Any Ideas ?

Posted by: Ancient Mariner on 03 July 2003

In the next few months I will be looking to buy a Naim CDX S/H or Ex dem.

But a bit later on in the year I will have another £450 to spend too. I was thinking of tweaking my amplification up a bit, but I have many options on this. My current amplifiers are NAC92/FlatCap/NAP90.3.

So here are my options.

1: Replace the NAC92 with NAC72.

2: Replace the NAP90.3 with NAP140 (my choice)

3: Replace the FlatCap with HiCap.

One important note here is this upgrade will be my last upgrade for a very very very long time. So I dont want to upgrade one part to fit in with another upgrade at a later stage. This upgrade could be a final one. By the way my speakers are Linn Helix with Kustone stands and NACA5.

As always your expert advice is very much appreciated, thankyou.

Ian Marsh

Posted on: 04 July 2003 by redeye

Ian
Can't say that a 92,FC,140 appeals. Other way around makes more sense so get yourself a 72 and when more dosh is available trade the FC for a HC.
102's can also be had for sod all money these days.

Posted on: 06 July 2003 by Ancient Mariner

Thanks

I do detect the NAC92/FlatCap is not highly rated on this forum. To me its an outstanding combination for the money, and I think it is sometimes overlooked and under-rated. I would have thought a NAP140 with a NAC92/FlatCap would have worked quite well. Maybe better with a HiCap yes, but surley it would still work well ?

Ian Marsh

Posted on: 06 July 2003 by bjorne

quote:
Originally posted by Ian Marsh:
Thanks

I do detect the NAC92/FlatCap is not highly rated on this forum. To me its an outstanding combination for the money, and I think it is sometimes overlooked and under-rated. I would have thought a NAP140 with a NAC92/FlatCap would have worked quite well. Maybe better with a HiCap yes, but surley it would still work well ?

Ian Marsh

Hi Ian, you need at least an 82 you know

. I use a Nait 3r/hicap and really like it. The Nait3 has the same preamp section as the 92 but being "Naim on a budget" people tend to overlook them. I'm sure a capped 92 is fine together with a 140. If you need more power go for the bigger poweramp. If you feel you can play loud enough with good control look either at a preamp upgrade or a hicap. The hicap is a fair improvement over the flatcap.

Posted on: 07 July 2003 by Phil Barry

I used a 62/140 very happily for several years. Since th 92 sounded virtually identical to me, and since a flatcap improves the 92, I'd say a 92/fc/140 would be a great choice.

At the same time, a I switched my 62/hi for a 72/hi after a moment of listening. I don't know the FC at all, so I don't know howa 72/FC sounds, but if you can swing a 72/hi, I think you'd be ecstatic.

Regards.

Phil

Posted on: 07 July 2003 by Rasher

If this really is for keeps, then you need a 72 or 32.5 / HiCap / 160 or 180.
The 32.5 and 160 are real underrated and underpriced bargains. You can even run the pre off the power with this combo while you get the spons for the HiCap - but you will have to get it to make it really come together.
IHMO of course.