Supernait as pre

yes you can!

i recommend a Simaudio power amp, it goes very well woth Naim preamp.

Yup, the Supernait is fine for use as a pre-amp.  

Will you be using a separate power supply on the Supernait?

If not, then use the pre-out (bi-amp out) DIN4.  You'll need a DIN4 to 2 x RCA lead.  You could in theory use the Sub Out RCAs but RCA phono is never quite as good as DIN and I'm not sure whether they are either slugged or bandwidth limited so you should check with your dealer or Naim on this.  

Hi Richard, Zaku

Sub RCAs would work.  From the manual:  "The output signal is a duplicate of the preamplifier output. No low-pass filtering is applied."

This is something I would like to try (don't have a DIN4/RCA cable) but in my case, I wouldn't have any speakers connected to the Supernait 2 / Hicap DR.  Bad idea? I know one cannot do this with valve amps.

Or, run with only the Hicap DR powered since in theory, it is powering the Supernait 2 Preamp?

Yep, answered my own question via archives.  Richard, you commented about this back in February...mentioned that the Naim Dem room often has multiple amps powered but only one pair of speakers connected to an amp. 

I guess since the speaker outputs are not connected, one would just have to be careful not to touch those speakers inputs with anything that could short the amp (duh...common sense).

Can't wait to do this tonight...it will show me how good the SN2 preamp is and how much it dominates the sound of my Berning amp.  I suspect the SN2 preamp is very good and very transparent.

Plinko, no problem running Naim amps without speakers attached.  The 4mm sockets make it difficult to short out when no cables attached.

I compared it extensively to the preamp section of the 272. I don't think I could identify either in a blind test.

The SN2 pre into an olive 250 works very well. You can also bi-amp with the SN2.

Have been doing some work on NAP 250-2 and NAP 250DR for a forthcoming review and using the NAC-N 272/XPS as a player/preamp, as well as the NDS/555PS/SN2/HiCap as player and pre.

Not surprisingly, found the latter combo much more involving, but also had a play with the NDS/555PS into the 272/XPS, using the 272/XPS purely as a preamp, and the 272/XPS used purely as a player into the SN2/HiCap.

Short version: the SN2/HiCap/NAP 250DR is a pretty stunning pre/power combination, and IMHO adding a 250DR to an SN2 would make a very viable upgrade. And it sounds cracking fed from an NDS!

That is very interesting indeed Andrew

Yes interesting to me too as an owner of NDS/555PS/SN2/HiCap.  I'm not surprised that the 250DR brings something more to the system.  If I were to ever upgrade in a way that requires more boxes, I'd probably go with a "pure" pre-amp a la 252/Supercap and sell off the SN2/HiCap.  But I'm doing my best to remain a low(er) boxcount kinda guy.

Gives me a possible interesting upgrade path to move from my current system to pre and power amps. Add a hicap dr, then at some point at a 250DR and then sell the SN2 and replace with a pre.  Not that I am desperate to do that yet as my SN2 is great

Agreed. I really like the SN2, esp since the HiCap DR was added, and really didn't expect much when adding on the 250DR: was intending to do most of the review with 272/XPS/250 DR, and kept thinking 'If I really like it, could I give up the NDS?'.

However, the SN2/HiCap/250 DR has really amazed me, so that's problem solved, I think - at least for now, and even if I could contemplate giving up working for several months while a preamp breaks in, I'm not sure I would want to.

Nah, not going to happen, so I'm sticking with this – and the NDS/555PS is staying!

Yes, simply connect Sub Out RCAs to your power amp.  I just did the same today and it works a treat.  Didn't even think I could do this until Richard mentioned it today (thanks Richard!).  Gotta love the flexibility Naim provides!

I asked the same question last year and the consensus view was that adding a power amp to SN2 would be pointless.

Suggest biamped the SN with 3rd party power ap using the biamped pre out and using the DIN (you can get from Naim delaer with the DIN-RCA Hiline quality). If only for pre amp purpose 202 shall be better than SN.

SN only will sound best when it pair with Hicap PS.

Maybe it's about how you pose your question

I never get the point of pairing an integrated's amp (or pre) with another component. Seems to defeat the purpose of an integrated, but as experimentation to answer a larger question, or as a short term stop gap measure, I guess it could make sense.

adding a power amp to the SN is not pointless at all. even adding a 200 (or better still a 200dr) will bring serious benefits.

but adding a non naim power amp for passive bi-amping woth the SN - care should be taken in that the other non-Naim power amp to have the exact 29dB of gain, as Naim power amps do, otherwise it will be actually impossible to hear correctly the speakers used, as the drivers amplified by the higher gain amp will be heard louder how about THAT for a colouration !!!