Can 202 operate without NAPSC or HICAP ?

Yes - as long as you have a power amp (200 and below) that can supply power to it via the 4 pin 'Standard' connector (and have the blanking plugs in place)

PTCM posted:

Can 202 operate without NAPSC or HICAP ?

 

thanks

Don't think you'll realise it's full potential without either, but it's a start.

Hello, for me napsc doesn't change sound in my system...just give it a try maybe you will hear something else.

   Fyi I am downgrading from SN2/200 biamping. Source = NDX, CDX2/XPS2.

On a scale from 1 to 10 being best.  Please give me some guidance in relative terms if SN2/200 = 9  

thanks in advance.

200/202 alone = 6

200/202 +HC2  = 7

200/202 HCDR = 8..5

Naim's advice is go for the Napsc before HC (DR) and it worked for me. I think the Napsc socket on the back of my NAC202 is marked upgrade 1.

Not sure that a change from SN2/ NAP200 to NAC202/ NAP200 is a 'downgrade'  ;-)

C.

Sure isn't downgrade. I don't think someone will tell you the numbers "of what they hear" and if someone do that don't trust,  just listen to all psobilities and what you like is what you get. 

You might also consider weather to go for a current 200DR which has an uprated preamp power supply built in, or a used non-DR version might make sense if you intend to add a Hicap.

PTCM posted:

   Fyi I am downgrading from SN2/200 biamping. Source = NDX, CDX2/XPS2.

On a scale from 1 to 10 being best.  Please give me some guidance in relative terms if SN2/200 = 9  

thanks in advance.

200/202 alone = 6

200/202 +HC2  = 7

200/202 HCDR = 8..5

 

Although I have the NAC 202, NAP 200, NAPSC and HCDR, it is very unfortunate that i have not tried listening to the 202/200 without the NAPSC or HCDR. The two components are always with the amplifiers. For this reason I cannot help you with your question there.

Re. downgrading from the Supernait 2 / NAP 200 to NAC 202 / NAP 200. In the context of this comparison, it will be down to the preamp in the Supernait 2 vs. the NAC 202 apart from the additional grunt you get with the biamp configuration of the SN2/200. As some have suggested, it might not necessarily be a downgrade. Do let us know the outcome should you decide to replace the Supernait 2 with the NAC 202.

PTCM posted:

   Fyi I am downgrading from SN2/200 biamping. Source = NDX, CDX2/XPS2.

On a scale from 1 to 10 being best.  Please give me some guidance in relative terms if SN2/200 = 9  

thanks in advance.

200/202 alone = 6

200/202 +HC2  = 7

200/202 HCDR = 8..5

 

Compared to the SN2, the 202/200 is different rather than better to my ears. On balance, I probably preferred the presentation of the 202/200, but both were good. So listen if you can and decide for yourself. Yet another option you might like is to keep the SN2 and look for a nice used 250, which has no NAPSC, and doesn't need a hicap, if box count is an issue.

simple answer is yes the 200 will power the 202 - if you upgrade to DR the HCDR is no longer required

so choice for me would be DR your 200 but still use the NAPSC for control circuit

A current 200 cannot be upgraded to DR. I've owned a 202/200 and didn't think it sounded right without both a napsc and Hicap. If I had a SN2 and a 200 it would be the 200 I'd lose, not the SN2. 

antony d posted:

simple answer is yes the 200 will power the 202 - if you upgrade to DR the HCDR is no longer required

so choice for me would be DR your 200 but still use the NAPSC for control circuit

As HH says, you would have to change your 200 for a 200DR as it can't be upgraded. Also, the preamp PSU in a 200DR is a small single rail supply, whereas the HicapDR has a bigger dual rail supply, so although I haven't heard the HicapDR myself, I'm fairly sure it will improve on the 200DR.