I successfully posed a question on this forum earlier this year about streamers and the advice was invaluable. Apologies for being a heretic but I ended up adding a Cambridge CXN V2 to my Naim Olives and I’m delighted.
But now the cheap upgrading bug is beginning to itch. I’m possibly looking at changing my preamp. Current kit is a NAC102 with a NAPSC2 and a privately built power supply (based on a HiCap) into a NAP140 into Credos and inputs are CDX and the Cambridge Streamer. I’m considering moving the 102 on and buying a NAC82 - it’s the sort of cash outlay I can manage! The remainder of the kit would say as is.
Does anyone have comments, opinions or advice please? Thanks in advance.
102 -> 82 worked for me. just all round better sound. I felt that the 102 could be a tad harsh at times ( i used to say it “takes no prisoners”), and the 82 tamed that aspect, but without losing any of the good bits.
And then I added a second Hicap, which provided a very nice uplift over a single HC.
Still got the 102/NAPSC, though, and a spare Hicap; one day I’ll buy it a 140 or a 180 and put it in my wife’s system.
Another approval for the 102- 82 plan, I did this about 10 years ago and I’m still enjoying the 82, now with a Supercap. I thought the 82 was a big step up and has seen me through a number of upgrades in sources and power amps.
Go for it
Just moved from NAC102/NAPSC/HiCap/140/Credo, to a NAC82, and it is light and day improvement. Do not hesitate, go for it! It was a massive difference, and coming from someone who has tried various minor tweaks without hearing anything, then that is saying something. When I got it, immediately it sounded great, then I got it serviced for peace of mind as I was a little nervous of it being second hand. I felt the Credo’s breath a sigh of relief as they finally got what they deserved. I’m enjoying music so much more now. Remember if you sell the 102, it will cover probably 40% of the cost.
