The “best upgrade” for you will be the best you can buy within your budget.
By buying used, you’re getting great value. There is a lot of used Naim amps and preamps about, and prices vary widely. If you are patient and get a good understanding of market prices, you’ll know a good deal when you see one.
My advice is to be patient and go as ‘high up’ the ladder as you can. Me - I would be aiming at say a 282 and a 250, not less. There are no shortages of these on the market.
The 250 is a regulated design that will start to perform noticeably below normal when it needs a service. Certainly something to be aware of at 10 years. The 200 may last a little longer. Any power amp over 15 years old, I would definitely be getting it a recap.
All I’ll say is be sure to demo these components before buying as you may not get on with them. The 202/200 were very forgettable to me and not worth the trouble of going separates. Maybe if you’re in a small room with some bookshelf speakers they’re more worthwhile. Otherwise I’d be looking to make a bigger jump from the SU. A 272/250DR wouldn’t be too bad of a lift at current s/h prices, and you can add a PS later if you want. Better SQ than your listed options. Also, since you have a SU perhaps you’ve already done the work-arounds for lossless integration, TIDAL/Qobuz/Internet Raido. Also, make sure you optimize your network, you can squeeze a lot of SQ out of the SU by optimizing your network using a switch or two, proper ethernet cables, etc. Actually, I’ll ditto what HH said above, good options there too.
Yes. I haven’t always been an advocate of special power cords, but the PowerLine works. It usually brings out lucidity, clarity, dynamics. Something that might ‘help’ a SuperUniti.
One more queston,
How many EUR is the recap? Just about…
I have no idea, you would need to ask your local Naim dealer or service agent.
Anyone else might be know?
Where are you based? I may ask a good friend who owns and runs the only authorized Naim servicing lab in Italy.
From Hungary… Not need now… just I try to get some information what are my opportunities
Ok.
M
Bytheway,
What is the tonal difference between
202+hicap(dr maybe)+napsc & (single) 282?
Every time I see the title of this thread, it makes me think Dilemmas would be a good name for a Loudspeaker for many on this forum!
Tonal difference? But every time I would go for a 282 without HC with a NAP 200 over a 202/HC/200. At 282 you’re into the “high end”, often described as opening the door such is the soundstage, and far more resolution.
Regards,
Lindsay
I’m inclined to agree with this. I started out with my 282 and a 200DR, and it was great. Moving to a 250DR didn’t give me the uplift I was hoping for and eventually led me to change my amplification completely.
With a bare NDX in front of a 282 my priority would be a source upgrade (DAC or power supply) before upgrading the power amp. The caveat, of course, is that if your speakers are not so easy to drive, a power amp upgrade becomes a higher priority. That wasn’t an issue for me at the time, but as always, matching components to each other is the key.
An other case…
202/200DR… HC (noDR) is acceptable, would it tale improvement?
I’d be looking for a 250, the 200 leaves a lot to be desired for authority in the low registers.
202 with 250?
I’m biased, I don’t like the 202 (didn’t like the 102 before it) or the 200. I went from a SU to 272/250DR and that was a significant uplift and it wasn’t a big jump in cost. But if you want to go separates you may have to take a smaller jump. Maybe you’ll get on with a 202/200 but you won’t know until you listen to it.
Really, I bought a 200DR and i am wating for the 202 (from Netherland) it would come after holydays.
I’d take a good look at the Heed options since you are in Hungary. They have a very similar design approach to Naim, and could well be very good value for money being made in Hungary. You would be looking at the Thesis range for less than the Naim options.