Which Upgrade??? Ovator S400 or Nac 282???

I'm very happy with my move from Arivas to Ovators with the same amplification but its very room dependent so a home demo is essential.

Not the easiest thing though as they're big an heavy. I do use them with a sub which gives them a fuller presence/3D nature. 

Are they really your only choices? Any chance of trying either at home?

if that is the only options then 282 (plus selling the Hcap and NAPSC to fund nice s/h Supercap if at all possible) will stand you in good stead for a lot of future system building. I don't know the Ariva well I'm afraid but if you like them that is important. I do know the Ovators divide opinions sharply and I believe is quite 'different'. I wouldn't suggest buying without trying, where I'd be pretty confident the 282 will be a 'safe' upgrade.

Bruce

unfortunately I do not have the possibility to do any demo ...

I confirm to be happy with my Ariva and I was more inclined for the 282 ...

but I read many conflicting opinions in the comparison between 202 and 282 ... certainly it is considered a good pre amp but also that it is not considered the natural partner of any of the Naim amp ...

I would upgrade the Dac v1 before any other moves. 

202>282 paradigm shift.  

The DAC V1 is a fine source so given your choices,  i'd be tempted to go with a 282 fronting the 200. You're happy with the Arriva speakers so no rush there and they'll show the improvements up front. I'd then be tempted to upgrade the source before exploring the Supercap option. The Supercap is a fine partner for the 282 but the combination is much more revealing of what is fronting the system hence the need to upgrade from the V1 at this point. 

Good luck 

Dac v1 is just perfect fronting a nap 100 in a desktop system where a nac is not needed.

Now, bedside  falling short in a 202/200 , let alone in a 282 based one, it s even redundant.

nDAC would be just the case here .

The Naim DAC is the 'better' DAC but the V1 is not the bottle neck here. Given the Mac Mini source, the OP would need a USB to S/PDIF converter too if they went down this route. 

I have Ovators and love them but I reckon the step up from 202 to 282 might be the safer option here if you can’t try the speakers at home. What is your room like?

Just some clarification:

- the Nac 202 (or in the future the 282) is not redundant in my case because I also have a HT system with an AV2 and a N175. So I need the NAC to manage the AV2 as a source in the AV input set with unit Gain.

- I bought the V1 because I wanted to connect the ManMini via the asynchronous USB input as I think that at the moment is the best solution ... much better than the SPDIF connection that I should instead use with the nDac. So at the moment I'm not going to change the MacMini-V1 combo.

- my room is about 9 meters x 4 meters and the system is positioned (and I can not do otherwise) on the long side (in center)... I can not put the speakers more distant than 25 cm from the wall ... I'm about 3, 5 meters from them ...

Thanks anyway for suggestions ....

I went from Arivas, which I really liked, to Allae’s, didn’t like them at first but when I positioned them correctly they are in a different league and are a cheap second hand buy. 

Where are the Ovators from as I haven’t seen any advertised for ages?

Nick

The change from 202 to 282 was a tremendous improvement. The differences were so noticeable that I was afraid re-positioning the speakers would be required (not an option however). I did already have a 250 dr in place, but I still think the improvement to your system will be huge. The simplest  improvement was the amount of bass, but that hardly defines the changes - more detail and separation of voices and instruments. Clarity, extension of both highs and lows,details and extended soundstage. Also much more exuberance!

Nac 282 - it’s the pre-amp that really defines and shapes the sound.

I'd say that the 282 is a safe bet. Compared to your 202, you might find it a big upgrade, of a small one, but it's hard to imagine that it would be anything other than an improvement. Ovators, on the other hand, would be a big gamble, as are many speaker upgrades, especially if you have limited options for room positioning. I would only consider them if you can get them for a price that enables you to sell them on if you don't like them.

angelodipa posted:

Hello to all

I would like an advice on which update would bring me more advantage.

My current system is:

MacMini (Audirvana)> Dac V1 (via USB Asynchronous)> 202 (with HC DR + NAPSC)> 200> Ariva

Given that I am very happy with Ariva. I know that many in the forum do not love them (and I do not understand why) but having made a comparison to my house with the Allae, I preferred the Ariva for the kind of very natural timbre.


I have the opportunity to buy a Nac 282 (replacing the 202) or the Ovator S400 (replacing the Ariva). I can not do both ... so I would like to know what you would do before ...

thanks in advance for your always valuable advice

I’ve got the exact same system except for another transport (aries mini), old FW, non-DR HC, and perhaps cables. Love the Ariva

Would suggest two (three) upgrades for you that has totally changed things around for me. For better details and deeper, more fluid, enjoyable presentation

Hi-line 4-5pin - this was a revelation!, more fluid, less sharpness. The thing that makes me want to turn up the volume  

Vertere D-FI DD Usb 0,75cm - more details, less microphonics. Best I’ve tried with a large margin

Another transport - I tried lots, including PCs. Mini was it for me, and will be until I possibly get a naim one further down the road. The Sbooster&Ultra mkII Aries addition is _essential_ for the mini, just came out so not many would have tried it yet. Just stabilizes everything

The transport and cabling makes or breaks the Dac V1. I’m certain of this after owning it almost since it came out

Edit: OnT I would go for 282 :-)

Interesting...

I did not know the Auralic Aries Mini ... So it could be an interesting upgrade by removing MacMini with Audirvana?

angelodipa posted:

Interesting...

I did not know the Auralic Aries Mini ... So it could be an interesting upgrade by removing MacMini with Audirvana?

Yeah a small, powerefficient streamer with a well built linear PSU and good USB cable easily beats PCs because of the lower noise it introduces to the system. I wouldnt hassle with usb reclockers and adapters since Dac V1 already have a great implementation.

I’ve had about 8 ”fails” and 1 ”success” with the V1 one can say. Wrong match and its very bright, almost fatiguing, especially with headphones (with old 1.6 FW, didnt care for the 1.16) and said Aries ”vanilla” .

My upgrades and system balancing now have everything very ”Dark side of the moon” or whatever analogy :-) Will keep this for a while

this thing seems interesting ...

has anyone else got direct comparisons between the two solutions?

Aires Mini VS MacMini Audirvana.

Nac 282 is a safer bet, if you like Arivas, stick with them for the moment. S400 is a totally different design than early close to wall models.

Regards

Roberto

another Fan of the 282, i had same 202/HCDR/NAPSC/200 and upgraded to 282 - brings a lot more detail and focus to the point you may need to look at your source to get the most out of the 282 IMO

I also really like the 282 with HCDR, I have not yet gone down the route of SCDR, and if you like your current speakers no they will be at the end of a far more details Pre

sorry I did not understand the last sentence ... in the sense that if I have a 282 the Ariva will not be able to show the improvements that could have the pre?