Sbl and active mode

I'd replace the 250.2 with two identically olive or CB 250, Naim will service them for active use

How do you like the 250.2 with your front end?

I've heard the CDS 3, is close to CD 555 territory,, in fact, some prefer it's presentation.

If you like the 252/250.2 in Passive mode, with your recently purchased, SBLs, Simple:

Snaxo 242, 2nd hand SC 2, and 250.2

Xps2/CDS 3/252/2 x SCs/Snaxo 242/2 x 250.2

3 years from now, Dred front and rear end!

4 years from now, Full Loom!

Not Speaking from experience, just information absorbed from the Forum.

However, being an Active fan, and more than satisfied with the presentation of my Passive Tri amped 250.2/Briks, that is the suggested, and preferred Upgrade Path.

Your choice of Era!

BB = Black Box 

CB/OLIVE/BB/Dred BB 

The Evolving Naim Sound!

Allante93!

And snaxo 2-4 + hicap olive with a 250.2?

Naimark posted:

And snaxo 2-4 + hicap olive with a 250.2?

Mark, just to be clear:

• CDS 3 + xps2

• nac 252 + supercap

• nap 250.2

• hiline/nac a5/wireworld matrix2

If this is the System you plan to Activate, all is Black Box, Correct ?

If so, all is necessary is:

2nd hand 250.2

2nd hand SC 2--+ to power Snaxo 242

Brand new Snaxo 242

Burndy IC from SC 2 to Snaxo 242

All Black Box Era, with capability to be Dred!

The Olive HC, could be used in a 2nd System, or listed fo sale.

Now, the Snaxo 2-4, can accept the Burndy from the SC 2, other than cosmetics, I'm not aware of the differences between the Snaxo 2-4, and Snaxo 242.

Perhaps someone can comment on that.

 Allante93!

Yes I have all black box system but in order to save money I'm considering to buy a second hand snaxo 2-4 olive and an hicap olive.

On top of this I need a second hand 250.2 or others...

On this regard, any advice for me?

Been down this route and tried all the combinations. All referring to Olive series

1. NAXO-hicap is good

2. SNAXO-hicap is maybe slightly better, but more importantly has the potential to go to....

3. SNAXO-Supercap is very much better.

Followed by 2 x olive 250 into SBLs.

Sounds very nice

Would eventually love to hear 3b (DR version)....

Suzy Wong posted:

Been down this route and tried all the combinations. All referring to Olive series

1. NAXO-hicap is good

2. SNAXO-hicap is maybe slightly better, but more importantly has the potential to go to....

3. SNAXO-Supercap is very much better.

Followed by 2 x olive 250 into SBLs.

Sounds very nice

Sounds like solid advice, but saving money is always solid.

Hence, if I was you, I would use that same BB SC, you have, and bi amp your SBLs, with a BB 250.2.

Next, I would take Suzy's advice and couple your Snaxo with a SC 2, I hear the SC 2/Burndy, takes it to another level!

At this point your System is all BB Era, with the exception of your Snaxo 2-4, Correct me if I'm wrong.

The Beauty of this approach, down the road if you decide, you can upgrade to the Dred BB Era.

Not taking anything away from the classic Olive 250's, but I can't see Active 250.2s being that much of a disservice!

Besides, Cds3/Xps2/252/SC2/SC2/Olive Snaxo/250.2/250.2!

Sure looks good Fraimed up!

 Beit Fraim, or Fraim lite!

Allante93!

The difference between the SNAXO/Hicap and SNAXO/Supercap is substantial - one of those where you have to shake your head at how much better a power supply can make a system play music. 

If you want to activate as soon as possible, a SNAXO/Hicap and a second 250.2 is the best way forward.  You don't want to mix amps in an active system.

As Suzy noted, olive 250s and active SBLs have a certain "Je ne sais quoi" that you just have to hear.  But in your system, stick with a second 250.2. 

From experience I'd invest proportionately more money in the Xover and especially the power supply to the Xover than the power amps. For many years I had SNAXO/SC and 2 x 140 on my SBLs and it worked extremely well. I think that is emphasised by others in this thread. SBLs are not especially hard to drive, and my room is smallish.

I have had active systems for 20 years, going from Credo to SBL now SL2. Every investment in the chain has continued to bring more benefits. The two real OMG steps were HiCap to SC on the SNAXO and adding an SL cable power amp to SNAXO. Big leaps not subtle increments.

Bruce

Would it be possible to link both 252 and snaxo to my supercap?

No. The Supercap must never be used to power two items at the same time otherwise damage may result.

