New 250 Vs Olive 135's

Posted by: solid state on 29 January 2004

Just about to place an order with my dealer for a new Nap 250 (replacing my ageing 140)to partner my flatcapped/Napsc'd 202 when a thought struck me .

Would I be better of going for a pair of older olive 135's as opposed to the new 250?

My understandimg is that the 135's were for some considerable time considerd the pinnacle of Naims power amps and should therefore trounce a 250 (not sure about a new 250 though)

A local dealer has a pair of 135's avaliable at £1,350 for the pair (history unknown at this stage) as opposed to £2,350 for a new 250 .

(I dont even know if I can actually use 135's with my pre by the way , can anybody advise?)

Any advise as to what way to go/major differences etc ?

Help me resolve my dillemma , please!!!
Posted on: 29 January 2004 by Rasher
The 135's are generally considered to be superceeded by the NAP300, and are really in this league. £1350 for a pair is very cheap though, so surely must require a service (?), at £440 when Naim get some components in, so the real cost would be £1900. You must demo them and draw your own conclusions. I would expect you to get the 135's though Wink
Posted on: 29 January 2004 by Laurie Saunders
quote:
(I dont even know if I can actually use 135's with my pre by the way , can anybody advise?)


If you are using a Naim preamp (with its own***cap) then there should be no problems

Laurie S
Posted on: 29 January 2004 by Richard Paget
Hi
I reckon that the new 250 +olive 135's are at a similar level but do things very differently.
135's faster thinner less soundstage. It'll be up to you. The difference in price though is significant and the balance is tipped if you can spend the rest somewhere else.
Are you sure these arn't old chrome amps reboxed--there are a few of those around--find out the serial no.s
Richard
Posted on: 29 January 2004 by Rasher
Nothing wrong with chrome bumper 135's Richard.
Posted on: 02 February 2004 by solid state
Thanks per (and others) but am commited to buying the new black box series (WAF and all that!) so wont be going the 52 or 135 route now .

Anyway , immediate dilemma solved - have now orderd a new 250.2 Big Grin

FWIW the 135's I saw advertised in a dealer (and now sold) were not "re-cases" as mooted earler in the thread , but were "immaculate" (their description) and 1999 models . Seems they were competitivly priced . I wonder if the black series is now begining to have a detrimental effect on second hand olive values ?