I’ve always found this a bit odd along with the 102/HC/250 pairing i.e. the 250 an amp too far.
If you take the NAC72 this to me has to be Naims finest pre (at its price point) for the money, owners built systems using the 72 with the 140, 180, 250, 135 and active 250/135 setups.
Google “Naim DBL” under videos dated 10th Jun 2014 for an active DBL setup with a 72 at the heart. Even on a mobile phone you can feel the excellence of this setup.
Yes I did plug in 202/HCDR into a NAP250DR and I can hear what you are talking about, but when paired with a 200DR (which seems to be an improvement on the older NAP 200 - not just because of the DR regulator, there are other improvements that make it a better power amp than the older NAP200), now the combo sounds just right to me.
Maybe also I just got very lucky with the room.
For one short period, the Nac72 was naim’s top pre- amp.
I pressed one of my 3 Nac72s into service when my 282 was away in Sheffield. The main thing i missed was the remote. Apart from that, i could have easily lived with that 72 in my main setup.
Exactly the same here!
I had the same feeling, I think there’s quite a difference between the bare 200 and the 200 DR, the latter one is more muscolar and has better clarity/soundstage IMO. Do you know what these improvements are besides the DR module? I didn’t find that anywhere.
The only information I’ve seen from Naim on this is, in addition to the DR preamp power supply,“small improvements to some internal
componentry and layout that combine to lift its musical performance even further than the original.” What exactly those changes are, I have no idea.
In most cases I would guess that there is a greater chance of reduced or altered performance in non-DR units simply due to age.
Yes, the main change was the improved preamp supply with DR regulation.
Thank you @ChrisSU and @Richard.Dane.
Despite all these little improvements, I think the 200 DR is much better than the bare 200. The first time I heard it I was honestly surprised (and they were both pretty new when I tested them). The first time I tested the 202 / 200 plus a HC (maybe not DR, I can’t remember) and the 200 DR was tested with a 202 and FlatCap XS. Tha latter system sounded so much better to my ears… speakers used were the same.
FlatCap XS easily beats the DR in 200 in my experience.
Dimensions are most meaningful as people have differing ideas as to what constitutes small, medium, etc
Yes, I’m pretty sure you are right about it… but shouldn’t the sound have been better in the first system with the 202 / 200 / HC then? HC is better than the FlatCap XS.
I think the transistors in the NAP200DR have the same ceramic insulation as the DR transistors in 250DR etc, just not the same transistors.
Also minor improvements in input grounding (if my memory serves me correctly)
Maybe Steve Sells can explain this himself ?
All in all apparently quite a big improvement.
I had them side by side for a day, they did sound different to me, even with HCDR used to power the preamp. The NAP 200DR just sounded more neutral, I didn’t get more time to compare them extensively.
I still like the old NAP 200 very much though… in the context of my system
Most likely, but I never tried that combination, I went from FlatCap XS to HiCap DR and the latter was undoubtedly better. Point is FlatCap XS was decisively better with the 202 than when powered from the 200 DR, in my system at least.
That’s a tough choice for you @JordanA.P Many on this forum would have had the 202/200 combo along their Naim journey. I certainly did and it was lovely. It’s a great system to upgrade from (Hicap, then 282 etc).
However, as it’s your dad’s, I’m sure you wouldn’t want to upgrade it in the future?
As others have said, good speakers are important, and they all sound very different, so demo away.
I think may just wait to compare the 202/200 combo and my Nait 50 until I’ve upgraded my speakers so I can get as best a comparison as possible.
In regards to my dad’s system, I think I would just maintain it as it is, before ending up on that slippery slop of constantly upgrading. Though adding a Hicap sounds like it maybe worthwhile, going by what some people have suggested on this thread.
Very good plan. 202/200 and a HiCap is a very good system indeed. Listen to lots of speakers and then go from there.
A Nait 50 will smoke a 202/200 IMO
Cheers Brendan!
A lot of members wrote in the past that 202/200 is marginally better vs a Supernait 2.
With an Hicap, it’s better.
So I doubt that the Nait 50 is on the level of 202/200/ hicap. If yes, it would be better or at least at the level of an SN3. Not logical.
I think you are guessing… others may guess that a 202 with its external power source and isolation from the power amp together with a 200 will smoke any integrated nait amp let alone a half size nait 50 whose components are crammed together with its hot and noisy power source. But wait- perhaps the nait 50 could be upgraded to get near a 202/200 combo… how? add an external power source and an external power amp, that may do the trick!