mullet systems...

Posted by: Bas V on 01 December 2000

Hi!
As most of you know, I'm planning on upgrading my pre-amp. I will buy a HiCap pretty soon and then I'll change my 92 for a 102 (1 or 2 years).

Now I have the opportunity to buy a s/hand 250 (new style) for UKP850. Now there's not much s/hand Naim in The Netherlands, so it's a great opportunity. Should I buy it, or would it be a real waste? I think it will certainly be an improvement, even though it's not according to the source first principle!

Regards, Bas

Posted on: 01 December 2000 by Joe Petrik

Bas,

The upgrade rules are suspended (or bent) if you come across a great deal that's unlikely to pop up again for some time.

But if you're after a bigger upgrade for about the same money get the 102. Your 90.3 has more than enough juice to control the Intros, so using a 250 isn't necessary the way it is with, say, Saras. The 92/102 difference, on the other hand, is much more palpable -- what was noise will be resolved into music.

Joe

Posted on: 01 December 2000 by Willem van Gemert

Bas,

Forget about the NAP 250! At the moment you have a very balanced system with two great sources. Sit down and relax and enjoy your newly acquired Intro's. Adding a Hi-cap seems like a logical next step to me. Afterwards you can think about a better preamp or a better rack for instance.
The best cure for "power amp first" thinking is to try it out at your place. I did and was cured for good, I bought a NAT 01 and a CDS instead!
As for second hand Naim, I don't know the situation in Holland, but I bought and sold all my second hand Naim gear in Germany. Great market and great prices.

Ciao!

Willem

Posted on: 01 December 2000 by Darren Miller

Everyone should have a 250. Buy one today.

You know you want one !

Regards

Darren Miller

Posted on: 01 December 2000 by Edwin

I just bought a used 250. If you can get it for a good price, do it. My rationale was that I wouldn't need to upgrade it for ages. It 'could' be the last power amp I buy.

Posted on: 01 December 2000 by Trevor Warwick

I also bought a secondhand 250 in 1993 when I came across a good opportunity, with the view that I was never going to buy another power amp.

Trevor

Posted on: 01 December 2000 by Phil Barry

Both the 102 and a 250 at a great price are good choices, but UKP 850 sounds a little high.

I always think of the Netherlands as being very close to the UK. Can you get over to the UK to buy at UK prices? And can you get stuff from UK without paying duty?

If so, you still have a difficult choice to make, but either may cost less.

Posted on: 03 December 2000 by Bas V

My system is on my profile! I do have a flatcap, so the 250 will work. My sources are CDI and NAT03.
When I think that the 250 will be my final power amp, wouldn't it be a wise buy?

BUT, I can also get a 180 for UKP650. Perhaps this is a better choice? I think the 250 is considerably better, but the 180 can be used with a single box pre, like the 102. So I can trade in my flatcap and buy the 102 quicker then.

What's wisdom?

Regards, Bas

Posted on: 03 December 2000 by Bob Edwards

Rob--

CDI works very well through a 52/250/SBL. Not as well as a CDS1 or 2, but still eminently musical.

Cheers,

Bob

Posted on: 03 December 2000 by Bob Edwards

Rob--

It is not a question of the CDI being better than my LP12; it is not. It is, however, enjoyable on its own through a 52/250. It is true the 52/250 lets you hear what the CDI does not do, more importantly in my view is that it does allow you to hear and enjoy what the CDI can do.

Cheers,

Bobü