Naim Chrome Bumper

Interesting you say that. Wouldn’t you say the caps HAVE to be replaced after 40 years?

Those blue Philips hold for very long and the ones used now don’t sound the same.

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Kind of need two Nait’s really and then compare.

I certainly felt that some of the timing and excitement was lost after my red-LED Nait service, but on the other hand it played the tune a bit better post service.

I did more recently compare a serviced to unserviced NAC 32.5 and defo preferred the serviced one, but that doesn’t mean the OP or myself would prefer a serviced Nait.

How long after the service did you compare?

I can’t imagine a 40 year old unit wouldn’t benefit from a service. I’d be happy to be proved wrong though

Caps are strange things. Unused in a cupboard for years slowly deteriorating can suddenly fail, just as ones left switched on for 40 years can sound absolutely perfect. I would imagine there is a way of testing them but I have never heard of anyone doing so with Naim. It just seems de rigeur to replace them after X years, just in case. I have done so and those boxes always seem to sound clearer somehow. Whether that is because of newer and different caps, or because of my expectation bias I couldn’t say. I do have two 62/140 combinations, one is serviced the other is not. I challenge anyone to hear the difference.

The NAC 32.5 had been serviced 3-4 years beforehand.

Never compared serviced to unserviced Nait side by side.

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I would try the Nait,before sending it for service.

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No - bought mine in Hamburg directly … or do you live in my neighborhood - if so, we need to go for a date :rofl:
Mine is also on display only :slight_smile:

Give him a chance to play - the old sound is very very nice! Had done a quick check and would neither recap my nait 1 nor nait 2 CB

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Anyone tried Linn AV5140 or Espek speakers with CB amps, ideally fronted by an LP12?

I’m not expecting great synergy but Hi-Fi often surprises me.

Will probably just get my Keilidhs serviced instead but worth asking.

I had Linn 5140 some years ago.
Used with lp12, cdx, 102 then 82 then 52 with 250 -all Olive
In a very large room.
I thought for the cost they were excellent all around speakers
Eventually added Linn’s massive 5150 sub.
Was a fantastic system
Only thing that bothered me is they were considered part of their AV system. They lacked the famous Linn name ie sara, isobaric, kan, etc.
Only later did they call them Espeks
Well made, mine were in cherry.
I added the better Kustone stands , rather than the plastic type stand that was standard.
If u find a pair in good shape doubt you will regret getting them
David

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Thanks David - that’s encouraging.

Well worth it imo. Maybe even consider replacing the drivers. New tweeters, base/mid drivers and xover recap have transformed my Keilidhs for a fraction of the cost of new speakers.

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Tx - what type of caps did you use?

They were supplied by Willys HiFi along with the tweeters, as an option. Worth having a chat with him. Very knowledgeable and helpful chap.

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OK, cheers Paul.


hmmm…YES !
it plays here with (one of my 2) Nap 120.
its character is a very good match with the Harbeth.
Since this combo plays in the office, the Naits (1 & 2CB) have joining other (Nac12, 32.5, Nap110,…) in the cupboard

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Very nice. Is this combo closer in sound to bolt down 12/160 or CB 42/110?

oh, much more closer to 12/160 (playing in my TV room).
The Nap140 is more “rock&roll”, “nervous”, less “relaxed”…same kind of difference between them as between a Nap250 and a Nap300

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Which one do you find more like the 140? Sorry, not heard the 300 much.