180,250

Posted by: Terence Chong on 16 January 2003

Hey guys,

Me thinking of upgrading again. My room size is bout 10' by 20', with a ceiling height of about 10'.

What improvements would I expect to listen if I should upgrade to a NAP 250 with the current set up I have (ie just replacing the NAP 180 with the new power amp)

As I am using a NAC 72 now with a hi-cap, would the tonal difference be better with the replaced 250 than say, a NAC 102/82 with single hicap with the 250?

I know the later sounds a better combination. I terms of sheer coherence and PRAT, what would be an ideal combination.

Thank you.

All opinions are solely my own and not forceful in any nature.

Posted on: 16 January 2003 by Markus

Terence,

I think the answer to this question partly depends on how high you want to evolve your system and what you will be satisfied with.

I did a demo once, many years ago between the 72/hicap/250 and the 82/180. I was amazed to hear the 82/180 sound better than the 72/hicap/250.

I have used the 72/hicap/250 for several years in my system. Due to financial reasons I had to sell my 250 a few years ago but when I do buy another Naim power amp it will probably be a 250, not a 180. I really like the 250 and once I get it I'll feel like that part of the system doesn't need to be upgraded. Partly I need the extra power of the 250 to drive my speakers. And for the most part I'm "satisfied" with my 72. When funds are available I generally spend them on more music...

If your choice is either an 82/180 or 72/hi/250 the I think the 82/180 is, generally speaking, a "better" combo. If you've already got 72/hi/140 and the choice is between an 82 and a 250 then the 82 will probably provide more music since it will eliminate the 72 as a bottleneck.

Markus