72 Boards in a 32.5
Posted by: Edwin on 02 November 2000
quote:
I have been told that there are 72 boards which can be fitted to a 32.5 as an 'upgrade'. Is this an improvement? If so, in what way?
I run a updated 32-5. For me the 729 filter upgrade makes a massive difference, the sound is much tighter, cleaner, and has far better pace rhythm and timing. One small warning, is that when you first fit the new boards, they sound a little small and constrained, this goes completely after about a months burn in. To my ears they are better in every area to the original boards. In hi-fi value terms, it is one of the best 110 quid spends you can make, assuming of course you wish to keep the 32-5 for quite a while.
Another thing worth doing is getting your amp re-capped, as the capacitors have a life span of around ten years. I had whole amp serviced and re-capped by Naim around two years ago. Once everything warms up and burns in (effectively you have a new amp), it sounds far better and more articulate. When sending preamps back to be recapped, ensure your phono stage is fitted, as they do that too.
Tony.
The 729 is a time-aligned filter. This makes your 32.5 into an 'almost 72', with greather speed, detail, less blurring... and all of the 'opens musical detail' stuff... much better precision in the rythmn section. Well worth doing if the price is right; however, a factory service for your 32.5 may be long overdue. You might consider having the 72-update kit installed at the same time, rather than servicing the old boards and then replacing them. You should weigh up the cost factors vs a used 72, in case it works out better to just upgrade. This all depends on which market you are in.
Let us know how you get on.
Rico - musichead
quote:
it is one of the best 110 quid spends you can make
Edwin,
I enquired about the cost of these boards when I took my Hicap + 250 to Dimexs (Canadian distributor) for servicing this summer. It's about $400 Cdn. I can't comment on the sound, since I haven't done it, however, I can endorse the advice to service your power amps/supplies as well. The $475 (including taxes) that I spent recapping my ca. 18-year-old 250 and 15-year-old Hicap is about the best value I've ever received for my audio dollar - even better than buying used Naim gear in the first place.
Cheers,
John Schmidt
"95% of everything is crud" - Theodore Sturgeon
I did this a few years ago for my 32.5.
I agree totally with Tony and Rico. As long as you intend keeping the 32.5 for a while it's worth it.
Brian
At the US price, it makes more sense to sell the 32-5 and get a genuine 72 which doesn't need recapping.
--Eric
quote:
At the US price, it makes more sense to sell the 32-5 and get a genuine 72 which doesn't need recapping.
Some 72s are only a month or so newer than some 32-5s! 72s may well need re-capping too.
Tony.
Thats a good point. I recall your post. At the sort of prices mentioned in USA or Canada the boards may well not be worthwhile.
I don't know how much they cost in the UK now. I had mine a few years ago (perhaps 4, not sure) and they were only in the region of £90-£95. A bargain.
Perhaps a comment from Naim may be nice at this point?
Brian
--Eric
re.p
It is when compared to the M word. 
Brian
Canada $400 canadian. About US $260 excl. taxes
USA (NANA) US $325 excl. taxes
UK UKP 105-110 About US $168 incl. VAT
Why such a difference I wonder?
I'm glad you're happy.
Brian
I am happy. Thanks for the advice.
quote:
Anybody know a way around this?
John
far be it from me to suggest you modify your fine Naim equipment.... but I think you can do without the buffer boards if you prefer, you just need to strap the signal through. I don't know which pins are which, and if you try this - insert your fave disclaimer here, no liability implied or accepted - be sure not to route power down your signal lines... but it should be possible. Not sure how the absence of buffers would affect the performance of your Headline though, I guess it's designed with a buffered source in mind?
In days of yore the details were on McBride's website, but this seems to have vanished.
Rico - musichead
quote:
Do you have any idea how big the jump is sonically going from a supercapped 32.5 (with 729s) to a 52?
John, I don't own a 52, but know it well. The difference is huge. The jump from S/C 32.5-82 is beeeeeeeg! Especially after the warmup. The trick is to love the one your with. 
Rico - musichead
quote:
FWIW...a 32.5 sans boards with 729s + black snaic has got to be one of the best deals in audio of all time.
John: that's the point, it is!
Rico - musichead
quote:
Do you have any idea how big the jump is sonically going from a supercapped 32.5 (with 729s) to a 52?
As I mentioned in an earlier post (probably in the old forum) I had a 42.5/Supercap resident in my 6pack/DBL system for a week or two. When the 52 returned so did the music, although the supercapped 42.5 with black snaic did a very credible job considering I only paid $100 for it secondhand. A supercapped 42.5 is very 'hi-fi' with a rounded, soft LF, a suprisingly lush midrange, quite a bit of HF detail albeit it a trifle brash and more than a goodly dose of bounce. Certainly far, far better than with a mere Hicap. But the 52 made the DBLs wake up, stretch their limbs and dance to the music.
A boardpulled and filterboarded 32.5 is quite a bit better than the 42.5, and as such would probably respond even more favourably to the Supercap, but the 52 is light years ahead of even a supercapped 82, so it should have absolutely no problem showing a supercapped 32.5 a very clean pair of heels.
Ron
Dum spiro audio
Dum audio vivo