HCdr or 250 first?

Based on source first have you tried an XPS on your NDX ?

Most people really love the 250. Some don't - including me. I wouldn't buy one on spec. For what it is, I think the SU is a fine amp, although I haven't listened to one at home. You usually can't go wrong sticking a HiCap on anything that will take it. I've heard a SU with and without a HiCap. But not side by side. I think both sound very good for their respective price points. I put an Olive refurbished HiCap on my CD5 relatively inexpensively. It remains one of the best upgrades I've ever made for the outlay. Your ears must be the final judge.

Guinnless posted:

Based on source first have you tried an XPS on your NDX ?

I missed that. Very good point.

Having used a NDX for several years I can vouch for the XPS upgrade a big differnce well worth trying out.

Ray - it seems to me however you’re going to do this your NDX is remaining.   That being the case theXPS transforms it so that’s what I’d do first.  

Regards,

Lindsay

You know your endgame, and I am under the impression that you are looking into buying second-hand. So why not just buy what comes up first at a good price? This might not give you the biggest, instant SQ uplift, but it might save you a few pennies. At the end you might be able to buy a 250.2 or 250DR, instead of a chrome bumper 250... 

Source first. Unless the 250 or Hicaps are complete bargains.

If anything HiCapDR. Adding one to SN2 improves it, in my opinion.

Adding a NAP250 didn't really do much to the whole combo. If anything it exposed SN2's pre-amp section as 'too weak' for NAP250.

HiCap, HiCapDR, or XPS, XPSDR. The HiCap can end up on the 282 which will need a PS if you end up with the 250. The XPS(DR) will bring benefits to any source which will be heard on your system. Just see what comes up at the right price. But I agree with Adam, don't 250 the SN2. 

I had the Supernait 2 and bought a Hi-Cap DR as my next move which seemed  like the best move at the time. This gave more control to the composition of the delivery; a subtle improvement but valued improvement. I then bought a 250 DR , which is another step up but a bit of a mismatch to the simple and effective approach of the Supernait 2. If you go down the 250 route there will be bigger temptation to jump to your end point in amplification. For me, taking advice (from this forum) the Hi-Cap DR is an excellent, cost effective and complimentary step in the journey. I also think that this combination is a little under valued as it is a superb design, because of its integrated amplifier status, but it remains brand’s flagship in this regard. So my punt would be to make the Hi-Cap DR step to rekindle your faith in the Supernait 2 and show what a box of (controlled) fireworks you will have on your hands and only 1.5 black boxes! It really is a great combination Naim engineering at its best. I am little nerdy but got great pleasure in seeing the innards of the Supernait 2 and what the team had managed to do,so brilliantly.

cdboy posted:

HiCap, HiCapDR, or XPS, XPSDR. The HiCap can end up on the 282 which will need a PS if you end up with the 250. The XPS(DR) will bring benefits to any source which will be heard on your system. Just see what comes up at the right price. But I agree with Adam, don't 250 the SN2. 

Just one word to this one - SN2 will benefit from HiCapDR. Adding a previous-gen HiCap does not relly help (it replaces a DR circuitry with a non-DR).

All,

Thanks for your thoughts and advice.

Think I'll go HCdr first, then depending upon that result, save for the XPS.

Best,

Ray.

Do you have the opportunity to try both and see what gives the most improvement for the money?  Or are you buying pre-loved

Do you have the opportunity to try both and see what gives the most improvement for the money?  Or are you buying pre-loved ......

HC will be new as I'll prob get a free PL with it as I've done with all my boxes over the years, rules won't allow me to say from where I guess!

XPS likely to be pre loved and most likely be dr if it's significantly better than non dr on an XPS.

Though I have read that some prefer the non dr 555 on some kit ?

.....significantly better than non dr on NDX, that was meant to say.

Personally, knowing your endgame, I would keep my eyes open for good deals on the pieces that you plan to buy used and buy them as they become available. I went from 200 to 250 dr before managing to change from 202 to 282. Both were improvements , but the 250 really shined once the 282 came into play. Most did advise 282 first  but I was looking for pre-owned and that is what became available . This way I received the pieces I wanted much sooner than I would have otherwise.

Ray, I'd take a different approach: sell the SN2, the Super Lumina interconnect, and the Powerlines; then buy a secondhand 282, Hicap 2, and 250.2. (I have handy no envelope on the back of which to do the math, but it seems like you could do a relatively even trade here.) You could get the latter two items DR'ed later, if the itch strikes.

Forgetting source 1st, i.e. an XPS, Go for 200dr and a 282, adding HCdr later.  I suppose that route is far from what I was thinking in my original post.

Does make you wonder which is best...

A. SN2 + HCdr

B. 282 + 200dr.

ray sheldon posted:

 

A. SN2 + HCdr

B. 282 + 200dr.

 

 

Ray - it just depends on how many boxes you can 'accept' to end up with

In terms of pure sound quality, the pre-amp section of 282 is a significant step up from that of SN2.
Don't forget that 282 requires a NAPSC to function at all (a small box, but has to sit somewhere and has to be plugged in).