Which Source for 72/140/HC?

You've obviously given the options a lot of consideration. The bottom line will come down to budget.  Assuming you are happy with the Linn Kans (and why not? Great fun speakers. I currently use Kans in my office) then I'd be tempted to say stick with the NAP140, assuming it's in good health and serviced within the last 10 years.  The Kans and the NAP140 work well together.

A couple of options not listed;

DAC-V1 partnered to NAP140 - you seem happy with the MAC Mini so if you have no analogue sources then you could add the DAC-V1 and just bypass the NAC72/Hicap altogether.  

NAC-N272.  Expensive, yes, but you should try it and see...

Then get yourself to a dealer where you can discuss all the options and then audition the shortlist.  Best of luck with it all.

Thank You Richard!

Nac-n272 is Out of Budget. nac-n172 maybe.

Yesterday I heard again DAC V1/100 and this little combo sounds huge to me, great VFM. If this was available 6 years ago, instead of Nait XS, I would have bought DAC V1/100 and easy to drive speakers, and enjoyed music much more than I have.

I think DAC V1 / 140 should be a fine system in that money.

Of course more money, then 172 should be great, but then no USB input like DAC V1

Add an ND5 XS into the mix...

I've heard one used as a front end to a 72/HiCap + 140; the combination worked really well.

I believe this is likely to be better than the 172 in most setups.  The 272 is going to be substantially better again, albeit at significantly increased cost.

Given that you have Mac Mini and  Audirvana, adding a Hugo DAC and a USB/SPDIF isolator/convertor  is an obvious solution: Ifound it better sound quality than ND5XS even with XP5XS, at less cost. Others have found the same, and even said better than NDX. For best SQ don't use the lagacy iTunes option in Audirvana, and do use the optimised (extreme) mode recommended in the Aud manual. I use the Gustard U12 isolator/convertor, which is good despite being inexpensive. Hugo TT may be better still and not need the isolator/convertor but at greater cost (I can't comment directly as not heard)

Thank you Guys 

My NAP 140 was 2007 Serviced by Naim Service Partner in Germany. Mac mini -over UBS DAC v1 - NAP 140 with audirvana plus Software its adäquat Sound Quality nd5xs - 72/140/HC?

i would Upgrade. I miss Remote Control by nac72. With DAC-v1 i would have to use Remote Control. 

if the quality Mac mini + DAC v1 would be as good as cd3.5 that would be optimal.

What do you think about that?

Like many has pointed out, 72/hicap/140 is a classic. So musical and synergetic. I have had many black amps from nait 2, 5i to 202-200. But now have setled on another classic like your setup; 12-hicap-160. I would keep yours. I have also had many  sources from cdx2 to Ndx to ndac. Found the best sound/money was with audirvana (as you already have, excelent sound, remote-app, and integration of both tidal and streaming), good USB/spdf interface to Ndac-xps (latest software). Get a ndac for 1000 € and a good interface (for me, better than Ndx), and maybe also look into vinyl as your amp has an excelent sounding RIAA. Perhaps rega rp6 or an older lp12. 

Fred

72/140/HC/Linn kan is very good and Musical System. NDac is very good to. What is with Remote Control? Volume Control over audirvana is't good. 

The remote over audirvana is very good. For volume you should use your 72, but for control over music library, switching between tidal or storage, making playlists etc its excelent.

f

Novichok-1977 posted:

hi from Germany. I have in small Room 3x4m Naim 72/140/HC/Cd3.5/Linn kan + Linn Stands mk2.

i have Mac mini & audioengine d1 DAC. Its very good System. I Need best Source. I have audirvana plus Tidal hi-Fi abo.

......

You say Source First. My question ist Which is the best for me?

thanks you Guys. 

I'm quite amazed no one has warned against your speakers, they are very good on top class turntable only.

can be a pain with most digital replay, so better look to change these too, someone over on PFM recommend Kralk Black Cats over Kan's, same size and placement

I have a LP12 and ndac-xps-teddyusb/spdf into 12-hicap-160 into Sbl. The digital end can sometimes be warmer and fuller than my armageddon, adikt, akito lp12. I also had the nait2- Sbl with these sources and experience it as just as good as vinyl into the the nait 2. I would imagine a cdx2 for instance would sound more unnatural in setups like these but some dacs can be really natural into older stuff and Kan-like speakers. Especially 96-24 files. Just my experience putting really good new into old stuff. Others might have different experiences of course.

fred

A Linn Numerik perhaps

I have no Problems with digital Source Play-back. My DAC is audioengine d1. Play very well with Linn kan. I think it is no Problem Linn kan and digital Source as nDac to drive  

Yet another question. Has nap140 enough power for Naim Allae speakers? 

Hi again. I have had Allaes with Nait 2 to nait 5i. Worked excelent. Quite easy to drive. Great speaker with great bass. 140 should be enough.

F

would it make sense to make nac 72 to exchange them for nac 102 ? I had REmote Control. 

Its a big SQ diference between 72 and 102?