First Naim gear?

Naim’s product history shows the 22 being replaced by the 42, and the 120 being replaced by the 110.

Yup, as Eoin correctly states above, the NAC22 and NAP120 were replaced by the NAC42 and NAP110, which also ushered in the new “chrome bumper” extruded cover in 1979. The first ones were what’s known as “short case” units. The cover then being deepened slightly to match all the other extruded covers which arrived in 1980.

Am I right in thinking that the NAC22/NAP120’s designs were more conventional (no toroidal transformer, for instance, which the NAP110 had), and that in a way, the 42/110 were not the direct heirs, so to speak, of the 22/120?

The first NAP120 had a frame transformer - it was originally designed as an amp to fit in an active speaker, a project that was stillborn - but was later redesigned into something looking slightly more like a stand-alone power amp and at this point it gained a toroidal transformer. The later NAP120 is pictured here:

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Uniti - 2009

In 2015 bought my current DAC-V1 / NAP 100 combo. Feeding the DAC true a mac mini with Audirvana. And still really happy with this O So wonderful and musical system :grin:. Really thinking about upgrading the NAP. But for now I’m just enjoying music.

Wasn’t the 22/120 replaced by the 42/110?

Yes.

First Naim was a used NAC 102 with a NAPSC, used with a NAP 90 all driving Mission 752 Freedoms (amazing speakers, don’t make 'em like that any more). All bought from Creative Audio, after a fantastic day in their demo room. Later i changed the NAP 90 for a NAP 180. Soon after adding a HICAP. Then stupidly, i sold it all to go home cinema some 10 years ago. Only now am i slowly getting back to a proper Naim pre and power set up. How easy it is to think you are changing for the better!!

I joined the Naim party with a Uniti approx 5 or 6 years ago, then:
Uniti2
Uniti2 + 200
172 + 200
172 + 250.2

All purchased used or ex-dem from Signals when funds and availability coincided.

@Richard Dane & Adam Meredith
Thank you to you both for your interesting replies - and photographs.

Started off back in late 80’s I think with 32.5 / 110 which was such a upgrade on my old A&R A60, which was good anyway. Then added a snaps which then got replaced by a Hi Cap. Then olive 72, then to the 102 / 180 and a CD5 I still have today. Still very happy with it all and have the LP 12 since 1983 though there is not much left of the original one, only the plinth, top plate and outer platter. :blush:

Started with a nait 1 (red led) in 1984 bought from Rayleigh hi-fi
Best purchase I ever made…loved it to bits

NAC42.5, HiCap, NAP140 back in 1986, along with a LP12 with a RB300 arm & Goldring GL cartridge and Linn Sara speakers and stands. I worked for the Linn/Naim dealer in St. Louis who was also the US Rega importer at the time.

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1995 nait 3, epos ES11, alpha 5+. At 23 years old. Great music times too. Just got from Scotland, I looked like Noel Gallagher still have some of the clothes. Great times for a kiwi boy :boy:

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been into hifi since my teenage years, with cambridge audio 640 and NAD cd player, had a fair few systems since then. started on the naim train with a unitqute then added a 150, a year later sold the UQ for a 102! streaming was via raspberry pi, put a hicap in the mix not long after getting the 102, big improvement! last change was 150 to olive 250 oh the grip and pace! one day will change the 102 for an 82 but plenty of time for that!

Arcam Alpha CD player with Pioneer A300 amp in the early early '90s then Nait 3 perhaps 1994? Gradual upgrades since then…

For me it was the Nait - early to mid 1980’s. I believe my brother is still using it

I started my journey in 1992 with a olive NAIT2 I bought as new. It replaced à 2x100w Hitachi pre/power combo. I never regretted it.
The NAIT2 is still here and still going strong (after a servicing at ClassA). I am listening to it right now on my secondary system (CD2-NAIT2-n-Sats) and it sounds great.
MArco :tophat:

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42/110 back in 1982