SN2 plus 250 - does that make sense?

the 250 DR is a more powerful amp. maybe worth a trial.

alternatively change of speakers to the usual suspect, Neat, Kudos, Ovators, focal, PMC and Dynaudio... the last one (dynaudio) worked out well for me, but then thats the only one that was available locally at a good price.

do a 272/250 instead. :-)

I've seen an excellent review of the SN2 fronting a 250DR and it will be my upgrade path on route to a 282 I suspect.  My dealer also suggested it may be a nice way to move to separates at some point

dayjay, where is that review I would like to read it

I wouldn't do the sn2+250 - the sn2 preamp isn't that good. 

what's your source?

I can't remember where I saw it to be honest but it was over the last three or four weeks.

One statement doesn't contradict the other. :-)

And - the op will have to get  a hicapdr too. :-)

272.250 is the way to go. :-)

I would keep the current amp

changing the speakers

max out the source

Mango you are lucky enough to heard many Naim kit, can you please explain more

why is Sn2 not good enough for 250DR, but 282/250 is, yet SN2 is 90 % of 282/250 and 272/250 is good.

OMG

What a level of seriousity

Try here

...thanks, Andrew! I guess that answers my question: adding a 250 to a SN2 leads to a worthwhile improvement. At least it sounds like that, more drive and energy sounds good to me

But how could you bear the redundancy of the SN2's power amp? Unless it was just a stop gap position ahead of going to, say, Nac282 and HC...

Chris

Only 87% 'Sound Quality'...

G

Mr. G, I was more hoping for 89%, but oh well...can't have it all

I would say 83.5 % and I stand by that

Given that nothing in HFN seems to get more than 90% – never quite fathomed why, but it seems to be an unwritten rule – and a lot of the amplification reviewed therein is considerably more expensive than the 250, I'd suggest 87% is pretty respectable.

However, I'm never quite convinced by these eye-catching scores, be they percentages, globe, stars or whatever – they're a pretty broad-brush indication designed to catch the eye of the 'at a glance' reader, which is why I'd much rather more concentration was on the written review.

But then I would say that, wouldn't I?

If power/drive is the problem, why not bi-amp ? 

SN2 is configured for this.  Although the manual prescribes 200, I can't see why 250 shouldn't be checked out.....

More seriously: I picked the 250 because of the nominally identical output power rating of 2x80 Watts.

Are those 2x80 diferent from the 2x80 in the SN2? That was what I was contemplating...

While the power specifications are the same, I would venture that the power ratings are average values.  The power supply of the SN2 does have to handle the preamp and the amp sections, while the 250 gets the full attention of the power supply. When the music calls for instantaneous current (attacks of notes) I would therefore expect the 250 to better deliver them than the SN2. But I'm no amplifier designer, simply a pixel-stained hack, so I'll defer to the experts.

Having compared the SN2 to the 250 (olive and DR versions) on numerous occasions to drive my home-built 8" two-ways, the 250 (either version) definitely has the edge in driving the beasts. The SN2 is great for low to mid level listening with my speakers, but lacks ease when driven hard. On an easier load, in a smaller room, the SN2 is more than enough amp.

I found (unlike MM) that the SN2's preamp section was on par with that of the 272. So, yes, it (the SN2) can easily take the 250 without unbalancing the presentation, and should show you more of what the Egglestons are capable of achieving. (Superb speakers BTW)

Jan

From my experience, N272 + 250DR is way better than my previous NDX + SN2 setup. Yes...even with that flimsy XLR 4pin din interconnect vs Hiline which I had previously.

That *flimsy* DIN to XLR is surprisingly good. I prefer it to the SuperLumina DIN to XLR (but I'll keep comparing). The HiLine, on the other hand, pales in comparison to what the SuperLumina does between a source and a preamp. Its contribution is as musically relevant as adding a HiCap to a preamp, or upgrading a CD player (or DAC), thereby justifying its price... OK, flame away !

Jan