Upgrading

Posted by: Paul Gravett on 13 March 2001

hi, I'm new to the list but I'd like people's advice on this. Later this week I should be getting my LP12 Lingo back from my dealer, complete with an EkosII and Klyde. It's the best front-end I've ever had, but I'd like to know what to change next to do it justice.
The rest of my system comprises a 32.5/110 and Linn sara speakers.
I'm thinking along the lines of upgrading the power amp and adding a power supply. Maybe a 250/hicap, 2nd-hand of course.
Having said that, I've seen a 160/snaps supply for sale recently, along with a 42.5 preamp. Would that produce a significant improvement in sound.?
Someone else mentioned that you could get new boards for the 32.5 that improve it. Is this true?
Finally, what about the new Nait5? is this better than an old pre/power amp combination?
Lots of questions, I'm sorry. Believe it or not I've been interested in hi-fi for 20+ years, ever since I first heard an LP12 in 1979, but I've never been fanatical about it, much preferring to listen to good music - hence over 1000 LPs!

Posted on: 13 March 2001 by Steve Toy

Definitely NOT better than an old pre/power combination. In fact, in my opinion, the Nait 3 is actually better than the Nait 5.

Posted on: 13 March 2001 by Andrew L. Weekes

quote:
In fact, in my opinion, the Nait 3 is actually better than the Nait 5.

It's bound to be isn't it - when have Naim ever designed a new product that's better than the previous incarnations?

I wasn't going to bite, but couldn't resist

Andrew L. Weekes
alweekes@audiophile.com

Posted on: 13 March 2001 by Andrew Randle

Paul,

The 42.5 is actually inferior to the 32.5. My recommendation is to go with a hi-cap/250. Does the 32.5 have the 72 daughter boards installed?

Installing the 72's daughter boards in the 32.5 is said to be very worthwhile.

The 32.5/hi-cap/250 is still streets ahead of the Nait 5.

Andrew

Andrew Randle
2B || !2B;
4 ^ = ?;

Posted on: 13 March 2001 by John C

re Nait performance....I can't believe this either. I've only ever heard the Nait3/5 or slim line prepower lines and IMO the new stuff is way way way ahead of the previous line(OK maybe two ways). More so than the CD player. It must be said however that Steven appears to be alone in this opinion and he likes those screechy Rega speakers.

John

Posted on: 13 March 2001 by Chris Brandon

Paul,

It Really does depand on your budget.

If you decide to stick with the 32.5,get it "72'd",This involves replacing 4 of the internal boards(these take about a month to run in).

A Hi-Cap gives a 32.5 an unsubtally HUGE increase in performance,to such an extent that after living with it,you would NOT want to remove it (You could actually look at this as being manditory for a 32.5)

Purchase of the latest spec Black Snaic .

Remove ALL unnecessary boards,eg. If you do not use a Tape Deck,then remove the appropriate boards,also if you have two sets of Phono cards installed,remove the unused ones

When was the 32.5 last serviced ? Naim recommends a service at 8 - 10 years (approx). If you have had a recent service then perhaps these is less of an argument for going for a 72 as in essense,the two pre-amps are not really very different.

The Sara's can be awkward to drive,a 250 would certainly sort this out,(but do the Hi-Cap and pre-setion first !)

On the other hand,if budget is larger,then the 82 is certainly a Far more capable pre amp than the 32.5

What revision of the phono boards are you using ?As there may be later versions available.

In My Opinion,if your pre has never been serviced,had old boards in etc etc,then it may prove less expensive to get a "good" (serviced) up-to-date 72 rather than bring the 32.5 up to date.

Hopefully this is not too much info overload !

Regards

Chris

Posted on: 14 March 2001 by NB

Paul,

Stick with the 32-5 for now, replace the power amp with a hi-cap and 250.

The Linn Sara speakers will respond to the extra power and control that the 250 will provide.

The weakest link in your system will then be the 32-5 which depending on your budget can be improved by getting a 82 pre-amp. The upgrade to the 82 pre-amp will provide the biggest improvement to your system and once you have done this you will have a very fine well balanced system that you can enjoy for many years.

Regards