With respect to balance, at what point in the NAC line-up would the 250 have to make way for a NAP300 ?

My gut tells me that a 252 deserves a 300.

Thus a 282 would work happily with a 250 ?

And should a CDX -> CDS2 upgrade preceed a 72 -> 282 upgrade ?

Thanks all ....

With a CB 250, then I would think that an audition is going to be important in a proposed change to the 282 from a 72. Not because the 282 is not a grand model, but because it is about as unlike the 72 as any Naim pre-amp.

I would hang onto the 72 for a while and get the CDS2 first.

That is a massive improvement over the CDX, and I know both the CDS2 and CDS3 fit beautifully with the classic 32.5Hi/CB 250, and as the 72 is quite like but even finer than the 32.5, then I don't think there is much doubt left in my mind which I would do first - if it were me!

ATB from George

Thanks George,

The other factor of course is vinyl playback, I guess I'd need a Stageline and a Flat/HiCap to power it with a 282 ...

So after the saved pennies have been spent on re-capping the Hi and the 250 then the CDS 2 might well be the best plan :-) or maybe not ??

The funny thing is ... it's hard to be happy with my system - when my brother has an SME 30/2, 552, 500 system. It's hard to tell him to turn the volume off when I go visit LOL

I would say vinyl only serves to underline the point.

The 72 has a more than simply adequate phone stage inside!

Definately consider the CDS2 route, or even a CDS3, if you could run to it.

These two have a vinyl-like correctness and beauty which completely eclipses the CDX IMHO.

Your are in for a treat!

ATB from George

It does not have to make way to anything.
The 250 on the end of a 552 will sound great.
As it will on the end of a 282/252.
As it does on the end of a 72.
You have to go and have a listen to the options out there.
And let your own ears tell you.
Stu

Dear shoot,

I have a very modest system by today's standard though my 72 was made when it was the best Naim pre-amp ...

I know several Naim sets where the Burndies alone would cost more than my set is worth, but somehow I still find my set [of 72/Hi/140] releases the musical magic for me ...

Perhaps I am particularly lucky, but I think I persuaded a friend of mine who has two great Naim sets, both with LP 12s [and other great TTs], both with CDS3, and both with NAT 01s.

Both actually now with SL2s,

But one is a CB set of 32.5/Hi/250, and the other is active with two 300s, and a 552 etc!

I like the old school set as much after settling to listen though it is not nearly so obviously impressive, it is every bit as musically expressive.

Have faith in your old set, and enjoy it for the music! But get the sources right!

Very best wishes from George

shoot

" The other factor of course is vinyl playback, I guess I'd need a Stageline and a Flat/HiCap to power it with a 282 ..."

one of the nice features of the 282 is that it will power a stageline (Aux 2). No necessity for an additional PS. And it sounds mighty fine I should add!

Best

Cal

quote:

Originally posted by Cal:
shoot

" The other factor of course is vinyl playback, I guess I'd need a Stageline and a Flat/HiCap to power it with a 282 ..."

one of the nice features of the 282 is that it will power a stageline (Aux 2). No necessity for an additional PS. And it sounds mighty fine I should add!

Best

Cal

Cal,
Dont bother with a Stageline.
You have an LP12, Lots of Prefix's about second hand now at Naim dealers.Easy to fit and sound bloody fantastic/miles better than the Stageline.
Stu

shoot6x7.

You do not want too open of a preamp before a CB250.
( an exception is a 552 which I have tried with a bolt-together 250 and sounded fine. )

If you are not planning on the upgrade the power amplifier for a while, consider adding on an XPS2 or 555PS on your CDX. ( source upgrade would benefit better than a pre, me thinks )

Hey Kuma,
I briefly had your Stageline-S, but I sold it and it's Flatcap2x for a nicer rack. I just went back to the internal phono cards - which sounded exactly the same.

I already have an XPS, although a 555PS sounds mighty tempting ...

Thats because the internal boards are what a Stageline is but in there own box with options.

Kuma,

Have to disagree with you there. My CB 32.5/hi-cap/250 evolved into 252/SCs and I never ever think about upgrading my power amp. I've had it 20 years (serviced regularly and it looks like it did when it first came out of the box)and it now sits proudly driving a CDS3/XPS/Hi-line/LP!2/Keel/ARO/DV20L/Prefix/CB Hi-Cap/252/SC/NAT02/Allaes.

The 32.5 and 72 are monster value and have excellent phono stages. My 32.5 with time aligned boards will never be sold and sits in the loft waiting for the day when it may shine again.

Rooster

Enjoy

Rooster

It would be really interesting to do some blind listening between a fully fettled set of CB, Olive & Ref series amps and try & determine how much 'progress' has been made over the last thirty years.

M

Rooster,

Have you listened to a 250.2 in the same system?

Reading the original post, I now realised that shoot6x7 does not have a CB 250.

quote:

Originally posted by kuma:

Reading the original post, I now realised that shoot6x7 does not have a CB 250.

Hi Ms Kuma ... sure I do ... check my profile

Upstairs 62/140 downstairs 72/HI/CB-250/Epos-Es11 driven by a VPI Scout (DV20Xl) and a CDX/xps ...

quote:

Originally posted by Mr Underhill:
It would be really interesting to do some blind listening between a fully fettled set of CB, Olive & Ref series amps and try & determine how much 'progress' has been made over the last thirty years.

M

What is strange is that I love the CB 250 and the CB 110/140, but do not really care for the Olive power amps as whole!

The new black ones seem like a return to form to me after a bit of a diversion in the Olive era ...

I even say the same of the pre-amps after the 72 [including the 52, which is a hifi but not musical improvement], which seem less musical to me than those up to the 72 - my favourites being the 32.5 and the 72 - that the black pre-amps as whole are a return to form with even more finesse, and less concern with attracting atten tion to their own apparent quality.

The 552 would never cause your jaw to drop over the quality of sound, because the music is so fine that the sound of it is relegated to a secondary consideration. With the 552 the music captures you from the off.

This characteristic is something it shares with the old CB 32.5 and Olive 72, neither of which are in the same patch in hifi terms as the 552, but both of which also will have the music lover captivated from the off!

ATB from George

I had a 32.5/Hicap/CB250 for over 20 years, wonderful amp, still doing a great job for another forum member.

My experience has been the 42.5, 72, and 82 were a good match with my cb 250.

After 3 days of thunder storms and about five power up/down cycles ...

my left channel has started to crackle ... it's the 250 ... now I need a flippin recap ... grrrr

Hi Kuma,

Strangly no I haven't. I have heard one at several demos at either Salisbury HQ or Cymbiosis and i have to say with my settled system, now "Radikaled" as well, if I don't go for a speaker change to Ovators (which I now the old CB250 will drive just fine) or 555PS for the CDS3, I could be tempted by a 300 which I love the sound of.

Will have to wait and see.

Point is though, what a "sound" icon the CB250 is.

RR