Naim Supernait 2 + Nap 200 DR or 250 DR

First you need to identify what you think is not happening for you in your present setup 

I am thinking about how to enchanting the dynamic and the micro and macro details.

I am satisfied by the Naim performances. I love how it can delivery the music to my hears, but I am looking for advises. Naim in my country is expensive, so I do not want to waist money.

Hi David, welcome to the forum.

If you have a Hicap and a power amp, it makes more sense to me to use a dedicated preamp instead of the Supernait. So depending on your budget, I would consider 202/200 or 282/250. Of course the Supernait will still work nicely, but much of it will be redundant. 

Regarding the 200, note that it is a little less powerful than the Supernait 2 at 70w instead of 80w. Also remember that the 200DR only supplies DR power to a preamp, which you will not be using as you have a Hicap. So you could save some money by getting an older non-DR version. The same does not apply to the 250DR. 

I found the move to 202/200 napsc slightly more resolving than the SN2 I had for a couple of years previously.

FWIW I’d not add a power amp to the SN2..

G

Hi David - What's your source? You may get better results maxing that out (and maybe cabling too) as i suspect that substantially improving upon your Supernait / HicapDR (at least within the Naim family) may prove to be expensive! Well done on the 40th Anniversaries btw - i have a pair of the P3 40ths in my second system and i love 'em!

Thank you forumer.

My set-up sources are: CD and SACD player Marantz SA14-S1 Special Edition and the turntable Rega Planar P3 completed the Rega's external power supply unit an an MC cartridge Rega Ania. The turntable phono amplifier is the Gold Note PH10 completed with its external power supply unit.

If I have correctly understood the right additional amplifier power must be 80W per channel, as ones of the Naim Supernait 2.

Purchasing a non DR NAP 250 amplifier will save money, but what about the performances, considered a DR amplifier, like mine ?.

Cheers 

I think it's a waste of money to add a power amp to a Supernait 2 - except as an interim solution. You will get a separate pre-amp sooner or later, so why not sell your SN2 now and go the whole hog... Incidentally, I'm one of those who doesn't think the 202/200 is a marked improvement on the SN2; I heard both with the same speakers.

Ciao David

Unless you plan to change your SuperNait2 to a pre-amp (say NAC 282), adding a power supply to SuperNait 2 will not give you much gain. Running SN2 with HiCapDr is a very good and popular solution.

I’ve been down the same road as you, added NAP250DR and the improvement was there, but it wasn’t anything to write home about. When I then changed to NAC 282, it was a ‘wow’ moment.

So to sum up: unless you plan to go down a full separtes route, don’t add a power amp to your SN2.

Adam

At this point I believe that the only wise step is to forget the idea of adding an amplifier to my Naim Supernait 2. The only real upgrade will be moving to separate components (pre and amp), but actually for me is not feasible due to their sales price.

Naim NAC 282 paired to Naim NAP 250 DR costs around € 11.000.

i suppose so.

The SN2 is the best integrated from the Naim stable and puts many other comparable integrateds to the shadows.

Having said that - if you are enjoying your music - leave it as is.

Otherwise its a bottomless pit..

Tramat posted:

Thank you forumer.

My set-up sources are: CD and SACD player Marantz SA14-S1 Special Edition and the turntable Rega Planar P3 completed the Rega's external power supply unit an an MC cartridge Rega Ania. The turntable phono amplifier is the Gold Note PH10 completed with its external power supply unit.

If I have correctly understood the right additional amplifier power must be 80W per channel, as ones of the Naim Supernait 2.

Purchasing a non DR NAP 250 amplifier will save money, but what about the performances, considered a DR amplifier, like mine ?.

 

Cheers 

 

 

I would upgrade the Rega player and phonostage first, something like Planar 6 or RP8/RP10 before going separates. Indeed say  RP8 has much more dynamic than RP3. 

I have no knowledge to the Marantz player but source quality and setup are in generel VERY important. Better amplifiers reveal compromises more with the risk end-result summed up are getting worse actually

If OP wants improvements in separates sell on the SN2, No idea in using this as preamp only

The 282 preamp is very expensive, why not partner a 250.2 or even 300 secondhand poweramp with older preamp 82 or 72/psu as a beginning, other older secondhand preamps could be considered as well, Naim did some excellent amplifiers back then, olive or crome too. Servicing need to be considered though

I would forget anything related to if 70 or 80 watt power on paper. Specs says nothing really and Harbeth's are not a hard load. I would agree on 200/202 would not be considered a real improvement over SN2 but a different presentation

As for wanting really more dynamic and details I have no idea if above suggestions would help enough, the Harbeth's to provide this satisfying to be honest. I never thought dynamic and details were Harbeth's strongest force and would think a SN2 on SHL5+ would allready be just fine for music replay

Tramat posted:

At this point I believe that the only wise step is to forget the idea of adding an amplifier to my Naim Supernait 2. The only real upgrade will be moving to separate components (pre and amp), but actually for me is not feasible due to their sales price.

