282/200DR

No but as 282/200 has always been a good pairing the Dr treatment can only improve things.  

I haven't compared it to a 282/200 non-DR, but I did prefer it to the 272/XPS/250DR which I was thinking of buying, so I don't think you'd be disappointed.

As a marginal contribution to the discussion, I was using a SN with HCDR, then I moved to 202/HCDR/200, then I removed the HCDR and, much as I try to be perennially unsatisfied, I found that I like 202/200 without HC - hence without DR - a lot (can't imagine why this should help, though).

Ops Ray, I must answer another of your posts..

Might the use of a HCDR on the 282 with a S/H 200 prove more versatile?

G

I loved 282/HCDR/200 (non DR) a lot, amazing combo.  I would be surprised if the DR power supply in the new 200DR is better than a dedicated HCDR.

+1 to Analogmusic and Graeme: after all, the HiCap DR has two power rails (separate for L and R), whilst the 200DR only provides a single powerrail to the 282 for L+R together - technically not as good.

S.

Massimo

I have a similar amplifier setup as you 202/HiCap DR/Napsc/200 running into Kudos S10's.  I recently upgraded to the DR version and had HiCap 2 before the upgrade.  CD player is Rega Isis and using LP12/prefix as other input. Interconnect for CD is standard Naim "lavender" RCA to DIN and I also sometimes use a Crimson RM Music link RCA to RCA. I have thought about trying the 202/200/Napsc without the HiCap DR just to see what the basic setup would sound like. Having read that you already made that change and really like it, I am curious what changes it brings that has you enjoying it more. I know this may not help the OP out with his question but was really curious. 

Howie K.

Removing the HC from a 202/200 is dreadful. 

ray sheldon posted:

Removing the HC from a 202/200 is dreadful. 

I much prefer the 202/200 with HCDR. Although I do remember removing the HCDR once and liking how it sounded musically, at the expense though of higher noise floor, which ultimately is not something I can live with....

Also I have not heard the 202 powered by the 200DR... Now that might play very nicely... When I had a 202 it was always powered by the HCDR as the 200DR didn't exist back then..

To the OP, I suspect the 282 will benefit most from the dual regulated rails of the HCDR, but the 200 DR might be a good stepping stone. I would also consider the NAPSC for the 282 whatever you do.. that seperates the powering of the control and automation circuitry from the audio circuitry.

The 282 won't work without a napsc.

howiek posted:

Massimo

Having read that you already made that change and really like it, I am curious what changes it brings that has you enjoying it more. I know this may not help the OP out with his question but was really curious. 

Howie K.

Howie,

congrats for your system – I'd love to hear a rega Isis, out of curiosity. It's not easy for me to pinpoint the reasons why I now like the system more: I have always been a great fan and a stubborn user of Naim PSUs. To be absolutely honest, I had decided to do a complete tabula rasa and change gear from scratch; the first thing that I sold was the HCDR. Then, I decided to give it all a try again and turned the system on; I had moved the SBLs closer to the wall – from 25cm to 11; well the sound had changed in an unexpected way: it was – I have no better word – easier; smoother but still defined, refined but still contoured. Extremes in the audio band were a little accentuated (this in comparison with my former SN, though) and the musical flow was very easy to follow. All the elements of music seemed to mix into a single musical experience. I add – it might have its importance – that I retained the Vertere Pulse D-Fi Interconnect and the Pulse X mini speaker cables, but restored the Naim SNAIC4 between 202 and 200.

I don't think this contradicts the fact that I previously have long praised the SN and all possible *Caps; I found myself with a more (I hope no-one will misunderstand my use of this word) feminine presentation, and discovered that I like it.

Now, reason may tell me that a 202 cannot perform better without a HCDR; all technical things speak against this. But the fact remains that I seem to gain more pleasure from this setup than I had before, and given the parsimonious amount of pleasure I get from reproduced music at home, I am happy to stick with that for now.

Best

Max 

ray sheldon posted:

Removing the HC from a 202/200 is dreadful. 

Ok, so I have become deaf. This will solve a lot of problems, so thanks for this..

M

Massimo Bertola posted:

howiek posted:

Massimo

Having read that you already made that change and really like it, I am curious what changes it brings that has you enjoying it more. I know this may not help the OP out with his question but was really curious. 

Howie K.

