Upgrade from Nac 62

Posted by: Steve Smith on 02 May 2004

My system comprises CD3, Nac 62, Nap 250 (old) and Linn Isobariks (circa 1980) with Linn speaker cables. I bought this all from Dave Sanderin Leeds, and I'm very pleased with the sound. If you're reading, Dave, those bariks are producing lovely bass!

Two things I'd welcome your thoughts about: what is your experience as regards cables to use from Naim to Isobariks?

Secondly, it was mentioned to me by someone at Sound Organisation in York that the Nac 62 could be the weak link in the system. Now, no lectures please about upgrading for the sake of it and if you like the sound, why worry; I would we interested for future reference (and general intellectual curiosity, I think!) what the natural upgrade path would be for even greater refinement, detail and transparency.

From a Naim novice.

Posted on: 02 May 2004 by NB

Steve,

best cable is Naim Naca 5,

as to future pre-amp up-grades then you should consider at least an 82 and a hi-cap in place of that 62.

Regards

NB

Posted on: 02 May 2004 by trickytree

Far better to upgrade your CD player first in my opinion. Otherwise , as above.

Paul.

Posted on: 02 May 2004 by prowla

At the moment you've got a bit of a mullet!
In agreement with the two suggestions so far:
(a) The 82 is a definite improvement over the 62 (I did that!).
(b) The CDX is a definite improvement over CD3 (I went CD3.5/Hi->CDX).
I guess you've got one Hi-Cap in there for the 62?

Paul

Posted on: 02 May 2004 by Tarquin Maynard - Portly

Steve

Welcome aboard.

I added a HiCap to my 62, loved it. Great upgrade.

Regards

Mike

Spending money I don't have on things I don't need.

Posted on: 03 May 2004 by prowla

Hi, Mike. Unless I've got it wrong, there already has to be a 'cap of some sorts there to power the 62, doesn't there?

Paul

Posted on: 03 May 2004 by Steve Smith

Yes, of course - I forgot to mention the Hicap in the first place! Interesting that an upgrade with the CD player is mentioned, ahead of an upgrade to Preamp. I went along to a Linn night in York recently when a range of equipment was played. When the Genki CD player (about £1000) was replaced by the Ikemi (about £2000), I actually found I slightly preferred the marginally brighter and more "aggressive" sound of the Genki.

There is so much subjectivity involved, isn't there?

As regards the question of "source first", this may be true once you get to higher levels of pre-amps and speakers, but to my unsubtle mind, you have to have a certain amount of amp and speaker quality to start with.

By the way, the Linn speakers used on the evening I referred to were Katans, a small standmount (cost £650), which, in the context of the much more expensive equipment further up the line, sounded beautifully detailed and expressive. It's true you can get a lot out of a cheaper loudspeaker. However, the choice of music we auditioned did not favour bass - I doubt that they would have cut the mustard in that department in the largish room we were in.

Thanks for your responses.