New for Old?

I fondly remember listening to lp12 42.5 and 250cb .... it sounded really good with Sara speakers... I would buy a cb250 serviced and improve the source..... or you could bite the bullet and go for a 272 and 250dr.... and get into flac and streamed music....

I could happily live with your system Old Cove. It's a classic.

If it were me it would be Urika (as your Rad will power it), 72/250. Remember the 250 is not for extra volume, just a little wake up to your Kans.

Or just get a nice rack and live happily with what you have. Another source first fan here.

Good luck.

Stu

Old Cove posted:

Struth!.........more suggestions to consider.........thanks all.

I have to plead ignorance of 52/72's but doubtless the Forum contains useful info. Amps of that era passed me by because of  other priorities at the time and being happy with my existing kit. Another factor was that my local dealer, Audio Venue, from whom I received good service closed down.

Point taken about the Urika and I like the fact it gets rid of another box/boxes. My existing phono worked well with my previous cartridge, a Benz Wood, and seems to be doing OK with the Kandid but I haven't yet compared it to anything else.

Seems like I have a bit more auditioning to do than I originally bargained for.  

In brief, the 62 & 72 were a step up, IMO from the 42 or 42.5 (the 42.5 permitted HiCap connection) all are excellent pre-amps which have their following, its a personal thing. However production was somewhat less consistent than it is now some certainly seem to punch above their weight -  perhaps any irregularities for ones that diddnt, may have been worked out when serviced.

The 82 & 52 were more expensive 19" width & the 52 a two box top of the range job, both deliver excellent performance & all are still desirable.

If you're going down the S/H route then a 72 or 82 could be an option whilst a 52 is more, I would factor in a service.

NFG posted:

Thank you for your positive comment, I originally used a 42/110 combo from about 1987-90 ish for quite a while so know the 202/200 would be quite a good improvement, although the OP states they have a small room, however Kans do benefit from a fairly good amp to drive them.

No problem. Now it's up to the OP to sort things out since there are many options with Naim, both old and new tossed in.

ryder. posted:

NFG posted:

Hi & welcome to the forum

Thats a rather nice turntable you have there, well done. I was in a similar situation with a 62/110 although my 110 was upgraded to a 140 by Naim some years ago.

So, I too have Mk1Kans & recently changed to a NAP200 to me this seemed like a big step up, the 200 controls the Kans really well, I then found an ex demo 202 at a good price, so I went for it. The improvement is quite remarkable & the only downside having to buy a stageline for the phono stage from my LP12 in addition as this is now separate and connects to a powered input for the satgeline Aux2. Anyway, the demo went well & once set up at home we were well pleased when my wife confirmed 'this sounds really good ' amongst other praises - which it did, I knew I'd done the right thing. That was a few weeks ago & Im still itching to play stuff on it.

I think some sort of furniture wold be a good idea, the Fraims are a bit OTT price wise but HiFi Racks & Quadraspire seem to be well recomended so thats probably my next step.

I think this post relates to the OP pretty well since the speakers are the same (Mk1 Kans) and amp wise, almost the same too (62/110). The 202/200 gets neglected a lot. Although the 282/250 is somewhat superior giving a more dynamic and bolder sound, the 202/200 is pretty balanced albeit sounding flatter(more neutral?). There are few who actually prefer the presentation of the 202/200 over 282/250 which is often accused as being too spotlit. If budget is an issue, the 202/200/HCDR/NAPSC is worth considering.

Indeed, my introduction to Naim was with 202/200 in the showroom, and it was the most musical amplifier I ever heard  ever.

I don't know why it gets neglected on this forum, as it times superbly and it able to extract emotions from the music.

I could easily live it if it were my only amp.

analogmusic posted:

Indeed, my introduction to Naim was with 202/200 in the showroom, and it was the most musical amplifier I ever heard  ever.

I don't know why it gets neglected on this forum, as it times superbly and it able to extract emotions from the music.

I could easily live it if it were my only amp.

Yes, I lived with the 202/200 for 7 years and I still have it although I upgraded to the 282/250. The pace and timing of the 202/200 are the strengths that got me into Naim. The 202/200 are nice amps when matched right. 

Been away for a few days so thanks for further input received meanwhile.

Somehow I don't think I'll be biting the flac/streaming bullet as I've gone too far down the vinyl road. However, if I was just starting out on my hi-fi journey I might well do so.

Have considered a 250 but thought a 200 would be adequate. But a 2nd hand 250 might turn up at an attractive price. Agreed you have to factor in a service when buying 2nd hand.

Comments re 52's 202's etc etc noted.

In the meantime, what's it like if you swap your two Hicaps around?

Late to the party, but I think you'd be mad to change your Naim amplification.

Read the Porsche analogy post every time you are temped by the blown away / night and day merchants. 

A lot of posts on here are merely self justification of the posters decisions rather than actually containing much wisdom. 

.sjb

My first Naim amplifier, which I bought in 1983, was a 42, snaps and 110. I used this with an LP12, Ittok and Asak, and a pair of Mk 1 Kans. the first change I made was to a 250, on the recommendation of my dealer. It totally transformed the Kans. even though you can only play them at modest levels, I think the 250 would make listening at all volumes more engaging and enjoyable. A fully serviced one can be had for under £1,000 and I'd take it in preference to a 200 any day. A 72 would be nice, but isn't chrome, so I'd stick with the 42.5. I can't help with the LP12 as I'm of touch with latest developments, though I wonder if the phono stage you are using is actually better than the 42's internal boards, which I always found most satisfactory. I hope that helps. 

