NAC 72

Tony2011 posted:

Usual WD40 or have it taken to a specialist to have it opened and cleaned or  even replaced. Forum rules would not allow further discussion on DIY.

I understand. What do you think of the benefits of switching to NAC202? I have been advised that only moving to NAC282 will bring significant improvement.

Pepiva posted:

 

 ...What do you think of the benefits of switching to NAC202? I have been advised that only moving to NAC282 will bring significant improvement.

Considering you already have a nap 200 in your system it's not a bad idea to also upgrade to a classic black pre-amp in the interest of synergy, but a 202 will be merely different, albeit very different rather a true upgrade. It would depend if you prefer the differences that come with it, some 72 owners would but many 72 owners certainly wouldn't.  It's an awkward dilemma because proper upgrading from 72 costs a lot of money to gain the upgrade satisfaction. A 282 may find favour but is encumbered by the annoying NAPSC thing, and will beg a Supercap. It maybe just as well to consider a 252.

If it was my call i'd get the 72 serviced, keep it and spend upgrade money on the LP12  

Debs

Thank you very much for your opinion. That's exactly what I feared.

Following your argument: do you think that it is odd pairing the (olive) 72 with a (black) nap 200?

Pepiva posted:

Thank you very much for your opinion. That's exactly what I feared.

Following your argument: do you think that it is odd pairing the (olive) 72 with a (black) nap 200?

72 - 200 is not odd in that it's not compatible, the arrangement is fine.

IMO you should consider a pair of 135s if you want to spice up the system

72 - hicap - 135s is a wonderful amp : )

I wouldn't swap the pre to match the power amp. I'd swap the power to match the pre. Back in the day, 72/250 was Naims top of range pre/power combination.(I think).

If the volume pot needs replacing, they are still available. (Alps blue???)

Is this a bi-amping solution with a mono power amp per channel? They seem to be hard to find, but it sounds very interesting.

How does the connection work with the hicap?

Pepiva, you should contact Naim or a Naim authorised service centre with regard to having your NAC72 serviced and the pot either cleaned or replaced.

The NAC 72 is a nice pre-amp, particularlyfor vinyl (although tragically loses the mono switch of the NAC32.5).  The big box pre-amps improve the frequency extremes - or rather they extend the bandwidth somewhat, which can be a double-edged sword depending on your source - and also you gain further facilities, greater power supply flexibility, and you get remote control.  

Pepiva posted:

How does the connection work with the hicap?

Back in the day, the 72 hicap 250 was a well proven classic naim amp combination, but the 135 mono amps are better [top spec CB & olive amp] and IMO worth having the extra punchy power when used with more modern front ends and speaker combinations : )

Please DO NOT try using WD40 - !!  (it beggars belief that someone suggested that)

Please DO get the 72's pots looked at by Naim of one of their Service agents - eg Class A.

Fully agree with the 250 suggestion, rather than 202. A 282 would, IMHO, be worth considering.... Or even a good, used 82.... 

Back in the 80s I ran 72/Hicap/140 for a couple of years, I added 135s instead of the 140 and lived very happily with that combination for 4 years, the final change was an 82 which is the amp set I still use a quarter of century later. An olive 250 or pair of 135s would be amazing with your 72.

(Fatcat, I think the 52 came along about a year after the 72, so the top if the range was 52/135s, but the 72/Hixap/250 was and still is a fantastic amp.)

naim_nymph posted:

Pepiva posted:

How does the connection work with the hicap?

Back in the day, the 72 hicap 250 was a well proven classic naim amp combination, but the 135 mono amps are better [top spec CB & olive amp] and IMO worth having the extra punchy power when used with more modern front ends and speaker combinations : )

That's clear. Thanks. The 135s look hard to find though. What is the best route to search for them?

I've been using 282/HC/200 for a few years now.

I started putting together a 2nd system beginning with a 72 (fully serviced by Class A).

Being curious, I slotted it into the main system in place of 282. Now, I did lose some detail, and it is slightly noisier, but it is one fun, engaging preamp. You're really not missing a lot.

Honestly, unless prepared to go all the way to at least a 52, I'd stick with the 72. I've since gotten a NAP 140 to pair with it and I find the 72/200 setup sounds a bit better than with the 140 even if the looks don't quite match, so I'd get your 72 serviced and be happy about what should be a craciing little system.

Pepiva posted:

naim_nymph posted:

Pepiva posted:

How does the connection work with the hicap?

Back in the day, the 72 hicap 250 was a well proven classic naim amp combination, but the 135 mono amps are better [top spec CB & olive amp] and IMO worth having the extra punchy power when used with more modern front ends and speaker combinations : )

That's clear. Thanks. The 135s look hard to find though. What is the best route to search for them?

Best route by far is the Naim dealer network - there are a number of dealer who are well known for their second-hand Naim sales.  Make sure they have been recently factory serviced or budget to have it done.  

I would also suggest pairing 72 / HiCap with a serviced Olive Nap 250. It's a great sounding combo - does a stellar job for me driving a set of Quad ESL-63s.

Many thanks to everybody who contributed their views. This has been very helpful and informative.

Your volume pot is dirty.   ... an easy fix.