NAC 202 versus 82

A few weeks ago one of my friends 82 plus hicap bought in 1997 and not serviced since, was destroyed by lightning. My dealer suggested also based on the price to go for a 202 plus Hicap. He claims that it sounds much better, and he is usually right. since the 82 is dead there is unfortunately no way to compare the 2.

Claus   

ryder. posted

 

.... Not too sure how different is the NAC 52 or 552 when compared to the NAC 252 or 282 though.

Oh, where to begin... Probably the best place is to do a search on the many 282 vs. 252 comparison threads.  

We already had an 82/Supercap in the family when I started to audition with a view to buying a 252/Supercap.  We ended up very happily with a 52/Supercap, purely on the basis of musical engagement and sound quality (i.e. not on cost).  There are many 282 vs. 252 comparison threads and they highlight the different and distinct strengths of each.  People seem to like one or the other, less often both.  However, most people who have heard a 52 in good condition seem to rate it highly.

The 552 widely acknowledged to be a distinct step or two or three up from any of the other three.

So, if you have a 282 today, don't automatically assume that you will appreciate what a 252 does for your system.  Try before you buy.  You may love it or really not like it.

P.S. and a 202 is really, really not close to a good condition 82, based on my experience of listening to both.  It may well be comparable to or even slightly better than a tired, unserviced, old 82 though. 

Hope this helps,  FT

Thanks FT. I'm not looking to change the 282 and 250 DR anytime too soon. As a matter of fact these may well be my last or final-stop amps. I'm always curious on the differences between the higher level preamps ie. how different they will actually sound when compared to my NAC 282 that I enjoy a lot.

The NAC 282, Hicap DR, NAP 250DR were the only intended upgrade in the system but the amps sounded so good until they forced a complete revamp of the system. The Chord QBD76 DAC was added after several months and late next week the speakers will be replaced as well. No more big upgrades for the next 10 years after this.

Re. 202 vs. 282/82. 

I have mentioned this several times now. It can somewhat sound contradictory because sound differences between amplifiers can be rather small or indistinguishable most of the time. However, between the Naim preamps, the differences as small they can be are appreciable, and it is these small but important differences that make all the difference. These small important differences can be regarded as significant for the impact that they bring to the system.

Ryder, I share your approach to purchasing: long term. If I make it through these upgrades then 82/250 will be with me for some time, as have been 32.5/180. But I shan't be purchasing until I have thoroughly auditioned each box.

We once tried the combo olive 82(unserviced,maybe as didn't know the history)/CB 140 driving easy load,good efficiency speakers. Source being td160super/rega?/MC ortofon

It was a complete disaster ,much better was CB 62/140 (unserviced) and even more 62-72/180 playing either vinyl or digital  ,not to mention when hicup was added to the party. 

a couple of years later I heard a proper 82/hicap/250 set-up sounding really fun and classy.

What we learnt :

1) appropriate matches give a 'result' .

2)the better the preamp, the better separate psu is 'derogatory'  even though a better power amp would help somehow. 

3)Listen carefully to older units especially if unserviced and don't assume any 82 with any power amp to sound special as even a lesser but newer 202/200 would make sense whereas  the previous a pain!

Antonio1, were you using the same souce in each session?

Hi Loki. No, we weren't .Just the same 140.

That was not possible,sorry.

But believe me as much as I strongly advocate the primacy of the source, it really was a poor ,poor sounding combo which didn't make music at all ,definitely sure it wasn't a source related issue.

You really need 82/hiccap and 180 as a bare minimum  for a very good sounding solution.

82/282 are fine preamps, really.

but as long as everything has been officially serviced,of course,  as my opinion may have been biased by a defective 82.

Who knows ,so be careful!

Good advice, will heed.