Unexpected upgrade...
Posted by: Top Cat on 05 February 2001
Question time. Obviously, Naim. But who else makes good power amps with at least a 100wpc rating, PRaT, round earth stuff (I want it all ;-) and two sets of speaker terminals?
The last bit is important (IF I sell a Stentor, the remaining sub will be connected with a Y-lead, a common neutral with a +ve to either binding post; if connected to the same posts as a pair of speakers, it goes all Mono 
So, a NAP250 is a contender, but nothing below. What else is worthy of auditioning? Budget is an issue, but I could potentially stretch to 2K if the amp is so much better than its competitors - secondhand is, however, my favourite option...
The amp should also be capable of driving difficult loads...
Chreers,
John
competitors to audition alongside the 250...???"
Yup - a pair of 135's 
Or if you *insist* on a non-Naim recommendation on the Naim forum (poor form, old boy), you could try Exposure or Creek.
On another note, doesn't your AV receiver thingie have a sub-out on it? This might solve your Mono problem with one sub, tho I think the Stentors prefer to run off the speaker leads.
- GregB
quote:
the remaining sub will be connected with a Y-lead, a common neutral with a +ve to either binding post; if connected to the same posts as a pair of speakers, it goes all Mono
John,
I think you ought to check the manual. I think you'll find all Naim amps are common -ve rail so running a Y definitely doesn't give you mono.
Also, into how many ohms do you want to beable to pump 100W? The NAP250 is only 70WPC into an 8 ohm load, it only gets to 125W into a 4 ohm load 
Andy
Actually, if anyone is interested I am selling a Stentor - ideal to add depth to any standmount or floorstander. Price on (email) application so as not to offend the moderators
John
BTW, why don't you try some Stealth amps? Or are they not out yet...
Andy
I don't have a specific recommendation because I haven't been in the market for a while. My 2p worth is to urge you to find somewhere where you can hear some choices, properly.
When I was looking a couple of years ago I found it very hard to find a dealer who stocked a "worldly" range of high-end brands. By worldly I mean not just Naim, Linn, Arcam, MF, NAD, Meridian.
A couple of years back I scoured London trying to find somewhere to compare the "Old" and "New" world offerings. In the end I found an oasis called the Cornflake Shop nr Totenham Court Road. Try to find places like this. It's easy to tell the dealers that are Old World from the more independent ones - it's obvious as soon as you walk through the door.
BTW the Naim amps' black speaker terminals are both connected to 0V at the psu. I don't believe connecting a foreign pre-amp (Eeeew) to a 250 will harm it, but have a listen to the combination first in case the Naim has an episode.
BAM