282 vs 202... What are the differences?

I'l let you know on Tuesday. I should be getting my first hands-on dem of the new Naim stuff with this particular comparison in mind, as well as some nice Ruark speakers I'm going to be auditioning...



Regards,

Steve.

Hi achandoke,
From what I've been able to figure out, the 282 comes with a built in NAPSC (whatever that is ... some kind of power supply I think) and if so, it doesn't seem that much more expensive than buying separates. It must also have more features as it has two rows of push-buttons on the front panel. Sonically, I have no idea, but like you I'm mildly interested to know as I'm due to collect my 202/200 the week after next ..... provided this damned SARS outbreak doesn't get any worse in Asia.

Achandoke,

Before you consider the 282 you really should purchase an XPS2. This will improve your sistem substantially.


The next move would be to replace the 202 with a 282. This will really open up your system. The 282 will allow you to hear more of the music. Its more transparent, its deeper its generally more of everything.


Then with a CDX2/XPS2 282/200 you will have a very fine sistem.

Regards

NB

I am really surprised that this thread has had so little response. NAIM have realeased a whole new range of gear (which from my reading of the forum seems to address a lot of historical complaints about NAIM gear....no three dimensionality, imaging etc,) but not many forum users seem to to know anything about it.

For my part I rely heavily on this forum for info because I live in a country where I have no access to any MAIM gear ..... yet I see so many members passing opinions on the new equipment vs the earlier and many freely admit they have never listened to, or comapred the old and the new. Ver, very strange???

It's almost like the term "Flat Earthers" reflects the literal Catholic medieaval concept that the earth was flat and anyone who says otherwise is a heretic.

Lighten up guys and try to keep an open mind.

NB did answer the question of achandoke very well.
The XPS2 is a huge improvement over the standalone CDX2.
And this is the first thing to be done.

As a next step I have ordered a Supercap for my system
CDX2/XPS2/282/hi-capII/new250. It sounds great. I think I’ll
be the first one to sell the new Hi-cap as s/h. I hope I don’t
have to make any upgrades till end of this year? Let’s see!

John,

The new NAPSC is not built in. Again standing away from the other equipment
it gives the best sound.

Emil

acha,

With a CDX2, the 282 would seem to be a logical partner, but most people choose the 202.

I agree with NB and would advise against upgrading the pre before the CDP. Before JohnMak complains: I've heard plenty of the new range gear, but never in a direct comparison to the old stuff.

It is fair to assume that the hierarchy is more or less the same as it always used to be, in which case I would suggest adding the XPS2 before going 282. I did it the other way (with the old range), but only because I happened to chance upon a used 82.

Thomas

Hello,

I also have been thinking of upgrading to a pre / power amp combination, and particularly looking at the 202 or the 282.

At present i have a CD5 / Nait 5 / Flatcap 2 / Intro 2.

I know the argument goes that it is the source to be the first upgrade, but i do like the CD5. I have also heard the improvements that are made with a pre / power arrangement, and it seemed (to my ears) that the better pre amp, and especially with a separate power supply, the better the music became, with the same source. To my way of thinking then, i would like to get as much out of my CD5 with a good pre / power amp at the moment, rather than upgrade to a CDX2 which perhaps the Nait5 would not do enough justice to ?

I don't have a huge room, and listening to various improvements in the power amp units, i think that the cost / benifit of the NAP200 make this amp very very good.

I guess i'm talking myself into justifying the 282 (!), but i do think this seems more logical to do before a CD upgrade. As i understand it, the XPS only works with a CDX and CDS3? Now, if it did work with a CD5, then i think that this may change things.

My current system is p25/cd5/202/200/ES14.

I just got the 202 200. The main reason why i didnt go for the 282 is the price. I need more power to control my ES14 so i moved to the 200.

However i have tried a cdx on my previous setup with 92/90 and I greatly appreciate the difference a good source makes.

If i had the money to go the 282, i would have gotten a cdx2 or a better turntable instead.

I have a CDX2 with a 282. Why did I get a 282 instead of a XPS2 ? Because CD is not my only source. I also put my LP12 and TV through it and so I got an improvement on all three sources instead of just one.



Nana

quote:

---

Originally posted by JohnMak:
I am really surprised that this thread has had so little response. NAIM have realeased a whole new range of gear (which from my reading of the forum seems to address a lot of historical complaints about NAIM gear....no three dimensionality, imaging etc,) but not many forum users seem to to know anything about it.

For my part I rely heavily on this forum for info because I live in a country where I have no access to any MAIM gear ..... yet I see so many members passing opinions on the new equipment vs the earlier and many freely admit they have never listened to, or comapred the old and the new. Ver, very strange???

.

---

John

The reason is quite simple: The so called upgrade within a class (82 to 282, 252 to 52, CDX to CDX2 etc...) is proven to be VERY expensive with only minor gain in the sonic performance (you sell your old gear for 1/2 the price or even less in some cases and absorb the FULL new pricing of the new pieces). Most of the forum members are happy with their existing equipment (That proves Naim equipment is very good and people really like it). In some cases, the change in the sonic characteristic of the new gear may not please the old school where PRAT is the MOST important and now Naim pieces are optimised for resolution and transparency (more polite sounding if I should say...). Personally, I think Naim is going to the right direction....

Thank you all for your input. From reading all of the posts, I gather that there are two ways to look at the upgrade path, the right way and the wrong way Everyones right and wrong is different though.

I havent heard the 282 yet, but I think the limiting factor in my system is the preamp. If I get a better preamp, I think more music will come through, but the XPS and the improvement in sound is so tempting. Ultimately my budget will decide.

Achandoke

As you're running a CDX2 / 202 / 200 I guess you can't have had your new sistem all that long, seeing as it's all new kit? To be calling any of the components a "limiting factor" so early in the day seems a bit strange!

You've got a great set-up, so why not just put your feet up, enjoy the music and forget about upgrades for a while?



cheers

matt

You may find this thread, one of the best comparisons-of-upgrades threads of all time, informative reading:

Ron's Day Out

One finding was that the CD5 - even "naked" - stood well in very lofty company.

Thank you again, Ron, for this gem.

- GregB

Insert Witty Signature Line Here

...in Ron's wonderful post, once move he makes is:

"Next an extra Snaic was brought into the battle and the Supercap allowed to power both the 112 AND the CD-5."

Question to the Knowing: Can the trick of powering two devices be done with a Hi-Cap? Or is this reserved for the SuperCap and the new FlatCap 2?

- GregB

Insert Witty Signature Line Here

quote:

---

Originally posted by Greg Beatty:
You may find this thread, one of the best comparisons-of-upgrades threads of all time, informative reading:

http://forums.naim-audio.com/eve/forums?a=tpc&s=67019385&f=48019385&m=7391976206

One finding was that the CD5 - even "naked" - stood well in very lofty company.

Thank you again, Ron, for this gem.

- GregB

Insert Witty Signature Line Here

---

Greg,

Thanks for the link. I recall this posting, and also printed it out for a more leisurely read ! It certainly confirms (in my opinion) the benefits of a good pre amp.

ricardo