Nac 72 Nap 140

Well described and stated, Alba. 

I was going to quote The Skottish Company's slogan of old - 'Simply better'. 

John. 

Referring to 'simply better': the Nac 72 looks extremely simple on the inside. But I like it very much. It also has a quite retro appearance which suits our living well. There was also no discussion with my wife. It was instantly approved - contrary to a black box brigade which is in my house less appreciated.

Given its sonic nature, I'm a little afraid that Nap135s turn it into a ruthless energetic hyper system specialized in expressing 'thunder' or so.

Ardbeg10y posted:

Hi,

 

... Now I read that people have paired the Nac 72 with Hicap (obviously) but also Nap 135s. Monoblocks!

To me, since I already consider the Nac 72 / Nap 140 quite fast, it sounds like an excessive combination to me.

In what cases is such a combination needed?

Ardbeg10y

Always.  It's a brilliantly musical combination that was originally used to drive Linn Isobarics, after the NAC32.5 was replaced by the 72.  I am completely unbiased of course, having enjoyed a 32.5/hicap/135 amp for the best part of 6 years!

I kept the NAP140, which is now paired with a DAC-V1. We also have a 72/Hicap/140 in the family, which is a never ending source of joy.

Best regards, FT

I enjoy my 72/HiCap/250 serviced last year with Quad ESL-63. I like the raw-yet-smooth presentation of this combo

I would suggest just adding a Hi-Cap so you have 72/Hi-Cap/140 - a great combo. A service if needed would be advisable too.

The Hi-Cap makes a big difference to the 72 in my experience. The 140 is a perfectly capable power amp and would have enough power for most people's needs.

I have tried my Hicap-DR between the 72 and 140 and it did its job: it added the DR signature. lower noisefloor etc ... Since I need the Hicap DR to power my snaxo, I couldn't keep it longer than a week with the 72 and 140. I'm not sure about mixing DR and olive stuff. For some reason - which I cannot explain - I feel that the DR with my active ovators is right, but with olive gear, I'm just not sure. Maybe an olive hicap in the future. And even then, I like the simplicty of two shoebox amps. I choose 72/140 because I was afraid that a Nait 2 would not have capacity enough for possible more demanding loudspeakers in the future.

The 140 works nice on my B&W CM5 s2's, no issues driving them. These loudspeakers are candicates for change though. But, no further allowance currently, so I can safely dream of ... proac tablettes, kudos 505's etc, B&W 805's to name a few ...

Fun as the 140 is, to me it holds back the 72 a bit despite being a "natural" pairing. I first had my 72 plugged in place of a 282 in a 282/HC/200 combo that sounded wonderful. I then decided to go retro and first got a 140. As musical as it was with the 72, that pre benefited a lot from the additional insight and drive the 200 could give it.

Now I have a pair of 135s waiting to be put on duty with the 72. If it doesn't take me long to get it all up and running, I'll post about this

ricsimas posted:

Fun as the 140 is, to me it holds back the 72 a bit despite being a "natural" pairing. I first had my 72 plugged in place of a 282 in a 282/HC/200 combo that sounded wonderful. I then decided to go retro and first got a 140. As musical as it was with the 72, that pre benefited a lot from the additional insight and drive the 200 could give it.

Now I have a pair of 135s waiting to be put on duty with the 72. If it doesn't take me long to get it all up and running, I'll post about this

I will appreciate your findings. My wife and wallet hope that your findings are disappointing.

Good idea to try an olive hicap. For the same reason, I somehow prefer my 52 with an olive supercap rather than an SCDR, despite the latter being technically superior.  Perhaps it is down to that final stage of voicing that Naim does so thoroughly.

Best regards, FT

Ardbeg10y posted:

ricsimas posted:

Now I have a pair of 135s waiting to be put on duty with the 72. If it doesn't take me long to get it all up and running, I'll post about this

I will appreciate your findings. My wife and wallet hope that your findings are disappointing.

If you have a good set up front-end, and Naca5 & SBLs, you will not be disappointed with 72-hicap-135s  : )

Debs

naim_nymph posted:

Ardbeg10y posted:

ricsimas posted:

Now I have a pair of 135s waiting to be put on duty with the 72. If it doesn't take me long to get it all up and running, I'll post about this

I will appreciate your findings. My wife and wallet hope that your findings are disappointing.

 

If you have a good set up front-end, and Naca5 & SBLs, you will not be disappointed with 72-hicap-135s  : )

Debs

Well, almost. :-)

it will be fronted by an LP12SE, into NACA5 and then Kudos C2s.

Edit for a correction: I've got a SC in place of the HC now.

The LP12SE & Kudos C2s will do just fine 

In the years i enjoyed my 72-hicap-135s...

i had LP12 Aro Prefix 'Geddon + SBLs - altogether a fantastic music making system 

You're in for a lot of fun : )

Debs

ricsimas posted:

Fun as the 140 is, to me it holds back the 72 a bit despite being a "natural" pairing. I first had my 72 plugged in place of a 282 in a 282/HC/200 combo that sounded wonderful. I then decided to go retro and first got a 140. As musical as it was with the 72, that pre benefited a lot from the additional insight and drive the 200 could give it.

Now I have a pair of 135s waiting to be put on duty with the 72. If it doesn't take me long to get it all up and running, I'll post about this

I assume you are still listening to the music :-) ??

It's been quite a while but if my memory is correct I would say that 72/SC/140 probably will be better than 72/HC/250, unless the speakers need the extra juice from the 250. 

Claus

Ardbeg10y posted:

I assume you are still listening to the music :-) ??

LOL! I'd forgotten about this one.

Short answer: it sounds brilliant. :-)

Long answer: it doesn't feel unbalanced in any way, and the drive that I was missing with the 140 (which boogies greatly, don't get me wrong) is definitely there now. It sounds very much "right". It brings a degree of insight that you just don't get from the 140 as well, and it flows better overall, for lack of a better word.

Go for it.

Ardbeg10y posted:

Referring to 'simply better': the Nac 72 looks extremely simple on the inside. But I like it very much. It also has a quite retro appearance which suits our living well. There was also no discussion with my wife. It was instantly approved - contrary to a black box brigade which is in my house less appreciated.

Given its sonic nature, I'm a little afraid that Nap135s turn it into a ruthless energetic hyper system specialized in expressing 'thunder' or so.

I want some!!!

Bob the Builder posted:

Ardbeg10y posted:

Referring to 'simply better': the Nac 72 looks extremely simple on the inside. But I like it very much. It also has a quite retro appearance which suits our living well. There was also no discussion with my wife. It was instantly approved - contrary to a black box brigade which is in my house less appreciated.

Given its sonic nature, I'm a little afraid that Nap135s turn it into a ruthless energetic hyper system specialized in expressing 'thunder' or so.

I want some!!!

I thought you are collecting a 102 / 180 this Saturday?

The 300 - which you have if I remember correctly - is supposed to be the successor of the 135's - if I'm correct.

But yes, I want some too. The 72 / 140 is good, and I'll use the money first for other things. The eldest kid is going to gymnasium after summer and times are expensive.