Olive 82, Supercap, Nap 250

Posted by: Bob the Builder on 20 September 2018

In my continuing search for a second system I'm picking up the above on Sunday morning and am really looking forward to hearing what they can do.

Posted on: 20 September 2018 by Sounsfaber

 

Nice man, get a hiline involved with some mana. ????

just looking at your profile.... mate it’s going eat the 102?

you do realise you will end up with a 52 as some stage so put any money into the 82.

so old still so good. Really involving 

Posted on: 20 September 2018 by Pcd

Had that system for over twenty years a cracking set of boxes just make sure that they are serviced if required. Used mine with Epos ES14 speakers.

Posted on: 20 September 2018 by Suzy Wong

And from that excellent starting point Bob will need SBLs, followed swiftly by a SNAXO, supercap and another 250......

Posted on: 20 September 2018 by Fred11

Great Bob. Will be interesting to hear what you make of the 82. I think it has a really great grip and tangible presentation. With a Supercap it will be super!

Posted on: 20 September 2018 by Bob the Builder

Yes I'm really looking forward to it,  I once went from 202 to 282 and was slightly underwhelmed to be honest but I'm sure with a Supercap the difference between the 102/82 will not dissapoint.

What will also be intersting will be the 102/SC I don't know if I have a bit of a 'freak' 102 but it is the most musical Naim pre I've owned so far with not a bit of the bright, sharp edged top end that some have experienced.

Posted on: 20 September 2018 by Ron Toolsie

The 82/SC is just a stop gap to the 52. You can get a 52 for only a nominal amount more than the 82, yet it is in an entirely different performance league. I know (because I have compared them side by side) that an 52/180 will devour the 82/SC/250 in no uncertain terms. And  cost about the same amount on the market too. 

Posted on: 20 September 2018 by Bob the Builder
Fred11 posted:

Great Bob. Will be interesting to hear what you make of the 82. I think it has a really great grip and tangible presentation. With a Supercap it will be super!

Sounds great but it won't be happening,  as great value as they are they were absolutely dominated by Dynaudios and I really can't imagine running them active would change that and any system I build will be in front of the big Dyns.

Posted on: 20 September 2018 by Bob the Builder
Ron Toolsie posted:

The 82/SC is just a stop gap to the 52. You can get a 52 for only a nominal amount more than the 82, yet it is in an entirely different performance league. I know (because I have compared them side by side) that an 52/180 will devour the 82/SC/250 in no uncertain terms. And  cost about the same amount on the market too. 

Don't Ron Ron Ron Ron D Don't Ron Ron  but a 52/180 sounds like it really would be worth hearing.

Posted on: 20 September 2018 by Suzy Wong

52/supercap on “that well known etc”... 

£3500.............

Posted on: 20 September 2018 by JRHardee

Been there, done that, bought that 52. 

Posted on: 20 September 2018 by Bob the Builder

It will be interesting anyway I have an early Bolt Down Nap 250 here at the moment so it will be good to compare that with the later Olive 250.

Posted on: 20 September 2018 by Sounsfaber

Just read my post sorry, “don’t” put money into the 82 (service pots upgrade). You will probably end up with a 52. 

Posted on: 20 September 2018 by Foot tapper

Olive 82/Supercap/250?  Lovely.  We have had that exact amplifier in the family for over 15 years now and it's a joy.  Source is an olive CDX/XPS too.  Enjoy it Bob!

Posted on: 21 September 2018 by Claus

Hey, even if the 52 is better, the 82 is still a great and not least very enjoyable preamp 

Claus

Posted on: 21 September 2018 by Flat

I moved from Nac 52/SC to Nac 82/SC and the 52 is more "hifi" but the 82 is much more fun to listen to, I think.

Posted on: 21 September 2018 by Ardbeg10y

But compared to a 32/62/72/102 the 52 is completely different money.

Posted on: 21 September 2018 by gary yeowell

Actually the 82 is bags of fun, and better with dual Hicaps, as opposed to a SC for my ears. Did the test, dual Hicap much more interesting on the 82. 

Posted on: 21 September 2018 by Bob the Builder

It's really nice to just be enjoying playing around with these different amps without worrying about climbing that upgrade ladder and honestly I would be happy with anyone of the amps I've been listening to lately they all have an energy and an excitement about them that the black boxes I owned just didn't have.  

it's true that black boxes have more of all most everything else including detail and finesse but for me they are also a bit too laid back and the DR amps I have heard offer a higher level of the same thing which is alright if your listening to some ECM artists like Keith Jarret or a Linn High res Clare Martin file but if your preference is for records and Keith Moon drumming on Quadrophenia or Miles Davis blasting a trumpet on Someday My Prince Will Come then IMO Olive amps simply convey that excitement more

Of course I have never heard anything from the 500 series in a domestic setting and they may well take the very best of both and turn into something very special but I can only speak of the amps I've tried personally and I'm really looking forward to trying an Olive 82/SC/250.

Posted on: 21 September 2018 by Flat
gary yeowell posted:

Actually the 82 is bags of fun, and better with dual Hicaps, as opposed to a SC for my ears. Did the test, dual Hicap much more interesting on the 82. 

Have you heard of anyone using dual Supercaps on a Nac 82 ?

Posted on: 21 September 2018 by Ardbeg10y

For me, it feels fantastic to spend less on hifi, but get more enjoyment out of it. Never expected this move.

Bob, thanks for the posts, I read them and look forward to your findings.

Posted on: 21 September 2018 by Bob the Builder
Ardbeg10y posted:

For me, it feels fantastic to spend less on hifi, but get more enjoyment out of it. Never expected this move.

Bob, thanks for the posts, I read them and look forward to your findings.

Me too perhaps it's just the way some of us brought up where paying the least amount for the best quality was considered shrewd.

Posted on: 21 September 2018 by analogmusic

Bob to be fair, you were running your previous 282 with a non Naim PSU, so that is not the Naim intended sound. I can't see how it is fair to generalize like this ?

Posted on: 21 September 2018 by Perol
analogmusic posted:

Bob to be fair, you were running your previous 282 with a non Naim PSU, so that is not the Naim intended sound. I can't see how it is fair to generalize like this ?

Well I think Bob use Dynaudio speakers so he is hardly looking for "Naim intended sound"

Posted on: 21 September 2018 by Bob the Builder
analogmusic posted:

Bob to be fair, you were running your previous 282 with a non Naim PSU, so that is not the Naim intended sound. I can't see how it is fair to generalize like this ?

Analogmusic

When I first bought my 282 replacing a 202 and forming the opinions I speak about above I ran it with Chrome Bumper Hicap for six months before moving on to the Dual Cuddly Toy (which after a long trial I preferred to the HC) a fact which I've spoken about many times but as is common for you, you cherry pick the parts of the posts you read that support the same old tired argument.

like many others on this forum you take peoples apathy at the electronics you have championed as a personal slur.

Posted on: 21 September 2018 by Suzy Wong
Flat posted:

 

Have you heard of anyone using dual Supercaps on a Nac 82 ?

Now that is an interesting idea........