Hi all - Newbie here. First post (although I have lurked and learned for quite some time) - so hello to everyone here.
I need a spot of guidance and advice if possible, please: My 82/180 combo has given me many years of splendid service. However, I have recently succumbed to the urge to add a turntable to my setup.
Taking a look at input 1 on my preamp (which is set up for an MM cartridge) the phono input looks like it takes standard BNC connectors.
As I’ve never previously connected a turntable to a Naim preamp, I’d just like to confirm that this is indeed the case and, if so, does anyone have any recommendations for a suitable cable of good quality?
As standard the NAC82 phono input 1 does indeed use 50 ohm BNC connectors. These perform better than regular RCA Phonos, particularly with the very low level signal from a cartridge, hence why they were used by Naim. In most cases you will need to get a custom cable with 50 ohm BNC plugs or have an existing cable fitted with 50 ohm BNC plugs.
The only issue with adaptors is that they are a performance compromise compared to just using BNC plug and socket (yes, many years ago we tried at the factory and every time the adaptors were easily heard). By all means use them as a temporary stop-gap (useful here, but note that they can deteriorate with age and use) but if you stick with them then just know that you’re missing out compared to going BNC plug and socket.
It sounds like you don’t have the turntable yet. So I would wait until you do before pondering this. Some decks within a certain price bracket may actually come with a captive lead so the decision would be made for you. Others may come with a very decent lead in the box.
So whether you even use adapters for a captive lead or are ordering a new lead with BNC off the bat will be a question answered by choosing the deck first.
That’s true when comparing a specific cable. (Same cable with different connectors).
However, a low quality cable with BNC plug and socket will not be as good as a good quality cable with RCA/BNC adaptor and BNC socket.
BNC is supposed to be better than RCA, yet you see high end turntables costing 50 grand using RCA and sounding superb. You don’t see people tutting, shaking their heads and muttering ‘RCA plugs, what are they thinking’.
The quality of the cable should match the quality of the turntable and amplification.
Thank chaps for all the advice. I now have a suitable set of bnc adaptors and three arms (all with captive leads) to audition with my 82 pre. The winner will be bnc retro-fitted to avoid using adaptors
