I’m intrigued to see that you are resting your NAC52 on other feet. Have you experienced any improvement in sound. I just had this thought to do the same as I removed the case of my 52 to check the phono boards.
I remember that my NAC552 had metal feet, not rubber.
I have done this setup to attenuate the vibration on my NAC52. I put the 52 on top of “viablue tri”, which are on glasses, which are on top of Sorbothane.
I do not know if this improves the sound, but this is clearly removes a lot of vibration on my NAC.
I love my NAP140 - it’s meaty, loads of power to drive speakers and sounds clean even at higher volumes.
When I upgrade my NAC62 at some point to a NAC82, I intend keeping the NAP140/HiCap alongside it. Can’t imagine I’d ever need more with my sources, speakers and room.
I think the 82 will be a bigger upgrade than the 72 from everything I have seen and read. I have heard both a 72 and 62, and read a lot about both, and notice little difference between them (other than an extra phono input and the internal construction). The 62 sounds great with this combo, and is less “expensive” than the 72 so that’s why I have not hunted down a 72 originally.
The 72 is more upgradeable than the 62 I think too.
Sounds like you have done your reading.
There is plenty out there on the real differences in later Naim NACs.
52 is no doubt the cream of the early generation. And I know Naim promoted the 82 ahead of the 72.
Personally I enjoy the form factor if the 32,42,62 and 72 boxes.
I think what I was trying say say badly was…in the owners manual Naim appear to show the pre amps in order. Best to least beast.
Starting with 52,82,72, then 92.
Sort of suggesting that they see the 82 as better than 72. Doubt many would argue with 92 being last ( and 52 being first).
I used 62, 72, 82 in that order and for me the 82 was a big step up from the 72, as it was 1993 the details are hazy, but I never regretted making the move. I had a HiCap on both the 72 and 82.
OK, I now follow.
At around 1991, in terms of a hierarchy, it would have been 52 - 72 - 62.
By 1992, it would be 52 - 82 - 72 - 62.
And so on, with the 92 replacing the 62.
Like the CDi player was the single box version of the 2 box CDS player, the NAC82 preamplifier was the single box version of the 2 box NAC52 preamplifier.
However, the NAC72 still remains an excellent naim preamplifier with great sound. Additionally, I recall that I went from a CB 62 to an Olive 82 and it was an amazing jump in performance.