Home dem of new amps
Posted by: J.N. on 24 November 2002
I have on weekend loan:-
202 - HiCap - 250. My existing CDSII, SBL's and Fraim complete the system.
Lovely sound. All the old PRaT attributes are there, with a beautiful openness, transparency, detail and a much improved layered soundstage. The new 250 is a different beast to the old one. Terrific dynamic slam.
Much more engaging at low volumes as well.
This is without the NAPSC on the 202 (as the dealer hasn't got one yet). I don't expect everyone to like the 'new' sound, but it sure works for me.
This combo is excellent v.f.m. I shall be placing an order.
202 - HiCap - 250. My existing CDSII, SBL's and Fraim complete the system.
Lovely sound. All the old PRaT attributes are there, with a beautiful openness, transparency, detail and a much improved layered soundstage. The new 250 is a different beast to the old one. Terrific dynamic slam.
Much more engaging at low volumes as well.
This is without the NAPSC on the 202 (as the dealer hasn't got one yet). I don't expect everyone to like the 'new' sound, but it sure works for me.
This combo is excellent v.f.m. I shall be placing an order.
Posted on: 25 November 2002 by Manu
Don't forget the NAPSC in your order.
Emmanuel
All opinions are my own, and reflect those of the organisation i work for, even if not stipulated.
Emmanuel
All opinions are my own, and reflect those of the organisation i work for, even if not stipulated.
Posted on: 25 November 2002 by J.N.
The existing system was:-
52 - Supercap - 250.
'fraid so.
With my head well below the parapet, I'm ready for the incoming fire!
52 - Supercap - 250.
'fraid so.
With my head well below the parapet, I'm ready for the incoming fire!
Posted on: 25 November 2002 by J.N.
My 'old' amps have all gone, but I'm inclined to think that the different sound is generic, being mostly attributable to the new casework and component mounting.
New earthing arrangements are supposed to have helped as well.
New earthing arrangements are supposed to have helped as well.
Posted on: 25 November 2002 by Steve Toy
You swapped your still-venerable 52 for a 202!
Jeez, some folks are suckers when someone is peddling new-for-old (l)amps!
Regards,
Steve.
It's just a pleasure to hear music as it was intended to be heard.
Jeez, some folks are suckers when someone is peddling new-for-old (l)amps!
Regards,
Steve.
It's just a pleasure to hear music as it was intended to be heard.
Posted on: 26 November 2002 by NB
A snip at £4,750.
You know you want one
Regards
NB
You know you want one
Regards
NB
Posted on: 26 November 2002 by NB
No I havn't bought a 300 yet, £4750 is a lot of money for a power amp. As you say you could buy a Supercap and Fraim for less!!
If I do buy a 300 its going to have to last a long time. I remember spending £4,000 on an 82/hi/180 and thinking I will get 15 years out of this and six years later!!
Regards
NB
If I do buy a 300 its going to have to last a long time. I remember spending £4,000 on an 82/hi/180 and thinking I will get 15 years out of this and six years later!!
Regards
NB
Posted on: 26 November 2002 by greeny
quote:
ew NAPSC makes Stunning Improvement to New 202 and old 102 (possibly more than Hi cap,
at least superficially)
I just cannot believe this!! (though not heard it). How can adding/improving a PS to non audio circuits have a positive effect on sound as compaired to a much better(bigger) PS on the audio circuits.
I just don't understand!. It must be a design problem if the new NAPSC has a significant effect.
Posted on: 26 November 2002 by David O'Higgins
Has anyone compared the 300 to a pair of 135's ?
Posted on: 26 November 2002 by J.N.
quote:
You swapped your still-venerable 52 for a 202!
Jeez, some folks are suckers when someone is peddling new-for-old (l)amps!
Regards,
Steve.
I can only give a personal opinion on the combo I had at home, unable to tell which bit is doing what.
I have raised enough money from the sale of my old stuff to buy a 252 if I want one, so it's not a case of being financially restricted.
The new 202 - HiCap - 250, simply gave me more musical pleasure in every way, and I was hearing hitherto unheard detail. I suspect that this is due to the much more open soundstage, allowing the music to breathe.
The difference is as ever, difficult to put into words, but the sound has 'moved back' with three dimensions, whilst keeping the PRaT, dynamics and leading edge information.
