Can I connect these with the 4 to 3 pin lead the same way as a NAP 200 without a Hicap?
No the nap 200 would provide power to the sn, the 250 can’t.
Best is to use the biamp output socket from the sn, and don’t connect the speakers.
The better option would be a 282 instead of 250; power the 282 from the sn in power amp mode.
Thank you Robert. So I could purchase a hicap or a 282 with NAPSC first and purchase the 250 last if I aim to move to a 282 hicap 250 upgrade?
@knight_owl i had a SN3 and found a HicapDr to make a very significant upgrade. You might not want to go beyond that once you add the Highcap.
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This sounds a plan, hicap > 282 > 250. Take it steady, resell if the improvement isn’t significant
The “fewest bits in one go” route would be:
282 (which includes the napsc) - power from sn
Add hicap to power the 282
Then swap out the sn for a 250.
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Thank you. Hicaps seem to be more in demand than 282s so I will aim to get a hicap first. But the power amp definitely is the last component to get.
I recently added a HiCapDR and agree with you, “a very significant upgrade.”
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I had a demo at my dealer today with a SN3 and ND5XS2 (what I currently have) as a reference before listening to a 222/250/300. I’ve had a Hicap on my SN3 for a few years now and listening to it for the first time in a while without the Hicap made me realise just how much it brings to the SN3
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You might want to look at other upgrades beyond the HighcapDr for the SN3 before moving to separate amp and Preamp. I would suggest upgrading your NDX streamer to Naim’s current tech. An NDX2 or 333? Another option might be the 222/250 if you wanted to move to separates. If you went with the 222/250 route, you might then be able to get rid of your headline, as the 222 includes a very good headphone amp, which may be better than the headline.
Thank you for your advice. I listened to the 222/ 250 setup and it was a little bland for me although I know many people love this more modern sound. I think 282/ old 250 is my final amp upgrade. Yes, I agree that source components should come first in an ideal world, but in the preloved market amps are good value at the moment. I listen to vinyl the most, CDs after that and streaming least of all. If I did change streamer it might well be not be an NDX2 as there is strong competition from other brands out there. If I finish the amp upgrade and it reveals weaknesses in my source components I’ll deal with this later!
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Sone like the OC better and sone like the NC better. Count me in the NC group. I find it more neutral. There is no right or wrong. Hope your journey goes well.
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I’d be inclined to max out your funds on your vinyl source first. The SN3 + HiCap is very capable of handling better sources and will reward you appropriately.
If you’re going the OC NAC/NAP route get the NAC first, you can always experiment with 1 or 2 HiCap’s on it as well to tune to your preferences.
Enjoy the journey, the nice thing is it’s good already and can only get better 
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Yes, upgrading the LP12 is definitely something to explore in the future. The CD2 I think is good enough and the NDX2 upgrade would give a small improvement in sound quality over the NDX and allow me to use Tidal connect. I am just going to buy a hicap upgrade first. There is no rush. I also buy preloved so sometimes I have to go with what is available.
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The new classic I did like the sound of was the 333, 332 and 350 system but it is very expensive and I would need to move house to get a bigger listening room.
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Don’t forget you will also need a snaic 4 cable. The hicap should include a snaic 5 in the box.
Thank you, I have budgeted for this too
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Just to update that I decided to try a hicap 2 (non dr) with my Supernait 3 and it has made a real difference. It has a lot more muscle and the bass frequencies are a lot better, more clearly defined and less “thuddy”.There is more bass and it goes deeper. All of this I kind of expected. What I did not expect was the opening up of the soundstage and the overall clarity it brings to the party. And with very high frequencies the sonority is different, especially with violins, cymbal crashes, flutes and piccolos. The hicap has a new home, it will get a service next year as it is 15 years old.
Have decided not to upgrade the amplification further. I have gone far enough down this rabbit hole.
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As a final touch you may want to replace the K20 with NACA5, may give you some of the same improvements the non-serviced non-DR HiCap gave you on the SN3. Then the service of course.
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Yes, I agree. Service from a Naim approved centre is about £250, 15m of A5 cable is £600 new. The Fraim with the main hi fi kit has to be some distance away from the floorstanders with the cable hidden as much as possible (my partner likes things tidy). So service first. The LP12, CDX2 and NDX are doing well with the upgraded amplification and the Russell K’s just respond brilliantly.
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