Spend on 282 or keep 202?

The 282 is indeed a big step up from the 202. More of everything, detail, soundstage, prat etc. I, like many, took no time in deciding that the dem would lead to a purchase. Mine was pre owned however. I wouldn't have been able to afford a new one at that time. Given cc rates maybe waiting until you have the cash might be a better idea. If buying new with cash don't be shy to ask what deals your dealer might consider.

You will not be disappointed with the 282, you know you want one...

The move from 202 to 282 was one of the most, if not the most, significant upgrades I have made and I used the 282 with a 200 for quite some time. Almost every area of importance was improved including the detail and PRaT you are looking for. Don't worry about bass, the 282 does not emphasise this area, other than bringing some extra depth but importantly with plenty of control, even with a 200.

Go have a demo and try it in your own system if you can to assure yourself it is worth the extra (but it is!). 

I changed from a 202 to 282 without audition, buying used, and can only agree with Nigel's comments above.  I still have mine, and use it with a 250dr but the 200 also matches it very well. I used a 200 for some time.

If you fancy used they seem to come up from time to time and the difference to change isn't too great once you factor in the sale of your 202 and NAPSC.

RIchard

I have just moved from 202 to 282 and it is a good step to make.

The better your source the more it makes sense.

Your CDX2 XPS2 should be an excellent match in this regard. The 282 will reveal a lot more from this source giving more depth to the soundstage and more body to instruments and voices, to name some of the advantages.

IMO

ch

282, fun starts there..after that you can still DR your hicap to add some more to the party

Did the same jump from 202 to 282 and was very, very impressed with the way everything sounded much better.. There is a big difference.... Would also suggest you look into a SuperCAP DR as well.

Dear All,

do you recommend the 282 (fed by just a nap 200 DR, in my case) also with only a bare CDX 2 as source?

thank you for your advice

David

Have you heard the 282?

airdavid posted:

Dear All,

do you recommend the 282 (fed by just a nap 200 DR, in my case) also with only a bare CDX 2 as source?

thank you for your advice

David

 

 

I would consider xps2 on the cdx2 before the 282 but it would be best to audition the two possibilities if you can.

No offense to the 202 which is, overall, a great piece of kit but it's not, IMO, one of Naim's better preamps. Getting the 282 is akin to going from hearing a band on cd to hearing them live. Get ready to have sore arms from air guitar-ing.

It's a "no brainer" and may be all the preamp you ever need, especially with a Supercap. 

I've had both preamps- 202 and 282. Yes, a 282 is better, but start with DR'ing your HiCap and you will be surprized what a 202 is capable of. My friend who still has a 282 and I concluded, that a 202/HC DR is better than 282/non DR HiCap. A good regulation is that important. Just my 2 cents....

I still have both preamps, and I agree with the advice above. 

202 with a HCDR is very good indeed. 

Like many above I went 202/200 to 282/200 and although obviously better not the earth shattering night and day some here have described. The 202 is a fine pre I would max it out first with a HC DR,  for fun when I had mine I added a SuperCap to it and that did make a night and day difference it was too much difference after a while but I imagine a HC DR would be a great addition 202/HCDR/200 would be a fine amp to own.

Some very interesting and conflicting viewpoints here which shows that the Naim upgrade path isn't always obvious.

Was hoping for a unanimous 'no brainer' ' night and day' endorsement for the 282 but was surprised about the suggested 202 + HiCap DR route. Personally (without a demo) I'd be a little sceptical about the latter as surely there's only so much that can be squeezed out a the 202?

I'd like to think that the fundamental superiority of the 282 would always beat a 202 which by the same token, must also be fundamentally limited by its own electronics?

I think you have just answered your own question. Next stop would be an audition to confirm your thinking. If you are going to upgrade then HCDR is recommended either route so it becomes a matter of which first, which may also depend on funds

FM2PW I agree with Bob the Builder up to a point.

There are aspects of the 202 which I like over the 282. For example it has better synergy with sonically compromised sources like Spotify. But...

If you going all out for high end sound with a top source, the 282 is your man. It goes a lot further than the 202.

Horses for courses... ?

282 definitely, clearly and obviously (much) better than 202 imho. For me it is the end game preamp.

You might as well get your Hicap DR'd anyway, as it will be good for the 202, and then it will be good for the 282 if you get one. How old is your system? Sometimes age/need for servicing has some bearing on when is the best time to make changes.

Everything is at least 10 years old with the 202 being the oldest of all and the HiCap the newest. Everything was new apart from the XPS2 which was used.

Agree that there's definitely two upgrades to plan for and the DR will certainly be cheaper than the 282.

I'm absolutely certain my source (CDX2 + XPS2 + HiLine) must be way too good for the 202 and I want to hear (more of) everything it's throwing out in terms of detail and musical information. Still leaning towards the 282 in that respect and great to know I can upgrade further with the DR.

I'm not sure about that.

When I auditioned Chord Dave, it was with 172, and 172 showed me clearly the difference between Dave and Hugo TT. 

Dave was so much superior to Hugo TT on the 172.

202 has been paired with sources like CDS3/XPS2

My suggestion is to replace the Hicap 2 with Hicap DR first (the 282 can come later). If you can do both than 282 and Hicap DR together. I do not have experience with the Hicap 2 but the Hicap DR brought the 202 to life when compared to another PSU which I cannot name here.

By trying the Hicap DR you will be able to know the potential of the NAC 202. If you go with the NAC 282 first and then the Hicap DR later, you wouldn't know what the NAC 202 is capable of.

another vote for the 282 -added HCDR to 202 which made a difference to the 202, but the 282 is (as you would expect for the £) a much better pre AMP - lot more detail from the music and sound stadge - if budget allows 282

Anybody tried two Hicaps on the 282?

The general consensus on that is that it's not really worth it. I recently treated my 282 to a Supercap 2 and still have my two HCDRs but I've not been tempted to try the experiment. Too much of a faff.