112 with 250

I ran this combination for a while. I had a hicap on the 112. If functioned just fine and many of the virtues of 250 were immediately apparent.
I bought the 250 because of an opportunistic purchase. If you plan on upgrading as you go along why wouldn't you?
Depending on how you want to look at it, either you're maximizing your investment on the 112, or
not using your 250 to it's full potential. Overall it certainly played more music than the 112/150, and if you're moving up, you gotta start somewhere.
Orthodoxy notwithstanding, (too much of that here sometimes), I make my upgrades based on whatever good deal becomes available

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I make my upgrades based on whatever good deal becomes available

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Yes but the "orthodoxy" - as you call it - will instead advise that one should build a strong front end, then strengthen the pre or PSU, before resorting to the kind of mullet that will see you watching TV instead of listening.

It depends on your goal. Do you want as much music as possible for each given upgrade? Or do you prefer to wander the road knowing that the musical puzzle will all be there for you assembled when you reach the end?

I'd avoid the 250 in the example above. Instead, buy an FC2 and enjoy, or upgrade to a CDX. Your speakers need a 250? Ditch the speakers, get something to match the 150, and buy the FC2. Simple. Your competent dealer can easily demonstrate this. Still not convinced? Buy some music, wait until you can afford what you need.

Rico - SM/Mullet Audio

In the USA it's very common to build mix and match systems. Some are quite stunning.
My point was directed more at the compatibility issue of "old naim" functioning with the "new naim".
One should have an overall goal for their system, lest they wander (n)aimlessly about the hi fi landscape. I agree.
Where we part is HOW one attains their goal. Putting a new amplifier in doesn't necessarily lower ones' musical satisfaction, nor creates a mullet if it fits inside an end goal concept.
Many times getting where you want to be requires tangents, particularly if wonderful deals arises.
I like the naim system philosphy. I think it's ridiculous to exclude the combination of old and new. Followed to extremes, my hicap shouldn't have been the proper purchase for my 112! Source first is a valid concept, not an unyielding law.
An arguable point is - does each individual purchase have to be the most vfm at the given moment, or, does each individual purchase count as
overall vfm towards an overall system goal?
Some will say I've a mullet now. Next year I will have much better system and saved a ton of money.
For me, this is a long haul project. Knowing where I want to go, I'll buy cheap when I can, regardless of which piece of the puzzle I'm getting, I know what the finished picture will be

I very much agree with Bob Shedlock's posts in this thread. Essentially, all naim equipment is compatible with each other, regardless of vintage. There's not a thing wrong with slotting a 250 into your system at this point in time.

Recently on the phonogram list, there were a series of messages focused on the theme of "enough". These messages basically spoke to the question of upgrading and expressed the idea that yes, there is always something better out there but WE have to decide when our systems are "good enough". I love what a 250 does for a system and believe it is a worthwhile upgrade regardless of what's upstream.

Good luck on the pathway,

Markus

...but his post didn't read to me as if he was saying "don't do it" -- he was simply stating a sound general principle.

In fact if you think of the 112 as a sort of 72 replacement, and consider that when introduced, the 72 was the top preamp (plenty of 72/135 combos still around, surely) then 112/250 makes perfect sense.

BUT: The 250 can't power a preamp, so you'll need to hobble the CD5 by pinching its FlatCap 2. In this case therefore, the cost of the 250 would have to be considerably less than available upgrade funds just to allow for purchase of an additional *Cap.

A used CDX would be much more effective use of funds, IMHO, Then a HiCap. Then think about the 250, maybe.

Best;

Mark

(an imperfect
forum environment is
better than none)

Thanks to all the replies its a bit difficult to get a demo from the seller, the serial no of the power amp is 90191, which i check with the naim site, belongs to 1993(unless i get it all wrong). selling at around $1100pounds. Is it worth it? Does it mean that i have to sent for recapped

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There is nothing wrong with taking advantage of buying opportunities, even if they lead to mullet systems. You know I’ve done this many a time.

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Oh no, there's nothing wrong with this. It just leads to further more expensive purchases, often sooner than the purchaser had intended/imagined. I've even done it myself on occasion - I learned the lesson.

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The difference is, I knew what my end game was.

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You always knew your end-game was a CDSII???

The most musical route is still through source-first. The LP12/Nait2/Kans system cannot be denied. A 250 in the system mentioned above will be a waste of time/resources.

Just my 2p worth.

Rico - SM/Mullet Audio

PS - the alternate take on the picture-puzzle is this: I could be dead next week! I'd be gutted if I'd lived with less music between now and then for sake of opportunist resistribution of resources within my own system. Or listened to less music.

[This message was edited by Rico on MONDAY 29 July 2002 at 08:09.]

David,

I suspect that a 250 would have sounded way better than the 180.

Reportedly, the 112 is way better than the 92, and therefore is a better match for the 250.

If your system has the FC2 powering both the 112 and CD5, you won't need a hicap immediately. If the 250 has not been serviced, it's about due.

If you're a true opportunist, buy the 250. If you don't like it, you can sell, perhaps for a profit. Personally, I far preferred a 72/hi/250 to an 82/hi/140, but this is a minority opinion.

If you're more methodical, you'll probably get better music by putting your $1100 up front, like an LP12/valhalla/Ittok - or using your $1100 and CD5 to buy a used CDX.

Phil

[This message was edited by Phil Barry on MONDAY 29 July 2002 at 17:42.]