at one time i found a nexxus 4 speed hub and was told i needed a small front sprocket because the gear ratios didn't work well with a larger one. would this be true for the 7-8 speed hubs too?

here recently i've been fooling with a alt type bike i can't get a good deraileur chain line worked out for. i put a coaster brake wheel on for now, and i'm thinking of trying an internal 7-8 speed hub instead (if i can ever afford one).

my front sprocket is 52t. i don't want to change that because i need this particular sprocket to make my idea work.

so will it work? i mean i know i can physically do it, but i don't want to shell out that much for the hub and not be satisfied with the gear range. thanks.