Evolution (or not) of Olive 250 throughout its history.....

Posted by: Mr Mole on 31 October 2015

I'm interested in knowing whether the circuit design or components of the Olive cased 250 changed/evolved throughout it's lifetime in a way that has affected the "sound" of the amplifier. (wasn't it the trafo in the chrome bumper models that changed manufacturer and resulted in a debate concerning the relative merits of the two?)

My reason for asking is simple; currently my active SBLs are driven by a late model 250 (s/n 17xxxx) on the trebles and a Meridian 103D on the bass-mids.

The next step in the evolution of my system is another Olive 250. Leaving aside, for one moment, the serviced vs. unserviced question, is there any benefit in getting another late model Olive 250? Conversely is there any downside to matching my late model with an earlier model?

Posted on: 31 October 2015 by Richard Dane

I assume you are using a SNAXO 242 to have such a configuration. Earlier SNAXOs had one amp per speaker channel.

As such, you can mix Naim amps at your pleasure. Mixing different brands is not so good as there may be gain differences.

The Olive NAP250 had plenty if running changes during production but the big ones were the change of transformer when H&F folded, and the move to 007 transistors in the regulation stages. The latter occurred right at the end of production.

Posted on: 31 October 2015 by b_lund

Downside yes,... Running two 250 active: Naim will adjust them to match properly to do the job, you need to sell the one you got, buying two matched amps or purchase another with serial close to

bet the current active running described are better in passive just one Nap

oh and evolution or not, we are many which prefer the pre 1992 H+F Nap 250's (apart from the recent DR250)

Posted on: 01 November 2015 by mlauner

I have noticed little difference after swapping out olive Nap 250 for CB in active 3 amp NBL configuration.