XPS2 or NAC282
Posted by: desert rat on 17 December 2003
Current system :
CDX2
Linn Kolektor pre-amp
2 x Linn L140 power amps active
into Linn Ninka speakers.
What is the best upgrade from here, XPS2 power supply for
CDX2 or new pre amp ?
Thanks
CDX2
Linn Kolektor pre-amp
2 x Linn L140 power amps active
into Linn Ninka speakers.
What is the best upgrade from here, XPS2 power supply for
CDX2 or new pre amp ?
Thanks
Posted on: 17 December 2003 by Geoff P
I'm not sure the how much the 282 contributes and how much comes from the power amp, in say a 282/250 situation. I am sure the synergy between the pre-power combo is a critical factor.
Also are you aware if you get a 282 you will need a power supply which at a minimum really needs to be a HiCap (available 2ndHand for about 400GBP)?
The "bare" CDX2 sounds pretty good with the 282/250 IMHO since that's what I have BUT unless you are planning a full transition to naim I would think the best choice in your Linn system would be to improve the source as much as possible so have a listen to the XPS2 rather than launching into a 282 al by itself.
GEOFF
Also are you aware if you get a 282 you will need a power supply which at a minimum really needs to be a HiCap (available 2ndHand for about 400GBP)?
The "bare" CDX2 sounds pretty good with the 282/250 IMHO since that's what I have BUT unless you are planning a full transition to naim I would think the best choice in your Linn system would be to improve the source as much as possible so have a listen to the XPS2 rather than launching into a 282 al by itself.
GEOFF
Posted on: 17 December 2003 by desert rat
Thanks for that.
Yes I think I'm becoming a Naim convert (at least to the electronics)! I didn't realise that NAC282 needs a power supply.
What about the NAC202, same here PS needed? Do you think pre amp
quality is that important ?
Yes I think I'm becoming a Naim convert (at least to the electronics)! I didn't realise that NAC282 needs a power supply.
What about the NAC202, same here PS needed? Do you think pre amp
quality is that important ?
Posted on: 17 December 2003 by Jonas Olofsson
Some misunderstanding here...
282 dont need a own powersupply if you use it with right poweramp.
You can use it with 90-110-140-150-180 or 200 poweramps.
Poweramps over this (eg. 250 or better) needs a powersupply when used with a 282.
Jonas
282 dont need a own powersupply if you use it with right poweramp.
You can use it with 90-110-140-150-180 or 200 poweramps.
Poweramps over this (eg. 250 or better) needs a powersupply when used with a 282.
Jonas
Posted on: 17 December 2003 by desert rat
Hi Jonas,
Do you know if I can use 282 with my Linn LK140
poweramps without using a power supply? These are 95w into 8ohms.
Do you know if I can use 282 with my Linn LK140
poweramps without using a power supply? These are 95w into 8ohms.
Posted on: 17 December 2003 by Jonas Olofsson
My technical knowledge is under all critic, but a good guess is no. Mixing Naim preamps with other poweramps is usually a bad idea soundwise.
Jonas
Jonas
Posted on: 17 December 2003 by andy c
Hi,
I did this comparison (282/XPS2/250mkII) in the context of my system pre altering the mains. The pre was the obvious 1st choice to change, followed by the XPS2, and the 250 third. I do have a hi-cap to power the pre with tho.
I did this comparison (282/XPS2/250mkII) in the context of my system pre altering the mains. The pre was the obvious 1st choice to change, followed by the XPS2, and the 250 third. I do have a hi-cap to power the pre with tho.
Posted on: 17 December 2003 by Geoff P
Ratty
Just to make sure you have complete info what I said earlier was true based on your system. Assuming you kept the Linn power amp you would need to buy a power supply to dirve a 282 or any other Naim pre-amp.
If you buy a Naim power amp dependent on which one you choose (the list as supplied by Jonas is corect) you will be able to supply power to the pre-amp from the power amp. This of course is only possible with a Naim power amp from Jonas's list.
However running the pre-amp, such as a 282 with power from a Naim power amp is the lowest quality sound option. Adding a power supply between the pre-amp and the power amp will improve the sound of the combination significantly. If you do decide to go "all naim" with your CDX2 the 282 in combo with a 250 (which is greedy and keeps all it power fo itself but sounds great as a result) and so using a HiCap power supply for the 282, would be a good starting combination, though there is also nothing wrong with a 202/200 combo.
The important thing is to try and arrange to hear the system you are interested in a demo first.
Let us know what you decide, good luck.
GEOFF
Just to make sure you have complete info what I said earlier was true based on your system. Assuming you kept the Linn power amp you would need to buy a power supply to dirve a 282 or any other Naim pre-amp.
