252 Sound Signature

I’m running a 252/250DR combo and IMO it’s fantastic.

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I agree and think this is where I’ll settle after much procrastination :roll_eyes::flushed:

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What psu?

Not clear to me, you have 252 sc do you want to downgrade?

Supercap DR.

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Superb!!! Top!!!

It will be a fantastic combination. 300DR maybe tempting but 250DR will be enough if that’s where it ends. You can always go for 300DR in the future. But enjoy what you have and your decision.

I had a 250CB and found it wasn’t quite powerful enough for my needs but I was listening to music very loud at the time.

2 x 135s did the trick for me, but the 250CB had the same sound signature and was brilliant.

Obviously things have moved on since then with DR. The 250DR is a great power amp and represents great value for money.

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I have a NDX2/555PS/252/SC and a new 250DR and have been pondering an option on a quite old 300DR.

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…does it need to be serviced? If so cost and can that be done in NZ?

It’s a 2005 unit, recapped in 2014 and DR’d in 2016. I’m not so keen on very old kit, though I do have an Olive SC that has been recapped and DR’d.

What the servicing situation in NZ? If you have easy access to an approved service department, the age of any Naim unit is not an issue in my view, as long as the price is right and the unit is cosmetically in a good state.

Having said this, the 250DR is a brilliant amp. I have no doubt that the 300DR is better in most situation. But I feel the 300 is somewhat “hyped” these days at the expense of the 250. Not sure why – to me, the 250 is a true Classic. Bougth mine irrationally without listening SHOCK HORROR (through the ghastly place SHOCK HORROR, but from a well-known Naim dealer) because I wanted to have one…

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If the 300 was DR’d in 2016, it would have been serviced at the same time?
If so, it’s 5 years old in effect, which I think mine is (I’d have to check the serial # to be sure). I think that’s not bad in terms of age, @Mike_S.

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Well, this is the big question. Naim has just changed the distributer in NZ, so renown Naim service man Chris Murphy is no longer the offical man and no-one else seems to be doing it. I was told by the new agent that warranty work would probably just be a replacement unit and they may train someone in NZ to do servicing, otherwise it would go to Australia. So it’s all a bit uncertain at best unfortunately, especially in terms of Naim parts.

Hmmm – maybe stick with your 250 then… Not a great situation. I remember that there were some issues since the distributor changed – but I had no idea that this also compromised servicing Naim units in NZ. Not great at all!!

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There’s been quite a few people downsizing their systems here after the change and I’d pick that uncertainty of support is a factor.

Ran a 282 with 2x HCDR with a 250DR at one time. Was a very nice combo and well balanced. So would expect the 282/SCDR/250DR to be better still.

It’s quite nice sitting here on the sidelines, watching all this upgrading and mutual encouragement, it’s just like the old days.

The 300 is a very significant upgrade over the 250 and it’s like getting a free speaker upgrade at the same time. What I would say though is that a full six box system is seriously compromised when stacked on a single Fraim, or whatever, tower. When I had a CDS3/555, 552 and 300, one of the biggest improvements I made was to split the Fraim. Having brawn and brain side by side, with the burndies running horizontally between them, makes such a difference in terms of naturalness, openness and just plain rightness. Six big boxes in a single stack is really a couple too many.

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Yes, I’m sure that you are right. There is nothing lacking in my current system, so it’s a good place to stop. I really think, as lovely as a 300 would be, I need a room and space for a double Fraim to make it work properly and I really prefer a single rack. I’m also on SL full loom, so there’s more cost again and it starts to get silly. Best to enjoy the great system and music as it is, otherwise it can be a bit like chasing the end of the rainbow.

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I think that being content with what you’ve got is the key to getting the maximum enjoyment from your system. It’s so easy to want more and more. I’ve spent a delightful evening listening to music with Mrs HH: just a simple integrated amplifier, no Super Lumina, no Powerlines, no fancy pants sparkly bottomed mains block, no Fraim, with a good source and nice speakers, all small and discreet. I thought all that stuff was improving my enjoyment of music, but actually, it wasn’t. Knowing when to stop chasing that rainbow can really help.

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These are the reasons why the 272 was so attractive it converted 4 boxes to 2. Six stack is problematic and 2 stacks is just too much for some.

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