102/180/CDI upgrade path
Posted by: Adam G on 16 April 2004
Im looking at upgrading in the near future...
Im thinking of moving from a 102 to an 82 (funds permitting, also providing I can sell my 102)... How much should I be looking at paying for a mint second hand 82, which should come with a NAPSC if I am not mistaken?
Also, how much should I be asking for my mint 102 still with original box/manual/remote etc...
I am running a pair of Castle Howard S3's.
http://www.castle.uk.com/pages/classic_howard.htmOr would you recommend a different upgrade path?
Comments appreciated...
Thanks
Ad
Posted on: 16 April 2004 by Phil Barry
next move: preamp power supply. without doubt.
Regards.
Phil
Posted on: 16 April 2004 by --duncan--
A CDI sounds great through an 82 or even a 52 - not shown up at all. Pre-amp then power-supply unless you like to play really loud music and the Castles, which i'm not that familiar with, are a bugger to drive. As to price, some might say £1000 and up for an 82, depending on vintage. I couldn't possibly comment but please check your Private Topics!
duncan
Email: djcritchley at hotmail.com
Posted on: 16 April 2004 by Adam G
I was also thinking about a pre amp PS... Which would be the one to go for for future potential of upgrading to an 82 or dare I say... a 52...
Hi cap? Super cap? Flat cap? I dont really know the differences between them... Would really like to keep them cosmetically the same as my other kit...
Posted on: 16 April 2004 by andy c
Hi,
I have run a nude 102 (into a 180 which I still have), then flat-capped then Hi-capped. Hi-cap was a big jump on the 102 IMO. Plus If you get one 2nd hand It will virtually cost you nothing as you a certain to get back what you paid for it.
IMO of course.
Also, you can then use the Hi-cap to power the 82 (I have now upgraded to 282)...
andy c!
Posted on: 16 April 2004 by Adam G
To be honest, I dont really know...
I cant see me wanting to upgrade past an 82... and if that does become the case, then it will be quite a few years down the line!
Im happy with the system I have at the moment, but I feel I could get alot more out of my CD player with a PS/Pre Amp upgrade... I only use CD source for quality as Im from the digital generation... So no vinyl (well some, but only for mixing for pleasure)...
I heard the 82 when I first demo'ed some Naim kit, but felt the 82 was quite harsh sounding compared to the 102... But I know now that kit needs a few weeks to warm up, and I wasnt using a Naim CDP during the demo... I was using my old Marantz CD6000 OSE...
I guess the only option is to see if I can demo the kit that I will actually be using before I buy... makes sense, but I am still just in the planning stage at the moment... working out what I want, and what will make the most impact...
Thanks
Adam
Posted on: 16 April 2004 by MichaelC
Adam
I started off with 102/180 and then added a HiCap. The HiCap gave the 102 a huge leap in performance. The HiCap then opens up the route to the 82. I purchased a two year old 82 for £1,500 a month or so ago. It is a MASSIVE step up from the 102/HiCap.
The 82 comes with a NAPSC but needs a HiCap to power it. Further improvements can be made by adding a second HiCap or replacing the HiCap with a Supercap which then leads you to a 52!
I also upgraded the 180 to a 250. Although not quite as marked as the step uo to the 82 the 250 works very well with the 82. It seems to add that little bit extra weight to the sound.
Cheers
Mike