If you buy a Naim power amp dependent on which one you choose (the list as supplied by Jonas is corect) you will be able to supply power to the pre-amp from the power amp. This of course is only possible with a Naim power amp from Jonas's list.
However running the pre-amp, such as a 282 with power from a Naim power amp is the lowest quality sound option. Adding a power supply between the pre-amp and the power amp will improve the sound of the combination significantly. If you do decide to go "all naim" with your CDX2 the 282 in combo with a 250 (which is greedy and keeps all it power fo itself but sounds great as a result) and so using a HiCap power supply for the 282, would be a good starting combination, though there is also nothing wrong with a 202/200 combo.
The important thing is to try and arrange to hear the system you are interested in a demo first.
Let us know what you decide, good luck.
GEOFF
Posted on: 18 December 2003 by Chris Metcalfe
Andy: 'I did this comparison (282/XPS2/250mkII)' - what exactly is your system and in what order did you compare (or did you substitute one component at a time?)
Interested if the 282 vs 82 beats the XPS2 vs XPS!
Interested if the 282 vs 82 beats the XPS2 vs XPS!
Posted on: 18 December 2003 by andy c
Hi Chris,
My system is listed in my profile.
I'd had the CDX2 for about 3 months and was looking at the next upgrade. Logic suggested the XPS2 in the 'source 1st' camp, but contributors to this forum suggested otherwise.
So I had a 4 day comparison between the items listed as I knew I could afford 2 out of the three.
I substituted 1st the XPS2 into my system, then took that out and swapped the pre, and so on. I appreciate that it wasn't really enough time to allow each item to warm up etc, but the differances found were sufficient to make my decision.
Another factor was my wife likes the look of the new finish (bugger) so that ruled out any second hand stuff.
In the context of my system the 282 was the 1st choice as it seemed to allow the CDX2 to work much better, and then adding the XPS2 showed the strengths of upgrading the power supply. The XPS2 on its own I felt was being restricted by the 102.
So there you go. I will be borrowing the 250mk II again in the autumn when budget allows, but for now pending the changes experienced by altering the mains I will go 282-XPS2 and then eventually 250mkII (or poss 300).
regards,
andy c!
My system is listed in my profile.
I'd had the CDX2 for about 3 months and was looking at the next upgrade. Logic suggested the XPS2 in the 'source 1st' camp, but contributors to this forum suggested otherwise.
So I had a 4 day comparison between the items listed as I knew I could afford 2 out of the three.
I substituted 1st the XPS2 into my system, then took that out and swapped the pre, and so on. I appreciate that it wasn't really enough time to allow each item to warm up etc, but the differances found were sufficient to make my decision.
Another factor was my wife likes the look of the new finish (bugger) so that ruled out any second hand stuff.
In the context of my system the 282 was the 1st choice as it seemed to allow the CDX2 to work much better, and then adding the XPS2 showed the strengths of upgrading the power supply. The XPS2 on its own I felt was being restricted by the 102.
So there you go. I will be borrowing the 250mk II again in the autumn when budget allows, but for now pending the changes experienced by altering the mains I will go 282-XPS2 and then eventually 250mkII (or poss 300).
regards,
andy c!
Posted on: 18 December 2003 by Geoff P
Chris & Andy
I agree on the 282 in combination with the CDX2.
I started a series of upgrades with a CDX2 which was feeding a 112/HiCap?150 to start with. The second upgrade for me was to bring the 282 in place of the 112 and continue with the HiCap as the PS.As andy says this really brought out all the music in the CDX2. Where I differ is the next upgrade was to replace the 150 with the 250mkII, which brought a much more powerfull sound and sounds "right" in thise system.
My money is being saved for either an XPS2 or an SC. I plan to demo them soon.
However I have also been diverted by the suggestion of "fraiming" what I've got already. There is quite a lot of opinion that this is the best VFM upgrade becasue it brings something extra to the performance of each component.
We shall see.
Anyway IMO the bare CDX2 is so good you can do both the pre and the power amp before needing to reach for the power supply cheque book.
regards
GEOFF
I agree on the 282 in combination with the CDX2.
I started a series of upgrades with a CDX2 which was feeding a 112/HiCap?150 to start with. The second upgrade for me was to bring the 282 in place of the 112 and continue with the HiCap as the PS.As andy says this really brought out all the music in the CDX2. Where I differ is the next upgrade was to replace the 150 with the 250mkII, which brought a much more powerfull sound and sounds "right" in thise system.
My money is being saved for either an XPS2 or an SC. I plan to demo them soon.
However I have also been diverted by the suggestion of "fraiming" what I've got already. There is quite a lot of opinion that this is the best VFM upgrade becasue it brings something extra to the performance of each component.
We shall see.
Anyway IMO the bare CDX2 is so good you can do both the pre and the power amp before needing to reach for the power supply cheque book.
regards
GEOFF