Old 52 or 82

Posted by: markfs on 13 August 2003

Hello to all,

While down at my dealers to pick up a looooooong awaited cds3 a few weeks ago(system is now cds3,xps1-82 hicap-250-wil.ben actors), i spotted an old 1990 nac52 with 52ps on the second hand shelves going for 2 grand for the pair.Seeing this got the better of me and a few days ago i went back to borrow them,within a couple of hours the system is sounding loads better,really smooth and detailed from top to bottom.My first impressions are to px it with my 82,but now im wondering how much better new power supplies,(like the SC2)are than the 52ps,and would i get a similar system lift by keeping the 82 and adding a SC2?,i cant find a SC2 to borrow to find this out myself as none of the local dealers have much of the new reference series on their shelves yet,is the new reference series THAT much better than the old olive range of pre amps and power supplies?
Would buying this combo be a sideways move considering the inevitable upgrade bug will bite in the future,and the new technology involved ?So many questions i know but im wondering if theres anyone who has had experience with these up/downgrade shifts.

Also,slight cons with this combo are that they are going to need re-capping being thirteen years old and that it wont work with the narcom 2 remote,so two remotes,which is a pain in the a***!

thanks in advance for your replys,
mark
Posted on: 13 August 2003 by Jean-Marc
Mark,
with a CDS3 upfront, you need to have something ending in 52 (552, 252 or 52). Your 82/1*Hicap is a serious bottleneck, IMHO.

Jean-Marc
(CDS2/52/SC/250)
Posted on: 13 August 2003 by markfs
Cheers jean-marc,
Your so right about the need for a 52 of some kind,the system has been booted into a totally different balance,its an unbelievable transformation,dont know if i should stick with this old 52/52ps combination or try to find something slightly newer,maybe newer ones sound slightly better with the supercap? anyone?
Mark
Posted on: 13 August 2003 by Jean-Marc
Hi Mark,
if you want to go the S/H 52 route, it would maybe be better waiting for a recent model with a SC than buying the old 52/PS.
My 52 dates from around 1995/96, it performs great but it needs the volume pot upgrade to be up-to-date.

If you have enough dough, you may also purchase brand new SC2 and XPS2?

Cheers
JM
Posted on: 13 August 2003 by Emil F
Mark

go for the SC2. It will give a big improvement over your system.

Later when possible buy a 252.

With CDS3 you don't need to look back!

Emil
Posted on: 13 August 2003 by Goldstar
Hello Markfs,

I used an 82 with a supercap for two years then changed to a 52 also with supercap. The change was not subtle, much more detail but also much more control. I am sure you know that the 82 does not use all of the supercap.

Regards Robert
Posted on: 14 August 2003 by Rico
the 52/PS would be an economical option, allowing you to move up to an XPS2 sooner, a significant upgrade.

Rico - SM/Mullet Audio
Posted on: 14 August 2003 by ebirah
I had an older 52 that originall cam with a 52PS but the latter was subsequently upgraded to SC level (which naim can easily do, albeit at a price). In any event, comparing the older 52 to my newer 82, both using the upgraded 52PS, the older 52 was far better, no contest. The major improvement was its ability to convey musical emotion despite its more advanced years - someone here has recently put this down to improved 'microdynamics'. Whatever it is, it works. Older 52s are relative bargains.

Steve
Posted on: 14 August 2003 by markfs
Thanks for replys/guidance,
Think ive decided to px my 82 for the old 52 and get it serviced(new pot board and re-capping etc)ive found out the cost of this and think its quite reasonable.

This is definately the most economical way to more musical nirvana for the time being,stops me ruining my bank account even further. Eek

Whats that? a new XPS2,maybe,in about ten years. Wink

Thanks again,
Mark
Posted on: 17 August 2003 by Martin Payne
I'm using a 52 + 52PS between CDS2 & Super/SNAXO/6x135/DBLs.

It's not in any way disgraced.

I'd certainly spend the money to put it on Fraim rather than splashing out on a Supercap.

cheers, Martin

E-mail:- MartinPayne at Dial.Pipex.com
Posted on: 17 August 2003 by effinity
I quite agree, I think that 52/PS offers exceptional (relatively) VFM at 2.5k or less if you consider the price of a Supercap and 52 bought seperately.

Steve