102 vs. 82

Posted by: apple2k on 11 March 2003

I have a Nait 3R and just bought a 150: big improvement in bass and dynamics and now I'd like to upgrade from my Nait 3R (which I'm using as a preamp).

There seem to be a lot of 102 and 82 for sale used with the digital power supplies, will a 102 be a big improvement? And would an 82 be ever more or is this overkill with a 150? I have no need for a more powerful amp.

Any suggestions from someone who has made this jump would be appreciated.
Posted on: 11 March 2003 by herm
Hello "apple2k"

in both cases (102 or 82) you would need a Hi-Cap to get the best results. I don;t know what your budget is, but I can't help feeling a 102 with Hi and NAPSC would be a better idea than a buck nekkid 82.

Many will disagree, I'm sure.

BTW do you have a real name?

Herman
Posted on: 11 March 2003 by shinpad
quote:
Originally posted by apple2k:
...will a 102 be a big improvement? And would an 82 be ever more or is this overkill with a 150?.


Yes, a 102 will be a big improvement - an 82 will be even bigger, but it depends on your source. The 82 will reveal any weaknesses that may exist with your source so I would say your decision depends on what your source(s) is(are)

good luck

Graham
Posted on: 11 March 2003 by Frank Abela
The 82 is the way to go. It provides a much more open window with better timing. I don't care what your source is, but the 82 will give you much more than a 102 and be a better springboard for future upgrades.

Regards,
Frank.
All opinions are my own and do not reflect the opinion of any organisations I work for, except where this is stated explicitly.
Posted on: 11 March 2003 by Alco
quote:
went from a 102 to 82 and the improvement is tremendous

Hmm, I've never heard a 102, but recently I had a 82. Great pre-amp, but (very poor VFM) imho not significantly better than a NAC72.
I imagine the difference between a 102 and 82 would be even smaller.

regards,
Alco
Posted on: 11 March 2003 by Bob Shedlock
Alco - Is that the 82 you never let warm up?
Posted on: 11 March 2003 by Alco
quote:
Alco - Is that the 82 you never let warm up?

Big Grin it was the s/h 82 that was warmed up for 4 days.
That oughtta do it, imho. If not, bad luck. I already sold it fora good (read:better) price.
I'm planning on selling the 180 also, and go back to my trusty ol' Nait-2.
(in my small room, with fairly easy driven speakers, ít's enough to enjoy my kinda music!)

regards,
Alco

[This message was edited by Alco on TUESDAY 11 March 2003 at 19:14.]
Posted on: 11 March 2003 by Peter C
Go for the 82, you won't regret it.
Posted on: 11 March 2003 by apple2k
thank you for all the information, i am using a CD3 as a source which i prefer to the CD5 which i also owned but sold as i did not think it quite had the 'boogie' factor of the CD3

peter
Posted on: 11 March 2003 by Jay
If you plan on future system building an 82 makes more sense than a 102. Sounds heaps better and offers you more scope for upgrades. Sure your system will be a little "fat around the middle" in the short term - but then aren't we all Razz

Alternatively you could go CDX to replace that CD3, then 82 or 102 later.

Jay

PS Alco. Let me get this straight. You sold an 82/180 to go back to your Nait2 Roll Eyes
Posted on: 11 March 2003 by Robbie
Hi Alco,

Could you lend me your ears? That'll save me a lot of money !

Regards,
Rob.
Posted on: 12 March 2003 by Alco
quote:
PS Alco. Let me get this straight. You sold an 82/180 to go back to your Nait2

Yes, Jay & Robbie... I went from Nait-2 to 82/180 and.... back!
Sure, the 82/180 was better, but even at the fair s/h price I had to pay for it, the improvement wasn't worth all that cash,imho.

I can enjoy my music just as well with a Nait-2.

regards,
Alco
Posted on: 16 March 2003 by Carpe Diem
Hi,

I recently went from a Nait 3R to a 102/180 combo. Put simply the diffrence is huge - detail, control, rhythm, the whole thing. Not listened to an 82 though.

Jon.
Posted on: 16 March 2003 by Rico
A better preamp is a better preamp.

One does not "need" a PSU to get the best out of an 82. A given PSU merely improves it. Put it this way: with (say) a CDX as source, and (say) a 140 as power amp, no PSU - the 82 is better than the 102. Simple.

"fat around the middle". I guess there's no hairdressing term for that! Cool Nice one, Jay!

Rico - SM/Mullet Audio
Posted on: 16 March 2003 by Steve Toy
quote:
The 82 need at least a Hicap. I tried 82 into the 180 and it sounded worse than the 102/180. It really need its own power supply.


My own findings did not concur with the above viewpoint. The power output feed from the 180 is more than adequate for the 82 - the 82 and 180 were designed to work together.

The 102 - 82 upgrade into a 180 is a no-brainer

Obviously a Hi-cap would improve matters, but it isn't essential as it would be with, say 82/140 where the power feed om the 140 just isn't up to the job of nourishing an 82, imho.

As for with a 150, I would try the 82 in this combination before buying unless you can also get your hands on a Hi-cap.



Regards,

Steve.
Posted on: 17 March 2003 by sceptic
quote:
Originally posted by Rico:

"fat around the middle". I guess there's no hairdressing term for that! Cool Nice one, Jay!

Rico - SM/Mullet Audio


-Mohican? Confused