250 vs 300

That’s exactly my experience too, it’s incredible how much deep bass comes out and surprises you even at low volumes. It’s not all in the bass though, so much more comes though, it’s a bit like a source upgrade which I wasn’t expecting as the 250DR isn’t exactly shabby.

I would even more go to 282/ hicap/ 250. With the Ndx2/XPS dr and the Totem Hawks, it’s a wonderful balanced system.
I had it the longest time , with similar level speakers. It could have been my last system.
If I had not the audio upgraditis disease. :grinning_face_with_smiling_eyes:

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second option and stay there.

Thanks everyone for your thoughts. Plenty to mull over.

The 252/SC is a used/serviced option for less than a new 282, so it seems the obvious choice I think? The Totems are the Forest Signatures in the main system, and I also have the Storm sub. Whether that impacts on a 250 versus the 300, I’ve no idea, but either of those are new options only, unless I use the SN2 as a power amp until later on. It would be nice to get it done once, right and have it finished.

In that case, go for the 252 of course. I thought that the Forrest are in the living room, with the Nova, and the Hawks in your office/ dedicated room.

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I used a SN2 as power amp with a 282 for about a month while my 250dr was delayed in customs. I don’t know that I would be happy with that arrangement for YEARS.

What does it mean Bigswell? You think you would not be happy a long time with that arrangement ( 282 into SN2), or you could have been happy for many years with that combo?

Most likely not happy using a SN2 as power amp for that extended period of time. The 282 expanded the soundstage and the SN2 struggled to flesh it out. In my system of course.

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Forrests Sigs are in the dedicated room. Hawks are back with the Nova in the living room.

My dealer actually had the same speakers in his home system and has said before that they will be happy on the NAP300. I do share your concern that I might find them too much for the smaller room and without the possibility of a home demo, the last thing I want to do is spend that much to wish I had gone with the 250. I do like that the 300 has that low volume performance, but the 250 might be the safer option.

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The 252/Supercap does seem the best option given the price is the same as a new 282. I don’t have any direct experience to give regarding the whole 282 vs 252 debate, not at the moment anyway but a 252 is incoming to Trickiedickie towers this week!

I think the 300 will be fine, as I have said before the bass goes much deeper but there’s not more bass as such in terms of a tonal balance shift, it just makes the speakers seem like they are much bigger if you get my drift.

I believe that you use a sub, you may find that with a 300 that won’t be required for music listening.

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Yes, the sub is mainly for the LFE with movies to get a bit of roll and vibration going!

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As you said , the 250 is safer. The 300 may be clearly better or overwhelm your room, as it did for me. And then you will have to bother on acoustic treatment, not an easy work.

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Given the deal on the 252/SC I’d definitely go for that. The SN2 as a power amp clearly drives your speakers well - you know that already - so this is a reasonable interim step. Whether you decide on 250DR or 300DR is a function of your wallet really but the 250DR is a damned fine poweramp…

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For what it’s worth. I have a small room and never for a second had the feeling in that 300DR overpower my setup compared to the 250DR. In my case it was more the opposite but no Naim amp I’ve owned have been a bass monster. If one have problem with this I’d say it’s a speaker issue, not amp.

Hi Slamdam, it can only be the fact that the more powerful amp with increased bandwidth= more bottom end energy simply kicks off room modes. These were always there but not as prevalent with in this case a 250. A higher ranking amp with a lower noise floor also makes it forever tempting to tweak the volume knob up a notch. It’s all about increased pressurisation really and viola room modes rear their ugly heads. ATB Peter

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Hi @Mike_S ,

These are my thoughts having a not dissimilar system to what you are proposing. With the 250CB I found it limiting at higher volumes. I changed it for 2 x 135sCB which is the modern day equivalent of the 300DR.

With that the sound signature was similar but with so much more power. And better at low volumes.

I don’t think the 300DR would be too much at all.

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You seem to have more space than Mike.
e_S

frenchrooster

3d

Here’s a panorama sweetie:

If we compare the distance between speakers

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That’s exactly it! :smiley:

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The better the amp the lower the noise floor is.
The lower the noise floor is the higher we tend to increase the volume.

…and the higher the volume, the more the room modes are present :dizzy_face:

  • So the easy answer to room modes : not buying nice gear :joy:

  • My advice would be : buying the best gear we can afford and… being gentle with the volume knob :innocent:

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Yeah, I can’t say that’s an easy one with the S1 in play mode Thomas :wink: ATB Peter

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