NAC 82?

[Seanf]

Although I'm very happy with my current system, I often wonder what a NAC 82 might bring. What I have at the moment is:

NAC 102
HiCap (with Avondale TPR4)
NAP 180 (with Avondale NCC220 boards)
Witch Hat Phantom
Allaes

Source is almost exclusively RPi through a DACMagic 100, though I also have a CDX and Rega Planar 3, which are not much more than ornaments these days.

Would the 82 be a worthwhile upgrade from the 102 in this set up?

 

[Del monaco]

I had one with my 180. Nice solidly built pre with its own Napsc unit. It was an upgrade from the 92 and was worthwhile.

 

[Gaius]

82 is a huge step up over a 102. In the right context the 102 does have that incredible resolution but can be uncouth and shouty.

82 is a classy performer, the down side is its like of many power supplies.

Can't speak to your Avondaled kit but a stock 180 is a great amp.

 

[MJS]

82 is a classy performer, the down side is its like of many power supplies.

Get a Supercap, but also the Witch Hat Superlink upgrade on the 82 which will let it use far more of the Supercap than Naim do.

 

[Gervais Cote]

Although I'm very happy with my current system, I often wonder what a NAC 82 might bring. What I have at the moment is:

NAC 102
HiCap (with Avondale TPR4)
NAP 180 (with Avondale NCC220 boards)
Witch Hat Phantom
Allaes

Source is almost exclusively RPi through a DACMagic 100, though I also have a CDX and Rega Planar 3, which are not much more than ornaments these days.

Would the 82 be a worthwhile upgrade from the 102 in this set up?

Items no. 2, 3 and 4 on your list are outstanding products, way better than original Naim gears.
Item 1 is really not up to the rest of your equipment so the 82 will be a major improvement.
Even as per today’s standards, this kit will be very difficult to beat.

 

[Seanf]

Item 1 is really not up to the rest of your equipment

That is kind of what I was thinking. The rest of the gear has been pimped in some way, which gave huge improvements. but probably leaves the 102 behind.

 

[say it as it is]

if you like the Avondale stuff Les used to make the 102 a giant killer his own words not mine

 

[suzywong]

82 is a huge step up over a 102. In the right context the 102 does have that incredible resolution but can be uncouth and shouty.

82 is a classy performer, the down side is its like of many power supplies.

Having both a 102 and an 82, I am in full agreement with Gaius’s analysis.

 

[DavidR]

Maybe consider selling the 102, buy a 72 and install a set of Avondale 821A boards.
Maybe also consider installing a set of Avondale HCR boards in the 180 alongside the Qudos you already have. I have the same set up amp wise, the only difference is I have the Avondale TPX1.5 powering my 72. This set easily beats a 282 / HiCapDR / 300.

 

[dspatterson]

A different angle but one that i have experienced when changing between the two (102/82) The improvement from 102 to 82 is subtle enjoyable and multifaceted, the move from 82 to 102 is like going from colour to black and white, i just seem to notice the downgrade more. The 102 is just not enjoyable after living with 82.

 

[Gervais Cote]

Maybe consider selling the 102, buy a 72 and install a set of Avondale 821A boards.
Maybe also consider installing a set of Avondale HCR boards in the 180 alongside the Qudos you already have. I have the same set up amp wise, the only difference is I have the Avondale TPX1.5 powering my 72. This set easily beats a 282 / HiCapDR / 300.

A 72 with after market boards is according to me the best sound quality/price ratio in the whole range of the Naim stuff. I'm not convinced an 82 is much better in its stock form despite being more costly.

 

[suzywong]

You may well be right. However one can pick up a s/h 82 for around a grand, which is probably not too far removed from a s/h 72 with a full set of say, (new) Kit Ryan’s boards.

It would be an interesting exercise to spend the kids’ inheritance and grab a 72 from fleabay……….

 

[suzywong]

A different angle but one that i have experienced when changing between the two (102/82) The improvement from 102 to 82 is subtle enjoyable and multifaceted, the move from 82 to 102 is like going from colour to black and white, i just seem to notice the downgrade more. The 102 is just not enjoyable after living with 82.

Interesting analysis. I felt something similar with a NAPSC on the 102 - didn’t really notice its addition, but certainly noticed when I subsequently borrowed it to power a newly acquired Headline.

One day I’ll send the 82 to WH for their Superlink mod, and the 102 will go back into the system during the interim.

 

[say it as it is]

Yes very close price wise.
I suppose it comes to box size and count. 82 does like more than one power supply.
72/32.5 with RSL though small form boxes and less of them.
I may have this wrong but one of the benefits of multiple supply is multiple sets of regulation, where as RSL the boards all have pretty good regs built in?

 

[James]

No question the 82 is a better pre than 102.

Yes very close price wise.
I suppose it comes to box size and count. 82 does like more than one power supply.

I had two Hicaps and the mandatory NAPSC powering the 82 I had yonks ago. That's three AC cables just for the preamplifier!

A far more elegant, and even better sounding solution is 52/Supercap.

 

[say it as it is]

Indeed it is but hurts the wallet big time.
This time around made myself a promise no item into 4 figures( not on intial purchase at least) strictly bargain basement or slowly upgrade. 52 SC just not viable given current situation

 

[divedeepdog]

I’m firmly in the Avondale camp, had A102 and NCC based amps for years culminating with Grad1/Voyagers. Along the way 12&72’s with 821’s, and a straight Pots8 82 powered by 2 TPX2’s.

My view was 12 and 82 very similar. Great information retrieval but image was flat. They’re also exciting/full fat PRAT which was too much for me and became tiresome after couple of hours. YMMV

 

[say it as it is]

So how you rate a 72 with 821s as opposed to the 82 then?

 

[James]

Indeed it is but hurts the wallet big time.
This time around made myself a promise no item into 4 figures( not on intial purchase at least) strictly bargain basement or slowly upgrade. 52 SC just not viable given current situation

Supercap first, then 52 when funds permit?

 

[say it as it is]

Nah went back the way got a 102 and a work in progress is 32.5.
Array of power supplies but mostly Avondale.
Power amps all Avondale based now.
Currently enjoying the simplicity of a nait XS seriously making me question do I really need more