Hi Dan,
I’ll share my two cents. I have a lot of gear that has been restored by AV Options (52/supercap/250, chrome bumper 32.5/hicap/250, chrome bumper Nait 2), along with a Nait 50 and ProAc Tablet 10s. I have also had a Supernait 3 and an NDX2, and have had a couple pieces serviced by Focal North America.
First, you have a great system. It’s classic, and very worthy of service as Richard says. Since your olive gear has gone 25 years without service, I think you would be surprised and probably delighted to hear the improvements it would bring.
If you have gone 25 years without an urge to try other gear, I would strongly suggest getting it serviced. Switching to other products even within the Naim family opens you up to a potentially long and winding road to finding satisfaction elsewhere. And, if you sell your system and have regrets later on, it’s rare enough that you would struggle to re-acquire it. You just don’t see 82/hicap/180 units come up for sale very often in the U.S.
Personally, I would get it serviced with AV Options or not at all. They are the gold standard. You can feel confident it would come back as good or better than when it left the factory. With cost as a potential concern, I would start with the 180 and spread out the 82/NAPSC and Hicap over the next couple years as needed. They would probably not charge you the full list price either, for what it’s worth.
That said, if the cost is just too steep, I think the Supernait 3 would be the most logical move. You could acquire a good one for ~$3,500, and probably raise ~$2,000 - 2,500 from selling your 82/hicap/180. The sound has similar characteristics to the olive range. I’m sure you would recognize it sonically. And, it has a good headphone jack.
I would deal with your source separately, and keep it separate from the amps, i.e. avoid a one box solution. The technology is moving so quickly it would be a shame to spend a lot on a box only to see the entire investment rendered obsolete +5 years down the line. The Supernait 3 should still be making music in 25 years.
If you’re happy with the sound of the NDX, leave it. If you need more streaming functionality, then try an NDX2.
If feel you must address the source right now and funds are too tight to do that in addition to addressing the amps, you might consider a Nait 50. You could probably acquire a brand new one for just $1,500 - 2,000. It is outstanding. For what it’s worth, I kept my Nait 50 but not the Supernait 3 if that says anything. You would probably feel very familiar with the sound. It has a good headphone jack. The only drawbacks in my opinion are less power than the 82/hicap/180, and no remote - but I deal with that by turning up the volume to 9 o’clock and managing the signal output from the ND5 XS2 streamer through the Naim app. I assume it’s powerful enough to drive your ProAcs, but maybe someone with direct experience with those speakers can chime in.
