Nap250=bigger bass??

I moved from a 180 to 250 and yes you get a lot more bass, I would imagine that it is measurable, i.e. its not just my opinion.

Best thing would be to try for your self or get round to someone who has one for a listen.

I feel incomplete to list your equipment without mentioning the source. There are two Naim amps I’m rather familiar with: the little old Nait II and 250. I got the latter and of course it’s better but this difference is far from the one I’ve noticed when having upgraded from CD3 to CDS1. Here I mention bass quality on the first place but it’s far from being the whole story.

You may think over that simply removing any peaks from the frequency response you can raise volume and with it the bass. (It’s a matter of fact frequency response should not be considered statically like the curves you see in several prospects but rather in the dynamic sense, transmitting the energy during a fraction of a moment – extremely difficult to measure by the usual instruments.)

graphoman

I've substituted other maker's source components for my Naim CD3 & Systemdek IIX/Rega 250 and still no joy. I tried a Nac 102-no real difference. Different speakers have not worked so It has to be the power amp. This seems to be reinforced by the fact that I also borrowed my father's Rotel integrated amp and bass there was aplenty. Muddled sound though.
If Naim amps all share a 'family sound' then it may be that I'll have to look at another make. Shame though as I do like the clarity of the Naim stuff.

My recollection from upgrading is that the 82 mentioned earlier gives a fuller sound (than a 62s in my case), and the 250 handles bass better (than my old 140).
Myself and others have also had interesting experiments with mains, like hydras, spurs, etc.

Paul Rowlands

The 250 has more bass than a 140 because it controls the bass better, in particular the lower bass frequencies.

Hi Faz

From what you say; I reckon a 250 would do it for you.

It has a beefier sound with a bigger, opened up sound stage.

Hello Faz,

I have Audio Physic "Step" speakers (small stand mount jobs). I have upgraded through the whole range of Naim Power Amps over the years.
The bass improved with each step, but there was a major leap in the quality and quantity of bass with the 250. The pre is a 52.


Regards Robert

Two years ago I moved from a 110 to a 250 and repositioned my speakers away from the back wall.

Suddenly my previously bass shy ELAs produced plenty of bass. Sure, it didn't turn them into briks but it did make a big difference.

Hi James,
The 352's were modified by a friend who designs bespoke speaker and amplification systems. The x-over was completely rebuilt using custom designed components. I have no idea how the 3rd speakers are wired in or what spec they are. I do know that every other amp I've played thru 'em produces the goods!
Since I posted this query I've scoured the forum for info on this and it seems that there is no real right or wrong answer.
I recently played a tape of the band I used to play in. Our bass player might as well have not been there for all the difference it made. I can play the same tape in any other system (even in my car) and the bass suddenly re-appears.
I'll try and borrow a 250 but I'm limited to what I can get hold of locally.

James
The 352's were originally a 2 way speaker-now they are a 3 way. I'm afraid I have no idea as to the make or spec of the additional speaker units.I left all that to the chap that undertook the conversion. Suffice to say they seem to kick ass with every amp under the sun except the Naim stuff.I don't really think the problem lies with the speakers anyway. I hooked up my old ProAc Studio 1's this morning and the problem is still there. I even borrowed my father's Mission speakers and it's just the same.Unless I can try out a 250 I have a feeling that it could be bye, bye Naim.

Are you sure your hicap is working properly?That could be one source of the poor bass with your Naim stuff.

How old is the Naim stuff? Have the pieces been serviced inthe last 10 years?

Phil

Phil,
HiCap was Naim serviced this year, the 140 was upgraded from a 110 by Naim & serviced about 5 years ago. I don't honestly think there's anything wrong with the gear.It just seems as if it's not designed to cope with the likes of say dub reggae or heavy rock.Listening to Motorhead you'd never believe that Lemmy plays bass! Is it possible that the people that enjoy their Naim gear don't listen to rock n' roll?

[This message was edited by faz on SUNDAY 07 December 2003 at 20:11.]

Can't say that heavy rock does a lot for me but my 250 and SBLs produce great bass from the likes of Jah Wobble and Black Uhuru- very deep and tight. I was also very happy playing reggae with a 110 and Kans some years ago.

As the 140 boards are essentially very similar to those in a 250 or even a 135, I understood that the 140 was a little bandwidth limited to avoid overheating (ie is filtered so as not to give the full frequency range), as the smaller case is less well able to disapate the heat.

I'm in the same situation (but driving Shahinian Arcs with a 140), I do get quite good bass, but I'm sure it could be better, so I'm considering a 250 or similar at present.

Mr Perceptive

Got to say I'm a bit puzzeled by this. I used a 62/Snaps/110 for years with Monitor Audio 852's and never thought I was lacking in the bass department. I suspect there might be something wrong with the 32-5 or 140. You need to see if you can borrow replacements.

Where do you live

Hmmm, not sure that I want to hear the Bass while I'm in the bathroom!Everything is on hold at the moment as I've had some builders in to repair a leaking roof so all the Hi-Fi has had to be packed away for a a week or so.
I'm down in Sussex and I'm not aware of a dealer who's prepared to do a lender.One dealer who I did ring said that the preamp was to blame. Well I've already borrowed a 102 and it made little difference. Most (if not all) of the Naim gear seems to based on a single design that's just updated over the years.I'm fast coming to the conclusion that the solution therefore lies with a different make of amp.