How big a differerence between older and newer 82?

Posted by: rp on 13 December 2001

and would it be described as the difference between a 140 to 102, or 102 to 82 or is it a very minor improvement. Have people actually traded an older 82 for a newer? Anyone know when the latest revisions were made - ie year or serial #. Should I trade my 102 for a 5-6 year old 82?

Posted on: 13 December 2001 by davidf

rp, I went from circa `99 102 to circa `99 82. A big jump in quality of sound. I don`t believe there are major changes in the 82 since 5 or 6 years ago but maybe someone else can comment. A used 82 is one of the great buys IMO. David.

Posted on: 13 December 2001 by Ron Toolsie

From circa serial # 125*** onwards the 82s (and 52s) have a lower noise discrete circuit board for the volume/balance which gives a cleaner, sweeter and more dynamic sound. Although conversions/updates are possible, given their not inexpensive cost are not cost effective for the 82- far better off to sell it and put the proceeds towards a new 52.
I had my 52 updated with the new boards and felt the gains worth the difference. Not as big as the gray snaic vs black snaic, and considerably more expensive. But an 'old model' 52 still beats the pants off a latest-model 82 in no uncertain fashion.

Ron
Dum spiro audio
Dum audio vivo

http://homepages.go.com/~rontoolsie/index1.html

Posted on: 13 December 2001 by Peter C

The 82 is a cracking preamp period and switching to Black Snaic is about the best way of improving it.

From an old 82 to a new 82 would a waste of money, if you want to make an improvement, try going to a 52 or upgrading your highcap to supercap first.

Posted on: 13 December 2001 by Bernard Paquet

Well,

I have done the opposite. Swap my newer 82 for an older 82. No big difference but i put some money in my pocket in the trade for futur upgrade (well in fact to pay my past upgrade ). I'm able to live with the older one for the waiting time until i find a great deal on a 52.

Bernard Paquet

Posted on: 13 December 2001 by ebirah

I emailed Naim on exactly this topic some time ago when I was considering a s/h 82. They told me there had been 'no major changes' during its lifespan - find a good one and buy it!

Steve

Posted on: 13 December 2001 by Ade Archer

My 82 is about 8 years old, and is actually the oldest piece of Naim kit in my system. Is there any point in considering a service on it at that age.
Older 82's, by the way, will have a cable tie around several wires above the volume/balance controls, which should be removed and the wires gently spread apart. Also, the volume control response can be adjusted with a screw above it to make it turn more slowly in response to the remote control. Earlier ones can be a little too responsive, making fine adjustment difficult.

quote:
From circa serial # 125*** onwards the 82s (and 52s) have a lower noise discrete circuit board for the volume/balance which gives a cleaner, sweeter and more dynamic sound. Although conversions/updates are possible, given their not inexpensive cost are not cost effective for the 82

Ron,
Can you be a little more specific about the cost, since I would probably have to find about £4.5k to upgrade my 82 to a 52, and I'd want a CDSII before that at another £4.5k. They'll be the entry level kit by the time I can afford them.

Cheers
Ade

Posted on: 13 December 2001 by Willem van Gemert

quote:
Originally posted by Ron Toolsie:
From circa serial # 125*** onwards the 82s (and 52s) have a lower noise discrete circuit board for the volume/balance which gives a cleaner, sweeter and more dynamic sound.

Ron,

Could you maybe tell us more about this "lower noise discrete circuit board for the volume/balance"? Did the upgrade concern a change of the volume/balance section or even the main boards?

Thanks!

Willem