NAP 250.2 vs CB250

Posted by: Shropshire Hills on 18 May 2017

Hi

Would a classic NAP250 (non-DR) be a significant improvement on a good CB 250 that has had a recent service by Classe A?

The amp in  my main system is a Supernait2 and my second system is a nicely serviced 62/Hicap/250. The CB 250 certainly improves the sound of the SN2 but I am wondering if It would be better to buy a S/H modern 250 as that would give me the opportunity at a later date to have the DR conversion and would save breaking up a nice second system

My long term aim is to trade in the SN2 towards a better pre or a pre/streamer so a 250DR would be a goal but by using the CB250 for the time being would enable me to upgrade the pre first. I also have a NAP 110 that I could get serviced to partner with 62/Hicap - too many choices!

Bob

Posted on: 18 May 2017 by Richard Dane

Bob, I've edited the title of your post - I don't think you intended to refer to a CN250.

As I've owned both - and still have my '85 vintage CB 250 (NA001s and bigger Tx compared to earlier 250s) - I guess i can comment on this. The CB NAP250 is an excellent power amp - a true classic - and given the choice I'd be looking to upgrade the pre-amp first rather than go for a NAP250.2.  How are your sources?  

Posted on: 18 May 2017 by Shropshire Hills

Richard - thanks for a very helpful reply. My 250 is one of the last CB ones - 1988 - and also has the NA001s and the bigger transformer so probably not too far behind the recent non-DR 250. Pre first makes sense and then later perhaps a 250DR

Posted on: 18 May 2017 by Richard Dane

Bob, some prefer the earlier "original" NAP250 to the later NAP250.2.

Posted on: 18 May 2017 by Shropshire Hills

Thanks again. Does the DR upgrade too the scales or is it still a matter of preference (isn't it always) 

Posted on: 18 May 2017 by Richard Dane

The 250DR  seems to be in a different class, yes.  

Posted on: 18 May 2017 by Loki

I am running 250.2 served by a 32.5. The quality of the system took a huge leap forward over the 180 I had before. If the 250.2 hadn't been such a complete bargain I'd have gone for an 82 first, but the second hand market didn't work that way for me. And, as you say, you can upgrade to the DR version, which I intend to do when I have the 250.2 serviced next year.