New NAP 250 - 1 Month In

Posted by: sjt on 18 September 2018

I got a new NAP 250 about a month ago, and here are my impressions so far. Overall I am very happy with it.

I think it is improving as it runs in, but it is difficult to tell because I don't trust the memory of what it was like when I got it. But I THINK it is getting better all the time!
There is a nice wide soundstage. There is good solid & stable positioning of elements within the soundstage - I find I am looking at different positions depending on what's playing in a song. The positioning feels more 3D - I can see stuff at the back and at the front.
It is very crisp - drums and any electronic beats sound very good. I think this is down to its transient performance - the massive power supply transformer and stiff regulation.
The bass is impressive - I don't remember that weight and control before with the old amp.
Everything sounds a bit more real.
The amp's improvements seem much more noticeable on rock / electronic / dance than classical.
I also use it for TV and Paw Patrol sounds great through it.
All this is a big improvement over the old amp (NAP 100) and overall I am well pleased.

Some non-sound observations:

When I turn it off it takes about 2 mins for the light to go out!
I have got NACA5 cable that came with banana plugs both ends. When I put them in the 250, the stiffness of the cable kept pulling the plugs out of the amp! I replaced the bananas on the amp end with the proper Naim plugs and that keeps them nice and tight.

The rest of the gear is DAC-V1 & KEF LS50. I have a vague plan to upgrade these bits if and when I can save up, but at the moment I am very happy with the improvements the amp has brought.

Posted on: 18 September 2018 by Adam Zielinski

Good call with the Naim amp plugs.
Worth checking that the speakers are wired ‘in-phase’ - easy to make a mistake with NACA5 and Naim plugs (ahmmm... been there myself... ahmmm... crazy )

Enjoy the music!

Posted on: 18 September 2018 by stuart.ashen

I havn’t turned my amp (300) off for over a year. Best left on permanently IMHO SJT. The 250 is classic Naim, enjoy!

Stu

Posted on: 18 September 2018 by RaceTripper

stuart.ashen posted:
I havn’t turned my amp (300) off for over a year. Best left on permanently IMHO SJT. The 250 is classic Naim, enjoy!
Stu

I keep my 250DR and HCDR (for 282) powered on all the time.

Posted on: 18 September 2018 by ryder.

The 250 DR will continue to open up (sound better) with time. 1 month is still relatively new. I think the burn-in will continue up to 6 months with normal use, sounding even better when you give it more time.

So you've got a big improvement going from the NAP 100 to the NAP 250 DR on the KEF LS50. For me, it's from a NAP 200 to the NAP 250 DR.

Another note is the differences or improvements with the 250 DR will be even larger and more significant if you use larger speakers with 200mm diameter bass drivers, in my opinion and limited experience.

Posted on: 19 September 2018 by Loki

Just upgraded a 9 year old 250.2 to DR. Noise floor has dropped, clarity, control, less distortion transparency, depth of resolution, rhythm and pace all improved. Just listening to Muse Drones: I have never heard so many levels of bass and associated harmonics. Effortless and silky smooth, and only 6 weeks in.