I have just discovered this Forum and am wondering if any of you have had experience updating the mid/mid+base drivers in Kabers.

My Kabers are 6 years old: #'s 010791/2. I recently installed the latest treb. units (Linn #015/5) and note a definite improvement. Are the latest mid/mid-base units noticeably better, too, and if so, in what way?

Thanks,
Richard Guthart
CDI/62/Supercap/SNAXO/Supercap/250's/Kabers

Omer.

Thats an interesting line up you've got there. I get the feeling there's a bit of a story behind this. C'mon, get it off your chest.

Allan

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That's an interesting line up you've got there. I get the feeling there's a bit of a story behind this...

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My story is fairly typical, I suspect, at least in the company of this group of fanatics.

I started with CDI, 62, Hi-cap, 250, Kabers. Ever since, I have been trying to make the Kabers less lean-sounding and forward.

First I split the 62's power rail so that it could be driven with two Hi-caps. Big improvement.

Then, progressively, I bi-wired, tri-wired, and finally went active when NAIM introduced the SNAXO. (Kabers definately need to be active.)

Most recently, I replaced the interconnects with new black ones and added a second Supercap to drive the 62 in place of the pair of Hi-caps. This was another leap forward and now the tonal balance of the system is about right, at least to my ears.

Richard

--Eric

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62

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I tried a 52 in my system several weeks ago.

Compared to my tweaked 62, the 52/Supercap was more detailed and delicate and, yes, less forward - definately better. But the tonal balance was lighter, and in my listening room the Kabers are somewhat light already, regardless of placement, in the lower-midrange/upper base (estimate 150-500 hz). So I would like to find a way to have the advantages of the 52 without the lighter tonal balance.

I was not around Naim equipment during the era of the older preamps so don't know much about them. Wish I could access the older archives to which some have alluded. I've wondered if the 72 had the same overall tonal balance as the 62 and if one could be modified for dual power supplies, too.

Richard

I think it's great the way your system has developed. Logically, improving the preamp power supply as far as you can before changing the preamp makes perfect sense.

I've just moved from a 62 (fully serviced last year) to a 72, and I've also had 42, 32.5 standard and 32.5 with the 72 upgrade boards running in the same system. Some thoughts:

The 62 was a development of the 42.5 with more inputs. It sounds IMHO quite a lot better and is very poised, although it is definitely less of a "full" sound than the 32.5. The basic 32.5 is very good, and is further improved by the 72 upgrade kit, which does things which you continue to notice even after you think you're used to it, mostly to do with timing and the general "assembly" of musical elements.

The 72 is the pinnacle fo the "32" architecture, and it's like an upgraded 32.5 on steroids. to me (used to the 62), the 72 sounds huge. Internally, it's very like the 32.5, but I suspect with better bits and a more refined design. Apparently earlier 72s (2 sets of BNC inputs) are not as nice as later ones.

For more info, try:
http://www.pfmedia.demon.co.uk/flatearth/

...which is where you can find Tony L's comprehensive guide(s).

Best;

Mark

(an imperfect
forum environment is
better than none)

I run a tweaked 62 in my system (62 supercap clone 135 clones)and they can sound quiet good. I haven't done a comparison with a 52 but it really rocks and gets your foot tapping, so it can't be that bad. I would love to pit it against a 52 and see how it compares. Its got double regulation (like they have on the 5 series) and 6 supplies new coupling caps etc.

pete

Thanks for putting the older preamps into perspective. Looks like I should listen to a 72.

Now, if anyone has input on the Kaber driver upgrades I can perhaps fine-tune that end, too.

Richard

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By the way rumour has it that kabers are being deleted by Linn...does anyone know when?

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Being deleted? They are deleted.

Joe

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When did the mid/base driver upgrade become available?

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This from the Linn Helpline in response to my query:

"Treb. units changed to #015/2 Oct. '94, then again to #015/3 Dec. '96."

(Note: The upgrades provided to me 2 weeks ago by Linn USA were marked #015/5. -Richard)

"Mid-range units changed to #007/5 Dec. '95"

Richard