I may dip my toe in some CB, but shamefully I don’t really know much about the CB nac hierarchy.
So, what are the differences/history of the 42.5 and 62, please?
The 62 replaced the 42.5. It had an extra input. Nobody seems to consider it substantially better sonically.
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The NAC62 also incorporated a remote source selector (ALPS, IIRC) to shorten signal paths.
Was 62 available as both CB and Olive ? Not that i’m intrested in an olive, just curious.
I do. I compared my 42-5 to a 62 and then a 72. The 62 was a lot better than the 42-5 and the 72 was better again.
Yes, the 62 was initially CB as it was introduced before the change to olive casework.
This Stereophile review of the 62/140 has a picture of them in CB casework:
https://www.stereophile.com/content/naim-nac-62-preamplifier-nap-140-power-amplifier
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I like the synergy of the natural partnerships so would partner a 42.5 with 110, and a 62 with HC/140. Prefer the older pairing overall.
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I think the earlier pre’s can be a bit more variable in performance than with later, because they got better at matching components and so on. The improved input switching in the 62 removed quite a lot of internal cables and this also probably helped with consistency.
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From a look at internal pictures, its a simple single motherboard, with just the option of cards for the phono. Im hoping itll be a nice simple and decent sounding nac
The main difference with these (and earlier preamps) compared to the 72 onwards, is that the early pre’s use a simple passive input filter to limit bandwidth, while the later pre’s use an active filter ( the so called ‘time aligned’ filter). The later pre’s tend to sound a bit more detailed at higher frequencies because of this. The extra circuitry involved has a downside though in that a HiCap becomes more of a necessity to get best performance. A 42.5 or 62 can sound excellent with just the single supply from say a 110 or 140.
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I did some comparisons a few years ago with a variety of boxes in a variety of combinations I had at the time. The 62 faired well and was generally a favourite. I had to choose recently between my 62 and 32.5, the 32.5 stayed, but only because my 62 was in a better saleable condition. I also chose to sell my SNAPS for the same reason, I often felt the SNAPS made the 62 and the 32.5 warmer and gentler on the ears compared to the HICAP.
I would say at the age of these boxes, the variation would be down to many other factors beyond the original hierarchy.
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Great stuff but being more than 35 years old, even preamps need service now and then.
62 CB could be a lovely thing.
FWIW my Olive serviced 62 sings like its paid premium.
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42/62 got less problems with 1-integrated board design, while for 32.5 the revision of daughter boards, the absence of certain boards, and condition of the boards are certainly affect the performance.
My 32.5 with 321/4 (before the leaner sounding, tighter bass of 321/5 came with 72), with 328 pulled out, and 4 324/7 in place are warm and gentle with a Hi Cap, and should definitely sound weightier, more bodies and more relax than Snaps.
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I had the same experience with SNAPS v HICAP
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