Chord Hugo TT DAC

No. But that doesn't stop you connecting the unbalanced output from the TT and making up an appropriate cable to mate to the 250

Hi Shaun, would be interested to find out how you got on with this idea as it's something I'm considering at the moment.  Did you try it out in the end?

No, however, the NAP250PRO has balanced inputs and is designed to be fed from a balanced source/pre-amp.

You need to be a bit careful when using a Naim amp without a matching Naim pre-amp.  The naim pre and power are designed to work together.  While you can use a non-Naim amp with a Naim pre-amp, the other way around, i.e. with a Naim amp married to a non-Naim pre-amp is not recommended.  One reason why, Naim amps generally don't like being fed an unlimited bandwidth signal - it should be rolled off before 40kHz, and not all sources/pre-amps do that.

Very interesting Richard,  I have never heard of a 250PRO.  Is there a section in the website which covers the "Pro" range ?  

Thank you Richard for the information. Would also keen to read more up on this "Pro" range of Nap250.

The NAP250Pro was a version of the NAP250.2 made at the request primarily of the BBC, where they wanted a very high performance but also extremely reliable power amplifier that could be left on 24/7 and interface with their balanced cabling system.  Basically, think of it as a modern-day NAB300, which was itself a pro version of the NAP250.  Of course, it's very universality required that it cope with connections from mixing desks miles of cable away and also drive speaker cables that could be anything; as such, performance can't be optimised for domestic use in quite the same way as a regular NAP250.  

I don't know whether Naim still offer the NAP250Pro now that the NAP250.2 has been replaced by the NAP250DR - it was a special order item anyway, so probably still available on request.  However, it's academic really, as it's not really suitable for a domestic system - and sound quality is eclipsed by the regular NAP250, which would be a better bet here.

A really fascinating insight to the Pro -  thx very much Richard

It is weird to have the 'pro' version sounding less good than the regular version.

Why's that?  Pro kit has different priorities - ultimate SQ is usually overtaken by other practicalities and requirements.  In this case, the need to have balanced inputs (so balanced circuit networks are added internally) and the need to work with any speaker cable, so added inductance networks on the output.

Thanks for the response!!

Maybe I've been conditioned to assume that 'pro' or 'plus' is always better, eg the macbook pro, audirvana plus, etc.

Ahh, the power of the marketing dept, they would be pleased with your conditioning.. 

I thought conditioning upset Naim amps 

I use a MacBook rank amateur myself.  Sounds way better than the pro version.