Lions and Tigers and Boards, Oh my!

Posted by: thenaim'sjustbill on 08 January 2003

I just received the Hi-cap and 32_5 pre-amp that I bought used to replace my SNAPS & 62. (BTW - I started this topic under "62 vs 32_5 and other assorted questions..." a few weeks back before the new stuff came.) Obviously, personal preference between the 62 vs. the 32_5 will be the final determining factor here, but I'm hearing things I didn't expect.

Overall sound on CD thru the 32_5 seems more "together" than with my old 62, but I'm not sure if I like the difference (yet) ?! [>>> Note: I only had an hour or so to listen.] I guess that more "forward" sound (especially the vocals) of my 62 is ingrained in me?! Do any of the better and /or newer pre-amp models lean towards more of the 62's sound? BTW - the Hi-cap is a nice improvement over the SNAPS.

Where things really hit me was listening to my LP12. The sound was bottom heavy, closed-in and muddy! My ears hurt! Frown The problem is that I don't know what phono board is in the 32_5. I am only guessing that there might be a mismatch of board to cartridge. Confused I have a K9 which is MM (as far as I know) on the LP12... would a MC board cause things to sound so bad? How can I identify what type of phono board is in the 32_5?

Eek HELP!!!

Thanks,
TNJB
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My System: a NAC62 and SNAPS (I still have), a newly re-capped NAC32_5 and Hi-cap (i just got), a NAP 140, a Meridian 206B CDP, ProAc Studio 2 speakers, an LP12/Basik/K9 (yes, I know this also needs to be addressed at some point) and a Creek CAS 3140 FM Tuner.
Posted on: 09 January 2003 by Richard Dane
If you open up the NAC 32.5 look for the boards closest to the BNC inputs. The Board type should be printed on the circuit board. NA322 for MM, NA323 for MC (K, S, or E suffix).
Posted on: 09 January 2003 by Kevin-W
Richard

Just out of interest, what's the difference between the suffixes?

Kevin
Posted on: 09 January 2003 by Markus
IMHO yes, the difference in sound could be due to having a mis-match with your phono boards.

Fixing this is easy and, if necessary, you can use the boards from your 62 (I think) in your 32.5.

Unscrew the feet from the preamp (everything turned off, obviously)and slide the case/sleeve forward. Visually follow the traces from the bnc connections on the back of the preamps and see which boards are positioned there. The name and model of the board will be written on them.

The 322's are for moving magnet or high output moving coil cartridges. The 323's come in different versions with different loadings to match various types of cartridges. The 'S' designation is for "standard" moving coils, the K is for the Linn Karma (right?) and Troika.


Markus

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Posted on: 09 January 2003 by thenaim'sjustbill
What board would I need for my K9 cartridge... NA322 for MM?

Thanx,
TNJB
Posted on: 10 January 2003 by Kevin-W
TNJB,

Like you, I have a K9, and I use 322s in my 62. (at least I'm pretty sure I do, but I'm at work at the mo' so I can't check). They come up on eBay fairly regularly, and you can pick up a pair for £40 or so.

I'm going to upgrade my K9 next month, and I'm thinking about going to an MC. hich means my 322s would be going spare... if you can wait(?)

Kevin
Posted on: 10 January 2003 by thenaim'sjustbill
quote:
Originally posted by Kevin-W:
TNJB,

Like you, I have a K9, and I use 322s in my 62. (at least I'm pretty sure I do, but I'm at work at the mo' so I can't check). They come up on eBay fairly regularly, and you can pick up a pair for £40 or so.

I'm going to upgrade my K9 next month, and I'm thinking about going to an MC. hich means my 322s would be going spare... if you can wait(?)

Kevin


I don't know what direction I'm going with these two pre-amps... Confused

With the little bit of listening that I've done so far, I think I like my "old" 62 better than the 32_5. If so, the 32_5 will be going to a second set-up, or just plain going! If I decide the other way around, I'm hearing that I can pull the 322 board from my 62 and put it in the 32_5.

Time will tell (hopefully?)
TNJB