Thought about doing a SC on 282 (+ 250DR) but couldn’t reconcile the price and there are mixed views on the VFM
Well in my view the 282 is a paradigm shift over the 202. I would go 282/200 before a HC or SC on the 202.
3 Likes
I once auditioned a 202/Supercap/200 and it was not a happy combination.
As others have indicated, keeping the Hicap while swapping the 202 for a 282 was a much more successful and musical combination
1 Like
The 202/200 are your weak links, spend the money there first imo. The SC will be a waste on that set up.
I’d go for a 282/250DR before a SCDR.
2 Likes
I have a feeling you know better than most of the people giving you advice…
Hi @primemerkava you posted this back in August, so it appears you haven’t had your current system running for very long. My advice before changing anything would be to give it more time and check the set up is correct and opitimised.
If you have a large CD collection and want to continue with that then you should go source first and add an XPS or XPSDR to your CDX depending which player you have. This will make a large difference to the amount of information pulled out of the discs and sound more musical too.
As for the amplifier or power supply changes I agree with others - a 282 would be a far better choice than adding a SuperCap.
4 Likes
just get a SN3
1 Like
thank you, I’ll follow your suggestion
2 Likes
I’m intrigued now 
wondering which suggestion you will follow …
1 Like
I don’t know speakers, room size or what you usually listen to - but, if still needed, here is another voice saying: -
-
A Supercap will bring nothing to this system.
-
If it sounds good, just enjoy it as it is until or unless you get a strong urge to hear what benefit more spending can bring. Spend any spare cash this year on CDs perhaps?
-
If and when you do ever want to investigate upgrades, the logical step would be either (a) to add an XPS to the CDX (unless you want to change to streaming with ND5XS2 or NDX2), or (b) to replace 202/200 with 282/250 (with the preamp just beating the power amp for urgency of upgrade).
-
Either source or amplification upgrade should make a worthwhile difference to SQ. The amplification change will cost more - and IMHO will probably have a bigger impact. However, I would encourage you to ‘try before you buy’ even if you do get to that point.
3 Likes
To be fair, a Supercap will absolutely optimise the power supply to the 202 but it’s definitely not the best use of resources
4 Likes
While in theory this may be true, would a 202 even be transparent enough to reveal the differences? (not taking into consideration VFM, or price vs performance). As someone who at one point had a single HCDR, dual HCDR & then SCDR on a 282, I would echo most of the above posts, that a SCDR on a 202 isn’t a logical step (unless the plan is to go to a 252 eventually).
2 Likes
What people are saying, very politely, here is that a Supercap will expose the weaknesses in your amplification rather than build on the strengths.
1 Like
Supercap DR will sound great on a 202 but it’s not a great use of money
Better to upgrade your preamp to a much better and greater sounding NAC 282
For the same amount of money you will get more musical upgrade
3 Likes
thank you
I’m satisfied with NAC-202/NAP-200 with Hicap DR and NAPSC, I this they are enough, far more enough. But a few weeks ago, there’s offer from my friend for Supercap, after hearing many opinion in this group, I think it not neccesary adding Supercap to my system
1 Like
Well done. A good conclusion and hopefully you will be happy with what you have
2 Likes
For many years I ran same system as you, awesome set up yet many on this forum write off the 202/200, I can’t undserstand why. The bare 202:200 are way better for aw than any SN, the napsc and hicap puts them further ahead again. Lovely amps that give a great sound, are upgradeable when finds permit and can be had for little money. I’d buy your mate’s s’cap though, sell it and make some pocket money as they are highly sought after
Because here at hyperbole central the laws of diminishing returns must be denied of their existence, otherwise how are you going to feel good about spending twice the money for a different presentation…
1 Like
I think it’s a very tricky question as there are so many permutations and most of us will not have tried them all.
Which speakers are you using as a NAP upgrade might be more beneficial if they are ‘difficult’ to drive though Naim things being as they are your current combo is more than pretty capable of powering most things.
do you use Hicap DR and NAPSC too?