Sound advice taken (CDX2 wise)

To answer your only question: I am presently using a bare CDX2. It is my fourth or fifth one, I have used it with XP 5XS, XPS.2, XPS DR. I have heard it with a 555PS. It is a first generation, with VAM 1250 mech and no digital output. A true CDX2.

I think it could be useful for you to know what exactly an XPS does to a CDX2 (provided you don't know it already); the onboard PSU delivers three single rails of current to the mech, the DAC and the analogue stage. An XPS has a bigger transformer, better (more selected) regulators, bigger capacitors and delivers two rails of current to each stage of the CDP. This is more. If it also is  better it's only up to you to learn. What I can say is that I have tried everything, and I haven't a reply for it. I think that you will not be happy until you'll have tried an XPS, that very likely for some time you'll be sure that with the XPS your CDX2 is hugely better, and that someday you may come to the conclusion that a bare CDX2 is gentler, more easily  'flowing', and even more musical. But in my opinion the difference is not in the gear itself but in the way you represent to yourself the necessity and the value of that addendum, and how loud the empty PSU socket speaks to you.

Best

Max

I should have a bit more time for experimenting in a week or so.

I'm enjoying the music and some different sources like Jazz FM and Spotify. It's sounding like a winner right now! 

Max_B posted:

 

... and how loud the empty PSU socket speaks to you.

Best

Max

 

Ha Ha ... I like the last bit!

Thanks for the interesting info.

Cheeselet - I love my CDX2 and loved my 282.. however I don't think the two are always best mached together. The 282 is quite a forward  (also read exciting energetic) NAC and the CDX2 is the same... I found the two together sometimes over egged things..

For the CDX2 I found the 202,252 and 552 the best preamps.. you might think differently but listen carefully... and don't rush auditions - evaluate if you can for a week or more..

cheeselet posted:

I should have a bit more time for experimenting in a week or so.

Honestly, anyone would think you work for the British Antarctic Survey or something!

C.

cheeselet posted:

I'll mostly likely take a cue from hungry h. 

Always a sound approach. Get some Naim speaker wires instead of those funny Nordost things as well. 

We all have are preferences, and like what we like, but I think the cdx2 and 282 are an extremely good match.

But of course much depends on the cables, interconnects, speakers ect ...all of which can make or break a system 

Christopher_M posted:

cheeselet posted:

I should have a bit more time for experimenting in a week or so.

Honestly, anyone would think you work for the British Antarctic Survey or something!

C.

No ... jus camping on the North Norfolk  coast for a week  (not too far away!)

wenger2015 posted:

We all have are preferences, and like what we like, but I think the cdx2 and 282 are an extremely good match.

But of course much depends on the cables, interconnects, speakers ect ...all of which can make or break a system 

Exactly... 

I've still got one relatively cheap upgrade in the possible pipeline ....

NAPSC anyone?

Adding NAPSC to your NAC 202 is deemed as a vital upgrade. 

At some stage I would experiment with adding an external power supply to your CDX2. I do realise it's not the question you've asked, but worth running that test. Some prefere CDX2 saute and some like it spicy

Cheeselet, I just saw this thread. I didn't bother to click on it earlier as the CDX2 in the title did not interest me.

FWIW I have both NAC 282/NAP 250DR and NAC 202/NAP 200 and used to frequently swap the amps. Although the NAC 282 is quite a bit "better" than the NAC 202, I would say don't bother too much about it at the moment. If you don't compare the two, the 202 is very enjoyable in its own right. I use the 202/200 in the bedroom system and at times the small system sounds more fun and enjoyable than the large system based on the 282/250DR. All Naim amps are capable of connecting the listener to the music on an emotional level, IMO.

I do not have experience with the NAP 250.2 but have listened to the NAC 202 / NAP 250 DR. The 202/250.2 or 250DR may not be the best combination, and others might be inclined to say it isn't an optimised setup but the pair certainly sounded better than the 202/200. In the end it all depends on how you want to match it all up with the given funds, to achieve the best results with the money that you have.

In summary, I would suggest that you (temporarily or permanently) disregard all comments on the 282 being better than the 202. Just enjoy the music of your newly-assembled system and appreciate the quality of your current gear before thinking of anything else.

That's my thinking too at this moment and I would concur with the above 2 posts.

But I would consider a HiCapDR and in my experience it needs to the DR for the 202 along with the Napsc. It will transform the 202 so as to provide significantly more performance and enjoyment... again read  back over the years on the forum where others have also found this... I definitely did.

BTW if you do get the Napsc don't worry where you put it and how far away it needs to be etc.. in the early days there was quite a lot of rumour of it being a noisy powersupply.. which of course couldn't be further from the truth, it's a quality simple linear power supply that is used to power the control circuitry of the 202.

cheeselet posted:

Thanks for the interesting info.

