250 vs. new 200, New 250 vs. 135's

Markus

I currently use a new style 250, and have had 'chrome bumper' 250's and 135's. I've also used 'olive' 250's and 135's.

As ever; it's a matter of personal taste; but I agree that the new 250 is a superb bit of kit, and for me; preferable to an 'olive' 250. Have you felt the weight of it?

Others will disagree.

My summation of the sonic differences is that the new 250 offers a more sophisticated sound with better insight into the music, by resolving much more spatial information.

It still has balls and speed, but the 'olive' 250 will give you a more 'edge of the seat' experience by concentrating more on leading edge information.

135's are more of the same.

As ever; only you can decide.

Good luck.

The new 250 has less noise and is more polite that the olive 250 and 135s.

It has the "olive" PR&T and makes more hi-fi.

The new 250 can drive speakers better. German Stereoplay 06/2003:

8 ohms 95W
4 ohms 170W
3 ohms 192W

Emil

quote:

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German Stereoplay 06/2003:

8 ohms 95W
4 ohms 170W
3 ohms 192W

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So it's actually a NAP 340?

Hi

I know this may sound naive, but I'm trying to further my knowledge, so could someone clarify what the differences are between "chrome bumpers" and "olive".

Sorry for buttin in.

Dru

Hi Milk

The 'chrome bumper' version is the original model, where the outer casing (the sleeve) had its edges a chrome colour whilst the rest of it was black.
The 'olive' series is anything after that, literally Naim's olive green colour all over, but before the current non-sleeve-type casework.

Although it would be hard to compare directly the new casework is supposed to sound better, according to Roy George.

I'm sure that's right.

Joe90

Thanks all. STill trying to learn...

JN, are you saying that, given a choice between 135's and a new 250, you've elected to go with the new 250? I also have owned a chrome bumper 250, replaced it with a newer olive 250 and found them similar but the newer one was better.

Has anyone compared a new 200 to an olive 250? When I compare a 150 to a 140 I thought the 150 was quite a bit better.
Markus
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quote:

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JN, are you saying that, given a choice between 135's and a new 250, you've elected to go with the new 250?

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Yes; I think so.

This doesn't mean that a new 250 is 'better'. It means that I am older and looking for a different sound. In my youth I would probably have preferred the 135's biting me in the arse.

Tricky eh?

Thanks Joe it makes it easier to follow now.

J.N.

ah, we've found your problem - you're facing the wrong way!

(See you tomorrow.)

cheers, Martin

E-mail:- MartinPayne at Dial.Pipex.com

Try the "gallery" and product history sections at NASG for clarification. Nice site.

Best;

Mark

Per

He sounded sure to me. The 'Hmmmmm' bit implies that you mistrust/deride his opinion.

As much as you like the older stuff more than the new gear you are not in the majority to do so.

It would be a bit too much to read every posting that is for sure!!

However it is an interesting point that there is often a general assumption that the forum is an accurate representation of naim users. I am sure there are plenty of users out there who have strong opinions and feelings about their systems who don't post and are never heard. It may be possible to imagine that they are a less 'militant' (for want of a better word) and represent a more open minded set of opinions than is sometimes found amoungst some of us.

Sometimes when three people agree on something and then assume they represnt the majority it raises a smile.

No way could it possibly be an accurate representation but for information it's hard to beat.

Like most people, I will change my mind, forget stuff and contradict myself at regular intervals. Anyone who thinks we're writing the 10 commandments here should probably up their medication.

Oh, and not forgeting that this board is run by and is a direct link to Naim. Invaluable.

Olive vs. New... it is a question.
Please need to hear more opinions and experience here. From a practical standpoint for me, the main question is probably which is better, olive 250 or new 200? Has anyone been able to do this comparison? Price-wise, the olive 250's are less money. I haven't had a chance yet to look closely at the specs. Has anyone had a chance to compare them??

Markus
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Markus--

I've had a couple of chances to hear the olive 250 against both the new 200 and the new 250. Both used a CD5/FC2 or one of a number of TTs, 202/Napsc/new Hicap into a variety of speakers.

As John N says above, straightforward comparisons are a bit difficult as the new line is noticeably different and I would say unambigously better. I think the new 250 a substantial improvement on the olive 250--the new one is simply more complete in presenting music, whereas the olive 250 omits quite a bit of the musical message (in comparison). The 200 has a signature much more like the new 250, as you would expect, and lacks the authority, tunefulness and grip of the olive 250. Given a choice between a new 200 and an olive 250 I would get the olive 250.

I've also briefly heard them with a 52/super; the ranking remain unchanged although you do hear quite a bit more!

One pairing I would love to hear is a new 200 or 250 driving Mk1 Kans. I suspect the smoothness and ease of the new gear would really synergize with the Kans.

Best,

Bob

Mark.

That's a very useful and interesting website.

Thanks.

If I try to summer the discussion:
"Which is better between Nap135's and New 250?":
Nap300............. ;-)

I am actually looking for new amp. but don't have the money for Nap300:
Should I go for used Nap135's or new Nap250??
(My Girlfriend's heart beats for Nap135's... to go with all my olive range ;-) What is your point of view??
Thanks

Charles

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Talking to a dealer yesterday was fascinating. He said that the new 250 is so good that folks are trading their 135's towards them.

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As somebody once said, he would say that, would'nt he?

Regards

Mike

On the Yellow Brick Road and happy

I had actually set out to find an olive 250. After several weeks of fruitless searching (other than a couple available from the UK) I learned from a dealer that he had an ex-dem new 250 available. Alas, I waited too long. Sold!

Anyway, I was looking closely at a pair of 135's at 2650 but ended up finding a pair at 2350. That is lower than a new 200!! I trust that the new 250 is my ideal "target" amp (the 300 is just too much money) but in the meantime I've still "mulletized" my system 'cause I just couldn't pass up the deal.

up next (2004), an 82. 2005, CDX2.

Markus
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Markus,

I wouldn't get too worried about the mullet thing. A few months ago we had a session at myu place going from 32.5 to 82/Hi to 82/2Hi to 82/Scap to 52 all through 135s. The source was CDS and LP12. With the 32.5 we had by all acounts a mullet system. So what, it sounded great. Sure the sound got better and more refined as we progressed through the preamps, but that doesn't mean that the the 32.5 was bad. Far from it.

Cheers, Jens

Markus,

The 135s are great in any form (chrome bumperor olive). If the used ones you have are old and haven't been serviced get them recapped. The sound is fantastic.

Set your sights a little higher than the 82, stretch to a 52/Supercap if you can. The 135s hit fullstride with that preamp.

Cheers