preamp

Take it easy guys. Sometimes a thread may not be seeking serious "definite" answers (there isn't anything that's absolute in this hobby anyway). In this case, recommendations on the most value for money preamp are likely the ones that owners are currently using in their systems.

For me, it's the NAC 202. A caveat is I only have experience with the NAC 202 and NAC 282. I surely like the NAC 282 more than the NAC 202 but looking back at the prices the NAC 202 is more value for money (I bought the NAC 202 used, the NAC 282 new).

Now back on a serious note - I think 282 or possibly 252 is probably a sweet spot in the range.

Innocent Bystander posted:

No preamp at all is the best vfm, easy if you don't have analogue sources.

i.e much as Andyl saidAC with volume control direct to power amp. Less electronics as well!

I like the idea of having a DAC such as the Chord Hugo TT going directly into a Naim power amp as there are many reports on this excellent combination. A good option for those who are just starting out ie. people who don't own any Naim pre/power amplification yet. For me, I don't really like the idea of splitting the pre and power if one already owns the boxes. That's just me. I may eventually try one of the better Chord DACs with built in volume control someday (perhaps the Hugo TT rev 2). Even though the combination may sound better than a conventional Naim pre/power setup, I will likely retain the preamp, occasionally swapping it with the DAC whenever I crave for a different sound presentation.

The 282 and the 252. With the 282 you get sheer enjoyment for a reasonable price. The 252 gives you absolute top end sound for a still reasonable price.

Only heard 172 once, but it clearly was able to demonstrate differences between a Chord Dave and Hugo TT

I think NAC 172 is the best value Naim preamp/streamer/DAC. But it is not upgradeable at all.

So the best VFM Naim preamp has to be the 282.

Can be powered by NAP 200, Flatcap, Hicap, 2 Hicaps, and Supercap.

282/Supercap is indeed a place on the Naim ladder one can stop.

282/HCDR is also a wonderful preamp, no real need to go beyond this for me personally.

Well i didn't get an answer on the tomatoes... so I'd say the 272. I heard one recently and was very impressed with what Naim has managed to do. They've moved the game on nicely here. 

It's very flexible. Add a PSU if you want more and also works well with a wide range of amps in the Naim range. Gets my vote. 

james n posted:

Hungryhalibut posted:

What are the best value tinned tomatoes? 

Any suggestions Nigel - i noticed we were running low. I'm thinking Napolina but am open to other options ?

Cirio would be my choice - the same price as Napolina but much better. 

james n posted:

Well i didn't get an answer on the tomatoes... so I'd say the 272. I heard one recently and was very impressed with what Naim has managed to do. They've moved the game on nicely here. 

It's very flexible. Add a PSU if you want more and also works well with a wide range of amps in the Naim range. Gets my vote. 

If you think about it, the 272 costs about £3,800 including a radio and a streamer. So it means you don't need to buy an NDX, which costs more than a 272, so the 272 preamp therefore has a negative cost - Naim are paying you to buy it. How's that for good value?

Cirio Passata is excellent, I haven't tried the tinned tomatoes.

Karl

Many thanks Karl and Nigel - the forum always delivers 

So do Ocado, which is where we get our Cirio chopped tomatoes. They seem to be on special offer about half the time, when we stock up. 

Hungryhalibut posted:

james n posted:

Well i didn't get an answer on the tomatoes... so I'd say the 272. I heard one recently and was very impressed with what Naim has managed to do. They've moved the game on nicely here. 

It's very flexible. Add a PSU if you want more and also works well with a wide range of amps in the Naim range. Gets my vote. 

If you think about it, the 272 costs about £3,800 including a radio and a streamer. So it means you don't need to buy an NDX, which costs more than a 272, so the 272 preamp therefore has a negative cost - Naim are paying you to buy it. How's that for good value?

Yes interesting point. It's a nice piece of kit and a bit of a steel at that price so i can understand its popularity. 

James

PS - Tomatoes noted. 

Hungryhalibut posted:

james n posted:

Hungryhalibut posted:

What are the best value tinned tomatoes? 

