Adding a Nap 200 to a Nait 5...
Posted by: Mr_Sukebe on 28 December 2003
I've been considering how best to burn some cash on the hi-fi.
The background situation is that my old CD player died a couple of months back, leaving me with a Nait 5/hicap powering a pair of Linn Kabers. (before anyone breaks into comments about how "mulletish" the amp/speaker combo is, I'll beat you to it. The reason was simple, I found a pair of very cheap Kabers earlier this year).
Being somewhat financially strapped back in Oct, I ordered the cheapo solution, i.e. a CD5i, which has finally arrived.
The only thing is that I'm now in a position to have another £1200 to add to the cost of the CD5i.
So, I talk to my local dealer. Interesting response. Person (a) in the shop recommends a CDX2 basing things on the source first principle, which to me makes a lot of sense.
Person (b) in the shop recommends the CD5i for source and to add a Nap 200 as he believes that the Kabers can't be controlled by the Nait (a comment I've read a number of times).
As said shop didn't get it's CDX2 back from a different dem, I ended up walking out with the CD5i and Nap200 for a weekend loan/dem.
The CD5i is brand new, so I'm not sure what to say about it so far, as I know it's burning in. My initial reaction was that it was about on par with my DVD player. 12 hours later and it's outperforming my old VRDS-7, so clearly it's getting better.
The 200 was certainly NOT what I expected. I expected to be rather blown away. In practice, not so. The only tangible improvements were in a noticeable, but not huge reduction in the "treble hash". Areas like scale and bass control seemed to be hardly affected. If anything, the extra control made it sound a little slower and more boring. Overall, yes it was better, but certainly not £1345 better.
I know what you guys are going to say now, "hey, but you need a better source and pre-amp". Maybe you're right, so I'll be going to try the CDX2 tomorrow. Only problem is that I can't afford both the CDX2 and the 202/200.
So I guess the findings are that in certain situations, simply adding on more power really isn't very cost effective.
The background situation is that my old CD player died a couple of months back, leaving me with a Nait 5/hicap powering a pair of Linn Kabers. (before anyone breaks into comments about how "mulletish" the amp/speaker combo is, I'll beat you to it. The reason was simple, I found a pair of very cheap Kabers earlier this year).
Being somewhat financially strapped back in Oct, I ordered the cheapo solution, i.e. a CD5i, which has finally arrived.
The only thing is that I'm now in a position to have another £1200 to add to the cost of the CD5i.
So, I talk to my local dealer. Interesting response. Person (a) in the shop recommends a CDX2 basing things on the source first principle, which to me makes a lot of sense.
Person (b) in the shop recommends the CD5i for source and to add a Nap 200 as he believes that the Kabers can't be controlled by the Nait (a comment I've read a number of times).
As said shop didn't get it's CDX2 back from a different dem, I ended up walking out with the CD5i and Nap200 for a weekend loan/dem.
The CD5i is brand new, so I'm not sure what to say about it so far, as I know it's burning in. My initial reaction was that it was about on par with my DVD player. 12 hours later and it's outperforming my old VRDS-7, so clearly it's getting better.
The 200 was certainly NOT what I expected. I expected to be rather blown away. In practice, not so. The only tangible improvements were in a noticeable, but not huge reduction in the "treble hash". Areas like scale and bass control seemed to be hardly affected. If anything, the extra control made it sound a little slower and more boring. Overall, yes it was better, but certainly not £1345 better.
I know what you guys are going to say now, "hey, but you need a better source and pre-amp". Maybe you're right, so I'll be going to try the CDX2 tomorrow. Only problem is that I can't afford both the CDX2 and the 202/200.
So I guess the findings are that in certain situations, simply adding on more power really isn't very cost effective.
I actually went the route a bit, and must say the 200 is very very good, but sounds its best when paired to a 202. The Nait5 is very good on it's own, and shouldn't have tot much of a problem, unless it has to feed very difficult speakers. Bigger is better, offcourse.
I also paired a CD5(HiCapped as well, later on) to the Nait5 in comparisson to the Nait5 with a CDX2. I thought te difference was stunning. Others on the forum may disagree. Then we also added the 200, which, in it's own right, does make for lots of grunt and some subtle changes. Changes got more straightforward when the pre-section of the Nait5 was replaced by the 202. So in my view, a 200 likes a 202 to be best at it's job. The Nait just won't cut it. Actuallt, it might well be possible your bringing in the CDX2, and be happy for some time. Or it urges you to upgrade, since it is revaling the limitations of your Nait. There is also a possibility, however, to treat yourself to a HiCap to power the Nait, and later on adding a pre-amp (202, or perhaps the 282) to yout Nait, and keep that as the power. should prove to be a bit more stable, although you still might miss a bit of control.
There are numerous options, and I'm afraid you're going to have to decide which route is best for you. Currently, I'm planning to pair my Nait5 with a CDX2, adding a Hi, then heading towards the 282 and finally adding a 250 to suit it. Then I might start thinking about more power supplies, as the Supercap or XPS. At least, I can keep dremaing for now
.
I also paired a CD5(HiCapped as well, later on) to the Nait5 in comparisson to the Nait5 with a CDX2. I thought te difference was stunning. Others on the forum may disagree. Then we also added the 200, which, in it's own right, does make for lots of grunt and some subtle changes. Changes got more straightforward when the pre-section of the Nait5 was replaced by the 202. So in my view, a 200 likes a 202 to be best at it's job. The Nait just won't cut it. Actuallt, it might well be possible your bringing in the CDX2, and be happy for some time. Or it urges you to upgrade, since it is revaling the limitations of your Nait. There is also a possibility, however, to treat yourself to a HiCap to power the Nait, and later on adding a pre-amp (202, or perhaps the 282) to yout Nait, and keep that as the power. should prove to be a bit more stable, although you still might miss a bit of control.
There are numerous options, and I'm afraid you're going to have to decide which route is best for you. Currently, I'm planning to pair my Nait5 with a CDX2, adding a Hi, then heading towards the 282 and finally adding a 250 to suit it. Then I might start thinking about more power supplies, as the Supercap or XPS. At least, I can keep dremaing for now
.Being blown away is probably being the control and grunt being added to the Nait. That does make a lot of difference.
And J.N.'s route might be a good one, adding a 202/200 combo, and just starting off with a 200. Might be worth a try. perhaps you're willing to add a 200 and save up for the 202. Perhaps you're happier adding the CDX2 first. Just try. You'll have a fun day trying as well .
But as J.N. stated, you do need some balance in a system. I do believe the English (and American) people prefer to call it Synergy. Beautifull word
.
And J.N.'s route might be a good one, adding a 202/200 combo, and just starting off with a 200. Might be worth a try. perhaps you're willing to add a 200 and save up for the 202. Perhaps you're happier adding the CDX2 first. Just try. You'll have a fun day trying as well
.But as J.N. stated, you do need some balance in a system. I do believe the English (and American) people prefer to call it Synergy. Beautifull word
.