real pleasure revisting old times, and being reminded just how good the Linn Kan speakers are!! i suppose this will keep me occupied till my main system comes back. only trouble is that the Kan system competes with TV, etc.. and the two women in my life (my daughter and my wife) have the final say here...
very good therapy this is...
enjoy...
ken
