Simon - Music, the Ultimate Upgrade.

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Looking to buy a pre-amp and I was wondering how the 32.5 and 42.5 compared to each other, ie which is better??

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The 32-5 is quite substantially better, and is easily the best sounding of the old style preamps. It also has the ability to be easily and comparatively cheaply upgraded with the 72 upgrade kit (NA729 filter boards) for around 110 pounds.

I run a 72 upgraded, and recently re-capped 32-5, connected by a black SNAIC (much better than the old grey one) into to a pair of old style, but recapped 135s. The 32-5 is very microphonic, and likes to be kept as far away as possible from a HiCap or power amplifier - used on a good equipment support it can provide absolutely astounding sound quality for its second hand cost.

I would advise trying to find a 72 upgraded 32-5, and then getting it re-capped / serviced by Naim. A classic flat earth preamp.

Tony.

always wondered why you dont get a nac 52+ps for your 135s. why hold on to the 32.5 when there are 'better' preamps available, whats the idea--will u share it with us. i ask as i am thinking of upgrading my 62 but am not entirely convinced about the expenditure vs value thing. the 32.5 was once the top-flight naim pre-amp, its own performance has not waned, just challnged by new stock...?

keen to hear your reasons/thoughts

regards

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always wondered why you don't get a nac 52+ps for your 135s. why hold on to the 32.5 when there are 'better' preamps available, whats the idea--will u share it with us.

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I am a normal person with a normal job, I simply do not have the stratospherically high salary that many here obviously do - just about any new 'full size' Naim kit is outside my price range, let alone a 5.5k preamp. Naim stuff is phenomenally expensive, I simply can not afford it.

I am more realistically as far as Naim are concerned, a 3 or 5 series customer, I just consider my second hand 32-5, Hicap, 135 amp a far better use of my hard earned two thousand quid than say a 112 / 150. It will not depreciate much now, especially as I have had it recently serviced, and it sounds bloody good. I was not actually even shopping for 135s, I was after a 250 but could not find one!

I have a very different perspective than many here, as value is a very, very big priority to me. My whole vinyl based system (P9 / Lydian / 32-5 / Hicap / 135 / Kan II) cost me much less than the new price of a 52, add my CD player in, and I have spent very slightly more.

My next upgrade will be to a second hand 82, though it will be quite a substantial time before that actually happens.

Tony.

This is not to say that a 52/500 system is within reach of Everyman or Everywoman. It still costs a lot of money - but when the sound quality is compared to round earth high-end, it's pretty reasonably priced. Unfortunately.

Phil

I use a 32.5 too. Have you heard one?

I’m not going into details about the qualities of the 32.5, Tony is far more eloquent and I don’t have the vocabulary.

I bought my 32.5 secondhand for £150. It was a massive upgrade over my 42.5. Given this massive preamp upgrade I’d expect the likes of the 82 (which I’ve heard in a different system) to significantly improve upon the 32.5 as another preamp upgrade. However, it’s a matter of affordability and value for money. I do intend looking for an 82 at some point in the future but the 32.5 is simply so good that changing it is not a priority.

Brian

[This message was edited by Brian on MONDAY 27 November 2000 at 15:45.]

we both agree that tony's vocub on describing his thoughts/values and experiences is simple and for me always a pleasure to read. indeed i intentionally asked a 'provocative' question so he could so beautifully narrate. naim should use people like him to help with their brochures. off topic here but read rega's brochure and you get what i mean.

i havent listened to the 32.5, i would love to. i got the ols style 62 and my next pre-amp upgrade will be a s/hand 82-i am not in a rush either. i certainly have a very simple job and little cash and value for money has become a major issue lately. sure krell and the other US gear could charge loads-am not bothered as i dont buy from them. i buy naim so i want to make sure for a pound i spend, i get real value, value being mood/need-dependent-make own interpretations.

in pursuit of this value for money thing, i decided to buy only 2nd hand naim, have it serviced and listen to music with new components (minus casing) like everyone else. but one day, the need to have a hicap grapped me so strongly and had to order a new hicap as i couldnt get a s/hand one-i regret my impulsiveness not the product. the company offers good value for its products depending on how you look at things; income, state of mind, need, values come into the equation.

it seems I use the term value for money selectively but not conveniently. i have self checks and will put them into overdrive for the next months.

here is a statement-upgraditis(sp) is a state of mind, agree or disagree?

regards

ps tony, how does your 32.5 compare to the 72?

