new vs old

I'd be amazed if you can find a 52, Supercap and 250 for less than £3,000, but if you can it would be a bargain. If you go for a 52 try to get the final 'Pots 8' version. It can all still be serviced by Naim, or by Class A in Sheffield who are Naim approved but cheaper and quicker. The 52 will be fine with the CDS3, though the mismatched appearance is not something I'd be happy living with. 

Naim will attempt to service or repair all their products, the olive range is far from their oldest.

N

Thanks HH, reading between the lines I guess what you're saying is "get the NAc 52, not the SN2", is that correct?

IS the POTS 8 upgrade also still performed?

It depends on whether you want three boxes or one, or for them to match. I would not advise one way or the other. The Pots 8 upgrade would cost a lot of money - I think I saw £400 or something  daft mentioned once. 

So I guess th SN2 makes more sense being newer and matching, and only one box... My idea was that I could maybe get a much better amp for less money, but that doesn't seem to be your conclusion right?

TEF

think you'll be pretty gob smacked by a 52

dont be concerned if you find an older one with a 52/PS rather than a supercap as these are generally considered to be better 

i would also recommend stretching to 135s 

those 2 items are probably the best bang for buck out there

lyndon

I run 82 HICAP 135s, it's a lot of amp, I'm fond of the mixed look with the black box sources, and I love listening to music through it. Every time I think about upgrading I listen to some more music and decide not to bother. Darren at Class A did the POTS8 upgrade for me earlier in the year, and serviced the 5 boxes in one day, I think it was about £250 for the upgrade. 

Hi TEF,

A SN2 will allow much more of the CDS3's beautiful music-making magic to flow through to your speakers than even your current Nait XS, so is an excellent choice.

However, a serviced 52/SC/250 will give you at least the same musical upgrade from the SN2 as the SN2 does from the Nait XS.

So, if appearance is critical for you, then the SN2 is a safe and excellent choice.

If sound quality is paramount, then go for the 52/SC/250.  Naim does indeed service these olive electronics and can upgrade your POTS board to POTS8 if you really need it.

Does a CDS3 work with a 52? If this is a serious question, then yes it most certainly does, at least in our household - see my forum profile for further details.

Hope this helps, FT

52/250 anyday of the week if you count in a service

Great partner to the superb CDS3 if you dont care about the visual variants

Next down could be 282/250

A SN2 is better on some accounts than XS/FC

But not overall better, in fact I prefer my XS to my recent SN and SN2 in my own setup and room, both sold on now

Speaker choice/room is essential, do you have enough Oomphh now ? You may not need a new amp but fine tuning, stands, cables and so on.

Hungryhalibut posted:

I'd be amazed if you can find a 52, Supercap and 250 for less than £3,000, but if you can it would be a bargain. If you go for a 52 try to get the final 'Pots 8' version. It can all still be serviced by Naim, or by Class A in Sheffield who are Naim approved but cheaper and quicker. The 52 will be fine with the CDS3, though the mismatched appearance is not something I'd be happy living with. 

Indeed, assuming one can find them I would expect the cost to be upward of £3,200-ish for the three components and likely to need service work, typically at around £400 per box. The finished result compares well, people say, to the Classic range, though I've never made the comparison.

Just an observation from your original post TEF  - there's no way I could think of the SN2 as being "in your face" or harsh!

For me, the SN2s virtues are nice balance and authority from an integrated amp. 

You can find them SH now for around  £2K. Considering the quality and versatility on offer that makes a good mainstay for a system ...

Or a stepping stone for upgrading if the bug bites. 

You could also go for an early 90's Olive: 72 / HiCap / 250 - a seriosuly good set, especially with CDS3.

I had mine serviced by Naim in late 2016.

Or to put it another way, going back in history, at the time the 72, then 52, then 552 were the best of the pile of pre-amps that Naim made. 

They are all serviced still by the company and are all really good. I have had each, and you will find any of them surprisingly competent today.

I am very happy with my 52, Supercap, 250, CDS3, XPS2 and have no burning desire to upgrade.  Wonderful wonderful sound.  I had mine serviced by Naim.

Adam Zielinski posted:

You could also go for an early 90's Olive: 72 / HiCap / 250 - a seriosuly good set, especially with CDS3.

I had mine serviced by Naim in late 2016.

Well Adam, Time really flies, I joined the Forum in January of 2015. In that short period of time, I've watch you go Upgrade crazy. 

Cdx2, 282, SCDR, XSPS, on Cdx2, 252, the last was mistake! Knowing you, you should have stayed with the 282, until that pre-loved 552 reached your door step! 

But to the point, when it comes to hands on experience you have paid your dues! 

Hence, I pay close attention, when you make a move.  But, I didn't know you still had Olive Gear, as late as 2016! 

So could you please elaborate on the following quote, can't remember who contributed it to the Form! 

{{"Naim’s Evolving Sound!

Naim is doing what any reputable company would do, Change.

It’s a very competitive market, if Naim stayed with that upfront, boogie factor, that was so prominent in the CB & Olive era, we may very well be partaking in another Forum!

Take a look at what has transpired over the last three decades: 

CB>Olive>Black Boxes, and now The Dred Black Boxes, these changes has set the stage for the New Evolving Naim Sound.

Hence, a Dred front and rear end, with The Full Loom, and one has the New Naim Sound, quite different from the CB & Olive era!

Think of it as an Hybrid between Flat Earth & Round Earth!

However, one must get there, and in the process, may turn some of us off, for example when the black boxes were introduced, some didn’t care for the laid back sound, they preferred the more forward, boogie factor that was prominent in the Olive boxes.

Perhaps, we are experiencing a balancing act, between the Black Box Era, and the new DRed Era!