You're welcome. Don't forget it comes from someone who has bought and sold the same things four or five times in some cases.. I don't reach conclusions lightly. And do my best not to give apodictic advice.

Best

M

Apodictic eh? I had to look that one up. Nice word. 

Max_B posted:

cheeselet posted:

Thanks for the interesting info.

You're welcome. Don't forget it comes from someone who has bought and sold the same things four or five times in some cases.. I don't reach conclusions lightly. And do my best not to give apodictic advice.

Best

M

With absolute certainty I agree, or +1

Max_B posted:

cheeselet posted:

Thanks for the interesting info.

Don't forget it comes from someone who has bought and sold the same things four or five times in some cases.. 

Best

M

Max,

You should be the first one to open a NAIM exchange. NAIMEX sounds quite professional.

H

Yeah, but Max needs to move to Gibraltar then to accomodate a grey zone between the EU and the UK.

KTMax posted:

wenger2015 posted:

We all have are preferences, and like what we like, but I think the cdx2 and 282 are an extremely good match.

But of course much depends on the cables, interconnects, speakers ect ...all of which can make or break a system 

Exactly... 

+2

Seems like at perfect match:

Smooth flowing bare

TRUE Cdx2/Max B/Apodictic

Detailed clear upfront 282/Simon

Allante93!

I have an 8 year old cd2x which I am using with an Israeli power supply and an jps "digital" power cord...

I wonder how it will be play with powerline without PS?

Contentious stuff there and I've no experience of powerline options.

Referring back to the discussion around the 202, continuation of my listening has  lead me to believe I have lost the upper bass bloom of the  previous system which I can  only put down to the 202, as this is my experience regardless of source.

Can anyone concur that the nac 202 has this desirable characteristic ie less colouration?

Emre posted:

I have an 8 year old cd2x which I am using with an Israeli power supply and an jps "digital" power cord...

I wonder how it will be play with powerline without PS?

Emre - if you really want to maximise your CDX2 playback I would say: skip the Cudly Toy power supply and get one of Naim's own (try finding a second-hand 555PS non-DR). PowerLine will be a small icing on the cake.

cheeselet posted:

Contentious stuff there and I've no experience of powerline options.

Referring back to the discussion around the 202, continuation of my listening has  lead me to believe I have lost the upper bass bloom of the  previous system which I can  only put down to the 202, as this is my experience regardless of source.

Can anyone concur that the nac 202 has this desirable characteristic ie less colouration?

Interesting observation which may have some correlation to the experience that I have with the NAC 202. I see your reference is to your previous system based on the Supernait 2. The Supernait 2 is said to be quite similar to the NAC 282 with a big and bold sound. In my previous posts, I have always commented on the dynamic and larger than life presentation of the 282 in comparison to the flat sounding NAC 202. This observation was shared by many who have compared both. The more colourful or larger than life presentation of the NAC 282 (or Supernait 2) is likely contributed by the upper bass bloom that you cited.

I can surely attest to your impression on the NAC 202 showing less colouration. By implying that the 202 is less coloured is suggesting that it is more neutral. It's all correlated with my impression on the 202 sounding flat next to the bold and colourful sounding 282. It depends on how you want to look at it. Flat or less coloured can be both desirable or undesirable depending on the listener's taste or preferences. For me, I find the 202's character to be desirable though it would depend on system matching particularly loudspeakers, other than listening preferences. The 202 sounds less "bloated" than the 282 (presumably the Supernait 2 as well) with its leaner presentation. Due to the leanness and/or flatness of the 202, some have found it to be uninspiring, but not me. I enjoy listening to both 202 and the 282.

Another factor to consider is two different systems in different rooms with different loudspeakers will sound completely different and as such, not comparable. If you have the NAC 202 in a room with speaker A and NAC 282 in another room with speaker B, you will not be able to derive meaningful comparison by listening to both systems, to pinpoint the differences between the 202 and 282. Both can sound equally good or enjoyable.

Adam Zielinski posted:

Emre posted:

I have an 8 year old cd2x which I am using with an Israeli power supply and an jps "digital" power cord...

I wonder how it will be play with powerline without PS?

Emre - if you really want to maximise your CDX2 playback I would say: skip the Cudly Toy power supply and get one of Naim's own (try finding a second-hand 555PS non-DR). PowerLine will be a small icing on the cake.

It is difficult to find a used one here, also used prices are very expensive, how about a DR one but it is a lot of money for cd2x of decade old, i am looking at non naim alternatives but then the question pops up!

are the better than cd2x bare? 

Upgrading cd playback became a tricky one!