Being exposed to some non-Naim amps recently, it was brought home to me, what the old stuff just doesn't do.
As I said, some will prefer the 'old sound'; but for me the new stuff is a quantum leap forward in musical presentation and enjoyment.
Posted on: 26 November 2002 by Markus
JN,
Can you please clarify if you have done a direct comparison between your previous equipment/system and the new equipment? Or did you sell the prior system some time ago and only recently bring the new stuff in for a listen? Were you able to do a direct, side-by-side comparison in your home?
Thanks,
Markus
Can you please clarify if you have done a direct comparison between your previous equipment/system and the new equipment? Or did you sell the prior system some time ago and only recently bring the new stuff in for a listen? Were you able to do a direct, side-by-side comparison in your home?
Thanks,
Markus
Posted on: 26 November 2002 by Andrew Randle
The key question is whether the new Naim kit has an improved Boogie Factor. Is there an increase of synchronicity between musicians?
Andrew
Andrew Randle
Linn Binn Sinner
Andrew
Andrew Randle
Linn Binn Sinner
Posted on: 30 November 2002 by Markus
This thread is provocative enough (at least to me) that I hate to see it languish. JN, could you please answer the questions posted towards the tail end of the thread?
Markus
Markus
Posted on: 30 November 2002 by J.N.
Sorry for the delay.
Direct comparison - No. I became tired of some aspects of the sound of the old stuff. I bought a £750 Unison Research 'Unico' integrated amp to drive my Quad ESL57's and couldn't resist trying it in the main system between CDSII and SBL's.
This baby was doing things that my old Naim stuff wasn't getting near to, in terms of soundstage and a three dimensional presentation. BUT; it does not have the PRaT factor or enough balls.
The new Naim kit has the old PRaT factor by the shed load, but for me is so much more involving and relaxing to listen to, because the sound has 'moved back' and exists in a much bigger three dimensional space. It doesn't launch out of the speakers and smack me about the head.
Some may prefer what I perceive as the smacking about the head. So be it.
Andrew: The boogie factor, I can assure you is as good as it ever was.
Direct comparison - No. I became tired of some aspects of the sound of the old stuff. I bought a £750 Unison Research 'Unico' integrated amp to drive my Quad ESL57's and couldn't resist trying it in the main system between CDSII and SBL's.
This baby was doing things that my old Naim stuff wasn't getting near to, in terms of soundstage and a three dimensional presentation. BUT; it does not have the PRaT factor or enough balls.
The new Naim kit has the old PRaT factor by the shed load, but for me is so much more involving and relaxing to listen to, because the sound has 'moved back' and exists in a much bigger three dimensional space. It doesn't launch out of the speakers and smack me about the head.
Some may prefer what I perceive as the smacking about the head. So be it.
Andrew: The boogie factor, I can assure you is as good as it ever was.
Posted on: 30 November 2002 by hi fi fo fum
quote:
Originally posted by Ross Blackman:
That's surprising because it has already been reported (by Mike Hanson) that a 52 was "quite obviously" better than a 282, which implies that it would be much better than a 202. If a 202/HC/new 250 sounds better than a 52/SC/old 250 this would imply that the biggest improvement is from the new power amp. As the power amps appear to have the biggest design changes in the new range (with new output devices), this may be consistent with what you have heard. (Having just bought a CDS2/52/SC/250, I'm kind of hoping that at least one person who has heard the new range will say it sounds worse than the old stuff.)
Ross
Mike Hanson did not hear a buned in NAC282 I was there, altought I think the Nac 282 would give the Nac 52 a better run now, it's been a week
Posted on: 06 January 2003 by Dev B
quote:
Originally posted by J.N.:
It doesn't launch out of the speakers and smack me about the head.
Some may prefer what I perceive as the smacking about the head. So be it.
Andrew: The boogie factor, I can assure you is as good as it ever was.
Hi J.N,
How close to you sit to your speakers, is it very nearfield?
I can sort of see why you might prefer a softer and less projected presentation of the 202/250 as it is exciting you and your room less. When I have been in small rooms I have sometimes to packed away the SBL's wheel out smaller speakers like Kans or Rega Kytes (a bit softer) and use the better amps.
regards
Dev