Howie,

congrats for your system – I'd love to hear a rega Isis, out of curiosity. It's not easy for me to pinpoint the reasons why I now like the system more: I have always been a great fan and a stubborn user of Naim PSUs. To be absolutely honest, I had decided to do a complete tabula rasa and change gear from scratch; the first thing that I sold was the HCDR. Then, I decided to give it all a try again and turned the system on; I had moved the SBLs closer to the wall – from 25cm to 11; well the sound had changed in an unexpected way: it was – I have no better word – easier; smoother but still defined, refined but still contoured. Extremes in the audio band were a little accentuated (this in comparison with my former SN, though) and the musical flow was very easy to follow. All the elements of music seemed to mix into a single musical experience. I add – it might have its importance – that I retained the Vertere Pulse D-Fi Interconnect and the Pulse X mini speaker cables, but restored the Naim SNAIC4 between 202 and 200.

I don't think this contradicts the fact that I previously have long praised the SN and all possible *Caps; I found myself with a more (I hope no-one will misunderstand my use of this word) feminine presentation, and discovered that I like it.

Now, reason may tell me that a 202 cannot perform better without a HCDR; all technical things speak against this. But the fact remains that I seem to gain more pleasure from this setup than I had before, and given the parsimonious amount of pleasure I get from reproduced music at home, I am happy to stick with that for now.

Best

Max 

Max, its not clear to me if you created the changes and did not hear with HC afterwards

too many variables

OTOH removing hicap from any setup is pro's and con's not just one way round, some positive in removing one snaic 

Thanks Massimo for your detailed response. I have always felt the Naim power supplies were an important and valuable upgrade to any Naim system. So, because of that, I never really gave any thought to running the 202 without the HiCap and Napsc but recently thought why not give it a try and then use the HCDR to power my Prefix rather than running the prefix straight into the 202 powered input. So, that is why your post got my attention. I have owned both CDS3 and CD555 and find the Rega Isis to sound very much like a CDS3, very analog sounding and transparent but not as much detail as the 555. 

Howie K.

B_Lund,

I realise the variables are many; on the other hand, as I have tried to explain, mine was not a plan and it hasn't, once happened, included comparisons. I had turned the whole system off and was ready not to use it for some time; then something induced me to try again. I chose to push the SBLs closer to the wall mainly because I knew there was no real reason for keeping them at some distance now that the gasket job had been done; they are designed to work like that. I restored the Naim SNAIC-4 because I had packed the two Vertere SNAICs for shipment, having planned to sell them now that I wasn't using the HCDR; I could say that I sort of followed the instruction manual to give the system a 'last' run, and now I wasn't expecting much.

At this point, it sounded excellent: smooth, dynamic, lively and warm at the same time. Who would have questioned it, changed it, tried further comparisons? The 202 was running off a PSU made for it; everything was ok; I decided to trust – for once in my life – the old French adagio Le mieux c'est l'ennemi du bien.

Tonight I played the Naim CD True Stereo, with analogue, two-mikes recordings: it sounded gorgeous. Nothing is missing, apart from an inherent, minimal, treble rolloff that our living room imposes to everything. Sincerely, I don't care anymore for variables, possibilities, paths for ameliorating: it's the first time in years that I think I can actually use the system to enjoy some music; how long it will last, I don't know: but CDS3, XPS-DR, Vertere Pulse D-Fi IC, 202, NAPSC, SNAIC-4, 200, Vertere Pulse X Mini speaker cable and SBLs is truly a great system. That a mix of chance, lack of expectations and carelessness has caused this success, makes it only more satisfying..

Best

M

Max, at the end of the day that is ALL that really matters. You have rediscovered your system and are enjoying (again?) playing music on it. No need to analyse why, no one should tell you you must use a Hicap in your particular set up, no one can tell you your system will be worse without a power supply. It just so happens that I had a 202/NAPCS/200(non DR) and later enjoyed the introduction of a Hicap (non DR). But I didn't have your speakers, your cables, your room or your ears. I do however remember there were some pros AND cons adding the Hicap. On balance the pros won out for me. To you, your ears, in your room you have (re)discovered a great balance.

I just hope it proves consistent and you can continue to enjoy your music for years to come. After all, that is what we are all striving for.

Hungryhalibut posted:

The 282 won't work without a napsc.

Indeed - optional with 202 but required on the 282.. my post didn't make that clear...