hi all, got the upgrade bug again and wondered what you might add to this system:

cdx2/hiline
202/200
napsc/hicap2
(wilson benesch square 2 if you're curious and i love them)

my thinking is one of the following rated in order of current preference:

1)282
2)Supercap2
3)250.2

any thoughts?

Hi Adam
All good ideas but your end destination should be kept in mind. Skip a level if that's where you are headed anyhow. (252/300/555ps?) Otherwise all your ideas will provide significant results for you.
Have fun with it!
Regards
David

Good point David

If I had a choice between the 3 options mentioned, I'd probably chose the first one.

Regards,
Edouard

Hi Adam

I've just gotten to the exact same level of electronics as you, except that I have a 250.2 instead of a 200 (my B&W 804S like the added juice). As mogul says, the next upgrade should be based on what your end-game is. My end goal is cds3/555ps/252/300, so this is how I'm thinking about my upgrade path (across several years):

1) Replace hicap with supercap
2) Add 555ps
3) replace 202/napsc with 252
4) replace cdx2 with cds3
5) replace 250.2 with 300

What do you see as your final system?

i totally understand that thought process, but i think my path will be very slow as i was happy for more than a year after my last upgrade. i could see myself with all the options i mentioned and be happy, not so sure i need to step up beyond that. in the meantime wondering where to jump up first....

soon enough, i'll be selling that cdx2 and getting a stand alone Naim DAC i bet!

quote:

Originally posted by adam dehavenon:
soon enough, i'll be selling that cdx2 and getting a stand alone Naim DAC i bet!

Or an HDX.

Hi Adam

I added the XPS2 recently when at the same level as you. Next I am thinking of 202 to 282, then 200 to 250-2.

All are a very nice level to enjoy music.

Perhaps consider a dedicated mains spur if not already in place, huge difference for my system at low cost.

Regards

Don

quote:

Originally posted by adam dehavenon:
i totally understand that thought process, but i think my path will be very slow as i was happy for more than a year after my last upgrade. i could see myself with all the options i mentioned and be happy, not so sure i need to step up beyond that. in the meantime wondering where to jump up first....

soon enough, i'll be selling that cdx2 and getting a stand alone Naim DAC i bet!

Hi Adam,

Your planned sequence of upgrades makes perfect sense, as I found that the next biggest "wow" moment after moving to the CDX2, was when I added the 282, followed by the Supercap.

Mind you, if you're considering second hand kit, then ignore any rigid plans, and don't let them get in the way of a bargain black box at the right price.

I'm running the system you are aiming for, and, once you're there too, I don't imagine you will feel any pressing need to continue further along the upgrade path......(at least, that's what I'm telling myself....for now!)

Hope the whole process is as enjoyable for yourself as it has been for me.

Regards,

Dave.


Oh yes, for the biggest "wow" moment of all, don't forget to chuck a 555ps at your CDX2!

XPS

282

282 is so much better than 202 it's not even funny the xps does improve things but not even near the kind of jump you will get with the 282 over 202

I would get an XPS2 for your CDX2. To my ears adding a XPS2 makes it much much better.

There are so many guys that like the voicing of the 200 amp you could stick with that for a looong time (think decade).

I'd vote for a s/h 282 also, and look for a s/h XPS, they don't come along often. In the used market you have to buy what comes up, but you save a nice bundle of money. The things I buy new are CDP or TT for the warranty

quote:

Originally posted by Ian Marsh:
I would get an XPS2 for your CDX2. To my ears adding a XPS2 makes it much much better.

Wise words indeed,My vote too,Mike.

Fraim maybe?

Here's my lot, in order of preference:

1. Allaes - the Squares will limit you going forward and don't have a particularly strong rhythmic capability, unlike the Allaes.

2. XPS2 - the CDX2 is a brilliant machine, but putting in an XPS2 raises the game considerably while the 202 is a very capable preamp that can show the differences very nicely indeed.

3. 282 - fabulous preamp capable of showing you what's happening upstream easily.

Spot on Frank,Mike.