Two Options at Similar Cost...Which One For System Balance?

Graeme - NDX works very well with an nDAC. XPS does add some refinement to the whole combo as well.
Being me, I of course tested bare NDX with XPS, NDX with nDAC and NDX with nDAC and XPS. 
If only one box is to be added to the NDX, I found that nDAC transforms it.
Adding the two - one ends up with a player practically as capable as an NDS.

Adam Zielinski posted:

Graeme - NDX works very well with an nDAC. XPS does add some refinement to the whole combo as well.
Being me, I of course tested bare NDX with XPS, NDX with nDAC and NDX with nDAC and XPS. 
If only one box is to be added to the NDX, I found that nDAC transforms it.
Adding the two - one ends up with a player practically as capable as an NDS.

Indeed.

G

Forgot to mention one thing - I also tested my 555PS (from the other system) on my nDAC. I found the sound unbalanced - perhaps it was starting to show the limitations of my SuperNait2. Anyhow - put the XPS back on and all was well.

Adam Zielinski posted:

Forgot to mention one thing - I also tested my 555PS (from the other system) on my nDAC. I found the sound unbalanced - perhaps it was starting to show the limitations of my SuperNait2. Anyhow - put the XPS back on and all was well.

You might be right, Adam.  Two or three years ago I tried a 555PSDR on my nDAC in place of the XP5XS I was using at the time but the 555PSDR seemed to do too much - the bass pushed too hard and there was a hardness at the top end.  A while later I tried a non-DR 555PS and it was wonderful. A case perhaps of less-is-more.

However in the intervening years the rest of my system has been improved e.g. the rack, full SL loom, Powerlines, 300DR over 250.2  and most recently a 552DR over my 282/SCDR.  While demoing the 552DR  I also tried again the 555PSDR against my non-DR 555PS.  Suddenly the merits of the 555PSDR were very apparent and I quickly decided to get my 555PS DR'ed.  I think this was classic case of the rest of the system needing to be up to it before the reference PSU with its DR capability could really show what it could do, and a reminder that balance and system synergy is so, so important.

Mike

Well put Mike! At the end of the day it's the total synergy that matters.

Adam

GraemeH posted:

nigelb posted:

Assuming you have installed the Supercap, what differences have you noticed with the 282 compared to the HCDR?

Hi Nigel - I've only formed 'first impressions' thus far as the system has been partially powered down for a week or so. I'll give it a few days before really serious listening.

G

Hi Nigel

1. Low frequencies - much lower with real heft

2. Space round instruments - more evident

3. Timbres - more differentiated and accurate

4. Attack - greater stop/start speed

5. Soundstage - Wider, higher, deeper

6. Blacks - Blacker (of course!)

7. Instrument placement - More precise

8. Musically - More satisfying

All for now,

G

GraemeH posted:

GraemeH posted:

nigelb posted:

Assuming you have installed the Supercap, what differences have you noticed with the 282 compared to the HCDR?

Hi Nigel - I've only formed 'first impressions' thus far as the system has been partially powered down for a week or so. I'll give it a few days before really serious listening.

G

Hi Nigel

1. Low frequencies - much lower with real heft

2. Space round instruments - more evident

3. Timbres - more differentiated and accurate

4. Attack - greater stop/start speed

5. Soundstage - Wider, higher, deeper

6. Blacks - Blacker (of course!)

7. Instrument placement - More precise

8. Musically - More satisfying

All for now,

G

Hi Graeme,

Thanks for the update. It was a while ago I swapped my Hicap for a Supercap (DR in my case) on my then 282, but the improvements you mention certainly ring a bell with me. Think what you'll get if you eventually DR your Supercap! But 250DR next to replace your 200 in time. Right?

Looks like you ignored most of us and have made exactly the right decision.

nigelb posted:

GraemeH posted:

GraemeH posted:

nigelb posted:

Assuming you have installed the Supercap, what differences have you noticed with the 282 compared to the HCDR?

Hi Nigel - I've only formed 'first impressions' thus far as the system has been partially powered down for a week or so. I'll give it a few days before really serious listening.

G

Hi Nigel

1. Low frequencies - much lower with real heft

2. Space round instruments - more evident

3. Timbres - more differentiated and accurate

4. Attack - greater stop/start speed

5. Soundstage - Wider, higher, deeper

6. Blacks - Blacker (of course!)

7. Instrument placement - More precise

8. Musically - More satisfying

All for now,

G

Hi Graeme,

Thanks for the update. It was a while ago I swapped my Hicap for a Supercap (DR in my case) on my then 282, but the improvements you mention certainly ring a bell with me. Think what you'll get if you eventually DR your Supercap! But 250DR next to replace your 200 in time. Right?

Looks like you ignored most of us and have made exactly the right decision.

Cheers Nigel.

2. Should be 'around' instruments of course!

G

GraemeH posted:

GraemeH posted:

nigelb posted:

Assuming you have installed the Supercap, what differences have you noticed with the 282 compared to the HCDR?

Hi Nigel - I've only formed 'first impressions' thus far as the system has been partially powered down for a week or so. I'll give it a few days before really serious listening.

G

Hi Nigel

1. Low frequencies - much lower with real heft

2. Space round instruments - more evident

3. Timbres - more differentiated and accurate

4. Attack - greater stop/start speed

5. Soundstage - Wider, higher, deeper

6. Blacks - Blacker (of course!)

7. Instrument placement - More precise

8. Musically - More satisfying

All for now,

G

If there was ever a more efficient, no nonesense way of describing the effects of an upgrade, I haven't seen it! 

You should definetly consider NDS! That's system balance, the naim way. Know your roots : )

For now I've decided to supplement the 282/SCAP2 add a 250.2 to round off the balanced system.

I'll go DR as funds and priorities allow in future.

Thanks for all the input.

G