Exploration AtomHE, NAC72, NAP140 and 250

[MROX]

Hi all,

Just got myself a NAC72 & NAP140 to do some test. (And probably keep at least some of it)

I was looking for a NAC72 with an Olive hicap, but this combo showed up, so I told myself why not.

Nothing is recap/serviced (yet). Only cleaned by professional I’m told. The NAC only have BNC and din connectors. So for now I can only use RCA to BNC adapters connection. I ordered a Chord Clearway RCA-DIN who will show up in 3 weeks or so.

I did an unfair and fun test.

#1-The source was Atom HE - NAC72 (basic Pro-Ject câble RCA+BNC adaptors) - NAP140 - ProAc D2R (NACA5)

#2-Against Atom HE - NAP 250 DR ( Chord Shawline RCA - XLR) - ProAc D2R (NACA5).

For the setup #1-, Treble and mid were still fun to listen and bringing a little softness to the speaker ribbon. This was interesting. I do really love the D2R for the amazing level of details they can bring, but I admit on very rare songs, the ribbon can shoot a bit strident waves to my ears.

So this was nice, but the bass…. Ouch, how disorganized it was. Much more confuse then what I would have expected.

I’m coming from the UnitiQute and SuperUniti world, so these Olive gears are far from my knowledge.

Let say I recap everything but use only the NAP140 to power the NAC72 who could be connected to the NAP 250 DR, does the 140 act as the hicap since his only task is to provide power?

Would a serviced Olive HC significantly help instead?

Have you done some test with more modern HC? DR or not?

Don’t hesitate share your experience !

Thanks

Edit: added #1- and #2- for better system identification

[ThatsMynamedude]

@MROX

So this was nice, but the bass…. Ouch, how disorganized it was. Much more confuse then what I would have expected.

Could you clarify for which system this was on? The 250DR or the 72/140? If it is the 72/140, it might be due for a service, especially the 140.

Have you tried 72/250DR? That might be a real winner. But you would need a hicap.

[MROX]

Thanks for pointing that out.

I edited for better system id with #1- and #2-
Hope this helps.

I did not tested that. I don’t have hicap, I’m looking for one on the usual sites. (North America)

[ThatsMynamedude]

i see.. I dont think you can use the 140 purely as a power supply. My suggestion would be to get a hold of a serviced hicap and decide if the 72 is a better pre into the 250dr compared to atom he.

The alternative is to get the 140 serviced, and redo your listening comparisons. Either way, the 140 sounds like it needs a service for sure.

When i was using a olive 250 that needed a service, the bass was weaker, and had a fluttering sound to it.

[HungryHalibut]

The 140 provides only a single power supply. If using this way you cannot then connect to the 250. A Hicap will provide a twin power supply and will make the 72 sound a lot better. You then connect from the Hicap to the 250.

It seems a strange experiment. The HE preamp cannot be bypassed, so by adding the 72 you are introducing a second and unnecessary preamp.

I would keep two separate setups: the HE/250 and the 72/HC/140.

[Murmur]

A fairer test of the 72 would be Atom/140 vs Atom/72/140.

250 has better bass control than 140. However, a 140 service might help narrow the gap.

[PerF]

@MROX

Nothing is recap/serviced (yet). Only cleaned by professional I’m told. The NAC only have BNC and din connectors.

Above makes me say, don’t put that high conclusion in your fun compare journey.

The adapters are the evil and 30-35 years old amp without service, is so-so performance only. A 72/140 is nice and 72/HC/250 was a classic during the 90’s, still a hard act to beat nowadays, if proper condition/service.

I’m not sure if you actually have the Atom HE ? - this could be a fun match with a Nap 250.

Notice your Nap 140 has the same amp boards as olive 250, power supply is the difference.

[Richard.Dane]

@PerF

Notice your Nap 140 has the same amp boards as olive 250, power supply is the difference.

Unless the NAP140 is a pre 1990 one, which used Sanken 2SC2922 output devices.

Difference between a post '90 NAP140 and NAP250 of the day is indeed a smaller PS (130VA vs. 500VA transformer), including a small pre-amp supply, and the NAP140 being unregulated, so only one board per channel instead of two.

Quoted power output for the NAP140 was 45W/channel into 8 ohms, 70W/channel into 4 ohms vs. the Olive NAP250 which was 70W/channel into 8 ohms, and 125W/channel into 4 ohms.

[MROX]

@HungryHalibut

It seems a strange experiment.

Yes , I know….

Idea came because the Atom HE is pretty much my only hifi streaming « source ».

I do have an RP3 but can’t connect my Moon phono until I get my Chord cable.

Or, when I receive the NA 322/1 boards that I just bought. (Who will also go to Naim service)

[MROX]

@PerF

I’m not sure if you actually have the Atom HE ? - this could be a fun match with a Nap 250.

Yes and it’s my main setup. Indeed it’s a lot of fun!

[MROX]

Thanks for the information.
Not sure what’s the year yet. I will have contact Naim.

Some NAP pics.

[MROX]

And some NAC ones.

By the way, about hicap, I could use any chrome bumper, olive or newer, right? Any recommendations? Thanks