NAC282 with NAP200

Posted by: NJB on 21 April 2017

Hi,

I feel a bit foolish. After looking into having my NAP200 recapped, I discovered that I had mixed up serial numbers. The NAP200 is only 6 years old and should be ok for many years. It is oartnered with a NAC202 which is 15 years old. The 202 gets mixed feedback on here. The impression that I get is the best move fo better SQ is the NAC282 first, followed by a NAP300 later. 

I cannot afford it all at once, so what will the 282/200 partnership sound like in the interim?  Will the 200 hamper the 282? 

Posted on: 22 April 2017 by AndrewG

I agree with the consensus here - 282 is a big step up from 202, and even better with a HiCap.

Posted on: 22 April 2017 by leni v
ChrisSU posted:

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.

 

Thanks

Posted on: 22 April 2017 by Simon-in-Suffolk

NJB, the 202 is a good preamp, and in my opinion is easily at its best when powered by a HiCapDR (And Napsc). I found such a combination drove my  200 very well. The DR in the HiCap seems to make a huge amount of difference compared to the nonDR on the 202, and seems to be needed to wake the 202 up in my experience... which I do find interesting as the HiCapDR didn't exist when the 202 was first released.

The 282 is a very different beast, and does generally perform better than 202, but also sounds quite different, with the 202 possibly being more neutral but  less involving and detailed than the 282. Although opinions seem to vary I also found the best power config of the 282 was a single HiCapDR, and I had tried dual HiCaps and my SuperCapDR... I find with the 282 you can tip it into being too 'hot' if not careful and for me it then starts to loose its musicality.

To your query will the 200 hold the 282 back... absolutely not. The 200 has an attractive signature that is quite light and spritely. Yes slightly monochromatic compared to the 250 or 300 but not in a way that will significantly impede musical enjoyment.

Good luck.

Posted on: 23 April 2017 by KTMax

Another happy 282/Hi/200 owner here. 

As said by others, the step up from a 202 > 282 is huge. I've alway preferred the sound from the 200 over the older 250s but I understand that the current 250DR is different animal altogether and a must audition.

 

Posted on: 23 April 2017 by antony d
KTMax posted:

Another happy 282/Hi/200 owner here. 

As said by others, the step up from a 202 > 282 is huge. I've alway preferred the sound from the 200 over the older 250s but I understand that the current 250DR is different animal altogether and a must audition.

 

same set up for me 282/HCDR/200 -had the 282 for 3 years - as others have mentioned upgrade from 202 which I had first

system works for me