Hi all,
I’m after some advice.
My current system comprises of Olive 72/140/Hicap but looking to get to 82/250/SC in the future.
I currently have the funds to purchase either a 250 (2001) model or an early 82 (1996 model.
What I do first…
Do I add the 250 to my 72/Hicap
Or go with 82/140/Hicap
Which of the above options will give me an immediate uplift in SQ?
I’m running a WiiM Pro plus + Chord Moyo 2 Dac with Royd Revelation 1 speakers + Nac A5
The general advice is to update the pre amp first I believe
Get the 250. The 72/HC/250 is an absolute classic. It will make the speakers sound much bigger and you may never feel the need for an 82.
I love this forum 
I think do both 
With the rest of the kit it’s 6 of one and half a dozen of the other. Get the first one that shows up in good condition, serviced etc, and at a good price.
I went a slightly different route and paired a couple of 135’s with my 72 as the 82 wasn’t available at that time. However, when the 82 came out I had one on loan a couple of times but I could never quite get use to the different presentation it had. When I finally got a 52 I began to understand why. The 72, for me, has similar qualities to the 52 where the 82 was a bit more brash and unruly with just a touch more detail but it never quite got to the heart of the music for me. It did a great job trying but never really sang. Also, I’d be aware that there were quite a few revisions to the 72. I had three and they all sounded marginally different but one I had (circa 63,000 serial number) was a real doozy. I still have it now, hidden away in my workshop along with the 135’s.
An LP12 with Troika, a 72, 135’s and a good pair of Kans would still give a lot of systems a run for their money even by today’s standards!
The 250 I have in mind is a later model as my 72 and looks in mint condition which is a bonus for my OCD 
Keep your classic 72 and add either an olive 250 or (much) better still a pair of 135s.
If that’s not enough, then swap the Hicap for a serviced Supercap.
But keep the 72.
Best regards, BF
Another vote for the 250. An 82 is a step on the way towards a 52. Don’t bother with a 102. The 72 will be v good and fine until you decide you want to upgrade to a 52/supercap. Switching a hicap to a supercap doesn’t do much for an 82 IMHO, but you need a supercap for a 52.
I started with Olive 102/140/Hicap
Biggest improvement for me was the 82
Thank you for all your replies and advice. In the end I pulled the trigger and bought a late model (2001) 8 Pot 82, in near mint condition and serviced by Naim last.
I’ll run the 82 with the 140/Hicap for a while and then jump up to a 250 in due course.
Maybe you have the chance to have these nice old Naim units available easily, but if not (like me in my area) I would take whatever comes first available on the market! 
Hurrah! I had an 82/250 system for years. Was great!
