Naim NAC 52 Pre Amplifier / NAC 52 PS Power Supply

Here we have an example of what once was the top of the range pre-amplifier from Naim Audio – the NAC 52 which comes complete with NAC 52 PS power supply. First introduced in 1990 in the Olive finish to huge critical acclaim and lasting in production until 2002 when it was replaced by the NAC 252. Both units are in very good condition – please see photographs. They are supplied in replacement Naim packaging and come with remote control, manuals, mains, SNAIC & Burndy cables plus of course our standard 3 month warranty. Please note this example was one built for a staff member – hence there are no serial numbers on the units. It is also the Pots 8 variant with no phono boards fitted.
Naim Audio Say….
The NAC 52 is the triumphant result of over five years research and development dedicated to sound quality. Designed by music-lovers, for music-lovers, Naim’s latest state-of-the-art preamplifier offers the ultimate combination of excellence in sound and flexibility of use.
The NAC 52 is a no compromise preamplifier intended to provide the finest available sound, for use with the best possible sources. Sound quality has been our over-riding objective at every stage of its design, and none of the complex facilities we wished to offer has been allowed to degrade the preamp’s magnificent performance. The NAC 52 caters easily for the increasing variety of modern sources. All six inputs have fully independent listen and record selection and a range of optional plug-in modules allows three inputs to be varied to provide for individual requirements. Our in-house CAD/CAM systems have played a key role in the development of this ambitious preamp. The NAC 52 sets new standards of engineering. Dual mono construction, PTH circuit boards, greatly refined circuitry including our latest time-aligned filters, the use of precision rotary potentiometers with precious metal wipers, are all designed to safeguard excellence and ensure signal integrity. Superb transient ability and low noise go without saying. And the NAC 52 is a delight to use. Volume and balance control knobs as well as input switches are lit by built-in LED indicators. The elegant remote control operates on all functions. The immensely sophisticated power supply is housed in a separate case with dimensions matching those of the preamp, and uses its own generous 530VA toroidal transformer, with four large smoothing capacitors. Separate supplies have been provided for each section of the preamplifier, using a dozen hand tested and selected regulators. The rigorous power point earthing system is based on twenty years use of the central earth, employed in all Nairn amplification. The infra-red remote control is designed and manufactured by ourselves. The digital clock needed in the decoding process is switched on only for the duration of an actual command. This ensures that the audio path is completely free from digital noise. Opto-couplers are used for connection to the signal relays and potentiometer motors. Digital circuitry has its own specialised transformer and regulators, housed in the power supply. The handset is light, slender, intended for comfort and ease of use. Both preamp and handset can be quickly reconfigured to suit your own requirements. This wonderful preamplifier has been designed to answer every demand you could wish to make of it.
Specifications:
High Level Input Sensitivities: 75 mV, 100 kΩ
Overload Margin: 40 dB (all inputs, all audio frequencies)
Main Output Level: 0.775 V, <50 Ω
Tape Output Level: 75 mV, 600 Ω
Dimensions: 430 (W) x 300 (D) x 76 (H) mm

To read a vintage review from the old Hi-Fi magazine “Audiophile” please click here