Stepping back in time...

Posted by: Stephen packer on 26 October 2018

Recently I bought an old NAP250 bolt down and a pair of SBLs (with Mk2 bass/mid drivers).  I was surprised at how sweet this sounded when I compared it to my system (282, 2xHiCAPDR, SuperCap, SNAXO242, 2x200- Gyrodec+SMEiV+Kontrapunkth, NDac sources).  This caused me to buy two more recent CB 250s. (and clear out the 200s and assorted other hifi on eBay)

I've bitten the bullet and sent the 250s off for servicing.  

I was looking at eBay late one night (as always...) and saw a NAC62 for sale for a very reasonable £250

I've just connected the NAC 62, the Bolt Down 250 and a HiCap DR, the NDac and the SBLs.

It's been on for about 40 minutes and it's just getting better and better.

What a lovely sounding set of equipment and nice looking too! 

Almost tempted to get a CB HiCap for it.  Sadly I don't really have the space for a second system.

Posted on: 26 October 2018 by nigelb

Stephen, would love to see a photo of your 'new' set, if possible.

Posted on: 27 October 2018 by Stephen packer

I'll take some pictures in a while...

I've just bought a NAXO2 on an auction site so will be very interesting to see how this sounds (powered by a HiCap DR) compared to the SNAXO242 powered by a SuperCap2.

Am idly wondering if I should just step it all back to Chrome Bumper... Would only need two CB HiCaps now.

Frankly I like the sound that the NAC62/NAP250BD is making and I really prefer the look of it.

Suspect it will be a long time before I sell the 282/SNAXO242/HICAPs/SuperCap2 if I do this though...

Posted on: 28 October 2018 by Loki

Fully serviced it should sound fab. 

Posted on: 29 October 2018 by Lewis

Chrome bumper gear is special.  I have a bolt down 250 and AFAIK it's not ever been serviced but it still sounds fantastic.  I am always surprised when I hook up my Nait 1 or 2, and crank them up.  Even compared to the 135's I usually run they are seriously powerful for such small boxes, I cannot rate them highly enough.  This is partly why I love Naim so much, their products always seem to offer more performance than you expect.

Posted on: 29 October 2018 by Guinnless

You are almost certainly missing out by not having a regulated amp such as your 250 serviced.  The unregulated amps deteriorate more slowly but a service really brings them back to life.

Posted on: 29 October 2018 by Richard Dane

Totally agree.  Some of the unregulated amps can sound really good for many years without a service (NAP110 in particular, for some reason). However a regulated amp like the NAP250 really loses its edge fast after a while and so regular servicing intervals are a must.

Posted on: 29 October 2018 by Simon-in-Suffolk

Out of interest Richard what would you recommend as a service interval for a NAP250.2... I have generally kept  mine switched on 24/7  since I bought it new about 5 years ago

 

 

Posted on: 29 October 2018 by Richard Dane

Simon, I'm not sure I recall exactly what Naim advise on the later NAP250.2 - I think still 8-10 years?  My own NAP250.2 was a very early pre-production one and that I had serviced at around the 10 year mark, mainly because I suspected at the time that performance-wise it was not quite what it should have been. 

Posted on: 29 October 2018 by Loki

I had my 250.2 serviced at 10 years. It sounded very different (and is still improving) on its return, but then the DR upgrade might have something to do with it! But that's my point, if you are going for a service, then get Naim to do the mod at the same time: it is definitely worth it: a whole new spectrum of sound and dynamics to die for: whole new amp and listening experience!

Posted on: 30 October 2018 by Lewis

Might investigate having mine serviced in that case then, will have to go back to Naim as it's 100% mint and i'd not trust it to anyone else!

Posted on: 30 October 2018 by Mike-B
Lewis posted:

Might investigate having mine serviced in that case then, will have to go back to Naim as it's 100% mint and i'd not trust it to anyone else!

Have you thought about a recap (or new x-over) on the SBL's.   The original electrolytic caps in the x-over go out of spec over time just as the big caps in your 250 do.   There used to be a new x-over available from Naim that has modern plastic film caps.   I also believe you can use the SL-2 crossover that does have the film caps,  or just replace the old electrolytic caps with plastic film caps.    A forum search should find some info on this 

Posted on: 31 October 2018 by Lewis
Mike-B posted:
Lewis posted:

Might investigate having mine serviced in that case then, will have to go back to Naim as it's 100% mint and i'd not trust it to anyone else!

Have you thought about a recap (or new x-over) on the SBL's.   The original electrolytic caps in the x-over go out of spec over time just as the big caps in your 250 do.   There used to be a new x-over available from Naim that has modern plastic film caps.   I also believe you can use the SL-2 crossover that does have the film caps,  or just replace the old electrolytic caps with plastic film caps.    A forum search should find some info on this 

 

I feel like I have a special pair of crossovers in my SBL's; 

I bought some replacements a while ago as I thought the same thing, they are old and hadn't been serviced, so surely must need replacement.  Unfortunately the new ones did not sound as sharp, and some of the magic seemed to vanish.  It wasn't like a night and day difference but they lacked that 'wow' factor with the newer versions.  I let them burn in for 2 weeks but still wasn't happy with them, so I refitted the old ones. The magic was back again!  I cannot reason the logic here but I just trusted my ears.

They sound amazing and I cannot fault them, the level of clarity and detail from them always surprises me.  I've bought and sold a few sets of speakers over the years and none of them really 'move me' like my SBL's, I love them.  Even the SL2's do not seem to have that upper clarity and finese that the SBL's achieve.  In theory they should should sound better but there is just something about the SBL's and 135 combo that hits the mark.  My favourite speakers to date I think!  Don't get me wrong the SL2's sound beautiful and have more bass weight than the SBL's but I do prefer the SBL's.  Another pair of speakers I loved and wish i'd never parted with are Linn Kans.  They have great midrange and provide such enjoyment especially when paired with some good amplifiers.  I am on the lookout for a nice pair at the moment for the other room.

 

 

Posted on: 31 October 2018 by stuart.ashen

Well said Lewis. I too prefer Sibbles to SL2. I was lucky enough to get a late Mk2 pair last year with brand new Paxo and gasket set. New grills from Tom Tom finished the project. Lovely!

I have kept my original 1989 pair for emergencies...

Stu