Power supply or upgrade pre amp

Upgrade to NAC 282.

And then save some cash and get a pre-loved 555PS for your nDAC (non-DR is better than DR here). 

I can't believe I've just contradicted my own 'source first' belief.... 

By the way - this thread should be in a HiFi Corner...

so it is a dogma from the past  

Thanks for the reply/suggestion

i will try and demo a 282 against my 202

If you have other (analogue?) sources too, a 282 is definitely the way to go, as it will benefit all sources. If you don't, I think it's totally subjective, and you need to listen for yourself - putting a PS on the DAC, or maybe even changing it for something else (e.g. Chord?) might work better for you.

I have a rega rp6 for vinyl.  So pre amp would seem more practical 

A demo is definitely on the cards

John - as you have an RP6, I presume you are also using Rega's pre-amp. If you are using a regular RCA-RCA cable, get an RCA-DIN one.

With an analogue source like that I would definitely go for a 282 - when I had that combo it sounded absolutely fantastic.

Yes Adam, I am using rega phono amp with an RCA to RCA lead. I think I have a chord cobra RCA to DIN plug somewhere  I will give it a try, thanks for that.

sounds like 282 is way forward

Yes go for the 282 first....

John Weir posted:

Yes Adam, I am using rega phono amp with an RCA to RCA lead. I think I have a chord cobra RCA to DIN plug somewhere  I will give it a try, thanks for that.

sounds like 282 is way forward

What cable is your RCA - RCA? Which phonostage - Fono MM or Aria? Cobra is ok cable may not be up to scratch with an Aria.

I wish it was an Aria, it's a Fono MM, cartridge Ortofon blue

You may like what Cobra brings to the equation then, especially via the DIn input.

I will go up in the loft tomorrow and hunt out the cobra. I had four bottles of cobra last week and the music sounded great he he

John Weir posted:

I wish it was an Aria, it's a Fono MM, cartridge Ortofon blue

 

Actually I think Fono MM is a better partner for RP6 (I had it with an ExactII). When I upgraded to an Aria, some of the magic seems to have disappeared. 

Anothe advice if I may: you know those two power supply / transformer thingies that power Fono and RP6? Don't plug them into the same power distribution block as your Naim gear.

Are they switched mode thingies

i bought a linear power supply for my unitiserve, big improvement in SQ

John Weir posted:

Are they switched mode thingies

i bought a linear power supply for my unitiserve, big improvement in SQ

Yeap - they are.