New 282 Pre

Posted by: jim learoyd on 02 March 2003

Last week I went down to the new naim dealer Audio Republic in Leeds for a general discussion on the new Pre-Amps.Very interesting it was too, I ended up borrowing the new 282 Pre for a week. First impressions after 2-3 days was yes it's good but nothing great. But after 5-6 days and fully warmed up with an empty house (no kids or wife) I turned the volume up pretty loud and did some serious listening.
It became clear very soon that this 282 Pre was one very very good Pre-Amp. The sound was fantastic in every way. So involving, it certainly put a smile on my face. I wonder how it compares with the old 52? Rumours are that it is at least as good. Has anybody compared the two together? I had only one hi-cap with the 282 and it made my Neat Elites really sing. Very impressive.
I would like to thank Andrew at Audio Republic for his excellent advice.

jim.................

jim...............

Posted on: 02 March 2003 by Allan Probin

Call me mad but in a smallish room with easy to drive speakers I'm sure I would actually prefer to listen to music on my 282/200 (no PS) than a 52/(old)250. I've owned both but not at the same time so I'm going from memory.

The 282/200 is more fluid, and it's actually more refined to boot. What it lacks is drive and focus in the bass but to some extent (mitigating circumstance) that plays to the 282/200's advantage as too much bass easily upsets my room.

Allan

Posted on: 02 March 2003 by Bananahead

I can't comment about the old 82 or 52 because I am going the right way up the upgrade path. But my 282 arrived a week ago.

It is at least as good an upgrade as was the CDX2. The CDX2 was awesome compared to the Meridian that it replaced, but then I knew that it would be. Much more detail. Much better timing. Much more music. And it continued to get better for the first two weeks.

My new 282 (replaces a 72) was truly great from the first minute it was powered up. It makes everything nicer. Even eastenders.

Now I have two boxes warming up and every day the sound is getting better. I keep playing CD's that I haven't played for years. I just want to listen to everything again.

However, I also got a stageline. But it has different sockets to the plugs from my LP12. So I have a new T-Kable on the way from Linn (an interesting £250 too - good job I get it free). I think I will be in for another treat next week.

Nana

Posted on: 02 March 2003 by Allan Probin

Nana,

The 282 really takes-off in week three.

Allan

Posted on: 02 March 2003 by jim learoyd

Well guys,
very interesting posts. I am very surprised that little has been said about these very different sounding pre amps as to the quality that they undoubtfully are! We are in real terms talking substantially LESS money for better sound, i.e. pre-amp 282 and power amp 200. This gets really interesting!

jim...............

Posted on: 02 March 2003 by jim learoyd

Alan
it is interesting to see your comments on the new pre amps. Through memory I think you had the 52 with a SC? Is this correct? If it is you have made substantial changes in your system regarding Pre-amps. Not to mention speakers! I understand you know Andrew in Leeds. More comments on differences between 282 and 52 would be welcome.

jim...............

Posted on: 02 March 2003 by Allan Probin

Hi Jim,

Over the years I think I've owned (or listened too) pretty much the entire range of pre-amps and gone from a 62 through to a 52/SC and back down again.

I have a cruely punishing room so my experiences are a little unusual but probably not unique. Having tried all ways, one of my conclusions are that my room will only take a certain level of equipment before it becomes overloaded and congested. It's a little more complicated than that because everything has an effect. The electronics, the speakers, the room, the stands, the mains leads, etc. etc. Everything matters and needs to be carefully balanced with everything else.

So to some extent, the reason I prefer the 282/200 to 52/SC/250 could simply be down to the less demanding signal being put into the room. But I still wouldn't underestimate the quality of the 282/200 re 52/SC/250. The 282/200 is remarkably grain-free, even compared to 52/250. Immeditely before the 282/200 I had an 82/180 which, in comparison, almost sounded like it suffered from digititus (if an amp could suffer such a thing), the 282/200 sounding much finer in texture (more analogue but I hate that word). Combine that with a very fluid, open presentation and you have something thats eminently listenable and remarkably adictive. More so than any other combination I've tried here.

Allan