is 200/202 a worthwhile upgrade?
Posted by: steved on 05 October 2003
Hi,
I currently have CDX,112/150,FC2,PMC-FB1. I was wondering what the benefits would be of upgrading to the 200/202 combo. Any thoughts?
Steve D
I currently have CDX,112/150,FC2,PMC-FB1. I was wondering what the benefits would be of upgrading to the 200/202 combo. Any thoughts?
Steve D
Posted on: 05 October 2003 by Tuan
quote:
Originally posted by steved:
Hi,
I currently have CDX,112/150,FC2,PMC-FB1. I was wondering what the benefits would be of upgrading to the 200/202 combo. Any thoughts?
Steve D
just buy the new NAP250. Your FB1 needs regulated power to sing.
Posted on: 05 October 2003 by Mike.S
Steve
Buy the best preamp you can, the 282 is the obvious choice for the same money. The new pre's are very good indeed. But go listen to the lot.
Buy the best preamp you can, the 282 is the obvious choice for the same money. The new pre's are very good indeed. But go listen to the lot.
Posted on: 05 October 2003 by stevebt
Hi,
What a coincidence, well perhaps not, but I have exactly the same kit except Credo's, and I am thinking of replacing the 112 with a 282. Is this a good idea, would a hi-cap be advisable? lots of options possible!!
I also have a headline powered by the other half of the FC2, made me realize how important power supplies are to Naim kit, sounds marvellous, can go so loud without strain.
What a coincidence, well perhaps not, but I have exactly the same kit except Credo's, and I am thinking of replacing the 112 with a 282. Is this a good idea, would a hi-cap be advisable? lots of options possible!!
I also have a headline powered by the other half of the FC2, made me realize how important power supplies are to Naim kit, sounds marvellous, can go so loud without strain.
Posted on: 05 October 2003 by Ancipital
Hi
Looking at doing upgrades as well!
From a Nait2 (as part of AV setup) to 200/202/NAPSC/Stageline and some new speakers.
As I'm bawking at the cost of this so far, I will probably stick to the 202/200 as I haven't done a demo with the 282 on purpose. At another 1400 quid it's starting to push the price a bit high!
As I cannot decide on speakers at the moment, have borrowed a pair of B&W 704' which I didn't get on with, too bass heavy. Was going to borrow a pair of 705's but they sold them so now onto the 805's until the shop gets another pair of the 705's back in. The 805's sound wonderful even off my lowly Nait2!
Fun fun fun!
Steve.
Looking at doing upgrades as well!
From a Nait2 (as part of AV setup) to 200/202/NAPSC/Stageline and some new speakers.
As I'm bawking at the cost of this so far, I will probably stick to the 202/200 as I haven't done a demo with the 282 on purpose. At another 1400 quid it's starting to push the price a bit high!
As I cannot decide on speakers at the moment, have borrowed a pair of B&W 704' which I didn't get on with, too bass heavy. Was going to borrow a pair of 705's but they sold them so now onto the 805's until the shop gets another pair of the 705's back in. The 805's sound wonderful even off my lowly Nait2!
Fun fun fun!
Steve.
Posted on: 05 October 2003 by Phil Barry
Hoe do you like what you have? What's wrong, or what would you like to improve? These questions can point you in the direction you want to go in.
To me the benefits of upgrades lie in: increased coherence of the musical message, less congestion and compression in loud, complex passages.
I don't know the 112. Like Tuan, I'm a fan of regulated power a la 250, but I suspect you'd get better results from a preamp upgrade first.
Regards.
Phil
To me the benefits of upgrades lie in: increased coherence of the musical message, less congestion and compression in loud, complex passages.
I don't know the 112. Like Tuan, I'm a fan of regulated power a la 250, but I suspect you'd get better results from a preamp upgrade first.
Regards.
Phil
Posted on: 05 October 2003 by Geoff P
I have been living with a CDX2 /112/ HiCap/ 150 for sometime.
I just got a 282 3 days ago so it is very early days but here are a few comments.
1) My dealer recommended the 282 as the first choice for a CDX2. HE WAS RIGHT
2) The 282 has more output than the 112 for a given volume setting the 150 sounds stronger.
3) After only 3 days the 282 is noticeable for the extra detail and depth to the sound. The stage is wider and the complexities in the signal come through more.
4) I am now hearing subtle detail in the music from the CDX2 that I was missing before.
5) The surprise is the 150. It seems to be well able to deal with the extra quality coming from the 282. The extra power is delivered without fuss. The bass line is is more powerfull and tighter.
7) Big problem is having to stop re-listening to my CD collection and go to bed.
Based on this so far I rekon you can get a lot from just upgrading to the 282 pre without buying the 200 or the 250. I am planning a 2nd HiCap since the 282 can be run off 2 of them.
An amp upgrade can wait.
regards
GEOFFP
I just got a 282 3 days ago so it is very early days but here are a few comments.
1) My dealer recommended the 282 as the first choice for a CDX2. HE WAS RIGHT
2) The 282 has more output than the 112 for a given volume setting the 150 sounds stronger.
