NAC282 with NAP200

NAC282/NAP200 has been described here as, I paraphrase, 'a taste of the high end for relatively ordinary money'.

C.

The NAC202 is a fine preamp. The NAC282 is better, by quite a margin though & with the NAP200 the combination is very good indeed. Chris sums it up well. 

I have been running that combination for quite a while and with a lot of pleasure. And I think Chris described it very well a taste of high end and a very engaging in the face sound. It can be all anybody would ever need. So don't hesitate....

Works for me! Having said that, I do think the 202 is a nice preamp, even though I decided to jump straight in with a 282. 

If you're thinking of a 300, though, I would think carefully about weather you would be better off waiting until you can afford a 252 to keep your system balanced. Depends if you like Marmite, though!?

Alternatively, if and when it comes to it, 252 [SC] and the existing 200 might be a nice set.

C.

NJB posted:

The impression that I get is the best move for better SQ is the NAC282 552DR first, followed by a NAP300DR later. 

A little change - but a bit more cost. Cuts down the interim steps 

The 552 is a big step and I am not flush enough to get all of the system up to that level. It is possible that the 200 will stay, if it sounds good, and it seems well respected on this forum. 

A change to the 282 would be a big step up from the 202, and it will be very happy with a 200. Get a Hicap DR to go with the 282, which will be much better than powering it from the 200. Your profile doesn't say what else you have so we can only assume that your source equipment is of sufficient quality. 

Never assume. It is adequate but not spectacular. Here are the other bits. Lossless streaming through Bluesound node 2 and Chord Mojo. PSU, NACA5 and Dynaudio Focus 160s. 

Upgrade to 282 & HCDR and then when funds allows, get a used Supercap DR or new. Then you are ready for 252 if you like it. Keep the 200.

Cheers

Mojo punches way above it's price. 

But you need a decent interconnect to hear all what mojo has to offer

analogmusic posted:

Mojo punches way above it's price. 

But you need a decent interconnect to hear all what mojo has to offer

 

I am using Atlas Equator III. I am not a great expert on cables but these replaced some mid spec Chord ones and are a better balance 

I moved from 202 200 hicap dr to 282 200 sc. Jump was immense. Ran 282 200 for few years really nice sound. 

NJB posted:

Never assume. It is adequate but not spectacular. Here are the other bits. Lossless streaming through Bluesound node 2 and Chord Mojo. PSU, NACA5 and Dynaudio Focus 160s. 

I see you already have a power supply for the NAC 202 though a non-Naim unit which, presumably, will be used with the NAC 282 if it happens that you decide to go with the upgrade. FWIW the non-Naim PSU has a different sound presentation when compared to the Hicap DR - I have made numerous comparison as I have both. I'm not going to elaborate about it here as it's against the rules, though I have to say it's a slippery road with all the available options. Having said that I echo most of the sentiments here, the NAC 282 is a logical first step for the system.

I upgraded 202 200 to 202 SC 200 and found it a big step. If you think about 300 as written above a (preloved) SC gives you the option to 282 AND 252. 

analogmusic posted:

Mojo punches way above it's price. 

But you need a decent interconnect to hear all what mojo has to offer

 

Curious to know what you consider to be a decent interconnect.  Is my Atlas Equator III enough?  What would be a step up?

Is it a 3.5mm to din ?

Staying with two box amp will the 282/200dr(no hi cap)still be a taste of real hi end.maybe even from somebody who actualy did try this combination.

You'll still need the napsc.

If you upgrade the 200 to 200DR spec, your 282 will benefit.

The 282 comes supplied with a Napsc, as it won't work without one.

The 200 can't be upgraded to DR, you would have to buy a 200DR.

Leni, I'm running NDX/282/200DR and very happy with it. I spent quite a bit of time listening to various 3 box setups, and that was the best sounding option to my ears.

I went from 202/200/Hicap (non DR), swapping the 202 for a 282, then swapping Hicap for SupercapDR, then swapping the 200 for a 250.2, then swapping the 282 for a 252 and finally swapping the 250.2 for a 250DR....I think!

Although these were all logical steps and I made use of trade-ins and pre-loved/ex dem acquisitions, I wish I had taken a shorter route. If I had my time again, I would have waited longer and made the change from start point to end point is one or two steps.

Having said all of this the move from 202 to 282 was one of the biggest gains if memory serves so I don't think you will go wrong here. Also some actually prefer the 282 to the 252, so the 282 might be the only pre amp you will ever need, it is a beauty.

True Blue posted:

I moved from 202 200 hicap dr to 282 200 sc. Jump was immense. Ran 282 200 for few years really nice sound. 

Ditto my experience - let's rock.

I started with an XS2 + PS into DeVore Silverback speakers, and while far from pristine the sound quality was more than acceptable.  Then I added a NAP 200, using the XS2 as a preamp only - which was a notable upgrade.  Next Davone Grandes replaced the Silverbacks and the limits of the XS2 as pre-amp became immediately, and almost painfully, obvious, and ASAP I swapped in a NAC 282 w/ HiCap DR - the difference was "Yuge!" as a certain giant Cheeto might say, and this is the system I'm listening to today.  Plans eventually call for a final amp upgrade to either a 250DR or 300DR for a more robust bottom end, tighter grip, better dynamics, and wider soundstage, but I have been in no great hurry which is another way of saying the 200 + 282 + HCDR in my system provides an amplitude of sufficiency if not the ne plus ultra solution.

Can you borrow a 282 for a home demo?  

The Strat (Fender) posted:

Can you borrow a 282 for a home demo?  

I can try.  I am in contact with the nearest Naim dealer, and he is a nice guy.  I do not think that home demos are as easy to arrange here, but you never know until you ask.