Mixing 135s and 250s in an Active Setup

Posted by: Tim Danaher on 05 February 2002

Does anybody have experience of the above?

Current amp setup: 32.5 + HiCAP into 2 x 135s into PMS Isobariks (External Crossover model).

Front ends : Linn Valhalla, LVIII, Troika / CD 3.5 / FlatCAP

I picked up a NAXO 3-6 at a bargain price and now have the opportunity to get hold of 2 x 250s S/H. Doug at Naim told me the best way to go would be the 135s on the tweeters.

Another HiCAP will power the NAXO (but better NAXO with my FlatCAP and 3.5 with HiCAP, no?)

CD will be upgraded later

But: from posts here I gather that the 250 and 135s have different sonic characteristics -- the 250 warmer and sweeter, the 135s more punchy and grunty. Been a long time since I heard a 250. Is mixing them a good idea? or is 3 x 250s a better way to go? (I think 6 x 135s are a little out of reach at the moment ;0)

Any comments would be appreciated,

Cheers,

Tim

Posted on: 05 February 2002 by Manu
Never tried it.
The general rule is to put the better amp in the highs.
Anyway, you have no choice, if you want to keep things standard. In a 3 way system, low and mid share the same amp; one for left channel and one for right channel.

Emmanuel

Posted on: 05 February 2002 by vimal
I first went active with the Briks,using
3x 250s,and had to go in steps to to get to a six pack.
step 1
2x135 for left and right HF
2x 250 for Left and right MF and LF
this is the only way to connect as the Naxo 3-6
and Naim way of connection will not permit it any other way.(unless maybe with modifications)
step 2
4x135 for left and right MF and LF
2x250 for Left and right HF
step 3
6x135 for full six pack setup.

The way Naim connectthe power amps, is to drive
the left MF and LF together and the right MF and
LF together.
If you want more info please mail me

Posted on: 06 February 2002 by Tim Danaher
quote:
Originally posted by at home in Rochdale:
you should listen to Doug

Best bet to look into upgrading your CDPlayer or pre-amp.

Still

DC

Thanks, DC. I wasn't questioning Doug's advice, simply stating it. Point taken about pre-amp and CD player: however -- and this may be sacrilege -- I'm undertaking this as a 'restoration' exercise: I want to put together the Linn/Naim Tri-Amp system that I lusted after after as a kid after reading about it in the December 1980 issue of 'Popular Hi-Fi' (bolted-case 250s and Isobariks on castors -- but I'm not going that far...).

CD upgrade, definitely, but at the moment I only have 30 CDs! I bought the CD 3.5 / FlatCAP at a great price Second Hand a few months ago, to see how CD would compare to my Linn. And I really like the 3.5/FC's presentation. It's different, but still highly enjoyable.

Once the 'vintage' system is complete, maybe I'll think about upgrading. A S/H CDX would the way to go, I think. Can a CDX be upgraded with a SuperCAP/HiCAP, or does it need an XPS?

Cheers,

Tim

Posted on: 06 February 2002 by Bosh
Has to be an XPS or a CDSPS (CDS1 power supply)
Posted on: 06 February 2002 by Ron Toolsie
quote:
I want to put together the Linn/Naim Tri-Amp system that I lusted after after as a kid after reading about it in the December 1980 issue of 'Popular Hi-Fi' (bolted-case 250s and Isobariks on castors -- but I'm not going that far...).

Yes, I too heard the famous tri-amp system circa 1978 as a teenager. Compiling the electronics from that system would not give the same flavor though, as a large part of that overpowerful bass presentation was due to the Supex cartridge (and its poor matching with the vestigial Grace tonearm). A contempory turntable/arm/cartridge would give a nimbler but more insightful presentation. But I still remember Chuck E's in Love billowing forth, slackening my jaw, raising my hairs and redefining my expectations.

Ron
Dum spiro audio
Dum audio vivo


Posted on: 06 February 2002 by Tim Danaher
quote:
Originally posted by Dave Cattlin:
If you're going to build a system based around the old lp12/32.5 etc briks, then all well and good.

But you really could get much better spending a fraction of the money on more modern kit.

Dave

Again, point taken, but since I already own the whole rig apart from the 2 x 250s needed to go active, nothing's going to stop me now. And like Ron says in his post -- it really *is* a Naimstalgia thing...

Cheers,

Tim

Posted on: 06 February 2002 by vimal
step 2
4x135 for left and right MF and LF
2x250 for Left and right HF

Sould have read 1x250

Posted on: 06 February 2002 by Mark Gilbert
I have been mixing 250s w/135s for years. They do have differing sound character and punch so mixing is not an ideal but still yields excellent results and can be a very practical way to progress on an upgrade path.

I wouldn't call the 250 warmer/sweeter and the 135s more punch & grunt. I first want to make sure you understand that I like 250s as excellent amps. I would describe the 135s as much more refined, smoother, richer, more relaxed, a more natural sound and flow to music, and more controlled (this especially draws people to comment on the bass where I believe the references to punchy and grunt are understandable but the control shows in tight, clean, musical results). Those are my references and there are bound to be others who describe things differently. FWIW my bases of comparison are primarily on CDS and PT Anniversary/ARO/Prefix/Goldring Elite or Lyra Lydian and Clavis DC and other similar level sources through 52 to SBLs and DBLs.

I never used Briks so you might find some differing results compared to my own. Definitely put the 135s on the tweeters. For now it's good to put the 250s on Mid & Low Left and Mid & Low Right.

If you add more 135s later you could use the 250s in a "mono" configuration by internally disconnecting one channel. When this is done the revised 250 sounds much closer to a 135 than a 250.

Naturally, when you are approaching the idea of a six-pack of amps, you may want to consider trading all the amps and naxo on a 500 amp that would sound better than the six-pack. Just a thought to keep in mind.

Hope this helps and Have a Great Time!
Mar

Posted on: 09 February 2002 by Tim Danaher
...I'll let you know how I get on!

Cheers,

Tim