If I’m able to get the same result as you described, I’m definitely going down to ‘natural sounding’ route
In HiFi context I’m always a fan of wood – with my very limited ability to describe the sound in English, maybe the ‘transition’, the ‘decay’ sounds much more easy, natural, and pleasant to my ears, like sound behaved in natural environment. Maybe some of the frequencies are filtered by the wood texture and that’s why
As you said with Lack it sounds clean and impressive, but if a wooden rack could make it even more engaging but in a more natural way, it would be my choice!
With all my sources (LP12+NDac) in correct setup I did a comparison between 321/4+324/7 and 321/5+729/1 with the same LP and 5-6 songs
The result is: they have the same sonic signature, but 321/5+729/1 is more revealing, sounded great with NDac, while keep showing flaws of my black housing white-liner bearing LP12.
I personally like 321/4+324/7 better, it got a vintage taste (and that’s why the chrome bumper), the performance of NDac is very slightly compromised, still sounds great, that keep my LP12 sounds great as well.
It recalled my memory of JV’s interview posted by other members, saying the CB helped hiding up issues of the LP12
Another interesting thing is, if plugging 321/5 along with 324 it would sound leaner and forward, I feel a bit fatiguing. I think by switching from 321/4 to 321/5 back then, the 321/5 boards took a more neutral role, while the Naim taste comes from 729. By any means it’s a better circuit design.
I understand your preference for the older cards. I only tried the newer 729s in my NAC 12 and found it a tough call.
Interesting magazine article. I assume JV was referring to the original LP12 power supply prior to Valhalla, and original springs etc., prior to the Nirvana upgrade kit. I didn’t feel the NAC 72 was too revealing for an ‘89-spec Valhalla/Ittok deck.
Well, after my Chrome-Bumper Headline, I’ve decided to get a little more ambitious… I’ve just scored a lovely NAC 82 (Pots-8, ‘K’ phono boards) and it’s getting (hopefully) this treatment… will probably use it with 2 x CB HiCaps to begin with, before the SuperCap conversion. Watch this space…
I remember there used to be a prototype 52 high up on the shelves in the service department ( @NeilS - is it still there??). It was a little bit the worse for wear and I think the smoked acrylic drop-down fascia panel was missing, but the recessed volume and balance knobs were clear to see. Somewhere I know I have a photo of it, but can’t find it at the moment. I think James Almey has one (maybe that very one??).
Yes, I think it was. I remember reading a review in a hifi magazine many years ago,
It must have been during the prototype stage, there were some pictures iirc
although i can’t remember what magazine it was.
@bruss Yes, I’ve been measuring the fascia so I can have the CB fascia made… it was a lot easier when I figured out that it’s dimensioned in Imperial…!!! It seems to be working off a grid with a module of 1/16”…
@bruss I’ll let you know how I get on… as I’ve said, I’ve done a CB headline and reworked the fascia of A NAC 32.5 to reflect more up-to-date sources, but this is much more of a challenge…
