Naim NAC 42 pre questions

You can't work with batteries as they react slowly to changes in power demands.

I went from a 102/Hi/napsc to a 32-5 HI and I couldn't listen to the 32-5 until I upgraded it with the boards of a 72.

I don't know if the 42 42-5 has a better sound than a 32-5 I suspect it doesn't, so I think these old components' glory is behind us.

Arye

Hi Arye

Thanks for your prompt reply.

>> You can't work with batteries as they react slowly to changes in power demands.

I agree with you that batteries are slow, and I won't be using them just like that. I will be bridging them out with a number of caps of various sizes. The only real advantage that I get from using batteries is that the DC supply is very (VERY) smooth. I don't think batteries on their own is a good idea. My main problem is that, due to a lack of funds, it comes down to a battery PS or building my own PS from scratch. The costs will be about the same (expect that the batteries will need to be recharged\changed every now and then depending on what batteries I use). What do you think?

Thanks,
Deon

__________________________________________
Life is not measured by the number of breaths we take,
but by the moments that take our breath away.
- Author unknown

I must warn people not to try the 42.5 in a top system-it sounds surprisingly good. I have kept mine-- waiting a second system(need a big enough bedroom!). In this regard I tried a 42.5(not serviced)160(serviced) versus a 72/250(1999) into modern £300 mission bookshelf speakers on good stands+new naim cables all round and thought there was little difference. In my main system the 72 is a little better than the 42.5 tho'(mainly detail rather than control/rhythm)(CDS/active 250's sbl's)but it's not huge and takes quite a system to show it up.
Hope this helps.
The 42.5(32.5 in this category) and 160 with a snaps2 +CDi added ?the best VFM available????--I reckon you'd have to treble your budget to get a worthwhile improvement.
i.e 42.5-->82 10x as much
snaps2--->hicap 3x as much
160-->250 3-5x as much and not a big difference
CDi-->CDS1/CDX 2-3x as much
Naim became a major hifi force with a reputation for 'music'on the sounds of preamps like the 42.5
Regards Richard
PS a friend's 42.5 sounded awful--some do need a Naim service--mine hasn't been serviced and sounds great

I have a 42 / 110 combo, still sounds sweet.

The inputs are limited, (only 3), but that might not matter.

You don't need a PS if you have a old junior Naim amp (below a 250), you can power it from that.

I believe the 42 will take a SNAPS power supply, but not a Hi-Cap. It needs to be a 42.5 for that.

By repute, the 42.5 is better than the 42, and nearly as good as a 62.

DS

OTD - Cerrone - The Golden Touch

Brings back memories...

My first Naim pre was a 42.5, it gives a very satisfying ‘musical’ sound, but unfortunately is a bit lacking in the ‘hifi’ department. You’ll get plenty of PR&T, but there’s a heavy price to be paid in terms of lost detail. The 42.5 differs from the 42 in that the .5 version can fully utilise a dual rail 24V supply such as provided by a hicap and some of the later snaps supplies.

After a period of putting up with its inability to resolve detail -at least to a level I found acceptable- I tried doing a few modifications here and there. A lead acid battery supply was tried and found to be little or no better than using the single 24V supply from my 110 power amp. A second hand hicap was added and did improve the detail resolution a bit, but also upped the PR&T, so the balance was still skewed too far in the FE direction for my liking.

Later on I fitted 4 on-board regulators (317’s) in place of the simple RC filters used to lower crosstalk between stages. These helped quite a bit and for a few years I was happy with the amp until I was able to get hold of an ex-demo 102 at a good price.

So, a good enough wee preamp so long as you’re not expecting it to blow you away. It might help if we knew what other gear you intend using along with your 42/42.5?

Mr Tibbs

Hi guys

Thanks for the great answers

I must admit I am not really expecting it to blow me away, but I do think it might be a good workhorse. I will probably use it in a system for my new home business (we are going to cut LPs to CD). The partnering LP player could be an old Linn LP12 or maybe a Garrard 301, but we'll have to see. I don't expect the old lady to be of reference quality, but I hope her to be of much higher qaulity that the ordinary, run-of-the-mill unit.

Is there a way to convert from 42 to 42-5? I'm not sure which model this is, but I will find out tomorrow morning. Thanks for the positive replies so far

Enjoy,
Deon

__________________________________________
Life is not measured by the number of breaths we take,
but by the moments that take our breath away.
- Author unknown

Deon,

Things to look for with the vintage of pre amp is the selector and volume pot.
I had the selector replaced on my 42.5 then my I thought my volume pot had gone. In for service the pot was kept, caps replaced and problem fixed. The volume pot will probably need replacing at some time in the future. My next preamp upgrade is going to be expensive in comparison. This little box rocks!

Dave

PS I love when people wax lyrical about the old boxes. They still work very well!