From the thread title and first post it looks as if Jordan’s dad bought the gear in 2004. (He may not have been the first owner.) Jordan asked whether Naim can service this stuff, which implied to me that it has not been serviced.
C.
But still we don’t know if it does need servicing.
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Assuming it has never been serviced, after 20 years I would say that servicing would likely be a good idea.
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I wonder why, it sounds great to my ears (even though I personally prefer it with the FC or HC).
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Humans are maximisers. Sufficient is seldom enough!
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What I am saying is that we are assuming. The OP hasn’t stated when or indeed if they have been serviced. Maybe the OP can confirm.
Sorry should have made that clear, all the separates were bought brand new from Billy Vee. Last was all serviced at least 10 years ago.
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Hi Jordan. Do you currently own a CD player? If so another compromise (after clearing with your Dad), would be to keep the CD5/FC then move on the 202/200 and treat yourself to some new speakers. Possibly look at the Proac Tab 10 Sigs as HH suggested.
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If 10 years, I would suggest hooking it up and listening to it. It should still sound fine (though needs a run-in to get back up to scratch) and you can compare with the 50 and make a choice.
If more like 15 years and above, then it really needs to be serviced before you can make any comparison. Remember, part of the service charge can be recouped if you sell it on - a recently serviced amp has a greater value than one needing a service.
All IMHO, of course.
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You’ve gotten some terrific perspectives here. I’ll just weigh in as a former 202 owner and as a sentimentalist.
I loved my 202. It was paired with a 250 and a hicap. From a music enjoyment perspective, it was a huge step up for me vs what I had previously. It gave the instruments real separation and clarity. Hooked me on Naim. I can’t comment on a sound quality comparison to the Nait 50, as I’ve never listened to one, or on the many-vs-fewer boxes tradeoff for you, or on the service issues … but the 202 was really great.
As a sentimentalist … it’s great to have part of your dad in your life, especially if it’s connected to other memories and shared passions. His 200 system might (or might not) provide some of that connection? If so, put that on the scales along with convenience, sound quality, and expense. It’s not a dispositive factor, but it’s not nothing either.
Good luck with a tough choice!
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My Dad left me an Alba stereogram:frowning:. I’ll be having words some time in the future, but hopefully not soon….
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My son would argue this, we were talking over Christmas and I said to him that when I go (hopefully a good many years ahead) he would inherit the music kit and he should be able to get a bit of money from it.
He said no, he won’t be selling it he will be keeping it all as it is my hobby and he wants to respect that.
My watches however he would sell as he sees no useful purpose in a watch.
Sorry OP for hijacking the thread - lots of good advice offered I would throw my 10p’s worth behind getting your dad’s kit serviced then decide.
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My 52/SC/300dr has been moved out in favour of a Nait 50 and I’m in no hurry to move them back. I’ve yet to decide whether to give the 52/300dr another try, just in case selling them turns out to be a horrible mistake, but I’m erring to not do so as I’m feeling pretty confident the Nait 50 is my all time favourite amplifier.
As others have suggested, the only way you’ll know which you prefer is to give the 202/200 a listen and compare. My contribution would be don’t be surprised if your prefer the nait, it’s a fabulous amplifier.
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I had a very similar system - with a HiCap and a CDX 2 , my guess is that it needs its capacitors replaced and a thorough service .
I now have a Nait 50 , and a fully serviced 200 with HiCap may be better - the Nait 50 drives my speakers well and if your Dad is looking to downsize, I would suggest a Nait 50 (they can still be picked up -perhaps at a discount
I would go along with Mr Halibut’s suggestion - but I note the caveat that your Dad wants to downsize .
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How nice to see someone else who loves their 202. I have used one for last 14 years, and while my 282 is “better”, I can listen to music and concert Blu rays for hours on end on my 202, and I feel no need to replace or upgrade it… not even with a Hicap DR (I replaced the NAP 200 with a NAP200DR)
I remember the first time I heard a 202/200 in UK, it was unlike any amplifier I had ever heard (so extremely musical), I just had to have one… (after I digested the price…)
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I’d suggest trying it unserviced against the Nait. Why spend £500 and then decide it’s not the right fit. Part of the decision is around whether one wants a 202, the horrid little Napsc, a Flatcap, a 200 and a phono stage taking up space in a small room. All those shelves, mains leads and faff. Selling it - with dad’s agreement - shouldn’t be an issue. It’s only consumer electronics. It’s not an Oscar or a Nobel prize. It’s just stuff. Stuff that takes up a lot of space. My room was once dominated by a massive hifi and now it’s just one little box. It’s great.
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Maybe some like the nest of cables, the multitude of boxes, and clutter that a large box count entails, not everyone is as stripped back as you are.
Until his fathers kit is serviced the OP won’t know how good or how bad it sounds, it would be logical to have it serviced as the kit has been sat for a number of years in storage.
If the kit is serviced it will command a higher price and be under a warranty from the people that serviced it, all good selling points.
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maybe, but I have compared various Naits… Nait XS, Supernait 1, Supernait 3 against my 202/200 (and 202/200DR later on) side by side and the separates (meaning the 202/200) beat all of them (the various Naits) easily. More engaging… more musical.
Not sure if a Nait 50 can do better than a 202/200DR, but I’m not that bothered to find out.
The NAPSC isn’t such a big deal… (for me anyway)
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@JordanA.P , I completely agree with @HungryHalibut.
Try both for a while, make a decision on how they sound. Or decide you’re sticking with the sentiimental value, neither is wrong. If it’s close, and you can forget the sentimental value, decide if you can spend £500 (contact Naim support for accurate figures) on a service for the 202/200 or sell them on (after a consultation with your Dad). If you can afford it, get them serviced and try the sound test again. Then you can make an informed decision and the increased resale value of your Dad’s system should cover the cost of service, or more. Then you can make a choice to upgrade your speakers with any value accrued, or not. Whichever way, you have a system that performs above 95% (possibly more) of most people.
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I had a CD5si I but hastily got rid of it (which I regret!) When I sold my Nait 5si.