Looking to upgrade from 92r/flatcap/110

Posted by: Scott Hiddelston on 02 September 2016

Hi All,

I started out in 1979 with a 42/110. Mid 1990's I bought a 92r and a Flatcap. These have served me well but I feel its time for service, and instead of doing that I would like to upgrade. I would like to add streaming, since my digital music is only growing while my vinyl gathers dust. With that in mind I visited my local dealer, who demo'ed a 272/250DR with Rega RX5's in a smallish room. I found that system to be a lot warmer and softer than mine, perhaps even a little too much, although I'm the first to admit my present system can be bright, almost grating at times. Perhaps the Rega speakers were the source of the "softness"? I'm using a set of Linn Espek speakers for now, planning to upgrade them also. But I'd like to ask if anyone has an upgrade path suggestion? My dealer disagrees that the 250DR is warmer than my present system and suggests the speaker are to blame. However I've read on here that the olive range was brighter than the later stuff, and I am wondering if I should pursue upgrades using an olive 250 and just buy the 272 instead ( that would get me streaming plus I love Naim's robust streaming app)?? My dealer has no olive 250's and cannot provide me with a demo so I would be buying used probably online. Ultimately I could see me upgrading the 92 to an olive pre, but not sure what or when.

Thanks

Scott

Posted on: 02 September 2016 by Christopher_M

Welcome Scott :-)

Your dealer is trying to sell you new stuff. From what I read here, you may get a preferable presentation with Naim's NDX and SuperNait2 into the same Rega speakers. Or even NDX and NAC202 (with Napsc) and NAP200 into same.

Sorry, no meaningful experience of olive.

Chris

Posted on: 02 September 2016 by hungryhalibut

This is ever so difficult, as you are so used to what you have now and given its age it's well overdue for a service. It will therefore sound totally different, and with different speakers in the mix you really are comparing apples and pears. I started off with Naim back in 1983, and had a 42/110, so know exactly what it is like. I also know that the 272/250 is neither warm nor soft, unless the music demands it, because this is the system I now own. What you need to do is have a home demo with your own speakers, which will give you a point of reference. You are thinking of spending £7,000, which is a lot of money, and you need to get it right. 

Posted on: 03 September 2016 by Pcd

I have also been using Naim since the early eighties upgrading to a Olive 82, Supercap, 250 and CDI by the mid nineties.

Last year I added a NDX to the Olive system the NDX was a revelation after hearing so much about the 250 dr I thought it might be time to upgrade.

After listening to the Naim demo at the Bristol show this year the advice from them regarding upgrading was to add a XPS power supply  to the NDX then change the Olive 250 for a 250 dr.

After discussions and demo's my local dealer installed my new system several months ago and I can assure you a 250 dr is neither warm or soft in the right system it is absolutely superb and has delicacy when needed but boy will it rock.

A 272/250 dr is a very nice system and I would suggest spending more time at your dealer or arrange a home demo using your speakers and try alternative speakers if needed.

Posted on: 03 September 2016 by gary yeowell

Your 110 is a cracking power amp. I'd replace your pre with something better, be it a standalone pre or streaming pre, which is down to you.