Any pointers how I can improve my system?

Setting aside the SOtM, of which I know nothing, what you want is a napsc and Hicap DR for your 202. 

Thanks for your advice. So you are emphasising on cleaner power supply to the preamp as the weak link in the chain I assume.

The 202 obviously has its own. On top of that I have a FlatCap a heavy machine designed to generate cleaner DC power supply to my preamp- 202, not a clean enough D.C signal?   Can you explain why you think this is not adequate? So I have a better understanding of your reasoning.

Also I understand The Hicap is a better version of the FlatCap, what do I need the napsc (outputs a 18v D.C) for? 

Cheers

The 202 has no power supply of its own, so relies on a supply from a suitable power amp or a dedicated power supply. The Hicap is a much larger supply than the flatcap and is much better suited to the 202. The napsc supplies the switching and front panel with its own power, so that the Hicap or flatcap don’t have to do it. Perhaps surprisingly, it makes a significant difference, especially for the modest cost. That’s why its socket is named ‘upgrade 1’ i.e. the one to do first. 

If you add the Hicap and napsc you should be surprised at how good the 202 can be. 

Also I have NACA5 cables (had to look up the name, bought them in London in 1996!!). Recently I have bought a big roll of 4 strand 14AWG cable - 14 AWG CL2 In Wall Rated Oxygen-Free Bare Copper 4 Conductor Speaker Wire (for my entertainment system). I was thinking of also using it for my hifi by making it into a two strand cable by joining pairs, hence ending up with a 11AWG speaker cables. Do you think this will help? Or the 12 AWG Naim is a better cable to stick with?

Thanks,  I will look into your cleaner D.C. power supply suggestion. 

Stick with the NacA5; it’s an excellent cable and perfect for your amplifier. Make sure you use the proper Naim plugs, at least at the 200 end. 

Naim Plugs? I hope you are kidding.  Just bought:

FURUTECH audio grade banana plug FP-202(G) gold plated 1set4pair

And

Furutech FT-211(G) Hi-Performance Gold-Plated Spade Terminals- Set of 4

Please tell me these are better than the Naim's....

thanks for all your advice HUNGRYHALIBUT...

hungryhalibut posted:

Stick with the NacA5; it’s an excellent cable and perfect for your amplifier. ???? Make sure you use the proper Naim plugs, at least at the 200 end???? 

???? Trust Hungryhalibut's advice.!

/Peder???? 

+1 … 

My advice would be the same as HH’s, and that includes the plugs, especially at the amplifier end. Solder them carefully, there is some info on this in the forum FAQ, or ask your dealer to do it. 

Good luck. 

Buy a statement amp this will improve your system

Thanks Jonnam. Hope my bank manager didn't hear your suggestion...

Hopefully one day

Thanks CHRISSU. I will ask about the Naim's Plugs. I HOPE i will find out my newly purchased (see above) plugs are better.

Babek posted:

Thanks CHRISSU. I will ask about the Naim's Plugs. I HOPE i will find out my newly purchased (see above) plugs are better.

 

 

Use the Naim SA8 speaker connectors at the amp end - they are the perfect match for the sockets.  Anything else  - especially if it's "gold plated", should definitely be avoided here, as invariably it sounds worse...

SOtM power supply if you don’t own it already...

i am very curious about 200ultra vs a naim streamer performance

Marten do a subwoofer called Form, which I understand is designed to complement their range including the Dukes. Unless your room is very small that may round off your system.

Alternatively (or as well) the DAC may benefit from improvement, whether the NDAC, Chord Hugo (or Qutest), or for a real ‘wow’ factor, Dave. Or a streamer like one of the soon-to-be-released Naim ones (ND5XS2, NDX2 or ND555)

A Naim powerline on your amp can help. Possibly powerlines on all your Naim boxes also. I also believe great gains can be made by power distribution. I use an Audioquest Niagara 1000 power bar. It is an improvement on the already very good Cablepro power bar I was using. I use a Shunyata power cord from the Niagara 1000 to the wall. 

speaker set up/roomacoustics most important!

+Room treatment.

I’ve no idea what your room is like, but this is a hugely neglected subject: many rooms would benefit, some in a minor way, some more than any equipment upgrade. (Shape, dimensions, layout, nature of walls/surfaces, furniture, soft furnishings etc all have their effect.)

+1 for room treatment and speaker placement.

Arguably the hardest bit to do with Hi-Fi, buying boxes is a lot easier, but room treatment and speaker placement  in my experience provides those genuine night and day improvements.

Echoing Robiwan and IB,

Room treatment, and I'd add racking, should both be considered equally important to any component in a system's performance. 

 Babek; what's your rack and have you attempted any room treatment?

Now also echoing Simon. We responded at same time 

Hi Joerand.. indeed, agree with your note on racking too... but have found racking very device dependent.

Simon-in-Suffolk posted:

have found racking very device dependent.

I've found TTs most sensitive to different racking arrangements. As far as the black boxes go, I suppose I've always assumed that once established, quality racking will carry through upgrades. Now giving this a second thought, it seems relevant that higher level gear demands better racking. I'm positing about accepted racks like Fraim, Quadraspire, and Isoblue (which I use). Not that there aren't quality alternatives. Point being that once you do your due diligence on racking and hear a definitive difference in SQ, you have a benchmark to use confidently as you upgrade.

Begs the question; when does the rack become a limiting factor? A whole other can of worms.

Fix your amp connects as suggested. Then look at room correction and improving your electricity supply (fuse and power connect) - the cheaper parts before considering upgrading electronics.