Naim NAC 282 paired to Naim NAP 250 DR costs around € 11.000.  

You are right, it’s expensive! But you already have a Hicap and you are considering adding a 250, which some people have tried, and liked it. If you can afford that, the final step of selling the Supernait and buying a 282 might be affordable? In fact, if you can find a good used 282, it might cost very little. 

Good morning, in Italy finding ex display or pre-own Naim electronics is a big bet. Scams are around the corner. Maybe in United kingdom could be feasible to purchase on-line Naim electronics  from trustable resellers. Someone knows a trustable reseller, please?

If you feel improving your amplification to 282/250 is stretching it a bit too much, looking at your source might be the way to go. Lots of options here depending on your priorities! :-)

Tramat posted:

Good morning, in Italy finding ex display or pre-own Naim electronics is a big bet. Scams are around the corner. Maybe in United kingdom could be feasible to purchase on-line Naim electronics  from trustable resellers. Someone knows a trustable reseller, please?

Yes, it is much easier for us in the UK. You could try contacting Tomtom Audio in the UK, they may be able to help you. They are a reliable dealer with a good stock of used Naim gear. 

The suggestion to consider a source upgrade is a good one. 

Good evening, I think that my integrated amplifier for the moment is an excellent components. In case I will sale it for purchasing a separated ones.

I will think also to the sources.

Any idea about the Supernait 3, please?

There is no Supernait 3 at the moment 

Hope you visit the Naim Website

Tramat posted:

Good evening, I think that my integrated amplifier for the moment is an excellent components. In case I will sale it for purchasing a separated ones.

I will think also to the sources.

Any idea about the Supernait 3, please?

 

I would not expect a revised Supernait in near future

If you want more get a Hicap or go separates or new speakers, the source will need to follow - otherwise risk of new issues

Naim do have their hands full with new streaming platform and issues implied

They have a good selection of amplication not to mention the older style choices.

Perhaps they will sooner or later launch a Statement-Nait but this will probably be more expensive than most separates

Good afternoon, considering my budget availability I will forget the idea of upgrading to separated components. Maybe the source upgrading, e.g. the turntable, could be more a clever step.

Good decision, your amp is plenty good enough to show off the benefits of a source upgrade. 

I would suggest a Rega RP8 with Rega Aria phonostage. It will sound wonderful on your Supernait 2. 

Hi David,

I agree with Adam, adding a power amplifier by itself, even if it is a NAP250DR, gives unfortunately just a limited upgrade and not good value for the money.

This is just the reverse side of the Supernait being just an incredibly good value for the money. 

Nevertheless this is exactly what I just recently did. I added a NAP250DR to my original Supernait. Not much more bass as you would expect, rather much more well-defined “body” of instruments. Voices are more airy and detached from the speaker. Overall the presentation is more natural and effortless. But not another “ league “.

Still don’t regret it, as I will next replace the Supernait with a NAC282 or NAC252 and I was more confident on the choice of power amp ( best one with one box!) than the pre.

Hope it helps,

Steffen

250dr and then save to sell the super air at a later date and replace with a 282 or similar. 

brahms86 posted:

Hi David,

I agree with Adam, adding a power amplifier by itself, even if it is a NAP250DR, gives unfortunately just a limited upgrade and not good value for the money.

This is just the reverse side of the Supernait being just an incredibly good value for the money. 

Nevertheless this is exactly what I just recently did. I added a NAP250DR to my original Supernait. Not much more bass as you would expect, rather much more well-defined “body” of instruments. Voices are more airy and detached from the speaker. Overall the presentation is more natural and effortless. But not another “ league “.

 

Still don’t regret it, as I will next replace the Supernait with a NAC282 or NAC252 and I was more confident on the choice of power amp ( best one with one box!) than the pre.

Hope it helps,

Steffen

 

 

Good evening Steffen,

Thank for your post. Thank also to the other members for their replies.I have understood that the Naim Supernait 2 must be left has it is, in case, could be added an external power supply unit, like the Naim HiCap DR, as I done. Moving to a separate system is the only way to upgrade the performances.

The preamplifter Naim NAC 202, considered that I have only two sources to manage, in combination with the amplifier Naim 250 DR, using my external power supply unit Naim HiCap DR, will be a clever option, please ?