NAC 202 vs NAC 282

I heard them both quite a few years ago in the same system on the same day. The 282 was quite clearly better. More detail and much more open than the 202. The front end was a cdx2 xps2 and for me the 282 simply allows more music to come through.

Ian.

Hi Aslam,

Go for the 282 I know I did no regret,my source cdx/2 xps/2. If you a search on this forum 202 vs 282 you will get lots of information about this product. Good Luck

282, go for it . I upgraded to this one myself without a demo. (as well as my 252)

The 282 is a much bigger window for your music than the 202. Great for future upgrades too with Hicap(s) and even Supercap. If you can afford one, you won't regret it.

Pete

quote:

Originally posted by Pedro:
The 282 is a much bigger window for your music than the 202. Pete

I agree with Pete on this, but I think a 282 needs a supercap. I would add a supercap to the 202 then go 282.

Cheers

Bob

quote:

I think a 282 needs a supercap. I would add a supercap to the 202 then go 282.

Hi Aslam

What is the rest of your system?

My initial instinct was to disagree with Bob but perhaps some more information would be appropriate before I disagree.

Chris

I had the 282 (coming from 202) but financial reasons made me sell on.
I can recommend the older 82 or 72 as a better choice (on budget) than 202.

Also I would hold back until new preamp range are complete...starting with 152, the more expensive replacements for 202/282 might have dac facilities..should be expected anyday so watch out for good offers on 122, 202, 282, 252 etc..

I would not wait for the new pre amps since this might still take a while and new pre amps do not make your existing 282 sound worse Regarding a DAC in the new pre amps I can not imagine that with a Reference level product. Naim has DACs in the AV pre amps and in the Supernait and we will see a rather expensive DAC in the very near future. Adding a dedicated Reference level DAC to any successor of the 202, 282, 252,and 552 would make them a lot more expensive and only a very few buyers would need it and are willing to pay for it. Who ever needs a DAC - like I do - probably prefers to pay for a seperate DAC. An integrated DAC makes rather sense with sub Reference level products since there a DAC does not need to be as sophisticated as buyers would expect from a Reference level product. Just my two cents...

And the new entry level pre amp has got no DAC, too.

quote:

Originally posted by b_lund:
should be expected anyday so watch out for good offers on 122, 202, 282, 252 etc..

Lets hope not , I've just bought a 252 !

I am guessing it will be at least a year before new preamps appear.

Regards...

quote:

Adding a dedicated Reference level DAC to any successor of the 202, 282, 252,and 552 would make them a lot more expensive and only a very few buyers would need it and are willing to pay for it.

However there is no room for a DAC inside the 552

Heard an interesting story from a dealer the other day.... A customer had a large sum of money to spend on some amps so the dealer put together for similar cost 282-200 or 202-250/2 now general consensus would assume that the 282 based amp should win the day but this was not the case the 202 based one came across as more musically satisfying than the 282 based one.....so the moral of this story listen to as many configurations that your budget can cover and see which one YOU like the most.



Dean...

Yes Whizzkid - that's very good advice.

And one should also trust their own ears more than anyone else's.

Engelbert

PS 282 is an excellent pre-amp. Seems to attract more positive comment on this forum than the 252. But 552 is undoubtedly King!

quote:

Originally posted by Aslam:
Dear All,

As most of the members have suggested to go for the NAC282 before upgrading the power amp, I want to know the difference between the NAC 202 & NAC 282 as its not possible for me to audition before buying, you all are requested to please comment on this issue as my purchase will be purely based on your comments.

Thanks.

You don't say what the rest of your kit is. I bought a 282 after a demo, keeping my 200. I like it with a HiCap and felt that a Supercap really took it to another level, but did not consider 2 Hicaps a value for money option.

The 282 is very versatile as far as power supplies go and there are many satisfactory options. It does benefit from the best power supply you can afford for it.

If you look around on the forum, you'll find a significant numer of posts proclaiming that the 282 is the "sweet spot" of the reference range, representing the best value for money.

202 is very good but 282 is really special. The biggest upgrade I have made until now. Music flows really in a natural way. 282/200 or 282/250.2 are both fantastic amps but in vfm terms 282/HC/200 is a my winner. SC2 and 250.2 are very good upgrades for that combo, but at a cost you may consider.

If changing from 202 to 282 is a substantial upgrade, I guess jumping from a 122x to a 282 would be even more substantial????
This is where I find myself.
It is a huge financial jump so I wonder if it is a huge audio jump.

Naim NAC 122x, Hi Cap, NAP 250.2 into SBL's.
Source Raven 1 + AT 33PTG and Pioneer CD player.

quote:

It is a huge financial jump so I wonder if it is a huge audio jump

Consider the older Nac 72 or 82, they are very good value for money and might match your current setup better than 122X the great turntable, poweramp etc....requires a higher preamp most likely..not sure you will detect much value on cd replay though.

quote:

Originally posted by Ong Gia:
I guess jumping from a 122x to a 282 would be even more substantial????

That's my plan. But probably by then it would be the 285 XS-Italic.2

quote:

Naim NAC 122x, Hi Cap, NAP 250.2 into SBL's.
Source Raven 1 + AT 33PTG and Pioneer CD player.

Many suggest jumping two levels at a time.

Aslam, I think this depends on the quality of your source(s). And also where you are aiming for on your Naim journey.

Regards, Chris

quote:

Originally posted by Whizzkid:
so the moral of this story listen to as many configurations that your budget can cover and see which one YOU like the most.

Or if you have cloth ears don't go spending four and a half grand on Hi-Fi