preamp for 140
Posted by: Andreas Nystroem on 22 March 2003
After a break from Naim equipment I found a nice used Nap140 for reasonable money (£280)and decided to go for it. I do have a nac12II left over from my earlier Naim escapades but i'm thinking that won't really do. So what should I get? I could probably get a 72 for around £330 but would it be smarter to save up for a nice 102 instead? I've seen one recently for about £515. My only source for now is a Maplenoll TT with a Linn K9 pup.
Appreciate any advice.
/Andreas
Posted on: 22 March 2003 by BigH47
72 works fine. I have a Hi-cap as well but it seems very well balanced duo. Can't comment about 102. I'm sure the 12 will work OK as a temp measure(won't take a Hi-cap though).
Howard
Posted on: 22 March 2003 by Mat Bon 0013
A NAC72 will be the best companion for the NAP 140, an addition of a HiCap will work tremendously. Personally have been discouraged to go the 72 to 102 way, NO way.....!
140 will work with the 12 but, will not be as good as a say 42 or 62 IMO. The 72 will do good justice.....Mat
Posted on: 22 March 2003 by ClaudeP
Personally I use a Hicap/102 front line and I find they make wonders - never heard a 72/140 so I cannot say what the difefrence is.
If you search the Forum, you should find countless messages on the subject - but I seriously doubt you will find a clear-cut answer there as the 72 vs 102 rage has been going for a while now...
My two cents? Front end first: the 102 might be a better choice for future upgrades.
Posted on: 23 March 2003 by NB
Andreas,
Go and find a 72/HI. The 72/hi/140 was a fine combination.
Regards
NB
Posted on: 23 March 2003 by Peter C
The 72 is like the 140, i.e. the same size box, they both fit neatly on one hifi shelf side by side. The 102 in comparison is the full naim box width, like an 82.
The 72 was designed for use with the 140, whereas the 102 is an updated version to full size box and remote control.
A friend who had a 102/140 find it less enjoyable to listen to than my 72/140. He found the 102 sounded edgier than a 72.
The addition the power supply for the 102 was important, whereas the hicap finally gave a taste of what the 102 could do.
Both 102/hicap and 72/hicap into a 140 work well. The hicap reveals just how good these preamps are.
Which is better? too close to call with a hicap in place.
Posted on: 23 March 2003 by Andreas Nystroem
Thank you all for your replies. It seems the popular vote is for the 72. I have read that Naim poweramps should be used only with Naim preamps but being a brave soul i'll try something else aswell. Well we'll se where I end up.
Posted on: 23 March 2003 by Mr Underhill
Andreas,
If you do try other pre-amps on the 140 remember that Naim do some bandwidth limiting on their pre-amps.
That said I have used a couple of surround processors to feed Naim poweramps with no problems; and they sounded fine. However, when I fitted an AV2 they REALLY sang.
I'll be interested in your experiments - my experience is that Naim amps sing together in a way that mix and match fails to equal.
