Passive or active ?

I'm not fully in agreement here. The traditional line has been that going active is really only worthwhile at the top end of the Naim upgrade path but this does not mean it has no merits earlier on. Going active with Credo and then SBL gave my systems a lift even with more modest components (such as 2x 140, 72 Hi and bare CDX). The benefits are greater of course with the better source/preamps I subsequently added but I'd still advise you to do the dem of 2 x 180 (and don't forget you need to cost a SNAXO and a Hicap or supercap to power it too) vs 1 x 250 with Allaes (or better still s/h SBL's).

I take Tom's point about uograding. Once active if you decide to upgrade the amps you do need to buy two! Still a s/h 250 is not that pricey-or so I am telling myself.

I'd describe the active effect as more delicacy and a slightly livelier sound. This seemed especially apparent at lower volumes when I first did the dems. A single 250 sounded a bit slower, although perhaps more 'solid' if you will.

For all my enthusiasm for active systems I'd also recomend you tried a supercap and or 52 with your current speakers before automatically ditching them in next upgrade. The 52 is a very special thing.

Have fun. I'd be in interested what your ears tell you when you try these combinations.

Bruce