72/140/old hi-cap V 202/200/old hi-cap

Welcome aboard Mark

The two amplifiers combos sonically define the old and new Naim sound. Very much a matter of personal taste. Both have their merits. 202/200 for me, by a mile.

Try removing the trampolinn and running the LP12 with no baseboard at all. Just insert the original 4 rubber feet.

The other big difference is the cost. 72/140/oldHi will be available for a lot less second hand than the relativily new 202/200 even with an old Hi CAP. I think you would be pleased with either although the first would leave you with a lot of cash for CDs and LPs.

Yours in Music

Syd

Total no-brainer, IMHO. 72/Hicap/140, then blow the change on servicing the LP12, Lingo or Geddon and Prefix + another old HiCap and some blck SNAICs. This will improve both sources massively, since the pre won't be powering phono boards. Strictly speaking, it is only once you have done this that you could make a valid comparison between the two preamps.

Fun!

Best;

Mark

I don't know what to recommend without knowing what amplifier you have now. If it is a respectable one then perhaps a Lingo and an Ekos [or Armageddon and ARO, if preferred] before upgrading the amplifier.

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Try removing the trampolinn and running the LP12 with no baseboard at all. Just insert the original 4 rubber feet.

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A word of caution, whilst I whole-heartedly agree with running an LP12 without a base board, doing so with a Valhalla equipped deck needs thinking about as the Valhalla PS carries large DC voltages plus mains (240v AC) currant.

Sorry boys,you must have picked me up wrong,at presant i have the 72/140,with an old style hi-cap.I was looking to replace this,with the 202/200,and retain the old hi-cap.
The 72/140 were both serviced less than 18 months ago.
Just would like to hear,from someone who has done this move.As i know there is a diffrence between new and the old style.
I also dont want to play about with the sondek,as i'm happy the way it is.
Mark.

"I don't want to play about with my sondek"

Yes Mark I know your happy playing around with something else.

Sean.

I suggest you find a dealer and arrange to borrow a 202/200 for as long as possible. Don't bother swapping back and forth between amps either just stick with the 202/200 until they have to be returned.

Trust your own ears.

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Originally posted by stray cat strut:
Sorry boys,you must have picked me up wrong,at presant i have the 72/140,with an old style hi-cap.I was looking to replace this,with the 202/200,and retain the old hi-cap.

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In that case I expect you would find even a 202/Stageline alone would be a worthwhile upgrade. The 202/Stageline is faster, has a better sense of pitch, sounds less bandlimited, has more natural dynamics, has a more realistic stereo image, has less subjective distortion and has a blacker [i.e. quieter] background.

I've never heard a 200, so I cannot comment on it. Having heard a 150 two or three times, my impression is that even a 150 may be better than a 140 - it certainly does some things better, which leads me to guess that a 200 would be a lot better...

However, given that you have decided not to upgrade your turntable, keeping your 140 and getting an 82 is an alternative option that might be worth exploring.

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Originally posted by stray cat strut:
I also dont want to play about with the sondek,as i'm happy the way it is.

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Are you quite sure about this?

Your sources, while excellent, are not as good as they could be. The fact that you are considering a new amp does indicate a degree of disatisfaction. If your new amp is better, it will highlight any shortcomings with greater clarity.

Best;

Mark

Well, well ,well.
Marky Boy...
and seaney boy...
.
I guess you already know the answer to this question mark.
So spend less time on this forum and
get your arse down to my place and finish my Sound room.before I get back. Ok?

Talk soon.
BillyJ

Well sorry BillyJ,you know the Stonehaven road has been hit badly with snow,if it clears we might have a trip down to see Robert.Fancy that Sean.
Every one thinks i should waste my money on the sondek,i dont spin it the same,these days.At 12 years old,i think a new amp,suits my needs best.
Mark.

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I also dont want to play about with the sondek

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Mark

Whilst it is admirable in some respects not to be a constant tweaker, you really should try the Linn without the Trampolinn base.

This was designed to help the LP12 perform better on poor supports. If your LP12 is on a decent support system, the Trampolinn will seriously degrade it's performance.

One of the joys of a good turntable is that its performance can be dramatically enhanced by messing with its physical placement and support, at little or no cost.

If you have no dedicated support system for it; one may be fabricated at minimal cost to decouple it from 'massy' furniture etc:

Oak cone feet or three speaker spikes in a bit of MDF can work wonders.

Russ Andrews can supply a set of speaker spikes and threaded inserts for about £5.00 for a set of four.

Good luck.

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Originally posted by stray cat strut:
Every one thinks i should waste my money on the sondek,i dont spin it the same,these days.At 12 years old,i think a new amp,suits my needs best.

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I think that as a 12 year old, you're very lucky to have a choice of two such magnificent sources . But seriously, if I have this right -- you don't use the LP12 as much as you used to. You are assuming that this is because it's old fashioned, whereas I suspect it's because it needs some care and attention, and is therefore impaired. Obviously if it sounded terrific, you'd use it all the time. The Asaka may well also be quite worn by now, and its rubber bits past their best. Your LP12 should better the CDX convincingly -- if it doesn't it can probably be made to do this without spending anything like what you are contemplating. Of course, this wouldn't supply the 2-week "new toy" thrill of a new amp, but what's 2 weeks in the grand scheme of things?

Try this: Pull the phono boards out of your 72, and listen to a CD. This will give you a taste of what a StageLine or Prefix could do for your CD replay ONLY. Then consider that the LP12 can improve on this -- is that really a waste?

Best;

Mark