3) After only 3 days the 282 is noticeable for the extra detail and depth to the sound. The stage is wider and the complexities in the signal come through more.
4) I am now hearing subtle detail in the music from the CDX2 that I was missing before.
5) The surprise is the 150. It seems to be well able to deal with the extra quality coming from the 282. The extra power is delivered without fuss. The bass line is is more powerfull and tighter.
7) Big problem is having to stop re-listening to my CD collection and go to bed.
Based on this so far I rekon you can get a lot from just upgrading to the 282 pre without buying the 200 or the 250. I am planning a 2nd HiCap since the 282 can be run off 2 of them.
An amp upgrade can wait.
regards
GEOFFP
Posted on: 05 October 2003 by Colin Ackerman
Hi steved.
Ive been running a 202/200 for a while and must say this tobe a big upgrade on what you have. The best gain is made by changing the 112 for the 202, the 150 is a good amp but as you are running FB1 speakers the 200 would be recomended. The 5 series with * caps cannot match the 202/200 combo.
Colin
Ive been running a 202/200 for a while and must say this tobe a big upgrade on what you have. The best gain is made by changing the 112 for the 202, the 150 is a good amp but as you are running FB1 speakers the 200 would be recomended. The 5 series with * caps cannot match the 202/200 combo.
Colin
Posted on: 05 October 2003 by stevebt
So, looks like 282 well worth a go, 112/150 excellant but sometimes slightly mechanical sound. 150 on own gets much praise from many quarters not just here. The fact that to upgrade pre amp first makes sense in Naim ideology, also flat earth source first, although semi-mullet perhaps. (What is a semi-mullet?)
Posted on: 05 October 2003 by Jose73
I've just upgraded from 112/150/FC2 a month back to 202/200. The tonal quality, details, and grip of the music improved drastically compared to my old setup. I am running CDX/XPS as source and Allae for speakers.
Posted on: 06 October 2003 by Steve Toy
Get rid of the FB1s and replace them with a faster more articulate speaker in the midrange.
Othewise get very powerful and articulate amplifiers.
Regards,
Steve.
Othewise get very powerful and articulate amplifiers.
Regards,
Steve.
Posted on: 08 October 2003 by steved
Guys,
Thanks for your comments, even Mr Toy's (oft expressed) views about my FB1 speakers, on which he and I will just have to agree to disagree.
I know the only real answer is to have a home dem, and do an A/B comparison. The purpose of the question was to get an advance feel for what appreciable improvements I could expect for a net investment of around £2k.
I assume my FC2 could power the 202 (instead of the 112), as well as my Headline amp.
Steve D
Thanks for your comments, even Mr Toy's (oft expressed) views about my FB1 speakers, on which he and I will just have to agree to disagree.
I know the only real answer is to have a home dem, and do an A/B comparison. The purpose of the question was to get an advance feel for what appreciable improvements I could expect for a net investment of around £2k.
I assume my FC2 could power the 202 (instead of the 112), as well as my Headline amp.
Steve D
Posted on: 10 October 2003 by ncartwright
Hi Steve,
I am using a 202/200 combo to drive my Intro IIs having recently upgraded from a 150. The 282 is definitely a good option to audition but it depends upon what you want from your system and on your speaker/room combination. For me the 200 gave more drive and dynamics to the overall sound compared to the 150. This was evident at the dealers on audition but probably more so at home where my listening room is long and narrow and I have to listen across the narrow dimension for domestic reasons. I know that a better pre amp would have given me enormous benefits but I don't think I would have been entirely happy with the system with the 150 and cash is limited thus precluding a 282/200 or 250 combo for a long while.
The only way you will know what is best for you will be to audition at home if possible. If you are planning several upgrades to your amplification within the near future the 282 is probably the best bet but don't discount the 202/200 combination, for me it has worked particularly well and is one I could live with for many years!
I am using a 202/200 combo to drive my Intro IIs having recently upgraded from a 150. The 282 is definitely a good option to audition but it depends upon what you want from your system and on your speaker/room combination. For me the 200 gave more drive and dynamics to the overall sound compared to the 150. This was evident at the dealers on audition but probably more so at home where my listening room is long and narrow and I have to listen across the narrow dimension for domestic reasons. I know that a better pre amp would have given me enormous benefits but I don't think I would have been entirely happy with the system with the 150 and cash is limited thus precluding a 282/200 or 250 combo for a long while.
The only way you will know what is best for you will be to audition at home if possible. If you are planning several upgrades to your amplification within the near future the 282 is probably the best bet but don't discount the 202/200 combination, for me it has worked particularly well and is one I could live with for many years!
Posted on: 10 October 2003 by Greg Beatty
"The 282 has more output than the 112 for a given volume setting the 150 sounds stronger."
Just a reminder that the 112 has adjustable gain on most of its inputs, just like the Nait 5 does. It is possible that your 112 is adjusted to not give full gain.
- GregB
Insert Witty Signature Line Here
Just a reminder that the 112 has adjustable gain on most of its inputs, just like the Nait 5 does. It is possible that your 112 is adjusted to not give full gain.
- GregB
Insert Witty Signature Line Here