Spend on 282 or keep 202?

Posted by: Jez R Oakley on 20 May 2017

Getting the upgrade bug again. My last was to add an XPS2 to my (original) CDX2 and this brought amazing improvements, even through my 'meagre' 202.

System:

 

Popular wisdom on this forum suggest that my (comparatively) weak link is the 202, even though it has all the PS upgrades.

Out of my next upgrade I want to hear more detail, and PRaT out of my music, especially out of guitar and rhythm sections in the recordings. I don't particularly care for huge bass. The 202 sounds good but it's got to be significantly masking the source I would think, surely?

So, to what extent is moving to 282 + HiCap2 + NAPSC going to deliver on my anticipated musical enjoyment in terms of the tangible differences in characteristics between the 202 and 282? I'm already convinced the 282 will be better but how so?

It's either the 282 or keep my credit card at a safe distance!

Posted on: 24 May 2017 by daren_p
Twinslaver posted:

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 had the 202 with power supply & then swapped to the 282 which I listened to bare for a week or two before I added my HCDR.  To me, I would say the presentation is different between the two.  The 202 with PS is more "Hifi" sounding while the bare 282 is more "musical".  I don't think the bare 282 really lacked any air or details compared to the 202 w P/S, but its main benefit was sounding more musical, so this stood out more.

At the time I really enjoyed the change to the 282 but in $ terms, I wasn't sure the upgrade in sound was good performance vs $.  Once I added the HCDR, it was a completely different story.  The 282 really needs an external supply to show what it can do (originally I had it paired with a 200) & once done I was 100% happy with the upgrade cost.  Back when I added a supply to the 202, I didn't notice instant massive changes, I more so figured them out over time.  Where as the 282 the changes were noticeable right away.

The 282 is a much better pre & one where I no longer have an urge to upgrade.  The presentation between the 202 & 282 is different & there's already all kinds of comparison threads on the forums here.  My vote, since you already have the HC2, is go with the 282.  Then down the road demo a HCDR to see if that's an upgrade that is to your taste.

 Edit: Just noticed you last post, good choice on the upgrade!  Sure, you'll be happy.

 

Posted on: 24 May 2017 by Jez R Oakley
daren_p posted:
Twinslaver posted:

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 had the 202 with power supply & then swapped to the 282 which I listened to bare for a week or two before I added my HCDR.  To me, I would say the presentation is different between the two.  The 202 with PS is more "Hifi" sounding while the bare 282 is more "musical".  I don't think the bare 282 really lacked any air or details compared to the 202 w P/S, but its main benefit was sounding more musical, so this stood out more.

At the time I really enjoyed the change to the 282 but in $ terms, I wasn't sure the upgrade in sound was good performance vs $.  Once I added the HCDR, it was a completely different story.  The 282 really needs an external supply to show what it can do (originally I had it paired with a 200) & once done I was 100% happy with the upgrade cost.  Back when I added a supply to the 202, I didn't notice instant massive changes, I more so figured them out over time.  Where as the 282 the changes were noticeable right away.

The 282 is a much better pre & one where I no longer have an urge to upgrade.  The presentation between the 202 & 282 is different & there's already all kinds of comparison threads on the forums here.  My vote, since you already have the HC2, is go with the 282.  Then down the road demo a HCDR to see if that's an upgrade that is to your taste.

 Edit: Just noticed you last post, good choice on the upgrade!  Sure, you'll be happy.

 

The 282 is being delivered tomorrow so I'll be sure to report back with my findings with (only) a non DR HiCap2. No intention of any further expenditure for a while as I'm confident things are going to sound pretty good!