hi -cap/??/NAP250

Posted by: Jez Quigley on 05 February 2001

I finally got my 250 (Hurray!!). I only use CD (Linn Karik III without Numerik)and a digital TV, so what's the cost effective choice for a pre-amp (any age any style) I will be buying second hand and my dealer says a 62 (£250)is the realistic minimum but will nonetheless sound great with a hi-cap (£450),new snaic, and the 250. Should I go for the 62 or try to find a 72 (£450)? Will the difference in sound be really noticeable and outweigh the difference in cost? or should I go for the cheaper option and put the money saved towards a Numerik (£400)? (all prices approx to buy second hand)

Posted on: 05 February 2001 by Chris Brandon

Jez,
I think that,if you could find one,a 32.5 (serviced,72'd) would provide the most "Bangs per Buck" .

Regards

Chris

Posted on: 05 February 2001 by Phil Barry

I haven't heard a 32.5, but that certainly seems like the best option, based on opinion in the forum.

I much prefer a hicapped 72 to the 62, but they sound different. If you can listen to both before purchase, that would be ideal. I suspect that a service 42, 42.5, 62, or 92 wiuld all sound essentially the same.

Posted on: 05 February 2001 by Jez Quigley

Thanks. I've just been over to pfmedia.demon where there is a description of naim pre/power amps. Looks like the 62 or an 'upgraded' 32.5 would be the most suitable for me. Anyone care to argue/agree with them?

Posted on: 05 February 2001 by Mike Hanson

The 32.5 is Naim's best "cheap" pre-amp option. It can sound quite respectable, especially with the extra boards pulled.

My usual setup at the office is 32.5/SNAPS2/110, which is nicely balanced. However, I've run it with 32.5/Flat/110, 32.5/SNAPS2/250 and 32.5/Super/110. All of these sounded "good" (some better than others), so you should be fine.

What I can't understand is why you bought a 250 first. This means you're stuck scrimping on the pre-amp. You would have been much better off with a 102/Hi/110. Oh well, you've made your bed...

In the end your system will sound fine with 32.5/Hi/250. It could sound better with a different configuration for the same amount of money, but that's academic now.

-=> Mike Hanson <=-

Posted on: 05 February 2001 by Michael Dale

I bought a 72 about 5 years ago for £250 boxed. I know this is cheap, but I think you'll find one for less than £450. I would say that a 72 is the minimum with a Hi-cap and 250. Happy bargain hunting!

Mickey Dale

Posted on: 05 February 2001 by Chris Brandon

Mickey,

"I bought a 72 about 5 years ago for £250 boxed"

WOW !Where do YOU go shopping ?

...and more importantly,what do you think you could get an 82 for ?

Regards

Chris

Posted on: 05 February 2001 by Jez Quigley

But the bones of it, since you ask.
I've been trying for some time to get second hand a hi-cap/72/160or180 without luck. When a 250 came along for £550 (old but re-capped etc a year ago) I plumped for that given that most 180's are priced around/greater than that and 250's are the amp of choice for Epos 14's so I would have wanted to go there eventually anyway. Thanks for your comments, I appreciate it, and welcome more.

Posted on: 05 February 2001 by Mike Hanson

For that price, I would have done the same.

-=> Mike Hanson <=-

Posted on: 05 February 2001 by Jez Quigley

Thanks for that Mike - I was starting to worry!
Can anyone put me straight on why when using line level inputs only, the pre-amp can make such a difference? I read on the forum about 'straight through boards that don't take any power from the rails' so I'd like to understand why is there a big difference in pre-amps performance?

Posted on: 06 February 2001 by Jez Quigley

Would anyone else like to give me their thoughts/cautions/suggestions before I slap the cash?

Posted on: 07 February 2001 by Chris Brandon

Jez,

My personal order of preference would be;

(1) 72 (2) 32.5 (3) 62

There seem to be some 72 bargains to be had,but if you can find a cheaper 32.5 (serviced,72'd),then the differences between the 72 and 32.5 are not that big,and I would expect the 32.5 to be less expensive (depends on fiancial situation)

Regards

Chris

Posted on: 08 February 2001 by Jez Quigley

My dealer rang to say that he was about to take in a 72 part ex, so I'm going for that - relief, I didn't really want to go for the 62, and all second hand 72's/upgraded 32.5's seemed to be either 250 miles south or 300 miles north from me.
While I'm in a cash slapping frenzy I'm going to get the s/h Numerik he has too. So, fingers crossed, when Saturday comes I'll have, what for me, is a dream system:
Karik III/Numerik/Hi-Cap/72/250/Epos14's
I'll be so skint now that I hope upgraditis leaves me alone....mmmm Isobariks for £450? mmmm...