Which is best Naim 62 or Naim 32.5 ?

[MikeMusic]

Just compared my origjnal mid 80s 32.5, serviced 2 years ago to an Olive, so newer 62, not serviced

Unless the ears deceive the 62 sounds better

Sound right or not ?

[DSJR]

They're both complete rubbish nowadays *in stock form* if the aim of "high fidelity preamps" is to accurately give out what goes in, but buffered, and I always thought the 72 was a definite improvement, the 102 taking it further, but still nowhere near an 82 IMO

Whatever, this isn't what you want to be told, so to appease you may I suggest the modular 32.5 or 72, since the non-used cards can be beneficially removed, the awful (with digital sources) filter boards can either be removed completely (non Naim power amp) or replaced with 729 ones (the 72 still sounds better though) to more fully realise what digital can really do.

Avondale amongst others, make a range of cards and power supplies that do improve the sonics of the 32.5 and 72 and the stock 729 cards for the 32.5 should make CD bearable, but shouldn't you be looking at one of their new preamp/streaming solutions, since there's no way you'll change from Naim to something a bit more modern...

[MikeMusic]

They're both complete rubbish nowadays *in stock form* if the aim of "high fidelity preamps" is to accurately give out what goes in, but buffered, and I always thought the 72 was a definite improvement, the 102 taking it further, but still nowhere near an 82 IMO

Whatever, this isn't what you want to be told, so to appease you may I suggest the modular 32.5 or 72, since the non-used cards can be beneficially removed, the awful (with digital sources) filter boards can either be removed completely (non Naim power amp) or replaced with 729 ones (the 72 still sounds better though) to more fully realise what digital can really do.

Avondale amongst others, make a range of cards and power supplies that do improve the sonics of the 32.5 and 72 and the stock 729 cards for the 32.5 should make CD bearable, but shouldn't you be looking at one of their new preamp/streaming solutions, since there's no way you'll change from Naim to something a bit more modern...
This is System 2 which gets some of the cast offs
I have these 2 Pre Amps only need one so tested them to see what was going to move on.
Unlikely to spend money on anything but are you saying I can take cards out to make either of them sound better ?
The 82 was a definite improvement over the 32.5 but not a huge improvement
I have CD and PC inputs only which I plug into Tape

[DSJR]

Sorry about the tone of the above.. The 32.5 will definitely perform better with the non essential boards removed (Naim recommended it at the time I recall) and if you use a Naim power amp I still think the 729 filter cards and the Avondale 821's would calm it down and modernise it somewhat, depending on the power supply you use.

With the correct pins shorted, both phono inputs can become line ones..

[MikeMusic]

Sorry about the tone of the above.. The 32.5 will definitely perform better with the non essential boards removed (Naim recommended it at the time I recall) and if you use a Naim power amp I still think the 729 filter cards and the Avondale 821's would calm it down and modernise it somewhat, depending on the power supply you use.

With the correct pins shorted, both phono inputs can become line ones..
No problem. Thanks for the info. I will try both again with the extra cards out of the way and report back
Are the 'shorties' Russ Andrews sells the same principle as taking out the cards ?

[DSJR]

I believe so. Just make sure you get the pins right, as there's 24V on at least one pin per card, if you see what I mean.

Jimmy H went one further and removed the relay board, but I really wouldn't do that myself, since switch-on thumps are quite large as I recall....

[MikeMusic]

I believe so. Just make sure you get the pins right, as there's 24V on at least one pin per card, if you see what I mean.

Jimmy H went one further and removed the relay board, but I really wouldn't do that myself, since switch-on thumps are quite large as I recall....

I'm happy doing simple. EG taking out the tray and removing the cards. That's as far as I go. I'm not confident or competent to do more
Just the 2 phono cards so the other inputs could be degrading signal
So far as you know what would a DIN shortie consist of, a DIN with some or all the terminals soldered together ?

[roob]

You should ask on pfm it is the refuge for the devotees of early Naim stuff and there are a lot of diy bods over there.

[DSJR]

Now look what you've done to me :mental:

I want to try an old 12S for nostalgia's sake. Dual railed, or perhaps stripped out single railed, it used to be quite good at the time... :lol:

[MikeMusic]

Now look what you've done to me :mental:

I want to try an old 12S for nostalgia's sake. Dual railed, or perhaps stripped out single railed, it used to be quite good at the time... :lol:

Saw one of those and thought how cute it was. Managed to stop myself as I really ought to continue to be interested in how good it sounds !
:)

[MikeMusic]

You should ask on pfm it is the refuge for the devotees of early Naim stuff and there are a lot of diy bods over there.

Good idea
Seems to be the best place to sell Naim gear too

[DSJR]

Saw one of those and thought how cute it was. Managed to stop myself as I really ought to continue to be interested in how good it sounds !
:)

Needs to be a late one if compatibility with other Naim cards is desired. Earlier ones had different pin spacing as I recall...

[MikeMusic]

Needs to be a late one if compatibility with other Naim cards is desired. Earlier ones had different pin spacing as I recall...

I managed to rationalise the desire :)

[istari_knight]

Needs to be a late one if compatibility with other Naim cards is desired. Earlier ones had different pin spacing as I recall...