Note, the New Naim Sound isn’t complete until the Full Loom is present. Hence, the introduction, or lack of IC’s, and Speaker Cable can effect SQ in many ways depending on one’s system.

But even in an Utopian Scenario, a DRed front and rear end, accompanied by the Full Loom, still ain’t a Statement!

After all, these Technologies are all trickle downed from the Statement!

I’m not one for hi fi jargon, but who can dispute, improved separation, improved imaging, Black inky darkness, Interconnects, and Speaker Cable that results in a lean and mean signal, all accompanied by The Naim PRAT!

“”Our dilemma is that we hate change and love it at the same time; what we really want is for things to remain the same but get better.

Sydney J. Harris””

JMHO ?""}}

Well, what do you think about that Adam, as it pertains to the Naim Sound, New & Old, After all you listen to the Naim Era, on a Daily Basis! LOL.....

Allante93! 

My Dear Allante93

That was indeed a long question The beautiy is that all the Naim boxes I use, still have that signature sound that attracted me in the first place.

The Olive set is probably more visceral - and that's why I like it. With Quad ESL-63 it is both raw and delicate at the same time. And it very much reminds me of my 252 with Ovators.

So there is consistency in what Naim does. And thank God for that

As to 252 - I'm glad I got rid of my 282 - I seriously dislaked that amp and decided to keep my SN2 instead.

Next steps? Ahhh... getting into stratospheric amounts of  money....  But when a good deal comes along....

Happy listening - enjoy the music. The WHY

Adam

Im still in the dark a bit about what to expect in terms of sound quality going for SN2 or Nac82? Any specific differences? 

Also maybe someone could elaborate on the phono sockets on the Nac? How does it compare to a stageline? 

Adam Zielinski posted:

My Dear Allante93

That was indeed a long question The beautiy is that all the Naim boxes I use, still have that signature sound that attracted me in the first place.

The Olive set is probably more visceral - and that's why I like it. With Quad ESL-63 it is both raw and delicate at the same time. And it very much reminds me of my 252 with Ovators.

So there is consistency in what Naim does. And thank God for that

As to 252 - I'm glad I got rid of my 282 - I seriously dislaked that amp and decided to keep my SN2 instead.

Next steps? Ahhh... getting into stratospheric amounts of  money....  But when a good deal comes along....

Happy listening - enjoy the music. The WHY

Adam

 

Thanks Adam, I think I get it, there is know Black or White, there is no right or wrong, and when it come to Olive vs DR Black Box Technology, Naim's Signature Sound is still there. But when comparing them, intuitively the Olive series is dear to your heart. Maybe it can't be explained rationally, just a deep down gut feeling.

Does that kind of express, how YOU feel about NEW VS OLD ?

At least 80% !  

Allante93!

PS. When that stratospheric amount of cash comes rolling in, I will gladly relieve you of that 252! LOL.....

There is no substitute for hands on experience, Thanks for sharing your view!

Allante93 posted:

Adam Zielinski posted:

My Dear Allante93

 

 

Thanks Adam, I think I get it, there is know Black or White, there is no right or wrong, and when it come to Olive vs DR Black Box Technology, Naim's Signature Sound is still there. But when comparing them, intuitively the Olive series is dear to your heart. Maybe it can't be explained rationally, just a deep down gut feeling.

Does that kind of express, how YOU feel about NEW VS OLD ?

At least 80% !  

Allante93!

PS. When that stratospheric amount of cash comes rolling in, I will gladly relieve you of that 252! LOL.....

There is no substitute for hands on experience, Thanks for sharing your view!

In a way it does. I like both presentations, but the Olive set takes me closer to the feeling I have when I play live with my band.

As to 252 - this one is staying. If 552 comes along it will substitute my SN2.... but that's a big IF

tef posted:

Im still in the dark a bit about what to expect in terms of sound quality going for SN2 or Nac82? Any specific differences? 

Also maybe someone could elaborate on the phono sockets on the Nac? How does it compare to a stageline? 

It's really hard to explain the sonic differences. I've owned an 82/250 in the past and enjoyed it for years, and now have current stuff and enjoy that too. The phono boards in an 82 are very good and in my view as good as or better than a Stageline.

The safest, or simplest, option is the Supernait, which you can easily hear and compare to your Nait XS. There are some dealers, such as Tom Tom, who stock Olive equipment as well as the current range, so you could go and listen and see which you prefer. 

Hi tef, just my experience but I ran a supernait 2, solo then with a hicap DR for many months but just couldn't take to it. now use a original nait XS which is much more to my taste , more freedom to the music and really flows well, with no hardness! what does the addition of the flatcap xs bring to the party ?

Steve

Well, if the 82 is anything like the 282 I would expect it to sound more emphatic or more enthusiastic than than a SN2.

That's my experience if it helps.

Clingy, I never AB-ed the XS with and without FC. I first got the Nait. Then I bought CD5x and FC2x in one buy. Connected it, liked it and never looked back. The community here pretty much agrees on the improvement the FC brings to the  Nait, although there are a few that don't care for it much. I liked the fact that it could improve two boxes, so in my opinion it's a no brainer.

Sorry there was a typo in one of my previous posts, I meant to ask about the difference between NAC 52 (not 82) and SN2. The one I'm looking at is from 2000 and has never been serviced. The SC is from 95 also not serviced. 

Hi TEF,

both the 52 and especially the Supercap will need a service. As a 2000 model, the 52 may already be POTS 7 or 8, so not require a change.

Once serviced, the pre-amp will better the pre-amp section of the SN2 in every important musical respect, by a long way.  This is to be expected, as its modern day equivalent must cost about 10 times as much as the pre-amp section of a SN2.

Hope this helps, FT