The most musical Naim preamp is……..
- Thread starter tenpercenter
- Start date
Tony L
Administrator
My favourites are certainly the ‘chrome bumper’ era. I remember all the olive stuff coming out and gradually losing interest. I’ve never owned a Naim preamp later than a 32.5/HiCap and I’d be tempted to cite that as the high-watermark, though I’d want to spend time with a 12 or 22 before drawing that conclusion. I spent hours and hours listening to the 102, 82, 52 etc and there was always something rather cold and detached to the sound I just didn’t connect with. This being the point I moved onto other things. If I ever returned to Naim it would only be to a classic ‘chrome bumper’ rig. I suspect peak value is somewhere around a 42/SNAPS/160. I can’t see myself ever revisiting now, but that’s the sort of amp that could tempt me.
SteveG
pfm Member
I mothballed my Naim kit a few years back but am just about to dig it out and start using it again. When I do it I'm going to start by trying just the 32.5 and one of the 140's first, then try that with a couple of the power supplies I have (sadly only a SNAPS2 and a Flatcap) before going with the full active set-up with the 2nd 140 and the IXO (and another Flatcap).
I ran a 32.5/SNAPS2/140 set-up into Credos for quite a few years and liked it, so it'll be nice to hear it again.
I ran a 32.5/SNAPS2/140 set-up into Credos for quite a few years and liked it, so it'll be nice to hear it again.
Tony L
Administrator
Maybe! FWIW it always used to be quite simple; the 12 was the first two-channel preamp they made, the 22 the second, 32 the third etc. It bore no relation to quality or price-point, e.g. the 52 was designed before the 62, 72, 82 or 92. Since they changed hands the logic seems less clear.
PS The power amps were both channels output into 4 Ohms combined, e.g. a 250 was 2x125W/4, a 110 2x55W/4 etc. Strange given everyone else used an 8 Ohm value, but Naim are gonna Naim.
martin clark
pinko bodger
^ That way of counting makes the numbers look embiggened.
You wouldn't sell many '135's if more properly rated at 60-65w.
illustration - hey, I'm running a 72 into 2 x 60s!
You wouldn't sell many '135's if more properly rated at 60-65w.
illustration - hey, I'm running a 72 into 2 x 60s!
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GRC
More Red Wine Member
Yep - I loved mine. But it had to be on Mana.
But oh what a box count, cable nightmare (remember Hydras anyone?) and dust magnet.
Started with CD3/NAC102/NAP180/NAT03 + Dynaudio Contour 1.8MKII but "graduated" to CDX/XPS, NAC52/Supercap, Nap135 x 2, NAT02 (still with the Dynaudio Contours). Everything (inc. speakers) on Mana.
Was it "accurate"? Who knows? Did it grab you by the <insert bodily part of your choosing> and say "let's get it on"? Oh yes! Happy days!
James
Lord of the Erg\o/s
I'll never know exactly how much a pair of 135s put out into 4-ohms. The illusion that they have an iron-grip and can handle any loudspeaker was shattered when the Ergo E-Vs came along.
rontoolsie
pfm Member
The 135s heroically choked when I tried driving Sonus Faber Extremas with a pair.Passively biamping them with 4x135 was brilliant though
Totally agree my first naim amps
The thing about Naim is the box count can get ridiculous. I've been offered a 72/Hi/Naxo/Hi & SBLs at a stupid low price and I'd still have to source at least a couple of stereo amps to complete the set up. It's just too many boxes, cables and power points. Presently I have a Nait 2 into IBLs.
Anyway, I enjoyed all my Naims for a long time. I have zero regrets but sorely disappointed when Naim got sold to Vervent/Focal.
Anyway, I enjoyed all my Naims for a long time. I have zero regrets but sorely disappointed when Naim got sold to Vervent/Focal.
IWC Doppel
pfm Member
Alex S
carbon based lifeform
If you don't need the PSU, agreed. 32.5/110 was more fun than adding a Hi-Cap (something I did twice to make sure). With a 250, the 32.5/SC was great (but overpriced, better vfm I suspect with a Sean Jacobs or Teddy Pardo supply).
Tigerjones
Bagpuss
Yep. I didn't think a Hicap and Avondale APX2 or whatever added anything to the 32.5/110 combination.
I only ever had a 72 then a 72/Hi-Cap and then a 252/Supercap2 then doing the DR upgrade. All were very fine in their own ways. For me - 72/Hi-Cap was significantly preferable to the 62. The 252/Supercap2 is also fine in a different way - but for a very significant price difference. Went to listen to a 332 recently with 333 - and came away feeling underwhelmed.
As my NDX went pop - I have put the 252/Supercap2 DR / 300DR along with the speakers into storage until I move house. I actually have 2 x Atom HE with Acoustic Energy AE1 actives in different rooms which works rather well - I play it less loudly - but enjoy that more encompassing sound as I move around. There is also a Mu-So (early one) filling in. I also have Focal Clear MGs for when I want to go loud. There is something very different about a good pair of headphones which I am learning to appreciate.
As my NDX went pop - I have put the 252/Supercap2 DR / 300DR along with the speakers into storage until I move house. I actually have 2 x Atom HE with Acoustic Energy AE1 actives in different rooms which works rather well - I play it less loudly - but enjoy that more encompassing sound as I move around. There is also a Mu-So (early one) filling in. I also have Focal Clear MGs for when I want to go loud. There is something very different about a good pair of headphones which I am learning to appreciate.
I did run 2 x 135s into a pair of IBLs (passive) for many a year ...I still run 4 x 135's passively bi-amped with my Extremas
tenpercenter
Don't ya rile 'em.....
I guess it depends on system synergy and also there will be some variation in sound quality now, with different samples of the same amp. Those old Chrome Bumper Naim amps have something special that the later variants lost IMHE…….a Nac 42.5 is such good fun if you can find a good one !