Pre or Power upgrade? HELP!

either will be fine as long as you eventually aim to match both at a later stage(202/200).

202 is definitely a great addition when partnered with LP12 I bet you 'd be really astonished , but if you're using UQ as a source into your pramp in AV mode, then it would be useless until you get a better digital source and the NAP 200 would be the priority there.

I think upgrading the pre is the way to go.

Depending on where you want to end up have you considered a 272?

As you already have a separate phono stage a 272 would get you a pre-amp at a level between a 202 and 282.  Dispensing with Unitiqute would help fund the extra outlay over a 202.

You would then have a neater looking system with gains in sound quality for both sources.

Richard

trickydickie posted:

I think upgrading the pre is the way to go.

Depending on where you want to end up have you considered a 272?

As you already have a separate phono stage a 272 would get you a pre-amp at a level between a 202 and 282.  Dispensing with Unitiqute would help fund the extra outlay over a 202.

You would then have a neater looking system with gains in sound quality for both sources.

Richard

I would also suggest this approach, assuming this would work financially for you.

Bert Schurink posted:

trickydickie posted:

I think upgrading the pre is the way to go.

Depending on where you want to end up have you considered a 272?

As you already have a separate phono stage a 272 would get you a pre-amp at a level between a 202 and 282.  Dispensing with Unitiqute would help fund the extra outlay over a 202.

You would then have a neater looking system with gains in sound quality for both sources.

Richard

I would also suggest this approach, assuming this would work financially for you.

And ps if the 272 wouldn't work, go for the 202.

Yup, upgrading the pre-amp first is the usually the best idea - the pre-amp always takes priority in the pre/power hierarchy.

Thank you all of your replies and advice, so if I was to go with the 202 thenmy Flatcap xs can power its analogue section whilst I will need a napcs for the digital but until I acquire a napsc how do I best utilise my Flatcap xs? 

You can use the Flatcap without the NAPSC - just keep the paddle link in place on the NAC202.  However, it's a most worthwhile upgrade, and a great value one too.

Thanks Richard, Bert, Trickie & Antonio for your help, I think I will go for the 202 and later add a napsc this way when I eventually I do upgrade my power amp it will probably be a 250.2 a much bigger leap. I will stick with my unitiqute as my digital source it is such a versatile little machine.

Think about your budget and whether you are looking for an endpoint or a journey.  At this point you can look at an affordable endpoint - a flatcap 2x for the 122, which is significant upgrade - or a Pandora's box of upgrades when entering the 200 level, where everything you own will be swapped out eventually.  A 202/150 will surely bring you more hifi - but few stay there long, which tells me it's not all that satisfying in the long run.  

The 250 is not a good match with the 200.  If it were me, I'd stick with the excellent 122, flatcap and 150 and then go to a 282 then 250. Alternatively get a 202 then 200. Another, cheaper,motion is a Supernait 2. But with any of these upgrades, the Qute is not really good enough as a source. That's where the 272 comes in...

I agree with HH,  Naim Audio Control (NAC), the Pre should be able to control, and take care of what the Amp offers. If your end game is 202, the 200 would  balance your system, more -so than a 202/250.

That being said, HH makes a good point, utilize what you have now, save and investigate the 2nd hand market.

Sell off your 122/FC/150, as a set, then look for 2012, or higher model's. 282/HCDR/250.2

Real good deals on late model 250's since the new DR amps hit the Market.

 And 2 years from now, DR your 2014 250.2!

Real nice System, and end game!

282/HCDR/250DR

Just my two cents!

Allante93!

SN2 is a really nice sounding alternative. If you really want separates then 282/HC/250 DR-ed or not is the way I would go. Imho 202/200 is not much better than SN2/HC combo.

All your comments make a lot of sense a 282/HCDR/250.2 is probably the natural conclusion to my particular Naim 'journey' but it is not a possibility for me right now and if I ever do become the very proud owner of such a system it would have  been achieved incrementally and at every level a pride of ownership, so a 202 and then a Napsc is the next step for me. The versatility of the Qute is its main appeal I listen to music everyday and whilst I am without either pre or power amps or both whilst I am upgrading my Qute can take over for a week or so, so it is invaluable you can even plug a TT into the Qute if you wish a fantastic machine that will eventually find its way to my living room. Many Thanks.

Msrp 282 US = 8K

2nd market = 3.5K + or - .3K depending on SN

Msrp 202 US = 3.8K

That's what very nice about Naim, strong 2nd hand Market!

Plus you can list, your 122/FC/150

EBay/Audiogon

Check it out, it doesn't cost you a penny!

I picked a 2015 250.2 with full warranty fro dealer @ 4K US

Allante93!

Hi, I agree the 250.2 is not an ideal sonic partner for the 202.. But the 202 with a HiCapDR and NAPSC into a 200 sounds very good indeed. The DR PSU upgrade on the 202 made a significant impact to its performance IMO.

Simon

Linn Gear went out, All Naim gear purchased 2nd hand Market! You must do your homework, and only by from dealers, or Individuals with Naim History. 

There is an inner Circle! 

2008 282 3.4K  

2014 HCDR 1.6K

2012 250.2 3.4K

2008 Cdx2 1.7k

2011 250.2 2.9K

2015 250.2 4K

4 Tier Fraimlite purchased From Nether Lands 1.3K

3 Tier Fraimlite purchased From Canada .9K

Broke Now Headed towards A Linn Naim Active System, Next on the list SCDR & Snaxo 362

Purchased all gear within the last 18 months! 

Don't sound Bad! 

Just food for thought! 

Enjoy your Music! and your 122/FC/150

PS, sold my LP 12 which I purchased in 1986 for 1.4K, sold it last year for 1.5K etc..... trade is the only way I could afford Naim gear, its expensive! 

Hope that was helpful! 

Allante93! 

I always recommend upgrading the pre amp first. The pre amp is what produces your sound stage, and the range that your speakers will produce, so I certainly think it is the most beneficial upgrade. 

Certainly in the future try to get the matching power to maximize your performance. 

In terms of what pre amp to go for, the 202 is a nice stepping stone, but if you have the opportunity to go for a 282, you should certainly do so, because the difference is that big. Do bare in mind though you need a Hicap with a 282, so it does jump up considerably in price, but so does the sound quality!

Do bare in mind, that even if you do go for a 202, your gear holds good value, and does not depreciate quickly, so you can always sell off your older gear and put that money towards upgrading your system!

Hope this helps,

Ryan

Good advice thank you all.                                                                                                               

I would give another vote to going with the 202 first.  Now with that being said, I will say that later down the road, swapping out the 150 for a 200 is also a very worth while change.  I first used a 150X with my 202 & power supply.  I then upgraded to the 200 & was a little shocked at the upgrade in sound as I honestly wasn't expecting much of a change.  I not too long ago swapped out the 202 for a 282, another nice jump (especially when adding on the HiCAP DR), & it still worked very well with the 200.  I have since swapped to a 250DR, think the current configuration will keep me happy for a long time.