Cheap Upgrade For NAC 282

Posted by: ryder. on 21 January 2018

I'm a little ashamed to admit that I just found out about this little upgrade for the NAC 282 just lately when saw this in the manual for the first time (after using the 282 for more than a year now). Perhaps I am the only person who hasn't noticed about this yet.

Naim wasn't kidding when they suggested to mute the record output to maximise sound quality. When the mute button on record bank (2nd row) was enabled, I'm quite amazed by the change in presentation. I wasn't really expecting much and the difference was rather significant, more like a cable upgrade to me. The digital glare, hardness and brightness are all gone replaced by a smoother and more analogue sound. The bass also sounds more refined with increased articulation. Basically everything sounds cleaner and clearer with improved clarity and detail. Music which previously sounded rough or digital now sound smooth and analogue. I can now listen to familiar music at higher volumes without hurting my ears. It's quite incredible that a small change of muting the record bank can produce such results.

I am really pleased with the progress I have achieved with the system, specifically the maximisation of the NAC 282's potential. Although the 282 is just a mid-level preamp, it sounds quite superb by showing a high level of poise and refinement.

Am I the only one on this forum who didn't know about this Mute button earlier?

 

Posted on: 21 January 2018 by wenger2015

Quite possibly you might well be? 

As you rightly say, yes it certainly makes a difference.

Posted on: 21 January 2018 by ayap1

Another cheap upgrade----switch all display off.

Posted on: 21 January 2018 by Pcd

When the dealer installed my 252 a couple of years ago he did explain this and advised to recheck after any power down cycles.

Posted on: 21 January 2018 by Happy Listener

I also Mute the pre when not using the kit - I.e. in the hope this minimises power consumption when idle. 

This also stops any involuntary lift in the volume level after my Flash handset got stuck in 'Volume Up' mode one evening, a phase which, thankfully, appears to have passed. 

I've always run my Naim kit with lights off (obviously other than the logo) where this option is available e.g. on CDPs and Pre's. 

Posted on: 21 January 2018 by ryder.

Thanks for the responses. It's good to hear the same impression. 

ayap1 posted:

Another cheap upgrade----switch all display off.

This one i am aware. I often switch between display on and off and find very little difference between the two. I mostly leave the display off though. But this Mute function surely brings an instantaneous and marked difference to the sound. 

Posted on: 21 January 2018 by NickSeattle

I cannot say I hear any difference on my 552 and nDAC, but I do mute the displays on both, and mute the Record outputs anyway, as a matter of ritual, when listening exclusively in Zone 1.  It has to make a positive difference, one would think.  Occasionally I even pull the interconnects for unused sources for the same reasons.  Again, I do not hear any difference; but refreshing the connections is a good thing to do anyway.

Nick

Posted on: 21 January 2018 by MDS

Always nice to get a free upgrade.  

When I had a 282 I was very surprised at what improvement I could hear when my dealer tried a Powerline on the Napsc. Not a free one of course but much cheaper than an upgrade in the PSU.  

 

Posted on: 21 January 2018 by Filipe

Must admit I did not spot this. Yes, it is a good improvement. Thank you.

Phil

Posted on: 21 January 2018 by NFG

I have a NAC 202, the instructions (4.4) say press the front panel mon button, followed by mute. When I do this the  CD goes out & HDD illuminates and remains so what ever button is pressed. Tried press release and press and hold mon, but seems to go to HDD and remain there until mute pressed

 

Am I doing it wrong?