I currently have a NAP 155XS sitting idle. I have an opportunity to buy a old NAC 12 which would be a preamp for the 155xs. The Nac 12 will need some love, but I am wondering if this is good combo for a pair of Linn Kan 1s. Use to run a Nac 12 with a NAP 110 and LP12/Supex 900 plus Kans. Sold them to go skiing in Japan :), so would like a bit of that magic back.
Any opinions and has anyone tried the BD preamps with the more 21C modern stuff?
I’ve used my own very early NAC12 with lots of other system bits, including recent kit. It has a wonderful raw directness to the sound that must have been a revelation back in the day. Just note that the NAC12 went through a fair bit of evolution so would be good to know just what you’re getting and what daughter boards (if any) are inside. Also well worth getting it serviced. As an example, my own NAC12 started out as an early one with all one main board. Then was updated to 2nd version with daughter boards. Later it had the knife edge connectors on the phono boards changed to the later pin type to enable the fitment of later NA3XX boards, and a pair of RCA Phonos were fitted for the Phono input. Then during a more recent service the volume pot was changed for an ALPS Blue type.
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My very first Naim combo was a NAC12s/Snaps/160 bolt down
Being a 12s would that be an early model Richard ?
It was purchased here in Sydney in 1980
Regards
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The earliest units had a case made up of just flat panels, first with one single main boards, but later with daughter boards (AFAIK most all of the very early single board NAC12s were updated by JV to the daughter board version). Later NAC12s used case made up of extruded pieces with a slightly revised daughter board arrangement. The earliest units always said “gram” for the Phono input section, later ones said “phono”.
They don’t come up for sale very often so if it’s a later one with the normal CB cards then I’d encourage you to go for it. I’ve not tried mine with a modern power amp but I’m sure it will still transport you back in time.
You have to wonder, how would it have sounded today into your Petites?
Best, Chris
(And now back to the OP’s thread.)
I would say absolutely wonderful Chris , I loved that 12s/snaps/160
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Apparently the NAC12 I was looking at is actually NAC 22 in NAC 12 case. I always thought that the 22s came in a wider case. Just searching the web, it seems that the 22 is quite exuberant and might not be such a good match with the equally exuberant Kans.
But then there is the creamy, smooth NAP155XS to factor in…
I find it very difficult to predict what will and won’t work in the land of hifi. Too many times my expectation has been proven wrong.
only one way to find out…
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