I just (and I mean just) took delivery of a vintage 250. I have a four-shelf rack by Solidsteel--mdf on tiptoes, on a metal frame.
Prior arrangement was Hicap/140 on bottom, Nak DR2 on second, 32-5, on tiptoes, on third, CD3 on fourth, turntable on a Target wall shelf.
Now that I have a full-width amp, I've got it on the bottom, with the hicap on top of it, rest as before.
Should I try the hicap on the floor, or the 250 on the floor, or leave as is?
Also, it sounds a bit more harsh on first turn-on than my 140 did. How long before is starts to sweeten? Later tonight, or in a few days?
--Eri
Posted on: 09 May 2001 by Phil Barry
I can't resist replying via the forum.
In my experience, a cold (just brought in from the outside in February in Chicago) 250 sounded better than a warm 140 (your 140, now that I think about it), but it was a bit rough. It got better by the hour for about 8 hours. Then I didn't hear it for 5 days.
You know what the closing and signature is.
Posted on: 09 May 2001 by Eric Barry
I could move the Nak--but it's brand new (NOS), so the floor is not an option.
However, that would put the hicap just eight inches below the pre, instead of 18 (the bottom shelf has more space than the rest). Is the hicap on the floor that bad an idea?
As for the 140, last night the system was sounding particularly good, until I switched in the 250, which sounded constipated. Tonight it's more detailed, and deeper (though I wish the bass were wetter), and bigger, and tighter, and more at ease. But not yet all I'd hoped for--though I haven't played an lp with it yet.
Still wondering if burn-in occurs in my ears or in the equipment.
--Eri
Posted on: 11 May 2001 by Martin Payne
I have my CDPS mounted on the floor. It is incredibly sensitive to what it sits on (more than the head unit???)
I bought an MDF board, and screwed three spikes to the bottom (see Maplin & enter code LF47 in the 'Maplin Code' search field).
This works very well. I placed the single spike at the front so that the Burndy at the back wouldn't de-stabilise it.
cheers, Martin
Posted on: 11 May 2001 by man
I also got my 250 2 days ago to replace 140 and i use 72 as a pre. To me it sound better in all aspect straight away compared to my 140 especially to the tweeter sound. I used to write that my system sounded harsh long time ago but now all the harshness is gone. It sound even better this morning when it already warm. For your information my 250 is made in 1984 and servicee by Naim in 1992.
I can't comment about the placement because my arrangement even worst than yours.
Posted on: 13 May 2001 by Eric Barry
The 250 got it going after about 2 days. I knew it would. Maybe it will keep getting better, but it's much better than the 140. I prefer the sound from a Rotel 955 cd player (modded) to the CD3 through the 140. I didn't hear anything at the Stereophile show yesterday that matched the quality of bass from a 250.
--Eric
