So, long story short, (well maybe not) had a nait 2 for forty years with it being in the loft for the last twenty. Moved house got it all out again (LP12, Nait 2, B&W 603 s3). Sounded great but was advised to have the Nait serviced which I did at Class A as it’s only a short drive from work. Got it hone and what a transformation ! At this point I think the disease of “what’s next” had taken a strong hold and I got to thinking if a service can do this what difference would a power/pre amp make? A few weeks later and a 72/140 purchased, yet another transformation, hmmm, what about a Hicap, better get myself one of those then. Now it’s not that I’m lazy but sometimes certain tracks just have to be played louder than others and with the 72/140 you have to get up walk two paces turn up the volume then walk all the way back and get comfortable again before having to repeat the process once that particular track is over. What I really need is a remote, nac 82 it is then but not before buying a Supercap, (it was cheap, it’snot my fault!) but now I have the Supercap I’m wondering if a 52 is twice as good as an 82. The last 52 I saw was about double the price of an 82 (got to the point in the end) but haven’t seen a 52 without a Supercap for ages now so do I get an 82 or wait for a 52 to appear or am I going completely over the top just for the sake if a remote? I fear the “what next disease“ has now become an obsession as I’ve just been looking for a pair of nap135 mono blocks! To try and justify this obsession I do listen to a lot of music as tv has very little to offer me, what do I do apart from see a doctor in the hope that he can cure me of this disease!
I’ve just been on a recent similar path as you !
Started off 2 years ago with a late 72/HC/140 combo, a real classic trio which sounded superb. Then moved to 82/HC/140 as I wanted a remote, to be fair the 72 sounded just as good as the 82. After a few months I added a Supercap + 250 which resulted in a big uplift in presentation, a really wow moment!! Bass tightened up and the was midrange nice and smooth.
Fast forward to the last few weeks and I’ve finally reached my endgame system of 52/SC/135 (All recently serviced) it’s taken a couple of weeks for all the components to warm up and settle in but it’s starting to sound out of this world and improving every day. Now I don’t have that constant urge to upgrade, I can just enjoy the music!!
My advice, buy a 52/SC combination (late 52 POT8 if possible ) which I did, and sell your spare Supercap, then go all out for the 135s
My experience is with an 82 vs a 252. The 82 plus a Supercap is very nearly a 252, so the answer is that no the 252 is not twice as good as the 82. On the other hand the 252 is noticeably better SQ than the 82 and a Supercap in many ways and to my mind is worth going to if you have the funds. Given the relative ease of selling in the UK I would try the 82/Supercap first and see how you like it. If not sell it and get the 52.
bang for buck 82/SC in my opinion, and build from there,
I would of been happy with my 82, but I got impatient waiting for a S/C for sale, so I got a 52/52PS as it was a good price, and I was always going to get the 135’s,
Good luck on your journey
Nac 82 is very good, Nac 52 is excellent but not twice as good. Add a SC DR and you are set!
I went from a Nait2 to a 72/140 and then an 82, then a 252.
The 252 is not twice as good as an 82 but it is noticeably better to my ears.
The choice is yours!
Hmmm but a 552 is to my ears 10 times or more better than a nac 282
Same source chord Dave nap 500 and sonus Faber speakers
Comparing 282 to 552 in exactly the same system.
I’ve had both. The 52/SC has a whole world of upper range that’s missing from 82/SC. Putting a Supercap on an 82 gives you more 82, but swapping the 82 for a 52 is transformative.
FWIW, the 282 is only slightly better than the 82, not worth the premium.
What is the LP-12 (and the rest of your system) sitting on? A better support can be transformative, since it can improve everything. Since you don’t specify what your system is sitting on, I would guess that his would be a good first place to upgrade.
10 times – so as the price.
Before you go 52, you have to ask yourself if you are serious about music and Naim – if either of the answer is a ‘no’ I would recommend a 82 which is of great fun, sweet spot to many.
As jrhardee said, music of 52 is of full range – all the highs and lows – complete piece of music instead of rolling off like 82. So make sure the source is up to snuff, otherwise you would hear the bad parts easily with 52.
And with 52 you are able to ‘debug’ your system – it shows all kind of setup issues one could imagine. For example my Naca5 accicentally touched the spikes of my rack and I heard a slight ‘ring’, or the rings of interconnect didn’t dress well there is certainly a ring sound – it’s that revealing.
And remember to massage the burndies (so as the snaic) – that addictive Naim music flow is top once done right. As I said if you are serious about music, look for realistic music playback at home and don’t mind go far to perfect up the setup, 52 is street ahead.
Hi Derek, we meet again, your recently sold supercap is now powering my 72/140. Just sold a couple of Hicaps and now looking to spend the proceeds!
Cheers
Paul
Music is my first choice of entertainment and always has been, I have a huge vinyl collection as well as a few CDs. My current system consists of, LP12 with basic plus arm and K9 cartridge, 72/140/Supercap, Marantz 6007 all sitting in a Soundstyle rack with B&W S3-603 speakers, Naim cable. I have the cd for when I’m being lazy and just want music, when I have the time to relax I have my LP12. I fully appreciate the amp section far exceeds the rest of the line up but, at the moment I’m able to invest in the more expensive components and hear a difference at each stage. I’m probably going about this in completely the wrong way but if I see something at a good price I buy it knowing it will come into its own once the end game is achieved.
Hey Cohen, good to see you mate and extremely happy to know it were the legendary trio designed my beloved 52 (Pots8+52PS+black burndy on the way…)
Yeah sadly my NDX 2 sounds obviously more hifi than CDS…time changes
Then 52 is designed for you.
Expecting upgrade to Aro/Ekos and PSU, power amp to 250 or 135 (best 135), cd player to CDS level to take full advantage of a 52. Also black burndy, black snaic are must have imo.
Hey Paul, we do meet again indeed!
There are plenty of 82s around at the moment, and if you’re going to take that next step you can’t really go wrong with a late model Posts 8 82 and your newly acquired SC, then add an olive 250 amp for added heft and that will sound awesome. On the other hand if you’re patient you could wait for late model 52 to appear on its own complete with Burndy cable.
The only thing is, once you have the 52 you’ll be constantly thinking about the 135s to driving those lovely speakers. 
That’s pretty close to what I had in mind along with a decent stand. In the last 6 months I’ve gone from a Nait 2 to a 72/140 Supercap and now looking to spend the proceeds from the sale of a couple of HiCaps. So it’s either a 52 keeping the 140 for a while or an 82 and a 250. Not in any particular rush so will probably see if a 52 comes up for sale, if not then there are plenty of 82s about at the moment. If a late pots 8 version came up at a good price then I’d probably give it space for a while along with a 250.
I think Pots 8 is a bigger upgrade on a Nac 52.
Honestly, I think you need to improve your LP12 before even thinking about a 52. The 72/140 or 82 would not be embarrassed by a top spec Linn. It’s what I would do. My only caveat would be the sudden availability of a mint and serviced 52 at a price too good to ignore…
Yes, and then constantly thinking of upgrading those lovely speakers…
It’s a rabbit hole. Don’t fall down it, @Spooch63 .
The 72 is a wonderful pre. but yes, if the 2 metre walk is too much for you, trade it for a 82, though I personally don’t think it’s a better sounding pre. I put up with the walk with my 72 - I tell myself the exercise is good for me.
I would second that. When I had my 72 I tried several times to enjoy an 82 but just thought it was different. Now, if you want better, then I’m afraid it’s the 52. There’s no shortcuts in this game but as others have warned it requires a top class signal.