202 into 250.2

You may decide differently, but many including myself think the 202 even with a HiCapDR power supply into the 250.2 sounds less than stellar, providing a ponderous bass heavy sound.

Simon

So long as your source(s) is up to snuff, you would be better going for a pre-amp upgrade to a NAC282 instead.  Just listen and you'll hear...

I tried 202/HCDR/250.2 and found exactly as Simon bassy heavy sound.

on the other hand 282/HCDR/200 is a fantastic combo

One very rarely finds a 282 second hand for sale.... for good reason, it is a keeper...

analogmusic posted:

One very rarely finds a 282 second hand for sale.... for good reason, it is a keeper...

I think the cost of a 252/Supercap might have something to do with it :-)

I guess so, the cost of 252/SC puts me off the upgrade from 282/HCDR.

There are sources upgrades (from Chord Hugo to Chord Dave, or NDS/555 or very good turntable) that seem more compelling financially and musically both

sjw posted:

There seem to be various 250 power amps on sale s/h. Would there be a benefit to replacing my nap200 with one of these with my Ovator 400?

Has anyone else done actually this rather than theory?

Is it a straight swap or more complex in terms of cables

thanks

IMO a 282 is way too expensive and I have seen many s/h, instead I'd look at a pot 8 serviced Nac 82 in your situation, replace Nap 200 with an old serviced CB/Olive Nap 250, together they will provide superb value and sound performance for much less outlay, maybe the value of the preamp only, don't dismiss the Nac 72 for even less outlay

Getting back to the OP, looking at your profile, I would think a source upgrade might be in order before climbing the amplification ladder too much further. 

Bit sad about the "used to" in the biog though.

C.

less opportunity!

sjw posted:

There seem to be various 250 power amps on sale s/h. Would there be a benefit to replacing my nap200 with one of these with my Ovator 400?

Has anyone else done actually this rather than theory?

Is it a straight swap or more complex in terms of cables

thanks

I think the search facility throws up a few 200 to 250.2 posts.  I'm considering a similar move into S400 abeit to DR and with 282/HCDR.

G

b_lund posted:

sjw posted:

There seem to be various 250 power amps on sale s/h. Would there be a benefit to replacing my nap200 with one of these with my Ovator 400?

Has anyone else done actually this rather than theory?

Is it a straight swap or more complex in terms of cables

thanks

IMO a 282 is way too expensive and I have seen many s/h, instead I'd look at a pot 8 serviced Nac 82 in your situation, replace Nap 200 with an old serviced CB/Olive Nap 250, together they will provide superb value and sound performance for much less outlay, maybe the value of the preamp only, don't dismiss the Nac 72 for even less outlay

some good suggestions actually.... worth considering. quite a few forum members said the 72 is quite good enough even compared to current 282, and didn't miss the 282 at all, after replacing with NAC 72

on the other hand, 282 and 82 can be used with dual outputs of the mighty supercap 

analogmusic posted:

b_lund posted:

sjw posted:

There seem to be various 250 power amps on sale s/h. Would there be a benefit to replacing my nap200 with one of these with my Ovator 400?

Has anyone else done actually this rather than theory?

Is it a straight swap or more complex in terms of cables

thanks

IMO a 282 is way too expensive and I have seen many s/h, instead I'd look at a pot 8 serviced Nac 82 in your situation, replace Nap 200 with an old serviced CB/Olive Nap 250, together they will provide superb value and sound performance for much less outlay, maybe the value of the preamp only, don't dismiss the Nac 72 for even less outlay

some good suggestions actually.... worth considering. quite a few forum members said the 72 is quite good enough

Good enough !!!

More than that mate, you obviously haven't heard it

Its a peach if you value music rather than hifi effects and details, only slightly bettered by a Nac 52 -there you go

hi B_lund,

I do value music, and I am aware the founder of Naim always maintained musical communication i.e. content, was more important than soundstage and image. Yet I do appreciate these qualities too ... The DAC V1 when used as preamp isn't quite as good as a 202 preamp or 202/HCDR, more soundstage, there are merits on both sides, but prefer 202 over DAC V1 preamp...

I haven't heard 72, but apparently the very first NAC, the NAC 12 was the standard that newly produced NAC 52 were compared against when shipping out of the factory before packing.

