250DR

Posted by: Alan Willby on 22 December 2015

Never started a post before - but just over a week into 250DR purchase (upgrading a 2012 vintage 250) and I think it is the most significant step up that I have ever made. In fairness it has all the benefits of building upon my other upgrades over the last couple of years (XPS - XPSDR, 2*HiCap - SCDR, 282 - 252, 200-250(!!) and Chord Signature TA interconnects - all of which I was, and remain, very happy with vfm wise) - but this is in a different league. I was not planning it as clearly I didn't know it was coming as per the other DR releases. It was only the fact that I will need to shut my system down for four or five months next year whilst building an extension that made me think I would send my 250 to the factory for the upgrade. However the trade in I was offered when I spoke to my dealer made a new purchase attractive - so I did it and I am glad I did. Quite a bit has been written about these NAP DR's and I will not add too much to those views as it is all a bit subjective but I would say that if you have anything up to a 250 you owe it to yourself to have a listen as there are real improvements to the delicacy and, at the same time, the sheer drive of the amp. Andrew Everard's review in hi-fi news said that the 250DR 'isn't quite revelatory' - which I think is a fair assessment, but goodness me it is very close to being so.

Posted on: 22 December 2015 by ChrisH

Sounds like you're onto a winner there Alan, sounds a lovely set up.

Must try and get a listen of the 250DR, it sounds a cracker.

Enjoy your even better system this Christmas!

Posted on: 22 December 2015 by J.N.

Good stuff Alan. The DR upgrades are one fine example of why I love Naim amplification. A lot of work has gone into making a very fine range of amplification, even better.

A friend with a new DR-250 has recently adopted the trick of direct connection to a 13 amp socket (as opposed to a mains distribution block feed) with clearly audible positive results; so do try this if you can.

You have more to come as your amp burns-in and settles down. Enjoy.

John.

Posted on: 22 December 2015 by Pawson6844

My dealer has just installed mine this afternoon. On a brand new Fraim too. Wow wow wow, It's only been on 5 hours. Perfect for the Xmas hols

Posted on: 23 December 2015 by David Hendon

Unfortunately the Naim factory have decided they prefer to go home for Christmas than to stay behind and build my 250DR, so it will be mid-Jan or thereabouts. Can't wait......

best

David

Posted on: 23 December 2015 by Karl

My 250DR is now 6 months old and i am still surprised at the amount of detail it brings out compared to the old 250,a truly wonderful product.

Karl

Posted on: 23 December 2015 by T38.45

Agree, it's an outstanding amp even with a non-Naim preamp!!!

Posted on: 23 December 2015 by Alan Willby

J.N. posted:
Good stuff Alan. The DR upgrades are one fine example of why I love Naim amplification. A lot of work has gone into making a very fine range of amplification, even better.
A friend with a new DR-250 has recently adopted the trick of direct connection to a 13 amp socket (as opposed to a mains distribution block feed) with clearly audible positive results; so do try this if you can.
You have more to come as your amp burns-in and settles down. Enjoy.
John.

I am going to install a dedicated hi-fi ring/spur (will talk to the electrician) as part of the extension as long as it is not too disruptive (consumer unit is at other end of the house!). Assuming it can be done I will have 3nr double unswitched sockets of the best quality I can find. I will plug the XPS, SC and NAP into these. I might try out some Power Lines if I can get them on loan. That will give me some headroom for future expansion (not that I am planning any - though an NDX is always a possibility should hi res ever develop any real content). Be interesting to see if it gets rid of hairdryer induced transformer buzzing (not that I listen to my system when SWMBO is tending her hair!!)

Posted on: 24 December 2015 by catalinmetal

the 250DR is a far more neutral amplifier than the older one if you ask me, and is no wonder it shows very positive results to all those who have upgraded their 250.2's...

congrats on your upgrade, Alan!

i'm glad to see that people restarted to consider power amps as a very important link of the audio chain, and the benefits they bring... i think "balance first" should be the new "source first"!

Posted on: 24 December 2015 by Simon-in-Suffolk

Alan regarding your wife's hair dryer.. I'd be surprised a dedicated ring/spur/radial will make a huge difference unless you are sharing a common radial or even a ring between Naim and hair dryer now.. You could ask your wife to put the hair dryer on full heat .. That might reduce the buzz on the Naim transformers... Hmm .. Might be easier to try a seperate radial

Simon

Posted on: 24 December 2015 by Alan Willby

Simon - It's not a big issue but it is indicative of the amount of 'noise' in the electrical supply and it would be nice to smooth some of that away if possible. I'll listen to what my electrician has to say. I'm sure he will think me mad!

Posted on: 24 December 2015 by David Hendon

Alan

It might be cheaper, and get you more brownie points, to buy her a new hairdryer!

best

David

Posted on: 04 January 2016 by The Strat (Fender)

Chaps,

Installing a dedicated radial improved the sound of my system considerably and cured all the spikes and stuff that were happening through my speakers.

David - it's 4th Jan the factory should be in full swing by now!!!!

Regards,

Lindsay