I have a 42.5 / 90 combo.

As another 90 is easily and cheaply available, is it possible and advisable to bi amp?

What speakers are you using?

In general I would humbly suggest that passive biamping brings as many problems as it solves, and a far better solution would be to go for a(single) amp higher up the range

There are lots of ways of upgrading..... you might consider putting the available funds towards a better preamp, say a 32.5, or add a hicap etc etc

Laurie S

your answer confirms my suspicions, thanks laurie.

thinking about it, i should rephrase the question. i am enjoying the detail and overall sound of the recently acquired naim kit, but the bass sounds woolly (imagine "whumphff whumphff whumphff" instead of a tight "thump thump thump").

i would appreciate advice on the most likely cure:
replace 42.5 with 32.5,
service and recap of 90,
replace 90 with bigger Naim power amp,
buy power supply for 42.5 or
sell everything and get a big Rotel pre / power combo.

To be used with modded Mission M72 and a Marantz CD63 KI CDP.

I would suggest that a SNAPS or HiCap would be a good upgrade. Then a NAP 140 upwards.

After that, going active with an ixo.

Sorry, but biamping is bullshit.

JD

If you can, try a 140.

Paul

Back in 1988 I demed a 62/90, 62/hiCap/90 and a 62/140. I felt the 62/140 easily outperformed the other combos and bought it (its still what I use today).

In retrospect I shouldn't have been so tight and bought a 62/HiCap/140, as HiCaps have held their value remarkably well! I have added a dual regged SNAPS in recent years.

If you can I would use your ears and try a 140 or a HiCap. The 140 will be a lower cost upgrade as assuming your chrome bumper this should cost around £250 and you would get back at least £100 on your £90. A HiCap is going to cost £250-£300 and a SNAPS £125-£160

Hope that helps

Mr Perceptive

BTW I used Mission Speakers for years but ended up feeling that they wern't a good match for Naims. This is only my opinion and sold them and replaced with mere Morduant Short MS10i's - got more music as a result!

i had a 42.5 / 90 until recently and i really rated the combo. i was mad enough to get them both fully serviced by naim at a cost of some £300 but that's another story. in fact, if you're not planning to upgrade for a while then that's a great idea.

where was i? oh yeah, if i were you i'd get a hicap. don't bother with a snaps, i had one and found it an underwhelming upgrade.

the great thing about a hicap, despite it's cost, is that when you do upgrade it will still be useful.

quote:

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posted Thu 07 October 04 07:09
Back in 1988 I demed a 62/90, 62/hiCap/90 and a 62/140. I felt the 62/140 easily outperformed the other combos and bought it (its still what I use today).

In retrospect I shouldn't have been so tight and bought a 62/HiCap/140, as HiCaps have held their value remarkably well! I have added a dual regged SNAPS in recent years.

If you can I would use your ears and try a 140 or a HiCap.

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IMO upgrading the preamp/power supply would be far better than upgrading the power amp.You can do that later

The 72 is SOOOOOO much better than the 62 for hardly any extra dosh. Similarly, the 32.5 is miles better than the 42

A 72(or 32.5)/hicap/140 is a phenomenal amplifier combination for the money.

After this, the only worthwhile move (imo) is 82/250.....then you`re into "high-end"

Laurie S

While waiting for the moderator to delete the forbidden swap stuff (or they might have humor )

I'd say your amp is THE strongest link in your setup and you may look at the other components ?
Not familiar with your speakers and size of room, a 90 run's out of steam if your a headbanger and the Marantz is decent, no more..

Maybe a s/h pair Intro and a service of the supposely old Nap90 would give result ??

Per

Thank again for all the responses.

I am attempting to buy a SNAPS, but have been 'gazumped' twice in the last few days. Grr...

quote:

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I am attempting to buy a SNAPS,

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why not go for a hicap.....it`s worth the extra, and it will see you through many many upgrades,and would always be easy to sell as it has such wide application

laurie S

My last proper hi-fi consisted (mainly) of a Linn LP12/Ekos / Lingo and Naim 102/90.2 with Linn Kans. Until I upgraded to an elderly 140 I assumed that the heavy, oerblown bass was caused by an unavoidable speaker/room interaction problem. I had to keep my Kans about 7cm from the wall to minimise this.

However, with the 140 the system's bass problem completely disappeared. Although it was much deeper it was not at all heavy. It was also better in every way: speed, timing, articulateness, tunefulness - you name it... No more whumphff whumphff whumphff.

Based on this experience, I definitely wouldn't rule out getting a 140 before a pre-amp power supply* or a better pre-amp. But if you can get a HiCap, as Laurie says, it will last you many upgrades.

*A lot of people say a 102 should not be used without a power supply, and I understand why, so don't think I am suggesting a 140 is a better option than a HiCap - simply a worthwhile one.

[This message was edited by JeremyD on Thu 14 October 2004 at 18:09.]

Just the response I was looking for, Jeremy.

My room is very long and tall and, with the speakers firing down the length, it is very very boomy outside the optimum listening area. Hence a 140 or bigger must be my priority.

Hi Justice,

I have previously bi-amped with two NAP 90s, and more recently upgraded to a better amp (NAP 300 - the difference is not small).

I second those who recommend going to a better, single amp YET if you can get a dedicated spur fitted it makes a BIG difference to the performance of the 90.

And of course if you like what the spur does you can continue to use it if/when you get a bigger amp.

Cheers!

Rich.