[This message was edited by master will on MONDAY 27 November 2000 at 14:47.]

I'll jump in here. I've never heard the 62 so I have to take the word of a dealer.

I don't recall when but I visited a dealer to enquire about the 62 as an upgrade for the 42.5. He told me it was almost the same as the 42.5..it just had an extra input (or inputs), so it couldn't be regarded as a performance upgrade. I was advised that I should be looking for a 72 so I had a listen. It was obviously better than the 42.5 but I didn't think it was much better than the 32.5 which I'd already heard. So I bought a used 32.5.

I see a lot of 32.5 preamps on Loot for £150 and they really are a steal. The other steal is a NAP160 which can be bought for around £300.

Brian

[This message was edited by Brian on MONDAY 27 November 2000 at 16:04.]

the 32.5 is the better-known cousin of the 62 and i believe should sound better.

is getting a 32.5 a worthwhile upgrade-i doubt it, more of a sideways move unless convinced otherwise.

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is getting a 32.5 a worthwhile upgrade-i doubt it, more of a sideways move unless convinced otherwise.

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Is it better? Yes. Would it be a sideways move? No. Would changing out your powerhouse power-amp for 135's before obtaining pre improvements be a mullett-move? Yes.

Please note - this is un-modded territory.

Rico - musichead

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ps tony, how does your 32.5 compare to the 72?

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Never actually compared them, though I have often heard 72s. I would suspect a re-capped 72'd 32.5 to be in roughly the same ball park as a 72, I would doubt it were worth upgrading to one from the 32.5 anyway - as I said earlier I'm holding out for a second hand 82 sometime in the future, I just don't see the 102 as a big enough jump.

Tony.

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here is a statement-upgraditis(sp) is a state of mind, agree or disagree?

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I have often grappled with this question and have come to the conclusion that there are 3 fundamental drivers for upgraditis.

Firstly, genuine dissatisfaction with current kit. We've all got to start somewhere and I got into Naim because I realised I had stopped listening to my music collection. I was perfectly satisfied with my 102/180 to begin with, but realised the limitations of my Musical Fidelity CDT cd player and the slowness of my Linn Nexus speakers.

Secondly, knowing that there is something better out there can drive some to want more. Particularly if more can be had for good prices e.g. used items. That is how I upgraded my new 102 to a used 82 and got a second Hicap virtually for free. Likewise my used 135s were an offer I couldn't refuse, especially after hearing the home demo.

Thirdly, there are people who need the security of having the best kit to keep up with their mates. But I'm sure no one in this forum fit this description.

James

Yes, this is a fine preamp for the budget, I will move to CDX prior getting into another preamp.

oilan

What a shame I sold my 42.5 then.

Brian

[This message was edited by Brian on TUESDAY 28 November 2000 at 08:10.]

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Never actually compared them, though I have often heard 72s. I would suspect a re-capped 72'd 32.5 to be in roughly the same ball park as a 72... (Tony)

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I usually run a (recently serviced) 62, and broadly I love it. However, I have had Bob A's 32.5 (72'd, ex-Rico) in the system briefly, and it was simply stunning – an absolute "rightness" or balance of virtues not often encountered, by me at any rate. I have also tried another (not 72'd) 32.5, which needed a service, and although good, it was more "different" than "better".

Local dealer offered me a s/h 72 which I'm currently trying, and judgements are tricky because it's only been plugged in for 3 days. Initial reaction is that although it is obviously a technically better design than either the 32.5 or the 62 (much more stuff at top & bottom ends, etc.) it can easily be rather shouty and strident, although I realise that much of this can be blamed on lack of warmup. If this was it's "final" sound, then IMHO a good, late, serviced and 72'd 32.5 would be unbeatable music for the money.

Anyone care to comment on the 102 in this context?

Best;

Mark

(I still don't like this
software very much)