200 vs 250 with a CD5 ?

Posted by: ricardo on 04 June 2003

Hello,

I have been thinking about upgrading my sistem for a little while now, and as i do like the sound of the CD5, my thoughts are for a pre / power amp arrangement.

Current - CD5 / Nait 5 / Flatcap 2 / Intros.

I have always felt that the improvements with a good pre amp with a power supply (almost essential) really does make a tremendous difference, and in my case would bring out the most i can get from the CD5.

So i have today been listening to a couple of alternatives to try and make up my mind. Many thanks to Audio Excellence in Bristol.

Firstly, i heard the same set up as i have (to gauge some reference) and then started with the CD5 / 282 / 200. As you can imagine (obviously) there was quite some difference to the Nait ! But, i was to some extent supprised that some of the CD's (my own) didn't show the changes as much as i thought they would. Maybe my ears ?

Then, the flatcap 2 was added in to power the 282 (and CD5). And i can only say WOW !!! This was totally different. The whole sound just lifted off, and was completely engaging, an so easy to listen to. It seemed light, airy and so detailed. There was so much on the CD's that i hadn't even heard before! It was simply fantastic.

Now although i do have a budget, having gone as for as this, i did try CD5 / 282 / Flatcap2 / 250. Now maybe the 250 is a different thing to the 200, and maybe this pre / power arrangement started to show the limitations of the CD5 - maybe a Hicap was needed, but the sound seemed to me to revert somewhat to the unpowered 282 / 200 arrangement. It sounded loud, but without the finesse and the airy quality that i thought so much of with the 282 / FC2 / 200 ! To me the openess had been lost somewhere.

Given what i have heard, i now have an instinct not to go with the 250 with the rest of my set up. Any future upgrade beyond this would probably be the CDX2, for which i still think the 200 would be an excellent power amp.

Has anyone else had similar experiences? Could it be that the source / amp balance was too unbalanced? Would a Hicap in addition to the 250 had made any difference ? I'd certaily appreciate any views on this. Many thanks

ricardo
Posted on: 04 June 2003 by J.N.
Ricardo

If you liked the 282/FC2/200; go with that - a substantial upgrade. The CD5 is a fine player and will work well into the amps.

You can always upgrade the CD5 later.

I use a new 250. It has a 'ballsier' sound than the 200, but its extra muscle can slug the sound, if things aren't right elsewhere in the chain or the room.

Your heart's gotta drive your head. Go with what blows your skirt up!
Posted on: 04 June 2003 by syd
Your heart's gotta drive your head. Go with what blows your skirt up!

I hope this is'nt the secret of getting the best from Naim Systems. Cross dressing. Big Grin

Yours in Music

Syd
Posted on: 05 June 2003 by ricardo
Graham, thanks for the comments. I guess there's always "the next level", but then budgets will resolve that at some stage ! I do however wish to improve the sound that i have at the moment, hence the current ideas, and whilst i can see that one item at a time would be preferable, i do think that i should go for the pre / power at the same time.

The room is about 4.6m x 3.4m. Due to arrangement of doors, window, heater, i listen across the room. Perhaps not ideal, but the only way. The Nait does give enough volume, it's just that i wanted a better and fuller sound. I was just a little suprised that after adding in the various upgrades, the 250 didn't give "the next level" as i thought it would. As it is, i will therefore look to the 200 at this time.

ricardo
Posted on: 05 June 2003 by Max Bass
Ricardo-

I'm wondering if you demoed the 202 pre v. 282 with the Nap 200 + flatcap, and what benefits/difference can be heard over the 202. Is the 200/202 a more balanced sistem?

Thanks

Max
Posted on: 05 June 2003 by Phil Barry
Didn't your dealer recommend you listen to a CDX2????

If he did, why didn't you spend some time with, say, a CDX2/Nait or CDX2/202/200? Or did you?

Regards.

Phil
Posted on: 05 June 2003 by Colin Ackerman
Hi
I have a 202/200 setup with out Hi-cap or NAPSC at present. They sound very good together with plenty of power to spare. I first heard the 202 with a 150 which was also good. I feel Naim power amps can be matched with pre amps further up the range (202/150 282/200)as long as the pre has a Hi-cap or Flat-cap connected.
Befour getting the 202/200 I heard a 112/150, a 202/150 and the 202/200 and would say the 202/150 sounds better than a 112/150 with Hi-cap.
Posted on: 05 June 2003 by Naimed-In-NY
I agree with you regarding the fine performance of the 200/202 combo, which I also purchased without power supply or NA PSC. While I am sure that moving even higher up the chain brings improvements, the 200/202 combo is, IMHO, very fine VFM. (I've since bitten the bullet and ordered the NA PSC - should be here any day now). I did not compare the 200 v. 250, as I knew the 250 was out of my budget. Even if it wasn't, however, I probably would have spent the extra cash on the preamp over the amp. Unfortunately, the 282 is twice the price of the 202 (alas).
Posted on: 06 June 2003 by Colin Ackerman
Hi
My first upgrade will be a NAPSC, it seems good VFM. The power amp is down to room size and speaker choice, big amps can lead to overblown bass in a small room Eek. A home demo is recomended.
Posted on: 06 June 2003 by Engelbert
I've just upgraded my CD5 to CDX2 into 112/HICAP, 150, ROYD MINSTRELS - and put the whole lot on FRAIM.

I was astonished at the improvement. There is no doubt in my mind that CDX2 is a monster upgrade from CD5. I'm not suggesting there is anything wrong with the CD5 - it is a mighty entry to NAIM's CD player range - just that CDX2 does a whole lot of things a whole lot better.

I'm convinced I've gone about upgrading the right way. A 202/200 combo may come later - but not in any hurry!

Cheers, Rob