NAC 82 - NAC 282

IIRC, a 252 requires a separate phono stage and the 52 does not.

Too late to edit my previous, but the point I was trying to make is that if the 252 offers as little over the 52 as the 282 does over the 82 (I haven't heard that comparison), then the 52 would appear to be a relative bargain for someone who listens to vinyl, both for SQ and because you don't have to shell out for a phono stage.

beefster posted:

For a later pots 8 52 and Supercap, all boxed and very good condition , and serviced in recent years, I'd reckon £3000 , or thereabouts.

I should add , worth every penny.

I think i paid 2800 quid inc a brand new service that I had done upon receiving the units. Pot's 8. So thats a bang on target. 

JRHardee posted:

+1 for the consensus. The 282 is a marginal upgrade over the 82 and not worth the money. I swapped my Hi Cap fora Supercap on my 82, and that was worth the money. The 52 is transformational--a huge step up over the 82/SC.

 

A full LP-12 service, which involves gutting the TT into its individual parts, is expensive and worth the money.

This is a strange one. If there is a consensus that the 282 offered little gain over the 82, [and by extension the 252 likewise with the 52], then I am certainly not any part of this consensus of opinion. When the 282 was a new model I had a chance to compare it with an 82 [also a demonstrator unit]. I found the 82 far from my ideal amplifier, and the 282 seemed even better than my own 52. I have heard both 252 and 552, and I could not find any fault with either, which is not something I could say of the 52 that I owned. 

My regret was that I had not encountered the 72 when I bought the 52. And I while I do not prefer the 72 to the 282 or the 252, I preferred the 72 to my 52 ... my 72 [subsequently bought as second hand] was with me considerably longer than the 52 which preceded it.

ATB from George

The following quote is a little out dated, but can convey the idea!

“"Naim NAC282 The Naim NAC282 is poor value, but still popular, this is largely a NAC202 with the ability to add a second HiCap. Not much else is different in real terms except some marginal improvements in earthing arrangements. Optimum configuration is two HiCaps and a NAPSC. From £1500 second hand. Optimum configuration Now SC DR

Naim NAC252 As far as comparisons go with the NAC252 and NAC52 they ought to be similar, but they sound quite different.

It's a long way off a NAC552 and not a massive improvement over a NAC282. Again, the ability to power this unit from a SuperCap is the secret, giving it far more individual supply rails raises the performance of an other similar design. Optimal configuration is with a SuperCap PSU. From £2,000 second hand. Optimum configuration Now SC DR

Naim NAC552 Naim's outstanding product of the moment. “
Now the Statement Pre S1!""

Classic Preamplifiers USD 2015-2016 Price List

NAC 552 Reference Analog Pre-amplifier $34,995

NAC 252 Classic Series Analog Pre-amplifier $11,995
SUPERCAP-DR Classic Series Power Supply $7,695

NAC 282 Classic Series Analog Pre-amplifier $7,995
SUPERCAP-DR Classic Series Power Supply $7,695

The reason the 282 is so popular is because it gets into the conversation, @ 3K 2nd Hand, and can be used as an Analog Hub, supporting, LP 12’s, Ndac’s, US uniti’s, etc… and bare Cdx2’s.

Hence one can enjoy the analog TT, and multiple digital Sources.

The Poor Man's 552!

JMHO

The Armchair QB!!!!

al9315 posted:

 

WHERE does one find a 52/SC ??

You will find them rarely at the other forum. 

I sold my 52/SC recapped and with pots8 upgrade for £2k last year.  Great buy for a finnish dude.  

Nothing like an classic olive System, 72, 82, or the top notch 52. On this very post some members have pointed out the only pre-amp, they would trade their 52 for, would be the 552.

However, Technology has moved on, and Naim has done what any top notch company would do, Improve their Product Line. The Latest and Greatest of this New Technology is the DR Tech, for the most part The Forum, has confirmed this new Technology is the real Deal! Adjective like Clearer, Quieter, Tighter, Punchier, etc….. If one has the time give the following Article a Read:

Naim’s Discrete Regulation and bespoke transistor technology from its flagship Statement amplifier combine to revitalise the company’s classic power amp Review: Andrew Everard Lab: Paul Miller

“The result is a power supply Naim claims is 30 times quieter than that of the previous NAP 250, with separate supplies used for each channel in the NAP 250 DR, as in the NAP 300 DR and NAP 500 DR. Only in the NAP 200 DR is the technology used solely to supply a connected preamplifier, as this amp also lacks the NA009 power transistors.”

Also an Increase In Power, if I read it correctly!

“Those 40 years [Vintage Review, HFN Jan ’14] have seen Naim increase its power specification by just 10W from 70W to 80W/8ohm, a minor change relected in the performance of the amplifier’s themselves – the original NAP 250 offered 2x80W/8ohm and 2x140W/4ohm while the NAP 250 DR offers 2x92W/8ohm and 2x160W/4ohm.”

Point Being, If one is contemplating an upgrade via, 2nd hand or new, it might be wise to take advantage of the Black Boxes, which allows the DR Technology to be passed on, down the road, if one chooses.

I would opt out for an 2nd hand 282, and down the road pair it with 250 DR, and enjoy the ride. 

And just as the olive looks good all racked up, the Black Boxes will look good all racked up, when the new Silver plates hit the market 4 years from now! 

Well, JMHO

The Armchair QB!!