Nac 202
Posted by: John Weir on 22 November 2015
The previous owner was using it with a hicap which he had sold already
Given that my present setup sounds very good, what benefits might a hicap bring?
It simply sounds miles better. But before thinking about a Hicap, get a napsc.
John welcome to the classic NACs .. The HiCap (DR) certainly helps let the 202 portray more nuance and detail. As HH says additionally using the NAPSC psu for the control logic /circuitry seems to smooth the 202 out further..
BUT if you are enjoying now.. Then carry on, none of these upgrades are mandatory.
Simon
+1 Simon.
John .. Simon's advice is well worth following. Spend time to get to know and enjoy your current system. The addition of a NAPSC at some time in the future to be followed later by a HiCap will just make the experience all the more enjoyable.
It's a long long road .. no sense in rushing it.
My current amplification is a huge
Improvement on my previous Linn Kairn, LK85 Aktiv Keilidh system
I am hearing stuff on my music never heard before its so foot tappingly good
It's particularly good on rock music
I will see if I can get a demo of hicap. I think I am suffering from upgraditis
As I said above, the napsc is the first thing to get. If you look around you can find them for under £200 used. It makes the amplifier far nicer to listen to, in fact I wouldn't have a 202 without one. I would say that the napsc was pretty much essential, whereas the Hicap is optional. I'd give the amp a couple of months. Get used to how it sounds, then you will really know what the napsc and Hicap bring to the party.
I will aim to get the napsc in the new year
What I can say is when I changed the hicap for a dr version there was a marked improvement.
So when the time comes for your hicap purchase try and get a dr version if funds permit.
Enjoy.
Scott
That's the spirit. It's always worth giving James at Tom Tom a call, as he often has napscs looking for a new home. When you get it, put it on the floor as far from the system as its leads will allow.
Another option to demo when ready, is a NAP200 DR, depending on future ambitions and intentions on the number of boxes (should be a similar cost as a HICap DR with trade-in if the existing 200).
Jude
That's the spirit. It's always worth giving James at Tom Tom a call, as he often has napscs looking for a new home. When you get it, put it on the floor as far from the system as its leads will allow.
Er, while I'd agree with HH about getting a Napsc, I'd go the other way on placement. With my Napsc I heard a performance improvement by lifting it from the carpet and putting it on the main rack, and from plugging into the dedicated mains circuit. Both free upgrades. 
Mike
Indeed. It's something to experiment with for oneself.
I've got loads of floor space lol
John,
I had a 202/200 and did exactly what HH is telling above and I am very happy I followed those steps.
I just moved to a different kit and both PS's are part of the new config.
Regards.
Erich
John,
That was my first idea (282), then explored 272/200>250, and after "drinking plenty of head broth" I decided to go the 252/250 route.
When I went 202/200 I was clear that I preferred separate boxes and when I decided to upgrade that was also important.
The problem I have is that where I live it's impossible to audition alternatives coz dealers have a very limited stock in demo.
Regards.
Erich
You will be well satisfied now
For a while ha ha
You will be well satisfied now
For a while ha ha
John,
I really enjoyed the 202/200 and up to a few weeks ago I never thought to change it. Now I'm happy with what I have, not thinking in a new jump but always some upgrades could be possible.
Regards.
Erich
When I first bought my Nac202, the Napsc was without a doubt included in my order. It is a no brainer to me to have it paired with Nac202. I would not be surprised some will chime in to tempt you a Nac282 or Nac252 upgrade but I got to tell you 202/200 is a great amplifier in its own right. At least it deserved to be in your listening room for as long as you enjoy. TBH, I derived great enjoyment from my previous 202/Napsc/HCDR/200. If upgrade is inevitable along the road, 2 options become available, ie Hicap DR or send Nap200 for DR upgrade.
Lets enjoy what the entry level classic combo can bring to the party.
are you using the DIN interconnect between NDAC and 202?
agree that NAPSC is a very good add on to the 202, and now running my 202/200 bare without HCDR and it sounds really fine to me (the HCDR is with my 282). couldn't really think it needed anything more, and in fact, it could easily be all the amp/system (with NDAC) you ever need, it has the classic Naim exciting and dynamic sound about it.
enjoy the music.
At a fraction of price you could get a used Nac 72
it doesn't need napsc
it has no remote but that sound is good
No Napsc angst here :-) It's lovely on a bare 202/ 200. I think it should be included with the Nac202 but can understand why it isn't.
Chris
I don't have a din to din cable The SNAIC I have is the wrong pin configuration I am having to use a chord RCA to din
I expect Naim will make a SNAIC to fit ndac to 202
The wire between the ndac and 202 is not a snaic. It's a standard interconnect. Naim make a din to din interconnect, or there are the posher hiline or super lumina variants. You should use din to din if possible.
+1 to HH
you will not get the best of the NDAC or the 202 without a din interconnect, even with a Hicap.