Hi,
Been looking for a late model nac 52 for several months now to no avail. Doesn’t make it easy only wanting the 52 as I already have a supercap, could sell the supercap but its serviced and in excellent condition. So now I’ve seen a nac 82 but no phono boards, use my deck as the main source so what boards would I need, are they readily available and what would they cost? The 82 I’ve seen is £1295 which seems a bit steep considering no phono boards. Thoughts please.
Cheers
Paul
I’ve just found a freshly serviced 82 for £899 at a Naim dealer in my first Google search. I’d wait for a 52, it’s a classic.
I would have thought that £1000 with phono boards is more like it, although a dealer may price it higher.
I don’t think phono boards are available from Naim, but they regularly come up on auction sites and Tom Tom Audio may have some.
If you are looking for MC phono boards TomTom got some as well as auction sites.
I agree regarding waiting for a (pots 8 ) 52 . I use one with 135’s to play my analogue sources and it’s a superb pre IMO. Not as transparent as a 552 but with my sources just as enjoyable to listen to. The 82 is a somewhat rougher and compressed sounding although extremely fast.
If you already have a Supercap, then there’s no point in selling it. The 82 really “needs” four power rails. So either 2 x Hicap or 1 x Supercap (although the SC is technically under-utilised, it does give a small uplift over 2xHC). If you get a 52 then the Supercap is required anyway. The 82 should also come with a NAPSC PSU for the “digital” circuits (relays, LED displays etc.); IIRC for a 52, the SC provides that “digital” supply as well.
FWIW, I run my 82 from an olive SC, and a black NAPSC2.
Phonocards:
522 if your cartridge is moving magnet
523S if it’s a “standard” moving coil (MC)
523K if it’s a Linn MC
523E if it’s a <something else, but can’t remember what 
>
Alternatively, if you cannot find cards, then you could look at a Stageline (variants as above), but that would require another PSU as the 82 does not supply secondary power on the phono input
Again FWIW, I run Stageline S from an olive Hicap.
82s go for around £1K (inc. NAPSC, but no main PSU), 52s have been pushing £3K these days.
EDIT: I see there is a 52/SC on the infamous auction site for £2.9K. Hmmm, if I hadn’t just blown this month’s pension on camera and AV kit, I’d be tempted myself!
Thanks for flagging that. I see K boards on their website. Do you see S boards as well, or anywhere else?
I believe its being sold by a member on here…..