Nait 1

Posted by: Gurbinder on 17 September 2016

Looking to buy a 1986 Nait 1, just wanted to know if this will drive my PMC Twenty.21s.

Thanks in advance.

Posted on: 19 September 2016 by james n
Hungryhalibut posted:
Things used to be so simple. 

Yep. I do wonder sometimes what my 18yr old Linn / Naim vinyl nut self would make of my system today. Same music, same enjoyment just older ears !

Posted on: 20 September 2016 by Foot tapper

20+ year old NAP140 still doing sterling service with a DAC-V1 and PMC DB1i speakers over here, currently playing Paul Simon's Stranger To Stranger album. The NAP140 is wonderful in a vinyl system and none too shabby in a streaming system either!  

And it's absolutely lovely with a decent, serviced 42.5/32.5/72 (I never heard a 62).  As HH says, no need for an external phono stage either.

Best regards, FT

Posted on: 20 September 2016 by Gurbinder

32.5 bought this morning

Posted on: 20 September 2016 by Foot tapper

Congratulations Gurbinder!

It would be worth checking to know when it was last serviced.  
My 32.5 was serviced after about 16 years and Naim's Service Dept described it as, "about to fall over."

Now all you need is that 110/140/160.  A well known UK Naim dealer has a recently serviced NAP110 in stock, though the price is not exactly low.

Happy hunting!  FT

Posted on: 20 September 2016 by Gurbinder
Foot tapper posted:

Congratulations Gurbinder!

It would be worth checking to know when it was last serviced.  
My 32.5 was serviced after about 16 years and Naim's Service Dept described it as, "about to fall over."

Now all you need is that 110/140/160.  A well known UK Naim dealer has a recently serviced NAP110 in stock, though the price is not exactly low.

Happy hunting!  FT

would it be wrong for you to say who!!!!! Lol

Posted on: 20 September 2016 by Richard Dane

Yes it would - please be mindful of forum rules.  Thanks.

Posted on: 20 September 2016 by Gurbinder

Costly is this worth it? Or do I hold out for a 140

Posted on: 20 September 2016 by jon h

Richard, am I right in remembering that JV owned (or had a hand) in the plastics moulding company that made the knobs? Memory (from years ago, so...) tells me that it was a small group of ladies in NW london or thereabouts? I think he gave them the company when he was ill?

(This is from over 2 decades ago, so it could all be a figment of my ristretto coffee....)

Posted on: 20 September 2016 by Richard Dane

Jon, yes, although I'm not sure of the extent of what they made, or of Julian's involvement - I do recall being told that they made the Olive series buttons, so JV felt rather obliged to stick with them.  I must ask Paul to clarify the story sometime - he should know the story here better than I do.

Posted on: 20 September 2016 by james n
Gurbinder posted:

Costly is this worth it? Or do I hold out for a 140

Both good - if you can find a recently serviced 110 then i'd take that over an un serviced 140. Check who has done the servicing (Naim or naim approved such as Class A) and you'll have a very sweet system. 

Posted on: 20 September 2016 by hungryhalibut
Gurbinder posted:

Costly is this worth it? Or do I hold out for a 140

I wouldn't pay £545 for a 110, and it's not clear if it's serviced. With the twenty.21 speakers, I'd look for a 140 or (better) a 180. You can find serviced 180s for £500. 

Posted on: 20 September 2016 by james n

The 110 and 140 are pretty close in capability hence my recommendation if that's all what's available. 140 is a bit sweeter but both fun amps (basically the same apart from output transistors and differences in the power supply section). The PMC's like a bit of power so if a 180 (as HH recommends) can be found then that would be a good choice too. 

Posted on: 20 September 2016 by Gurbinder

Is a 110 capable of doing the job?, I will also get a hicap.

Posted on: 20 September 2016 by Foot tapper

The price that HH indicates does appear a little eye-wateringly high for a NAP110, even a recently serviced one.

If you are definitely going to power your 32.5 from a hicap, then either a NAP140 (if short on space or budget) or go for it and get a chrome bumper NAP250 for that absolute classic Naim sound.  The NAP180 sits somewhere in between.  Any of these should drive the PMCs with ease.  In our family, we use a DAC-V1/140 to drive PMC DB1i and another system features a 72/hicap/140 driving PMC TB2i.

Best regards, FT

Posted on: 20 September 2016 by hungryhalibut

The 110 is lovely, but I'd get a 140, 180 or 250. Or even a 160 if you can find one. Just make sure it's been serviced. 

Posted on: 20 September 2016 by Gurbinder

Just called to discuss 110 and it has just sold

Posted on: 20 September 2016 by hungryhalibut

If you can afford £950 there is a fully serviced chrome 250 with a brand new fascia available that looks brilliant. That would be my choice. It's at a Naim dealer.

Posted on: 20 September 2016 by charlesphoto

FWIW my rebuilt 110 (recapped etc though it no longer can power a pre) ran my Ls50's just fine, though really shines with my new Rega Rx3's. It won't take you to stadium rock levels, but for most other music very fine. In fact my Naim dealer, after listening to it and my enquiry about moving to a new 100, said don't bother. With the Rega's, for loud listening, my Dac V1 runs at about 45-52 on the volume scale. Can get a bit strident depending on the music above that. For late night it is more in the 25-35 range. 

Posted on: 20 September 2016 by charlesphoto

And oh, I added an $89 Ice Age Audio copper/copper power cable to mine (after reading the rave review of it here by Jan) and it stepped it up a level for sure. Something to consider....

Posted on: 20 September 2016 by Adam Zielinski

About to put into action an Olive 72 / HiCap / 250 - first off for some needed service. It will be driving a pair of Quad ESL63s...

Posted on: 20 September 2016 by Richard Dane

Adam, when it's at Naim for a service you could ask for the NAP250 to have the "Quad Mod" done - this limits the current to better preserve speakers and amp.  Note that if your ESL63s are early and still have the original crowbar protection then this should be updated by Quad otherwise they could kill the 250.

Posted on: 20 September 2016 by Adam Zielinski

Richard - thank you! Much appreciated.
As I understood, the Quads have been updated and modified in 2011 by their previous owner to safely work with NAIM amps. In fact the 250 I have now taken on, has been used with those exact speakers and 7 meter runs of NACA5.

Posted on: 20 September 2016 by Richard Dane

Adam, when you have the 250 serviced mention that you are using it with Quads - that way any "Quad Mod" that may already exist will remain, and if none, then a good idea to get it done.

Posted on: 21 September 2016 by Gurbinder

Can't push to a Nap250 just yet and struggling to find a 110/140. 

Hold out for above or how would a Nap 90 be?

Posted on: 21 September 2016 by Richard Dane

I'd hold out for a NAP110.  Be patient.  Plenty about, you just need to wait and keep your eyes open.