System is

CD5/NAIT5/INTRO2 all racked on a very solid rack.

Whats next?

should I buy a s/h 112 which would allow me to get onto the amp ladder.

Any thoughts would be great.

ta

Go for the Nac 202!

MY system : Naim Nait 5 amplifier,Naim cd 5 ,Epos M 15 speakers,Naca5,FC2

If I could afford to then I would!

Well you did ask! The general consensus seems to be that if you already have a Nait5 then the improvement gained by changing to a NAC112 is not large enough to justify the cost. I assume you would use it with a NAP150? Whilst you can use the Nait5 as a pre-amp with a NAP150, I'm not sure that you could practically use it as a power amp with a NAC112. Strangely I agree with Nuno (!) - if you're looking at the amp then the change to get you a worthwhile benefit would be a NAC202 with a NAP150 or NAP200. You could also consider a HiCAP for the CD5 or changing to a CDX2. I'm sure someone will suggest looking at your mains supply as well. If your budget only allows a S/H NAC112 then either wait until you have more cash, buy a S/H HiCAP or NAP150 (to use with the NAC202 when you can afford it), get an electrician in, or alternatively just enjoy what you've got - it must sound pretty reasonable.

hows about a flatcap

hmm, can i use a 112 with my nait5, using the naits power section?

I have no external PSU's

In my opinion the 150 is the best bit of the 112/150 combo.

A Nait 5 driving a 150 as a pre-amp, will sound a lot better than a 112 driving a Nait 5 as a power amp.

Whichever you do adding a seperate power supply will benefit the whole system.

If you need to choose go for a 2nd hand power supply. Either a Flatcap 2 to do both the Nait & the CD5 or a HiCap on whichever it makes the most impact on, Nait or CD5

regards
GEOFF

The boring old fart

So, if you were looking to improve on the 112/150 combo, you'd suggest a 202, right? I was considering adding a HiCap to my 112, but perhaps a preamp upgrade would be better? If not a 202, but perhaps something older, what else might be a good combo with the 150?

quote:

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Originally posted by Geoff P:
In my opinion the 150 is the best bit of the 112/150 combo.

A Nait 5 driving a 150 as a pre-amp, will sound a lot better than a 112 driving a Nait 5 as a power amp.

Whichever you do adding a seperate power supply will benefit the whole system.

If you need to choose go for a 2nd hand power supply. Either a Flatcap 2 to do both the Nait & the CD5 or a HiCap on whichever it makes the most impact on, Nait or CD5

regards
GEOFF

The boring old fart

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quote:

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Originally posted by pete8883:
hmm, can i use a 112 with my nait5, using the naits power section?

I have no external PSU's

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I'm not going to say it's impossible but it's certainly not Naim's intention that you do this and they don't describe how it could be done in the Nait5 manual. If it is possible I would imagine it would involve the construction of bespoke connecting cables and possibly internal changes to provide power to the NAC112 (remember this does not have an internal power supply). I doubt very much if Naim would be prepared to support this and I think you're wasting your time with this option.

quote:

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Originally posted by oakey:
hows about a flatcap

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I would go for a Hicap for the CD5 (source first) because with the Flatcap 2 you'll need to buy 2 extra (expensive) SNAICs to connect to the Nait 5.

Quote :
Strangely I agree with Nuno (!)
What´s wrong with my argues?

MY system : Naim Nait 5 amplifier,Naim cd 5 ,Epos M 15 speakers,Naca5,FC2

quote:

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So, if you were looking to improve on the 112/150 combo, you'd suggest a 202, right? I was considering adding a HiCap to my 112, but perhaps a preamp upgrade would be better? If not a 202, but perhaps something older, what else might be a good combo with the 150?

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Steve

I added a Hicap to my 112/150 (memory is a bit murky now) and got a nice boost as reported, which is a richer sound with more bass strength.
I then bought a CDX2 to replace a SONY CDP. My next step was to swap the 112 for a 282 running off the HiCap. That made a major difference, even though the lowly 150 was still in the system. What it did was convince me that the 112 was strangling the output from the CDX2 and that given a better front-end signal the 150 could still do an excellent job.

However I do feel the HiCap is important to the overall effect. When it was first introduced in the 112/150 system it was clear that freeing the 150 of the task of powering a pre-amp was an important part of the sound.

So this is not the answer you want to hear but IMO the 150 is noticeably better when it keeps all it's power for itself and under these circumstances a better preamp can be introduced with great effect.

If you can you really should do a demo. A HiCap on the 112 vs swapping for a 202 with no HiCap. If you feel you can stretch to a 2nd hand Hicap aswell as a 202 then the two togather will be a significant improvement.

BTW. There is one proviso which is that the 150 is going to be happiest with easy to drive speakers in a relatively small room. If you don't match these criteria a stronger power amp will be needed eventually. If you are wondering the 282 is quite a step up from a 202 but I would view it (or an 82) as only the first step which will be followed by other upgrades. A dangerous place to go unless your eyes are wide open.

I have probably confused rather than helped

Regards
GEOFF

The boring old fart

to me its all about value, you have a nice system. If you can do one thing you want the biggest bang for the buck, the 2 options as I see it are 1) add a hicap to the cd5 2) add a 202...I agree with the above 112 just isnt a real move....see if you can borrow both and simply listen to one at a time. When I try something I see if it sounds better, about the same or worse. Try not to get hung up on what it is supposed to do and just listen and let your ears do the talking.

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just listen and let your ears do the talking.

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Now that is an interesting concept

Seriously though, there are only really two valid options. One is add a power amp using the Nait 5 as a pre, or add a separate power supply. Having had experience of how much a PSU can add, that is the route I'd take. Next step should be the power amp (NAP200)and then a new pre (NAC202/282).

Thanks lads.

Looks like ill be looking our for a s/h hi-cap then.

Ta

what I meant by the " ears do the talking" is that I feel that too many times people have preconceived notions on how things should sound and they let that get in the way. I always trust my ears and if it sounds better than it is better. I have heard LOTS of gear in my home,not just some quick A/B in a store and believe me bigger bucks does not always mean better sound...it can but not always. I have found I look for value....meaning if xyz component sound close or very close to ZXY component(which costs say double or more) I would be happy with the 1st one. Concerning Naim equipment (with the above criteria) I have found the 202/200 to be the VALUE in line....meaning it is a big step up over the 112/150 and is more close to the bigger boys up the ladder....for a lot less money...just my thoughts

Unless I'm mistaken, though, you can't use the 202 with a FlatCap, right? I guess I could use the FlatCap just for the CD5 and get a HiCap for the 202, but my cost just went up. Would the 202 powered from the 150 be better than the 112 powered from the FlatCap 2 I already use? I guess the bottom line question is, is it better to upgrade the preamp first, or to take the preamp you have as far as you can with power supply upgrades first?

Steve C,

If you mean the Flatcap2, then you are mistaken!

My system has a 202 which is being powered by a Flatcap2 - which also powers my CD5.

Actually I believe the Flatcap2 can even be used to power a 282 (!) but I reckon that should I ever get that far up the chain a Hi- would be far more suitable IMO.

Regards,

JonR

nothing wrong with a 202/150 without power supply, I tried a 202/200 sans hi cap and it sounded quite good

Geoff P you have a private topic.

glenn

Life is analogue