250.2 to 250DR upgrade

Naim claim it is identical and will even change the backplate to identify it as a 250DR model.

Naim tend to make minor tweaks to their products over the years - e.g. the odd component will be replaced with another manufacturer's if it becomes unavailable, or possibly very minor changes to wiring arrangements. Essentially however products remain the same throughout their life an my understanding is the DR modded 250.2 is essentially the same as a new 250DR. Remember though you may benefit from a service depending on how old your 250.2 is.

As yours is 2008, it shouldn't need a service quite yet, but you will save money and time without it by getting the service and the DR upgrade down at the same time, so if it were me I would get both things down together anyway. And yes I would service and upgrade rather than buy a new one, but I suppose it depends how wealthy you are feeling!

best

David

Thanks for the info....I would probably get it serviced at the same time as DR'ing.....it's an expensive condition this upgradeIts!!

Upgradeitis that should read....love predictive text....

Arnsider posted:

Upgradeitis that should read....love predictive text....

Yes...you can see my iPad much prefers down to done in my last posting!

And my iPad prefers an to and!

I asked Naim this question directly when I saw a very recent 250.2 come up for sale locally.  I specifically asked if there were any differences at all/any minor changes that an upgrade wouldn't have & I was told they would be identical.

In the long run I didn't end up going with the 250.2 but did get a 250DR, never had a 250.2 to compare it to, but compared to the 200, it is a very worthwhile step up.  It should likely be a long term keeper for me.

The upgrade replaces the amplifier and power supply circuit boards, and the 007 transistors are replaced by the new 009.  So, presumably what remains unchanged are the casework and transformer, perhaps wiring loom?  These components are presumably unchanged in the DR version from the 250.2?

i have not heard any reports from owners who have yet upgraded their 250.2 to DR, so therefor no listening coparison between the new amp vs the upgraded version.  

Charlie

I think there is a huge backlog at the moment. Mine went to the dealer 2 weeks ago as they had been given a date - but it has just sat there and they have now admitted they are clearing a big backlog and cannot give a date, so I am collecting it today.

Not surprising really, I bet the demand is huge!

Naim indeed told me the backlog was huge and not DR related (which is just part of it). They have regular servicing comittments and have a large backlog of regular services to get through.

In my case, the 250 will be going abroad for the upgrade. With customs that will add up to a week either end making 5 weeks total assuming Naim stick to a 3 week window. Being a realist I discussed with my dealer that 5 weeks with no tunes is going to be tough (even with decent headphones). So I proposed buying a NAP100 at the same time to swap in while the 250 was on vacation and then move it to the UQ2 later. The reaction was that they'd love to take my money but to please be patient, not waste the money and buy the same value in music instead. Not sure I agree but you gotta respect that integrity.

Well if you already have UQ2 .... I do agree I don't like headphones that much for listening either

feeling_zen posted:

Naim indeed told me the backlog was huge and not DR related (which is just part of it). They have regular servicing comittments and have a large backlog of regular services to get through.

In my case, the 250 will be going abroad for the upgrade. With customs that will add up to a week either end making 5 weeks total assuming Naim stick to a 3 week window. Being a realist I discussed with my dealer that 5 weeks with no tunes is going to be tough (even with decent headphones). So I proposed buying a NAP100 at the same time to swap in while the 250 was on vacation and then move it to the UQ2 later. The reaction was that they'd love to take my money but to please be patient, not waste the money and buy the same value in music instead. Not sure I agree but you gotta respect that integrity.

The reaction you really want is 'there you go sir, borrow this 100 for five weeks, with our pleasure'. If that's not possible, how about a Qb, which you can later use in the kitchen. 

Hungryhalibut posted:

feeling_zen posted:

Naim indeed told me the backlog was huge and not DR related (which is just part of it). They have regular servicing comittments and have a large backlog of regular services to get through.

In my case, the 250 will be going abroad for the upgrade. With customs that will add up to a week either end making 5 weeks total assuming Naim stick to a 3 week window. Being a realist I discussed with my dealer that 5 weeks with no tunes is going to be tough (even with decent headphones). So I proposed buying a NAP100 at the same time to swap in while the 250 was on vacation and then move it to the UQ2 later. The reaction was that they'd love to take my money but to please be patient, not waste the money and buy the same value in music instead. Not sure I agree but you gotta respect that integrity.

The reaction you really want is 'there you go sir, borrow this 100 for five weeks, with our pleasure'. If that's not possible, how about a Qb, which you can later use in the kitchen. 

Haha. I reckin if the 100 didn't have to be sent 600 miles by air then borrowing would be an option.

My main system is already in the kitchen.

Hi, I've been waiting now for almost 2 months for Naim to return my 250.2!  Luckily I have a Unity so not totally bereft of decent music reproduction.  Getting to appreciate the Unity and realising that the some of the drop in quality from the 250, could be improved with even better speaker support.

Best wishes Amer

I am intending to get my 250 DR'd - I was planning to get it done in the recent period when I was moving house but it fell off the priority list as moving became a lot more demanding than I expected. My question refers to advice above about having the 250 serviced as well the DR work. Surely this is redundant as whatever needs servicing would be covered by the DR work. Certainly there was no suggestion when I discussed this with my dealer that I would need a service as well, and I was at the same time talking about getting my 252 serviced.

Clive

Servicing and DR'ing are separate tasks. A cost benefit is to be had by doing both together.

G

I do not know if the reservoir capacitors are retained or replaced.  Best that you inquire explicitly to Naim or your dealer.  Perhaps Richard knows?

A service and or re-cap is separate and or additional to the DR upgrade.

I am having both done (cheaper to have done at same time) as my 250 is a 2003 model. 

Soooo.. Does anyone know the DR mod lead time at present?

Ages and ages.....

Simon-in-Suffolk posted:

Soooo.. Does anyone know the DR mod lead time at present?

Sorry Simon. Naim told me only last week that they could not even predict how long the current general service shop backlog would take. The reply was very much in the vein of "We'll get to it when we get to it"

Mind if I ask the cost for both DR upgrade and servicing together sprintgt?

For USA customers who use AVOptions, the upgrades a service fees are in the price list on their web site.  I don't know what it costs in the UK or elsewhere.

Arnsider posted:

Mind if I ask the cost for both DR upgrade and servicing together sprintgt?

Late last year the costs for upgrades and upgrade plus service were quoted as

NAP 250/2; Upgrade £995; Service and upgrade £1295