Any suggestions Nigel - i noticed we were running low. I'm thinking Napolina but am open to other options ?

Cirio would be my choice - the same price as Napolina but much better. 

it's ok  but try ,if imported, Mutti .

Hungryhalibut posted:

james n posted:

Well i didn't get an answer on the tomatoes... so I'd say the 272. I heard one recently and was very impressed with what Naim has managed to do. They've moved the game on nicely here. 

It's very flexible. Add a PSU if you want more and also works well with a wide range of amps in the Naim range. Gets my vote. 

If you think about it, the 272 costs about £3,800 including a radio and a streamer. So it means you don't need to buy an NDX, which costs more than a 272, so the 272 preamp therefore has a negative cost - Naim are paying you to buy it. How's that for good value?

Streaming aside,what level of performance is the 272 on ?

I don't use streaming but wondered if it matches a 152xs or is it indeed closer to 282, used solely as a preamp ?

Or is it just another fish entirely

Personally I think 202 and indeed 282 are way too expensive new, tomatoes on the other hand are affordable, allthough I havent a clue their quality

b_lund posted:

Streaming aside,what level of performance is the 272 on ?

I don't use streaming but wondered if it matches a 152xs or is it indeed closer to 282, used solely as a preamp ?

Or is it just another fish entirely

Personally I think 202 and indeed 282 are way too expensive new, tomatoes on the other hand are affordable, allthough I havent a clue their quality

 

 

The Billion Dollar question.  Ask for a demo of say NDX or CDX2/SN2 or even 282/200 vs 272/200.   Both of course are excellent but the ultimate judgement depends on how you hear the differences and of course VFM.  Personally when compared with other stuff I've heard I think the 282 is a superb performer for the money.

Like mentioned before you have to test it yourself. But the 282 is better than the 272 from a pre-amp perspective..

Surely the best vfm Pre has to be the NAC 72,you can pick one up for £300-£400, it will be worth the same or more in five years and has a phono stage built in.

Cirio tinned tomatoes 4 x 400gram tins on offer at Waitrose £1.49

Karl

How Long Is a Piece of String....?  Twice the length from one end to the middle.

Best VFM Naim Pre Amp, IMHO, of relative recent vintage - so capable of managing a CD player - would be the later version of the NAC72, with the 'CD' input and just one set of BNC's (rather than the earlier 32 like version with an Aux input and 2 sets of BNC's). If remote control is a must, then an 82. 

Note that the OP has not made any further response or contribution, so.... we are (probably) wasting our time here.....

Regarding Tinned Tomatoes, avoid Aldi's own brand, unless you are looking for extra water.... Cirio are much better VFM, IMHO. Better than a 72.....

Double best value...

Karl posted:

Surely the best vfm Pre has to be the NAC 72,you can pick one up for £300-£400, it will be worth the same or more in five years and has a phono stage built in.

Karl

My words exactly

I fear however, how many dare to use bnc to rca adapters rather than getting their cables reterminated, why on earth don't Rega offer their P3 with bnc option, to answer this, maybe they'd rather sell their own fono��

Why don't we bring in these 12 days of peaceful Christmas the tomatoes and preamps together by the linking pin Naim AV2? Rotten Tomatoes is a movie quality index, AV2 is a Naim AV preamp ...

I vote AV2. One can pick them up on the good side of the first thousand euro's and it even brings a good Dac.

I understand that the forthcoming range of pre-amps from Aldi are going to offer real VFM. 

Karl posted:

Surely the best vfm Pre has to be the NAC 72,you can pick one up for £300-£400, it will be worth the same or more in five years and has a phono stage built in.

Cirio tinned tomatoes 4 x 400gram tins on offer at Waitrose £1.49

Karl

Nac 72 great little pre.. But no remote stuff on it..That was the only reason I updated to 5 series...

NDX202

You could of had a NAC82 i seem to remember mine had a remote, it was quite a bit more expensive than the 72 when i bought mine in 1994, and they don't seem to retain there value like the 72.

Karl