NAC 32_5 Vs. NAC 62 & Other assorted questions...?
Posted by: thenaim'sjustbill on 16 December 2002
I have the opportunity to buy a circa 1984-85 (?) NAC 32_5 which was serviced (new DIN sockets) and re-capped earlier this (2002) year.
Is there any way to confirm service records on any used Naim unit (providing that you have a serial# and name of owner during service) without having to constantly e-mail the CSR's at NANA and waiting for a response? It would make things a lot easier if there was a database that could be accessed on their website. If there's an easier way, please let me know!
Anyway, the selector has phono 1 & 2, tuner and tape 1 & 2 as source choices. Does this "guarantee" that this unit has a phono board in it? The owner claims he was given the unit as a gift. He has never run a turntable through it and only knows that there are two (2) phono inputs (one BNC & one RCA) on the back. Also, he claims that he's running a CD player through it. Can this be done by using one of the 2 tape selections? How does this 32_5 compare to a 62? Lastly, what's the average ($) US Dollar price for a used unit like this?
Thanx,
TNJB
Posted on: 17 December 2002 by Steve G
quote:
Originally posted by thenaim'sjustbill:
I have the opportunity to buy a circa 1984-85 (?) NAC 32_5 which was serviced (new DIN sockets) and re-capped earlier this (2002) year.
Is there any way to confirm service records on any used Naim unit (providing that you have a serial# and name of owner during service) without having to constantly e-mail the CSR's at NANA and waiting for a response? It would make things a lot easier if there was a database that could be accessed on their website. If there's an easier way, please let me know!
Anyway, the selector has phono 1 & 2, tuner and tape 1 & 2 as source choices. Does this "guarantee" that this unit has a phono board in it? The owner claims he was given the unit as a gift. He has never run a turntable through it and only knows that there are two (2) phono inputs (one BNC & one RCA) on the back. Also, he claims that he's running a CD player through it. Can this be done by using one of the 2 tape selections? How does this 32_5 compare to a 62? Lastly, what's the average ($) US Dollar price for a used unit like this?
I can answer some of the 32.5 questions.
The existence of the phono position on the selector doesn't definitely confirm that the pre will have phono boards fitted. The only way to tell for sure is by opening the think up and checking if boards are fitted and if so which ones.
The 32.5 will work with CD on any of the line level inputs although it'll be best on the unbuffered tuner input (that's what I use my CD player on).
Can't tell you US price, but in the UK 32.5's sell in the range of £100 to £200.
Regards
Steve
Posted on: 22 December 2002 by thenaim'sjustbill
If the tuner input is the best sounding and should be reserved for your best source (CD - after my LP12 in one of the phono inputs), can the tuner (now) be used in another input? I'm also seeing posts about different boards in a 32_5 that are better than others??? Can you add any further comments to that? Lastly, is the 32_5 better than my 62?
Thanx,
TNJB
Posted on: 22 December 2002 by Steve G
quote:
Originally posted by thenaim'sjustbill:
If the tuner input is the best sounding and should be reserved for your best source (CD - after my LP12 in one of the phono inputs), can the tuner (now) be used in another input? I'm also seeing posts about different boards in a 32_5 that are better than others??? Can you add any further comments to that? Lastly, is the 32_5 better than my 62?
On my 32.5 I've got the tuner on one of the tape inputs, the CD on the tuner input, and my PC connected to the AUX (using BNC converters).
Can't comment on the 32.5 v 62 though, as while I've heard both it was in different systems.
Regards
Steve
Posted on: 23 December 2002 by MarkEJ
I've compared 32.5 with 62 by plugging in an older (red light) 32.5 in place of a mint 62. Yes, it's better, IMHO. The 62 is a little leaner and sharper, the 32.5 is mellower and slightly more "of a piece".
Late model 32.5s have green lights. I'm pretty certain that any RCA inputs are non-standard, and may have been done well, or not. Also, 32.5s can be upgraded to 72 level with the (729?) boards still AFAIK available from Naim, although it is possibly more cost-effective to buy one with these boards already fitted.
The 32.5 used is still the best bargain in audio, IMHO.
Best;
Mark
Posted on: 23 December 2002 by Steve G
quote:
Originally posted by slim:
I had a 32.5 and it had 1 set of rca and 1 din. I think all naim pre-amps until the 72 had rca for the phono input. I know my nait 1 and nait2 did.
My 32.5 has 2 BNC inputs (phono and Aux) and 3 Din's (tuner and 2 tapes).
Regards
Steve
Posted on: 23 December 2002 by MarkEJ
I think all the NAITs up to 5 always had RCAs for phono. 62s had a BNC pair for phono, rest were DINs. Early 72s had 2 x BNCs pairs (for phono and one line input), later ones replaced the line BNCs with a DIN. Not sure about 32.5s.
Best;
Mark
Posted on: 23 December 2002 by thenaim'sjustbill
quote:
...The 62 is a little leaner and sharper, the 32.5 is mellower and slightly more "of a piece"...
Mark Ellis-Jones
__________________________________________________
Forgive my ignorance here, but what's "more of a piece" mean?
Thanx,
TNJB
Posted on: 24 December 2002 by greeny
I wouldn't assume you will like the 32.5 more than your 62. It's a matter of opinion which is best. If you want an upgrade and there's nothing wrong with your 62 then I would look elsewhere.
As far as I know though the phono boards in the 62 and 32.5 are interchangable, so if there are non in the 32 you could use yours from your 62.
Posted on: 24 December 2002 by Milan
Bill,
You can get a link board to replace the phono board in one of the inputs and that generates a line level input for CD.
Milan
Posted on: 24 December 2002 by Paul Ranson
I think BNC came in when the 32 became the 32-5. My 42 was changed from phono to BNC when it was upgraded.
Paul
Posted on: 24 December 2002 by thenaim'sjustbill
Like any other equipment comparison, personal preference between the 62 vs. the 32_5 will be the final determining factor. But I don't think that the 62 is getting a "fair chance" here (which is why the 32_5 seems so appealing to me, without even hearing it yet!) my 62 is about 15 years old and has never been serviced or re-capped. (I can hear the abuse coming already!
) meanwhile the 32_5 was just re-capped August ('02) of this year! I could be wrong, but I can't imagine the difference not being significant. Unless, the every 7-8 year re-cap mantra is full of... um, holes!
TNJB