I might or might not be mad to change my existing set-up. I'm simply curious as to how the latest amps compare to the CB's and was seeking opinion prior to auditioning. Were I to be in any way unconvinced I'd be quite happy to stick with what I've got. As things stand it is giving me more pleasure than any previous configuration. There are elements of "never heard that before" and tracks I might have skipped in the past are now played. It seems to compel me to listen.

The people from whom I bought the Hi-Cap DR also suggested switching the Hi-Caps around. Since getting the CB's serviced, I've been making improvements to the LP12 and wanted to keep things the same in an attempt to judge the various changes. The Kandid for example has only just been run-in. Now that everything has now been burnt-in ( I note a recent post on this topic)/ run-in, it could be worth experimenting. However, I'm currently too occupied listening to my LP's.

Hungryhalibut's first kit was very similar to mine. I had the 42 converted to a 42.5 by Salisbury to allow the arrival of the Hi-Cap. I also has an Ittok for a long time and an Asaka . I probably kept the latter too long judging by it's condition under a microscope. I've seen plenty of 250/250-2's for sale so this could be worth investigating depending on how things turn out. I think my LP12 is pretty well up to snuff except I don't use a baseboard.If I decided on a Urika then a Tramp would have to be fitted. I still have the 42.5 boards so perhaps another experiment in due course. 

My understanding is that the Urika comes with its own special Tramp 2 baseboard included in the price. Worth checking.

Stu

Your understanding is correct. However, if things stay as they are I'm not too sure a Tramp. on it's own would give significant improvements. Back in the day it was the received wisdom that the original hardboard base cover, to quote my then dealer "flapped about a bit". Thus my LP12 remains without cover at the base.    

But can you have the stiff metal baseboard housing the Urika, and non Tramp feet?

Sorry, I don't really know. The current Tramps come with either suspended or solid feet. The latter are used on entry models. Both can be fitted to any LP12. There may be 3rd Party versions of which I'm unaware. Perhaps a question for the "Scottish Forum"?

Must dash..........its music time!

Ok. All I was thinking was that if you have an Audiotech support you probably don't want suspended feet.

Ol Cove:

Honestly, at 70 years old, it's unlikey that your hearing will be able to detect the real but subtle differences between amplifiers.  Have you had your hearing tested?  I'd be surprised if you can hear anything above about 5-6kHz.  Be sure to arrange a home demo of any equipment you're considering buying to make sure you can hear any improvement in SQ.

Christopher M:   I now see your point. The Audiotech table sits on a carpeted concrete floor. I'd have to check what bearing this would have on the type of feet on a Tramp. 

sktn77a posted:

Ol Cove:

Honestly, at 70 years old, it's unlikey that your hearing will be able to detect the real but subtle differences between amplifiers.  Have you had your hearing tested?  I'd be surprised if you can hear anything above about 5-6kHz.  Be sure to arrange a home demo of any equipment you're considering buying to make sure you can hear any improvement in SQ.

That's a rather patronising comment. I can't hear anything above 5kHz but can easily hear the differences between Ethernet cables and interconnects, let alone the pieces of equipment themselves. There is no reason Old Cove cannot. 

Hungryhalibut:     Yes, I was rather surprised by these comments, to say the least. 

sktn77a posted:

Ol Cove:

Honestly, at 70 years old, it's unlikey that your hearing will be able to detect the real but subtle differences between amplifiers.  Have you had your hearing tested?  I'd be surprised if you can hear anything above about 5-6kHz.  Be sure to arrange a home demo of any equipment you're considering buying to make sure you can hear any improvement in SQ.

Im nearly 60 & my hearing isnt perfect, I often can't hear my wife... However, I can easily distinguish the difference between say, speaker cables or when my new CD was run in.

OC has a very good system & were the improvements inaudible would not have it, so I'm not sure what you were trying to achieve with your post.

Old Cove posted:

The Audiotech table sits on a carpeted concrete floor. ....

Sits on or spiked through to the concrete?

Christopher_M;  Yes, it's spiked through to the concrete. The platform on which the LP12 sits is also spiked ( i.e. between the top of the Audiotech frame and the platform). The spikes have a small hole drilled in them . A small nail or similar can be put through the hole to hold the spikes in position when locking the nuts. 

Those Audiotech tables are great - I had one before we had children, after which the Linn went on a wall shelf. They are very short though, so Old Coves need good knees! It sounds as though it's set up just right to me. 

NFG posted:

sktn77a posted:

Ol Cove:

Honestly, at 70 years old, it's unlikey that your hearing will be able to detect the real but subtle differences between amplifiers.  Have you had your hearing tested?  I'd be surprised if you can hear anything above about 5-6kHz.  Be sure to arrange a home demo of any equipment you're considering buying to make sure you can hear any improvement in SQ.

Im nearly 60 & my hearing isnt perfect, I often can't hear my wife... However, I can easily distinguish the difference between say, speaker cables or when my new CD was run in.

OC has a very good system & were the improvements inaudible would not have it, so I'm not sure what you were trying to achieve with your post.

Just curious,do CD's need running in before they sound their best?