Upgrade from NAP 150X to NAP250.2

Posted by: naka on 14 August 2017

I'm using a pair of recently recaped NAP150X (one for each speaker) to feed my KEF LS50 and I am getting excellent results, but I wonder if a change to a used NAP250.2 can be a worthwhile improvement, since I have no doubt that the amazing LS50 can get to another level.

Does anyone have experience with the 150X to 250.2 upgrade?

By the way, I use the NAC122X/Flatcap 2X as a preamplifier, and NAC A5 speaker cables.

Posted on: 14 August 2017 by Michael Mccullough

What's your source? While the 250 is a big upgrade over the 150x it would be out of balance. I would sort out the source, preamp first.

Posted on: 14 August 2017 by naka

I have several sources:

Naim CD5X

Densen CD 400XS

Rega Saturn (connected to the Teac dac most of the time)

Auralic Aries Femto streamer + Teac UD 501 DAC

Systemdek IX900AP + Origin Live RB250 with Mods + Ortofon Kontrapunkt A + Heed Power supply + Primare R20 phono stage.

I understand your point of view: can a NAC282 be a more effective upgrade for the moment?

Posted on: 14 August 2017 by Barratana

Hi Naka,

I´ve started with 150x/122x my naim route, and was an excelent cobination, it make me to want more, and so I did, I´ve used an NAP 250 ( Olive ) and I got a gain in voices, cords and a more controlled bass.

I could live happy with it, but like always, this is desease....

My last experience with the 122x I´ve added a supercap and a pair of NAP 135, and the 122x was able to show more and more.

So yes, do go and listen to it, in the end you will get to upgrade the 122x too....

Posted on: 14 August 2017 by Chag...

I did upgrade from 122x/FC2x/150x to 250.2 before going to 252 and later to 555DR on nDAC. A no brainer really. While there is little doubt that the 122x/150x pair is one of, if not the best entry level combo Salisbury has ever produced, the 250.2 is a fuller, more detailed and longer amp at both ends of the spectrum. But I agree this upgrade may only be for a short and intermediate step to a 202 or greater preamp.. and speakers for a more consistent or balanced system. The CD5x remains IMO a very good CDP even at that next level.

Chag -