It is amazing the following that exists and flourishes for early Naim gear. While it still sounds pretty good some people even think it is better than new Naim equipment. How can that be? Were Naim clever then and dumb now? Don't think so

Often it's not a fair comparison as the older gear has wear and tear, old caps, old transistors and doesn't sound as good as it used to. So its very rare to have the comparison that I've just been listening to. Take a pair of NAP135s and give them the full Avondale treatment. New uprated output boards, new regulators, even new transformers, this will cost over £3000 but turns the 135s into the best 135s ever.

It just so happens that I have a just run in pair of the latest NAP 350 power amps here so let's hook them up to a NAC 282 preamplifier and Linn streamer and do the big comparison. The 135s have that familiar forward mid ring of the era along with a kicking upper bass. Play Almost by local hero Ken Haddock and sit back and enjoy. What a voice, and the big Naims make it so dramatic.

Let's have some subtlety as well, try In the Water by Slow Dancer and High and Dry by Radiohead..

Change to the NAP 350s and this is a leap. They aren't as forward in the midrange but they combine more detail more dynamics and overall more realism. The bass goes deeper and it's tight, fast and controlled. Big Ken's voice is even more emotional.

Of course this shouldn't be close, the 350s should be better, things have moved on.

I still love the 135s and this pair is probably the best ever. They are for sale too if you're interested?

But Naim aren't stupid, the NAP 350s are at a different level. maybe now I'll compare them to the 500 watt Linns!