202/200dr, hicapdr or 282

without a doubt, 282.

analogmusic posted:

without a doubt, 282.

Why?

C.

HC will bring more resolution but  282 will open up everything.  The DR capability on the 200  makes it even more so. 

Regards,

Lindsay

Power supplies add to the existing preamp and make it better, but with Naim, they don't seem to take you to the next level

A 202 with HCDR is still not as good as a 282, powered from 200DR.

282 is more spacious, bigger soundstage, more musical, better frequency extremes, just better than a 202 in every way (even though 202 is a good preamp)

Like perhaps many forum members I have owned the 202 and 282. The HiCapDR really adds to the 202 priving more apparent detail and dynamic range... no doubt by lowering the noise floor.. but ultimately you get a 'cuddly' sound from the 202 that limits how far you can listen into the music.. the upside is its fairly easy to partner (excluding NAP50.2). The 282 brings more insight and detail. With a HiCapDR it really takes a big step forward over the 202.. and for me personally it gets me closer to what I like in Hi-Fi..... and that is engagement. Down side is it can be a bit fussy on sources sounding a little too hot (edgey) sometimes 

Simon-in-Suffolk posted:

Like perhaps many forum members I have owned the 202 and 282. The HiCapDR really adds to the 202 priving more apparent detail and dynamic range... no doubt by lowering the noise floor.. but ultimately you get a 'cuddly' sound from the 202 that limits how far you can listen into the music.. the upside is its fairly easy to partner (excluding NAP50.2). The 282 brings more insight and detail. With a HiCapDR it really takes a big step forward over the 202.. and for me personally it gets me closer to what I like in Hi-Fi..... and that is engagement. Down side is it can be a bit fussy on sources sounding a little too hot (edgey) sometimes 

agree with Simon, had the 202 > then added HCDR - then moved to 282, its added to the whole sound stage - 282 adds detail to my NDX and LP12

it worked for me currently using a 200 no DR but plan is to move to 250DR when budget allows

Interesting that most people state that the 282 really benefits from a Hi Cap DR so in a way you can take either option to get where you want to go depending on what your funds allow - Hi Cap first adding the 282 later or 282 adding the Hi Cap later

202 works really well wth HCDR, i would go three first, and then demo 282 as acid test with your system at home

Simon-in-Suffolk posted:

 

.. no doubt by lowering the noise floor.. but ultimately you get a 'cuddly' sound ..

 That's the sound I'd go for!

Adi Stefan posted:

For this i am thinking to buy a hicapdr, but need to demo because i don't know if it is a big improvment with 200dr, ......... the other upgrade is 282, it's well known. 

Why not also think about a pre-loved Supercap2 (non DR) - perhaps add a 282 later and then upgrade the Supercap to DR. See how easy it is for me to spend your money 

Thx Chris ) , but here in Romania audio market is invisible, only one naim dealer...

In which case I would seriously suggest a new 282.  

I am just about to swap my 202 for a 282.  I have a non DR 200, which is less of an issue as I have a separate PSU and have read that the DR mainly influences the preamp PSU section.  I am hoping to get an improvement in most areas, but wonder if I will feel the upgradeitis creep up for a 250.2. How does the 200 manage? Many people think it is decent enough, but perhaps struggles with the 282?

The 282/200 is super. I wouldn't worry about it. 

Thanks HH.  It is an expensive upgrade for me and I find it hard to audition new gear.  It might have high impact in the showroom, but it is only after a few weeks that I can make proper comparisons.  What I have decided is that my speakers (Dynaudio Focus 160) and the 200 seem to work well.  Not sure that I want to upset that balance and so it might be that the 200 stays.

NJB posted:

How does the 200 manage [with the NAC282 and a *cap]?

Seems it depends. The website of the respected Naim dealer from whom I bought my NAC202, HC-DR and NAP200 suggests that the NAP200 may be easier to match with speakers than the NAP250, DR or not.

I think speaker matching was possibly an issue with the old 250 but less so the DR version. 

I stand corrected. It's a long time since I've looked at this bit of their site.

NJB posted:

I am just about to swap my 202 for a 282.  I have a non DR 200, which is less of an issue as I have a separate PSU and have read that the DR mainly influences the preamp PSU section.  I am hoping to get an improvement in most areas, but wonder if I will feel the upgradeitis creep up for a 250.2. How does the 200 manage? Many people think it is decent enough, but perhaps struggles with the 282?

Unless your speakers really need a 250 to drive them properly, don't worry about it. I started out thinking I'd go for 272/XPS/250, but preferred NDX/282/200 despite the lesser power amp.

I have a NAC 202 with NAPSC and HCDR. Its not clear from this thread but are you using a NAPSC?

ChrisSU posted:

NJB posted:

I am just about to swap my 202 for a 282.  I have a non DR 200, which is less of an issue as I have a separate PSU and have read that the DR mainly influences the preamp PSU section.  I am hoping to get an improvement in most areas, but wonder if I will feel the upgradeitis creep up for a 250.2. How does the 200 manage? Many people think it is decent enough, but perhaps struggles with the 282?

Unless your speakers really need a 250 to drive them properly, don't worry about it. I started out thinking I'd go for 272/XPS/250, but preferred NDX/282/200 despite the lesser power amp.

I think NDX/SN2 is a nicer musical experience than 272/250DR even with Focal Sopra 2.  I was also talking to a guy on another forum last week who opted for a NDX/202/200 over 272/250 but it is of course all subjective.

I opted for 202/200 + ndx too

Of course a 272 based system will be cheaper.

Most respondents have heard the 202 and 282 preamps with the old 200 or a hicap so suggest you try without the cap first, it might be good enough.

If you already have a PSC I believe you can order the 282 without one, this certainly used to be the case.

Hello Adi Stefan,

I agree with all the others. If you ever have the chance to hear a 282 in your actual system, the decision will be absolut clear!! Go for 282. The first sessions will be a bit shocking. So many new details and clarity in your sound.

I went also from 202 to a 282 some weeks ago. I also built in a hicap (non DR and recapped). Sound improvement? Yes, but hc is humming in a small listening room. In the meantime ist became a problem for me. I never had any hum problems on my smaller naim gear. I tried everything, but dirty mains are a problem for naim -  midprized filters are no options- killing dynamics. Keep that in mind if your upgrading to hicap. 

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