In fact I'm considering to buy snaxo 2-4 and hicap olive... but my commercial account in Italy suggests it for beginning my active journey....

For a technical point of view would it be possible?

SNAXO 2-4 and Hicap together is just fine.

Ok just fine, but it is not the answer to my question.

Thanks

I'm confused. The outstanding question is?

Would it be possible to connect snaxo 2-4 and nac252 to supercap2?

Does it work?

Richard Dane posted:

No. The Supercap must never be used to power two items at the same time otherwise damage may result.

You must have missed this.

No, if you pay attention to my comment     you'll see that my request is related to the feasibility exclusively from a technical point of view.

Richard told me that is preferable to not to go in this direction...but not clear if they (both snaxo and 252) work connected to the same supercap.

Regards

Mark, much more than just "preferable" not to do so.  You "must never" do so.

Technically speaking, I'm not sure whether you'll have the right signal routing for this to even theoretically work.  Technically speaking, even if the signal routing worked out you'd risk some serious damage from overstressed regulators trying to connect up a SNAXO this way.

Allante93 posted:

Suzy Wong posted:

Been down this route and tried all the combinations. All referring to Olive series

1. NAXO-hicap is good

2. SNAXO-hicap is maybe slightly better, but more importantly has the potential to go to....

3. SNAXO-Supercap is very much better.

Followed by 2 x olive 250 into SBLs.

Sounds very nice

Sounds like solid advice, but saving money is always solid.

Hence, if I was you, I would use that same BB SC, you have, and bi amp your SBLs, with a BB 250.2.

Next, I would take Suzy's advice and couple your Snaxo with a SC 2, I hear the SC 2/Burndy, takes it to another level!

At this point your System is all BB Era, with the exception of your Snaxo 2-4, Correct me if I'm wrong.

The Beauty of this approach, down the road if you decide, you can upgrade to the Dred BB Era.

Not taking anything away from the classic Olive 250's, but I can't see Active 250.2s being that much of a disservice!

Besides, Cds3/Xps2/252/SC2/SC2/Olive Snaxo/250.2/250.2!

Sure looks good Fraimed up!

 Beit Fraim, or Fraim lite!

Allante93!

Naimark, going Active ain't cheap!

That's why, I suggested, you first invest in a 2nd hand 250.2, and Bi amp your SBLs.

This is great, I see now, you haven't purchased an Snaxo 2-4, or Olive HC!

This is how Naim's upgrade Path, allows one to build towards an Active System while enjoying there present Passive System.

At this point your System looks like this:

Cds3/Xps2/252/SC 2/250.2/250.2

6 Black Boxes. Passive SBLs

Once you have saved more money, your next purchase should be BB Snaxo, and another SC 2 for optimal Active performance.

 That puts your Total BB count @ 8!

That's why I suggested, Fraim, or Fraim lite, it allows you to add shelves.

Active your System will look, and sounds Sweet!

Xps2/Cds3/252/SC 2/SC 2/Snaxo 242/250.2/250.2

8 beautiful Black Boxes all Fraimed up!

The SC 2 powering the Snaxo is connected with an Burndy, very expensive IC, which is part of the reason this setup is the preferred route.

 Hope that was helpful!

Allante93!

...except you can only actively bi-amp SBLs.  There's no passive bi-amp option.

Richard Dane posted:

...except you can only actively bi-amp SBLs.  There's no passive bi-amp option. 

 

Naimark, that's what's nice about the Forum, Mr Richard Dane is monitoring, and making sure, the OP isn't getting incorrect information.

I made the wrong assumption, that SBLs could be bi-amped.

My Briks, can be bi amped, and tri amped in Passive mode.

I also assumed, Naim's Ovators 800 & 600s had that feature.

 My Era!

Allante93!

Richard thanks for your feedback.

I could have the opportunity to buy a snaxo 2-4 or an older naxo 2-4.

I think snaxo 2-4 would be better, are they wired vertically or laterally?

And how to connect it to my naim gear?

The SNAXO is the better one, yes.  Both were originally configured with one stereo amp (or two mono amps) per channel - hence amp matching has to be spot on.  If you want to mix different amps then you would need a later SNAXO 242 or else send your SNAXO 2-4 to Naim to be re-configured and serviced (check with them first on this).

Assuming you use a Hicap then connection goes from 252/Supercap via SNAIC4 (or DIN4 Active lead)  to Hicap then via SNAIC5 to SNAXO then via 2 x DIN4-XLR to 2 x NAP250s.