Preamp or DR power amp?
Posted by: analogmusic on 07 October 2015
Which is now the better upgrade, upgrading the pre or getting a DR upgrade on the power amp?
How long is a piece of string. Which Pre, which Power...? Is there a Preamp PSU involved...?
More info pls.
In general the front end brings more benefits, but as mentioned by the other forum member, what combination are you talking about ?
Well in your profile you state to have a 282+200 combination so on the preamp side going up for you would mean buying a 252. But a 252+200 combination does not convince me at all. A 282+250DR combination would sound much more balanced and engaging. Regarding the NAP 200 upgrade to DR specification is not possible as stated in the Naim website.
Hope this helps.
Or are you perhaps talking about upgrading your 282 HiCap to a HiCapDR? In which case I absolutely recommend the DR HiCap, it makes a HUGE difference and transforms the 282.
Simon
Well in your profile you state to have a 282+200 combination so on the preamp side going up for you would mean buying a 252. But a 252+200 combination does not convince me at all. A 282+250DR combination would sound much more balanced and engaging. Regarding the NAP 200 upgrade to DR specification is not possible as stated in the Naim website.
Hope this helps.
On the other hand, a new NAP200DR has, to quote the Naim website, "a DR module identical that can be found in the Hi-Cap power supply. Now the preamplifier will enjoy the low noise benefits without using an external DR power supply." So maybe a 'bare' 282 now makes sense?
Analougemusic state in his profile that the Hicap is already a DR version, this is why I suggested a 250DR as a significant upgrade.
Sorry for not explaining. My system is 282/HCDR/200/Chord Hugo.
I could either go for a supercap DR with my 282/200, or a 252/SCDR/(keeping 200), or 282/HCDR/250DR
or keep everything as is, and wait (and save) for the Chord Dave.
On the other hand, there is a nice review of the 300 DR (just google NAP 300 DR audio beat) and although I have not heard it, seems like a upgrade to 250 DR (then my system is 282/HCDR/250DR) might be better than say 252/DR/200
But I have not heard either. My system had some issues which I have fixed (bad termination of NACA 5 on amplifier end) so pretty much the last audition I had of 250.2 on my system is flawed and incorrect.
But then there are postings on the forum that NDX/202/200 sounds better than 272/250DR. Does it mean the superiority of 250DR(compared to non DR NAP 200) is still overcome by a source first approach ? And is the NDX as a source better than 272?
For instance some forum members and trusted, respected dealers (a number of them) prefer NDX/SN2 to 272/250DR
So it is confusing...
As much as I think a 282/SCDR is a winning combination (I know not everyone agrees), I have to go with the 250 on this one.
As an owner of a 82-HC-250 combo, I think my choice is clear. No DR's here. All 'classic'.
Although there is another. Add a 2nd HC to your 282. I did - rather than go SuperCap, mainly due to cost. Another HC was readily available, pre loved.
As an owner of a 82-HC-250 combo, I think my choice is clear. No DR's here. All 'classic'.
Although there is another. Add a 2nd HC to your 282. I did - rather than go SuperCap, mainly due to cost. Another HC was readily available, pre loved.
Need to be a bit careful about a second HC. They should be matched to at least the same generation of HC and if possible similar ages.
The reason is that the second PS causes the left and right channel rails to be powered independently. A SC takes this risk out of the equation. But in this case I vote (again) for the 250 as the logical improvement. A demonstration should confirm this.
Although there is another. Add a 2nd HC to your 282. I did - rather than go SuperCap, mainly due to cost. Another HC was readily available, pre loved.
Need to be a bit careful about a second HC. They should be matched to at least the same generation of HC and if possible similar ages.
The reason is that the second PS causes the left and right channel rails to be powered independently. A SC takes this risk out of the equation. But in this case I vote (again) for the 250 as the logical improvement. A demonstration should confirm this.
Yes, my HC's are matched as much as I can. My original is a c.1985 CB converted to Olive. The 2nd is an early Olive. Both now recently re-capped, by Class A. But - even when the 2nd one was as received (preloved, and pre-re-capping), it was clear what it did. The other debate is it it worth the cost of a HC - compared to what an SC does. For me, the 2nd HC works. YMMV.
In the OP's case, I would go 250 first. Definitely.
I started a thread last week with regard to the 250DR which I will update tomorrow when we reach the 7 day point. But I'll say now the 282/250(DR) combination really is very special indeed - there's a risk I could hyperbole if I went on.