I am about to part with some hard earned cash to upgrade my 180 to a 250 (olive) there must be thousands of you that have taken this course my current system is CD5+hi+102+Hi+180 (soon to be a 250)I have felt from day 1 that me system can be a tad on the harsh side and "shouts" a lot this i am atributing to the 180 feeding my "hard to drive" DYN 1.1, so hence the 250 upgrade before an 82. I am happy with the CDp untill SACD comes along.
anythoughts / expierence of this upgrade ?
Phil
Posted on: 22 October 2003 by Phil Barry
I guess there's so much data in this forum on the 250 that the search function is not effective, so here's a repeat of my thoughts and experience.
Several years ago, I had an LP12/ARO/72/hi/140 system and extra money. I wanted to reduce the congestion I heard during loud, complex orchestral passages. I think some people would call the effects I heard 'harshness'.
I first tried an 82, and although it was better, it did not seem to bring enough improvement to convince me to spend the money.
Before returning the 82 to the store, I consulted with NANA and was told that I'd probably prefer a 102/hi/250 to an 82/hi/140. I believe my informant said HE preferred the 102/250 to the 82/140, but I'm not certain of that.
I acquired a used 250 on a cold February morning. It had been unplugged for a week, except for a brief demo that both channels were active when I picked it up. I returned home (30 minutes in the car on a cold day) and plugged it in immediately - even ice cold, the congestion was cleaned up. What's more, the music sounded immensely more coherent - the coherence turned outto be more important than the reduction in congestion. And it got better as it warmed up.
So I'm delighted that I got a 250 long before maxxing out my preamp. But note: my source, with the ARO, was excellent. I have been impressed by the CD5/hi, but CDX2 may be a better choice for you at this time.
Also, I believe the NAPSC has been suggested to reduce harshness in a 102-based system - that may be what you need.
I eventually got an 82 - the one I had heard didn't satisfy on VFM 'measurements', but I wnted remote control, and I could not get the sheer speed of the 82 out of my head. Now my 82/2 x hi/250 system provides musical thrills every time I play music I like.
But I'm glad I got the 250 first.
Regards
Phil
Posted on: 22 October 2003 by fled
thanks Phil.
My mind has already been made up to go for a 250 in fact due to pick it up this Friday
An 82 will be next then maybe a CDx although I have not that many CD's so am waiting on the SACD development to mature before I take the plunge on a top flight source (although I consider a CD5+Hi pretty close)
I have to noticed the congestion around complex pieces and perhaps this will sort it out, but I too am after more texture and base an reasonable vol levels without the "shouting at you" feeling.
Posted on: 24 October 2003 by garyi
Fled the 250 is a significant upgrade, IMO the 180 is not really in the same ball park.
Posted on: 25 October 2003 by Goldstar
Hello Phil,
I have had my 250 for ten glorious years and I have never regretted buying it. Do be aware though, that the whole hi-fi chain is just that, a chain only as strong as the weakest link.
Do stick to the standard interconnect between pre-amp and your 250 and put it on a decent stand. My 250 seems to like a stand all to itself.
Enjoy
Regards Robert
