I've got the chance to buy both a Naim NAC 62 pre-amplifier and Naim NAP 140 power amplifier, including cables for £380. What do you guys think of this deal? I know they certainly used to go for more than this but I'm not sure of what prices are like these days. I'm very keen to replace my integrated hi-fi. What CD player would you guys recommend to go along with this? The obvious budget choice would be a Naim CDI or CDS but I'd be interested if you could suggest others to shortlist. Also, the CDS with XPS power supply would probably be around £600 second hand - is that correct? One final question, how do you think this pre-amp would perform with an audio input from my computer?
Do you have the serial numbers of the items so i can see how old they are? Just to know if they are at the age that they need re-capping or not. Average NAC62 price on Ebay is £133.75, NAP140 is £289.61 so dependant on age/condition you have a good deal there (prices from simply stax's audiophile price list). The NAC62 will work with your PC input (http://www.naim-audio.com/products/intro_manuals.html are the new and old naim manuals for your info) but you will probably need a 3.5mm jack to DIN cable (unless the NAC62 has pass through boards on the phono stage rather than a phono stage which means you could use a 3.5mm jack to phono cable) flashback sales do a decent cable if you want http://www.flashbacksales.co.uk/acatalog/5PinDINPlug35mmJackPlug.html or if you want more expensive ones Chord cables are decent. As for the CD players i personally wouldn't get a Naim CD player that old. If / when the transport goes it is very expensive and they are starting to run out of them as they aren't made any more. Also your price is a bit off, an XPS alone goes for over £1000 usually. The CDS1 is £500ish. The CDS was made from 1991 to 1998, so if you get a 98 or 97 model it will have a good few years in it yet. The CDI is a simpler version of the CDS without the need for a power supply, again try and get a later model. If i missed anything or you have anymore questions just ask. The 62 140 combo is a great starter combo into the Naim world though. As you probably know it is a slippery slope as it is so easy to upgrade with new pre or power or adding hicaps etc.
If you want advice on Naim kit then head over to pinkfishmedia's forums, seems to be the place for Naimees these days...
