Olive 102/180

Posted by: Bob the Builder on 16 June 2018

In another thread I asked about the best speakers for a 42.5/110 mono amp's well unfortunately those amp's have fallen through and I am now going to look at an Olive 102/180. This is for a second system I'm building that will have a Linn Axis TT and a cheap streaming source that will allow Tidal and internet radio and eventually a head amp so that I can enjoy some music in the evenings as opposed to sticking pins in my eyes to avoid East Enders!

I already have a 3rd party psu that includes a Napsc for the 102, so again I'm just looking for advice on speakers for the 102/180 and also set up issues. I suppose the obvious candidate is Mk2 SBL's but in our dining room the only real space left against a wall is on the chimney breast which is of course hollow so I'm slightly wary of that or under the stairs. I do have some Heybrook HB1 stands that would suit some Kans or other stand mounted speakers I wouldn't mind trying another set of ES14's but don't know if the 180 will have enough to produce the kind of bass I want from them.

Anyway the room is 13' x 14' and has a chimney breast, two alcoves (filled with stacked cubed shelves) and another space under the open staircase that might suit but would mean having the system between the speakers.

Budget is below £750.

Posted on: 01 July 2018 by analogmusic

It’s a strange one but either

its RF noise leaking into my preamp

its the SMPS noise affecting the ground plane of the preamp

Posted on: 02 July 2018 by james n

tonybabawalla posted:
analogmusic posted:

i can hear a clear degrading of dynamics the moment I plug in a tv decoder box into my 202 through analog inputs, even when playing through my chord DAC
Really? This I will have to try. So I should unplug my TV recorder when I listen to music? Has anyone else noticed or tried this?

Analog - Yeah - best to try and isolate the AV side of the system from the main music system. If you are just after stereo sound (just normal PCM) from the TV then I'd connect the decoder to the DAC using an optical cable.

Tony - try it and see if there is a difference and then you can work out if you need to do something different. I'd just be tempted to leave it unplugged from the Pre-amp when you are not using it.

Posted on: 02 July 2018 by ChrisSU

james n posted:
tonybabawalla posted:
analogmusic posted:

i can hear a clear degrading of dynamics the moment I plug in a tv decoder box into my 202 through analog inputs, even when playing through my chord DAC
Really? This I will have to try. So I should unplug my TV recorder when I listen to music? Has anyone else noticed or tried this?
Analog - Yeah - best to try and isolate the AV side of the system from the main music system. If you are just after stereo sound (just normal PCM) from the TV then I'd connect the decoder to the DAC using an optical cable.

or ditch the 202/200 for an Atom or a Unitiqute. Still fun to listen to, but your main system will be such a big jump up that it’s the only one you will really listen to critically. Works for me!

Posted on: 27 July 2018 by Christopher_M

Bob the Builder posted:
If I did decide to keep the 102/180.....

Did you?

Posted on: 28 July 2018 by wmt45

Hi everyone,

I've been looking for a suitable topic to ask a few questions about various Naim Pre / Power combos, and this seems as good as any I've come across. I have a 102 / 180 / Hi Cap with NAPSC, from the Olive collection, am happy with the sound they produce for me, but am regularly looking for incremental and cost effective ways of improving things. The rest of my system is a Linn Klimax renew DS and a set of Dynaudio Contour 1.3 speakers.

I hear excellent reports about the 82 Preamp, but they seem as rare as hen's teeth at the moment (probably because no one wants to let them go). But I have an opportunity to listen to a 202 and wanted to ask about the following: -

(i) Do folks consider that it is a reasonable improvement on the 102?

(ii) Are there any drawbacks in trying to mix boxes from the Olive and Black model ranges?

Many thanks for your help.

Mike (wmt45)

Posted on: 28 July 2018 by nitrous

Mike, no draw back in mixing boxes, that’s one of the many naim benefits. I moved from same amps as you to 202/200/hicap/napscs and it was an ok move, but not massive. If you have a turntable you would need a stage line and ps of course.

here’s my idea, if you end game is the later black boxes, why not start with a hicap DR?

Regards.

Posted on: 28 July 2018 by hungryhalibut

Getting a 202 would be pointless soundwise. Wait for a Pots 8 82, or move to the current series with a 282.

Posted on: 28 July 2018 by Perol

Would the contour 1.3 need more than a 180 ?

Posted on: 29 July 2018 by wmt45

Thanks for replying so quickly, everyone. To respond briefly to comments made: -

I don't specifically want to move from Olive to Black, it doesn't seem to offer massive improvements per se, and the consensus seems to be that the 202 doesn't materially improve the 102. But, I'll pursue the idea of the DR Hi Cap. It was an idea my Naim dealer had a while ago as well!

And re the 180 powering the Contours, it is absolutely no problem at all.

Regards

Mike

Moderated Post: Mike, I've edited your post. Please ensure you have read and understood the forum rules. Thanks.