I used to have a 12s with a bolt up nap160 & when I upgraded to a 32 it was a massive upgrade.

Its all hyperbole & rose tinted spectacles.

[MikeMusic]

I used to have a 12s with a bolt up nap160 & when I upgraded to a 32 it was a massive upgrade.

Its all hyperbole & rose tinted spectacles.

Thanks
That now closes the door quite nicely on my 12s lust
:)

[DSJR]

I compared the two when new production. Can't say it was night and day, but it was a very long time ago and the 32 took over naturally because of the extra inputs. In theory when used with a SNAPS, the 32 should be a lot worse because of the significantly higher drain due to the extra boards....... The HiCap didn't come along until a couple of years later after Denis Morecroft did his over-complex but far better power supplies for Naim (at the time anyway)...

[roob]

Here is a pfm'r gushing about his newly acquired 12
http://www.pinkfishmedia.net/forum/showthread.php?t=133222

[MikeMusic]

Here is a pfm'r gushing about his newly acquired 12
http://www.pinkfishmedia.net/forum/showthread.php?t=133222

They seem keen.......

[roob]

Oh yes!

[istari_knight]

Yes but that's the same place that hyped up Naim Naits & A&R A60's saying they are classics/does anyone really need more etc... they were okay new but nothing more, nowadays they are thoroughly outclassed by a bottom of the range Denon. The 12s fits in the same category IMO.

[roob]

My thoughts exactly, rose tinted specs etc :)

[MikeMusic]

Yes but that's the same place that hyped up Naim Naits & A&R A60's saying they are classics/does anyone really need more etc... they were okay new but nothing more, nowadays they are thoroughly outclassed by a bottom of the range Denon. The 12s fits in the same category IMO.
Hey no knocking Naits mate
(I could be selling one soon )
:)

[DSJR]

Nait 1 and 2 are low powered but charming with it... Regard them as a coloured but quaint soft-clipping oldie like the Rogers cadet III valve amp. They'll even soft clip their musical way into driving older 3 ohm Isobariks too, although there's little dynamic range available :)

Nait 3 and all NAP90's - by this time hopelessly underpowerd and should have been stillborn IMO. What is acceptable for the old Naits ain't when you try to take it up a level - IMO of course - and for some reason the "charm" ain't there, despite the innards being basically the same as far as I can remember :scratch:

[MikeMusic]

Nait 1 and 2 are low powered but charming with it... Regard them as a coloured but quaint soft-clipping oldie like the Rogers cadet III valve amp. They'll even soft clip their musical way into driving older 3 ohm Isobariks too, although there's little dynamic range available :)

Nait 3 and all NAP90's - by this time hopelessly underpowerd and should have been stillborn IMO. What is acceptable for the old Naits ain't when you try to take it up a level - IMO of course - and for some reason the "charm" ain't there, despite the innards being basically the same as far as I can remember :scratch:
Sssch. Wait until I've sold mine
:whistle:

[istari_knight]

Nait 1 and 2 are low powered but charming with it... Regard them as a coloured but quaint soft-clipping oldie like the Rogers cadet III valve amp. They'll even soft clip their musical way into driving older 3 ohm Isobariks too, although there's little dynamic range available :)

Nait 3 and all NAP90's - by this time hopelessly underpowerd and should have been stillborn IMO. What is acceptable for the old Naits ain't when you try to take it up a level - IMO of course - and for some reason the "charm" ain't there, despite the innards being basically the same as far as I can remember :scratch:


'Cos they don't use H&F traffo's innit :eyebrows:;)

[DSJR]

There's more to a power supply than just the traffo's guv'nor (apologies for granny sucking eggs :lol:). I was surprised how the ratio between transformer rating and cap-smoothing seemed to have an effect as well, although this is only a subjective vibe from me with no foundation whatsoever in tested fact, or instinct in the better amp designers out there... I just got the feeling that the 90 was designed with a profitable low price in mind, rather than a good product per se as the little Naits were - and I'm extremely fond of the Nait mk1 especially, since it had none of the harshness endemic to the 110/140/160 and 250 *in comparison.* Only the 135's bettered the Nait 1 where music making was concerned I thought, all the others sharing an edginess I became increasingly annoyed with until the 180 came out, although I understand the 180's don't age as well as the others sadly, going off big time into characteristic harshness as they're now elderly.

[Mr Kipling]

Sorry about the tone of the above.. The 32.5 will definitely perform better with the non essential boards removed (Naim recommended it at the time I recall) and if you use a Naim power amp I still think the 729 filter cards and the Avondale 821's would calm it down and modernise it somewhat, depending on the power supply you use.

With the correct pins shorted, both phono inputs can become line ones..

This idea also works with integrated valve amps or preamps. If you have a phono section that is idle and just use line-level sources, remove the phono valves and you'll get an improvement in sound. I suppose it's less of a drain on the power supply.

I cannot claim originality for the idea as that goes to an audio importer who used to get a mention in The Audiophile now and again. His initials were B.B. and his name was something like Boroden Bowlowski - glasses, 'tache, and woolly jumper. Worked with the Heathkit S 99 integrated I tried it with.