What do you suggest I should upgrade.

ryder. posted:

I am aware this is a thread seeking for an upgrade but if you are (generally) rather satisfied with the system, I'd hesitate to make a large change as the sonic character of the system may deviate from your ideals. 

I echo the above thoughts as, to my ears, when a 250 (non-DR) is used at the levels cited (>10pm on the dial), it can have a visceral nature - warm, rich and slightly edgy. I think a 300 (be it DR/non-DR) will, in comparable terms, exhibit characteristics of lower noise, greater detail and much better controlled bass. 

I would not make such a change without an extended listen to a 300 in your home and you'll need to ensure the 300 is properly set-up (burndies not touching the floor) and is suitably warmed-up, which takes at least a few days, ideally >a week.

A previous discussion around an upgrade from a CB250 to a 300DR is here:

https://forums.naimaudio.com/t...-underwhelmed?page=1

I owned the very same system as you but with different speakers.

The reason there is some differing opinion here, is that you have a very well balanced system which, by your own admission, sounds really good. I too very much enjoyed that mixture of boxes, although I did DR my 250 and got a very sweet deal trading in my 282 for a pre loved 252 (my SuperCap is a DR also).

So I would think long and hard before making changes, and definitely home demo before committing, All I would suggest is that the only 'no-brainer' is to DR as much as you can afford, it really makes a system sing. Someone did ask a very pertinent question about what your system sits on. Good racking is vital at your level of system IMHO.

It can be tricky to find a synergy with so many permutations in the Naim product ranges but very easy to unbalance a system. Remember, if it ain't broke, don't fix it.

Looks like a really balanced system to me.

I think my 252 plus ScapDR makes the bass cleaner but also significantly lower and with more punch vs 252 and non DR Scap. I know that does not exactly equate to where you are right now, I just mention it because I would challenge your suggestion that electronics might not give you the extra bass you are looking for. Ditto the 300 option.

There are good suggestions for you in this thread but I wonder if the next big step would actually be a ND555 or even a 552 and until you can afford either I'd be tweaking racks, interconnects (the SL one is pretty good and easy to try out) and power cables, and maybe just getting on with enjoying the music.

Bruce

Hi Spudgun

A more “visceral feel to the base” needs to be defined.  

I’d think physics may be against us in terms of very deep bass (my rooom’s around the same size as yours).  When I’ve experienced very deep bass one is usually in a large hall looking at 12” bass stacks.

That said the great suggestions above will improve the overall sound but may not give you very deep bass.  ProAc quote a low end of 20hz but this is fairly meaningless in the real world.  Your speaker has a 6” bass driver and is operating in a 6m long room, so very deep bass is just mot possible, if the speaker was genuinely flat down to 20hz it would likely cause problems in a 6x4 room.   It’s a beauitfully designed speaker and the designer has assumed it will be used in a domestic room so there have to be compromises.

On the other hand In your listening look out for upgrades that improve the insight into the bass.  Are notes from bass instruments and drums separate, can you hear what individual musicians are doing and do they sound tangible and present - this may be the visceral feeling you are really after?

You might experiment with some fairly thick damping on the rear wall or if you can try moving your listening seat.  Bass frequencies are very long (over 11m at 30hz) so they can cancel out as they bounce around your room.  

Seating posion is important.  An interesting experiment is to download some low frequency test tones and move back and forth relative to the speakers while the tone plays, the bass will be louder at certain points (so avoid sitting there).  

Another problem is that so many recordings just do not have much / any information below 80hz.

I would echo all the ‘well balanced system’ remarks. Have you thought about DR’ing the 250 and then demoing bigger ProAcs for that extra bass ‘slam’? I’m running K6s on the end of a 250DR and bass is phenomenal. I appreciate they are definitely not a cheap option, but have you considered the D48r? I have heard them, and they definitely outperform the 30s in respect of presence and bass (as they should).

I’ve only just got my 282 and 250DR, which I’m using with HCDR. My dealer has loaned me SL interconnects including DIN-DIN from source (NDX2) to pre, and 4 pin-XLR from HCDR to 250DR. The 4 pin-XLR lowers the noise floor further and gives a noticeable uplift in gain compared to the stock cable. You could try the SL ICs along with getting your 250 DR’d

hungryhalibut posted:

If I had that system I’d be getting a 300DR. It will really grip the speakers and make things sound both larger and more unforced. It’s a wonderful amplifier. The 282/Supercap is quite good enough for it. 

HH,

I agree totally. Yet, I dare saying that a non-DR 300 would be as good if not better. Lately I did some comparative auditions and removing an XPSDR from a CDX2-2 made such a positive difference that my doubts about the real musical benefits of the DR technology (as opposed to its then necessary commercial introduction) grow and grow.

My opinion only, as usual.

Best,

Massimo

Even the decision to DR the SC or 250 should follow a demo, preferably at home for a week or so. The 250 particularly is likely to change character rather than offer the same but better.