Naim 250 vs New Naim 200

Posted by: achandoke on 27 January 2003

Hello,

I am assembling and Naim system, and I was wondering if anyone did a head to head with the last generation 250 and the current naim 200. I am not sure which one to buy. I have found some good deals on a Naim 250 that are about 5-6 yrs old, but I am thinking that a Naim 200 would be a good way to go.

Rest of my system
Naim CD5 (Soon to be a CDX2)
Naim Flatcap 2
Naim 112

I need a powerful amp because my speakers are not efficient and the 150 doesnt work well.
I also plan on getting a new 202 preamp in the future, but I will upgrade the source first.

let me know what you guys thing. thanks for your help.
Posted on: 27 January 2003 by bec143
Hi There,

I seem to think I see you bidding on LOTS of Naim kit on Ebay and Audiogon over the past year or so.

Are you a dealer?

Bruce
Posted on: 27 January 2003 by achandoke
HEllo,

I am not a dealer. I have two stereo systems and building a 3rd for my brother. I just love to listen to music and I think Naim does it better than others. Unfortunately, I havent won a lot of the stuff I bid on. I ususally lose at the last second. THis time, I am going through a dealer.

Take care.
ac
Posted on: 28 January 2003 by Mr_Sukebe
Well I can't comment on an old 250, but I recently heard a new 200 against an old 180 (when I say old, I mean under 1 year old).

Personally I though the 200 murdered the old 180, mainly in it's style of presentation. The 180 felt a little course in comparison, not as much depth, feeling etc.

Go find a dealer who still has both types in and try for yourself. Bearing in mind that we all have different musical preferences, you might well prefer old gear, and therefore save yourself a good deal of cash.
Posted on: 28 January 2003 by Bernard Paquet
Well,

I think a green face 250 is still better, in the Naim way, than a new 200. If the 250 as been serviced recently then you have a good deal. As you know, you can buy those amp for half price...

Regrading your loose on e-bay and audiogon, maybe it's because you make some low ball offer or take too much time to send payment! Usually on the web, people make reasonable offer and send payment within 10 days. In procceding like that, i was able to make over 50 deals last year without any problem...i just got one problem recently with someone who was suppose to buy an amp but didn't send payment after a month... Roll Eyes

Goog luck and let us know your appreciation of the 200 if do a demo against a 250 (green style).

Bernard Paquet
Posted on: 28 January 2003 by Simon Matthews
Hymek

"Went to a NAIM demonstration at my local dealers last November where they used the new 200, 250 and 300 amps. Although the new 200 is a good amp, my existing 250's (circa 1977 and 2000) were way ahead of it."

Just to confirm, did your dealer actually use an old 250 as comparison in the dem?
Posted on: 28 January 2003 by Simon Matthews
Don't you think that describing your older 250 as being 'way ahead' of a new 200 is a bit much given that you have never heard them side by side in the same system. How capable are you of hearing differences in power amps when virtually every other aspect of the system is changed at the same time? Briks are So different to SL2's and listening at home adds a huge advantage to any system.

I'm not trying to be confrontational, it's just that I know that I would not be in a position to say what you did based upon the dem you had.
Posted on: 28 January 2003 by J.N.
AC

As ever; you must listen. Old and new are somewhat different in their presentations.

I had an old 250 and now have a new one, as I prefer the sound of it. I'd take a new 200 over an 'old style' 250; but it's really just a matter of personal preference.

Mr Sukebe summed up the comparison pretty well.

Good luck.