I have a NAC 72 which has its full complement of internal boards. Some of the boards are never used and I wanted some opinions if an uplift in sound quality could be had by taking them out or how the sound would change? The boards that I could remove are the tape output pair, the MM phono pair and the variable gain CD pair. That would leave me with 3 working inputs which is sufficient for my needs. I look forward to hearing your thought. Many thanks and Happy Christmas
I used to use my 72 in the same way. If the boards arenāt being used then, as you suggest, pull them out. Just keep them stored somewhere safe incase they are needed in the future.
Was there a change to the sound, can you describe the difference?
Itās been about 20 odd years since I last owned a 72, but IIRC, it was a worthwhile no cost tweak at the time.
Iād just try it yourself and see what you think.
The sound become clearer.
Remove the MM and CD boards first.
When removing the Tape boards the balance in the sound will be affected,I tend to like the sound better when they are in place .
It was always recommended (not officially, of course) to āpullā unneeded boards in the early Naim preamps. I think that the idea was that it allowed the unit to āconcentrateā on what was necessary to produce the music required.
I was never convinced that mechanical objects āthoughtā or ābehavedā in that way, so I have never removed any boards from my Nait2, NAC72 or NAC52.
Other Members with a better grasp of consumer electronics may be better able to explain the technicalities.
I think it probably relates to the correct (accurate) use of a regulated power supply - voltage and current.
Any load will induce a potential drop or loss, across a circuit. Albeit small.
With fewer boards (loads), the remaining boards benefit from a more accurate voltage and current, closer to the intended specā
Something like thatā¦
Hi @Paul6
Thatās a nice idea. Thanks for posing the question?
Please let us all know how you get on?
Iāve read others report it improves - or at least changes - the sound quality, (SQ). However, the few opinions Iāve read, some say slight uplift in SQ. Others say slightly different, not necessarily better, and they preferred the sound with all the boards installed.
I guess itās something to try.
Iām interested, because Iāve not tried it yet with mine. (Itās on my ālist of HiFi things to doā, when I have a quiet afternoon).
Please do share your results
Have fun
KR
R
With my nac 72, like you Igel, I keep the 324 tape out buffer circuits, with of course the 729 input buffers, the 321 gain circuits, and the 325 switching relay circuit. I find the same as you, itās better with the 324 tape out; plus the output to the headline amp is sublime. When the 322 or 323 phono cards are not used + 328 (variable level) it is better to remove them, in these conditions their removal positive the 72.
Thank you Alto, Iām going to try that configuration.
As graham 55 says , I never bothered to remove any boards from my Nac 72 . However a nice little tweak was to plug your CD player into the Tuner input ,two benefits from this were . Din plug which sounded better than both BNC and Phono and a short uninterrupted signal path
Yep. Good advice, rosie. I do the same
Welcome to the Forum, and may it bring you many hours of fun, amusement and - not least - enlightenment. ( I rather shudder to think how many hours old hands such as I have spent on here.)
And, of course, on this auspicious day, Happy Christmas!
May I be rather presumptuous and ask if you are you a long-term Naim user, and what other equipment you have in your system to go with the NAC72? (From what you say, you must have a CD player of some sort.)
Just found this post, which might be pertinent to the OPā¦
In fact the whole thread is a good read, on the topic of āNAC 72 tweakā.
Enjoy
KR
R
p.s. Have you tried anything yet? Any feedback?
Hi Graham 55,
Not such a new member , just been away for a very long time !
Naim bits are Stageline -Hi-cap, Nac 282 pair old Olive Hi-caps and a Nap 250 .
Cd player CEC TL5 belt drive transport with Sugden Dac 4 ā¦breathtakingly .
Record player LP12 Ecos 1,Dynovector DV20X2, Kahn top plate, Lingo four , Keel, Booplinth and a Tangerine Scorpion base board to be fitted early in the new year .
Speakers Acoustic Energy AE 520 in white on Track Audio plinths
Rack is Quadraspire SVT with QPlus refrence puck thingys and Quadraspire Sound Stage 2 platforms
Iām looking forward to replacing the Stage line after the 4th Jan , hereās hoping ?
Is there anything particular abut the 4th Jan? Is that when Naim price rises take effect? But, if so, people would usually try to get orders in beat a price rise. Anyway, no matter.
Iām not sure that Iāve heard of a belt driven CD player before, but I suppose that, if it works on the LP12s that we each haveā¦ I shall think of your player as a steampunk machine (steampunk is quite big in metrosexual Brighton!).
re 4th Jan , just speculation that the new price list will include new Naim gear , thatās all .
You asked me how long Iāve been a Naim owner , my Nac 42 / Nap 110 invoice say 31 / 03 / 1982 so approaching 41 years . I have great memories of staying with art school friends in Brighton in the early 80ās fantastic town ( city )
Thanks for that. The annual Naim price rise always used to be later in the year (1st April, perhaps?), and I havenāt adjusted - not that I expect ever to be in the market again for new Naim stuff, as Iām more than happy with what I have.
Do get in touch if ever you fancy a trip back to the fair City of Brighton & Hove to see the sights. I donāt expect that you would see any great changes since you were here last.
Not yet, family gatherings getting in the way! Will report back soon
Yep.
That happens a lot at this time of year.
Family first.