Is the NAC 202 really that bad?

Hi-Fi Corner
1

I have been looking at S/H EX demo NAC 282s to replace my NAIT XS2 currently in use as a Pre Amp to my NAP 250DR.

The sound I currently have is in no way offensive using the NAIT XS2 as a Pre Amp but I do want to move to a dedicated NAC Pre Amp.

I have been told on this forum the only way to go is to get a NAC 282 to match my NAP 250DR. On looking at second hand prices the 282 is well over double the price of the 202.

Is the NAC 202 really that bad of a Pre Amp?. I would be going from the NAIT XS2s integrated Pre Amp and I do have the HIcap DR. Surely it should be a big uplift from the Nait XS2?.

Are there any other Pre Amp options I have missed?.

2

The 202 is an absolutely superb preamp. But it’s not the natural partner with a very capable 250 power amp.

Yes the 282 is a significant performance leap. That doesn’t mean the 202 is bad. After all the costs are totally different.

Both will need a power supply so you’ll be looking at a HiCap if you don’t have one already.

3 Likes
3

Absolutely, Nac 202 is quite brilliant. I’m not sure the 282 being a significant upgrade, i had the latter for a while, prior of 552 arrival and sold to a fellow forum member, who returned soon after to 202. Unless you wanna go up to 252, i’d stick with 202, Hicap is quite mandatory though

2 Likes
4

The 250DR is a very capable power amp.

We used ours with SuperUniti, 272/XPSDR and then for a very short time with 252.

202/200 was a setup we heard early in our naim journey (very very short as we had basically already decided to go in at 250DR level), but it was well behind 282/HiCapDR/250. Must admit we never demoed 202 with HiCapDR, dealer actually recommended a SuperNait 3 instead at that price point (but we didn’t hear a Supernait until later, with a view to office upgrade).

The 202 is in no way bad, but that 250DR deserves more and the “natural partner” is the 282. Go for the best pre amp you can afford - used prices are in favour of buyers (and you already have the necessary HiCap).

2 Likes
5

I think the 202 is a great preamp, no question about that.

As others have said, the only problem here is to match it to the 250 DR. I haven’t tried it personally, but everybody has said the 282 is the natural partner and you can feel that. I guess it’s only up to you and your ears. Try the combo if you have the chance and decide for yourself. By the way the 202 / 200 DR / External PSU (FC XS or HC) is really, really good IMO.

6

I had the 202 for some years before the 282. I’d say tonally, they were quite similar. The 282, at first comparison, had more “power” to separate instruments in the mix. Bass presentation was noticeably bolder as well. Overall, I much prefer the 282.

1 Like
7

I’m not sure there’s a problem matching with the 250 so much as getting the full benefit of the 250 which people even pair with the 252 and 552.

I think another option, if more upgrades are not on the cards is to swap the 250 for a 200dr, get a 202, and the NAPsc. It’s not as much power as a Supernait but it is a lot of headroom and grip. A Supernait might be close and in one box but if box count isn’t an issue, then at second hand prices I’d rather have the 202/NAPsc/200 than a SuperNait and rather a 282/HC/250 than a 202/HC/250 unless an upgrade was a serious possibility.

2 Likes
8

No it’s not bad at all, I started out with CDX2/202/200 but the price gap represents the performance gap, the 282 simply widens the soundstage and provides far far greater insight, and it was only 6 months before I made the swap. I lived with CDX2 (later with XPS), 282/200 without hicap for many years. 202 is good but limiting, 282 is a paradigm shift.

9 Likes
9

For being a Naim Preamp the Nac 202 is really boring.

10

The 202 is a nice preamp, it’s just that it’s a mismatch with the 250. Its natural partner in the Naim hierarchy is the 200. So if you want to keep the 250, hang on for a 282. There aren’t that many alternatives, but you could go for the older 82 if you can find one, although it’s a visual mismatch.

1 Like
11

Just throwing this out there but the 272 can be had for silly cheap now and it’s a stunning pre amp with the bonus of a stunning dac and is the natural partner of the 250dr ….

4 Likes
12

Think about a nac 82, excellent pre amp and will work well with a 250 or 250dr of any age. The 202 is a fine amp but if you were looking at a mismatch across the range then a 282/82 would be a better mismatch with a nap 200 rather than the 202 with a 250.

3 Likes
13

Had a 202 with HC DR and NAPSC for 16 years. It’s a fine pre but best matched with a 200 or 300. Judgement should never be passed on it unless heard with those two other power supplies.

2 Likes
14

Since you have the NAP 250DR, The NAC 282 is a better choice as everyone says. I once own both 202/200 and 282/250DR/HicapDR for about 2 years and have compared all possible combinations. The amp combinations which Naim have preselected for owners, as expected are the best sounding setups. However, the 202/250DR is not exactly a bad sounding setup as everyone says, and I actually preferred it to the 202/200 for the improved bass definition and presence. It’s just that the 282/250DR sounds noticeably better, sounding larger and more expansive with improved 3-dimensional soundstage. There is more space between instruments with the 282/250DR whereas the 202/250DR and 202/200 sound more 2 dimensional. The tonality between the 282 and 200 is different, the former fuller and larger than life, the latter sounds thinner and leaner but detail is still good.

5 Likes
15

Thanks some great feedback here. So what about the Nac 252 and 272?. How would those 2 compare to the NAC 282?.

16

Main thing I’d say is that the Supernait 3 beats the 202/200 and is less fiddly to own. 282 is a big step up in soundstage, more than the 250dr from 200.

17

You need to think about where you want to end up. The 252 is for me the best combination with a 250DR. However from where you are with an xs2 , even going back to a nac 62/72 would for me show an improvement. If you have the money jump up to the 252. If you want something as an interim until then, go for the nac 82 and save some cost against an interim 282. If the 282 is your end goal and want to match the 250dr then go straight to that. I have no experience with a 272 so can’t comment where that might fit in.

3 Likes
18

The 272 was an okay pre, but not on par with 282 in our view…

272 is old tech, would introduce unused components and won’t take advantage of your HiCap (plus 272 really needs additional PSU), I’d say not for your situation (despite appearing “good value” as a good one can be had for £800).

282 vs 252 - forum search is your friend, there are lots of opinions there :laughing: remember 252 also needs a SuperCap.

2 Likes
19

The 272 as a preamp is way off what a 282 can deliver, a good streamer/pre at the price.

282 vs 252? Hit search and you’ll see this is a very long standing debate! I’ve described the 282 as visceral and 252 as mature but neither exclusively so. Both are very fine amps!

1 Like
20

I preferred my Nac 72 over both 102 and 202.

82 is more detailed but I do sometime miss a 72, I had a very late one , its a peach.

Another not very often mentioned is 152XS.

At the prices they are fine. I don’t really buy into “you can’t use a 202 with 250”.

Try it and judge for yourself, a Nac 72 (or 32.5) is the dark horse if you don’t mind no remote and non matching design.

2 Likes