Hello to Naim,

My 110 needs to be serviced in a short time.
Now i wonder wether it's possible to upgrade the unit to a 140 ,and what are the costs ?

Greetings,Rob.

It can be done, but at this point it's cheaper to sell your 110 and buy a used 140. Even if it needs to be recapped, it should still save you money. Catch you later!

-=> Mike Hanson <=-

Smilies do not a forum make.

Not quite sure whether this can be done.
I recall reading somewhere (ages ago) that the
110 can be 'partly' upgraded to 140 spec' but not so it would be identical to the 140. I was faced with this situation a number of years ago and I sold my 110 and bought a 160. Also, I don't believe that the 140 is a big upgrade over the 110 so if you want to upgrade wait until a used 160 or 180 comes up. 160's can be found pretty cheaply for some reason..excellent value if you're patient.

Brian

At one time it was certainly possible to convert it to a "pukka 140" (Julian's description from the old forum). I'm not sure if Naim would still do it, and I don't think it makes financial sense anyway.

Regarding the abilities of the 140 versus the 110, you're right, it's not hugely better. I've owned both, and I would put them quite close together (and a long way below my 250). I've still got a 110 in the office, and it's quite respectable, especially driving my little Royd Merlins. Catch you later!

-=> Mike Hanson <=-

Smilies do not a forum make.

Mike

You're probably correct if Julian mentioned it, although I wasn't reading the forum then so I wouldn't know anything about that.

I think I have the idea from a long ago review that the 110 can only be partly turned into a 140. Back when Naim had the line up of 110, 160, 250 and 135, the 140 was being compared with the 110 just after its' (the 140) launch. I think the comment was made in the article that some part of the 110 could not be modified. So, although it was supposed to be a good modification, it still didn't make the 110 exactly the same as a 140.

Perhaps Paul or Mark might like to comment, particularly as Robbie is asking for this info and the cost?

Brian

Robbie,

I had this mod done about 18 months ago along with servicing the 42 pre amp and new snaics. It all added up to a very significant improvement.

Don't know about cost effectiveness but certainly hassle and risk free.

BTW it's definitely Pukka as Naim even change the plate on the back to read 140.

Good luck with whatever you decide.

Calum

I Have both an old 110 and also a 110 uprated to a 140 (in 98)checked with Naim using the serial no.---I bought the uprated amp for some playful biamping at a very cheap price about 6 months ago.

The uprating process involves changing the large smoothing caps to 140 spec but the supply remains a single one from the transformer(i believe).I understand the 'real' 140 has a dual power setup.As does the 180(but some think the single supply/same boards 160 is more musical in a flat earth way.)
Also depending on the vintage of the 110 other things will not be the same as a new look real 1990's 140 (s/h £350).The output transistors (the large silver disks) may not be the more modern NA001 or 002 type.(old ones=BDY..) and the older resisitors are a brown rather than a green colour in the modern amps.

Changing these items have been quoted as mega bucks on my 160--i.e £400 so doubt would be done.
As for performance the my 'pukka' 140 is a bit better(esp bass wt) but my old 110 has 15 yr old caps
in it.
On the other hand a non-recapped ~18yr 160 I've just bought blows them both away.(£270)

Central audio has a recapped 160 for £475 I think. Bob will be your uncle.

Cheers Richard

I had my 110 upgraded and it now has 140 written on the back in official Naim ball point pen. It does sound much better, but it was badly in need of recapping as both the old caps were bulging noticeably at the end.

Naim told me at the time that it would definitely be a genuine 140 after the upgrade, though if the boards were altered on later 140's I suppose mine is now effectively an early one. It cost about £120-150 less than two years ago. It was certainly less hassle than selling it and looking for a secondhand 140, besides it would be a terrible shame if these old amps were allowed to fall into disrepair.

It also matches my pre-amp. If I'd bought a black 140 ( assuming I could have found one ) I'd probably have had to have it re-capped by now, which would surely have made the whole deal more less cost effective. Confused? Well it worked for me.

Why not email Naim and ask them about it? They ought to know.

David

********************************************
but the supply remains a single one from the transformer(i believe).I understand the 'real' 140 has a dual power setup
********************************************

This rings a bell from the magazine article I mentioned.

*********************************************
On the other hand a non-recapped ~18yr 160 I've just bought blows them both away.(£270)
*********************************************

I have a 160. I'm not surprised.

Brian

Thanks for the reactions given.

Greetings,Rob.

Greetings!

Must catch up soon.

Dev

good to hear from you again.

Give me a call sometime. I'd love to hear the Well Tempered Thingie especially after reading the post the other day.

Cheers,

Calum