I'd love to hear a NAC 72, but I think I am done with my naim preamp purchases.

In hindsight, with what I know today, maybe would have gladly bought that classic combo,  72/HC/250 

I'm not as anti the 202/250.2 combo as some. I lived with it for a while quite happily. But then I'm using IBL's which could never be called bass heavy  Having said that, I'd be inclined to agree with CHRISSU. The 200 is a great power amp and will still show through any improvement to the front end. 

Marksnaim posted:

I'm not as anti the 202/250.2 combo as some. I lived with it for a while quite happily. But then I'm using IBL's which could never be called bass heavy  Having said that, I'd be inclined to agree with CHRISSU. The 200 is a great power amp and will still show through any improvement to the front end. 

i recall someone reporting here some good results with 552/NAP200, suggestng,  i guess, that the 200 is no slouch...

enjoy

ken

200 is a very fine power amp indeed

ken c posted:

Marksnaim posted:

I'm not as anti the 202/250.2 combo as some. I lived with it for a while quite happily. But then I'm using IBL's which could never be called bass heavy  Having said that, I'd be inclined to agree with CHRISSU. The 200 is a great power amp and will still show through any improvement to the front end. 

i recall someone reporting here some good results with 552/NAP200, suggestng,  i guess, that the 200 is no slouch...

enjoy

ken

Yes Ken, I agree the 200 is no slouch, but remember the rule, ( Naim Audio Control ), got that from Mr Richard Dane!  

The  ( NAC ) 552 has no problem Controlling an 200, and if you pair it with a killer source, wow! 

However, the same set up with an 250.2, less know your 500, and Well!!!!!

I have had personal experience with both of these amps in my system, in matter of fact both playing at the same time ( Briks Bi Amped ). I incurred some heating problems, with my 250.2. 

Eventually, I ended up replacing my 200 with a 250.2, and Tri Amping the Briks with the 250's.

Funny thing didn't have any heating problems with the 200, even when I put the 200 on the Woofers and Mids, and left the 250 on the Tweeter.

Mr Richard Dane explained the situation Beautifully:

""Richard Dane 

Administrator

  June 20, 2014 11:09 AM

Bert,

 like 99.6% of power amps out there, the NAP200 isn't a regulated power amp and so when the going gets tough it just lets things slide a bit. A NAP250 isn't allowed to do that, so it has to work much harder (and gets hotter as a consequence). Remember too that there's much more inside a NAP250 - twice the transistor count for one thing.  For all that, unsuitable cabling will get a NAP200 hot.""

Once Again the key word here is subtle, Orchestra Music the harps are more noticeable in the back ground, and complex runs aren't as crowded! 

But I agree the 200 is no slouch! 

Allante93!

analogmusic posted:

hi B_lund,

 

I do value music, and I am aware the founder of Naim always maintained musical communication i.e. content, was more important than soundstage and image. Yet I do appreciate these qualities too ... The DAC V1 when used as preamp isn't quite as good as a 202 preamp or 202/HCDR, more soundstage, there are merits on both sides, but prefer 202 over DAC V1 preamp...

 

I haven't heard 72, but apparently the very first NAC, the NAC 12 was the standard that newly produced NAC 52 were compared against when shipping out of the factory before packing.

I'd love to hear a NAC 72, but I think I am done with my naim preamp purchases.

 

In hindsight, with what I know today, maybe would have gladly bought that classic combo,  72/HC/250 

your talking good sense now

b_lund posted:

analogmusic posted:

hi B_lund,

 

I do value music, and I am aware the founder of Naim always maintained musical communication i.e. content, was more important than soundstage and image. Yet I do appreciate these qualities too ... The DAC V1 when used as preamp isn't quite as good as a 202 preamp or 202/HCDR, more soundstage, there are merits on both sides, but prefer 202 over DAC V1 preamp...

 

I haven't heard 72, but apparently the very first NAC, the NAC 12 was the standard that newly produced NAC 52 were compared against when shipping out of the factory before packing.

I'd love to hear a NAC 72, but I think I am done with my naim preamp purchases.

 

In hindsight, with what I know today, maybe would have gladly bought that classic combo,  72/HC/250 

your talking good sense now

I thought the analog always talked with good sense!