Oh no, not another upgrade question...

Posted by: UncleJohn'sBanned on 11 March 2017

I know, it must be tedious, but I feel that I've reached a bit of a crossroads and need some help, so here goes:

What I've got:

LP12/Ittok/Ortofon 2M Blue. As basic an LP12 as could be.

CD3.5

NAC102/NAPSC/HiCap/NAP160

ATC SCM19s (old style)

I've just recently got the NAPSC and was very surprised at the improvement - it got my juices flowing unfortunately, but I don't know where to go next. You will notice that all my gear is olive, apart from the 160, so I've always longed for a 250, just so it all matches, and also because of a lingering wonder that my speakers may well benefit from a bit of extra power. Just this week I was able to listen to a 250 at a dealers and compared it with my 160. It did seem a bit smoother, but it wasn't on my system in my house and I wasn't able to borrow it to bring home. 

My thoughts:

Buy a serviced 250 (the 160 was last serviced about 12 years ago, so that does focus my mind somewhat).

Buy a serviced NAC200 - a recent thought. I know it wouldn't be olive, but it's newer, and cheaper than a 250.

Buy a NAC82.

Get some different speakers that don't need so much power.

Buy a CDX

I can just about stretch to doing just one of the above right now, though at some stage I'd like to do most or all of them. 

Please will you let me have your opinions on the relative merits of the above, and any other ideas too (poss. add a flatcap to the CD,)

Many, many thanks

Posted on: 11 March 2017 by GraemeH

Pots 8 82 is my thought. Then a nicely serviced 250 when funds allow.

G

Posted on: 11 March 2017 by analogmusic

you do need to service the NAP 160, as it might fail and take out your speakers.

 

It is a legendary power amp, so maybe I would go for a serviced pots 8, NAC 82.(but only after servicing the NAP 160)

Posted on: 11 March 2017 by Marksnaim

What Analogumusic said. An 82 will get so much more out of a (serviced) 160.