252 Sound Signature

I’m not tempted too many boxes for me. I would have considered a 300 with a 272 (or it’s replacement) as 4 boxes are or would be manageable.

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TBH, the offer that I had on the 300 was good enough that it was worth a punt. It’ll take me to 5 boxes, which will mean that the Core needs to move to somewhere else in the house. And if it doesn’t give the uplift that I’m looking for, I can move it on and no regrets.

I keep on being tempted by new speakers, but my SL2s are really good in everything but very-present bass with electronic and rock music. And most of the speaker options that I’m interested in are around $20k, and I don’t need to be spending that sort of money just yet.

As you say, finding where you’re happy with a system and enjoying the music can be really rewarding.

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Indeed taking time out to just listen and trying to forget those tricky upgrade paths is the hardest thing especially if you hang around in here for too long.

There’s members with more black boxes than British Airways. :grin:

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The 300 should be a bit of a revelation with SL2s. It makes them sound about two feet taller, with much greater scale. Though easy to drive, it’s almost like they wake up with a 300. It’s a lovely combination.

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Yes, for me a 300 would become 6 boxes, as I have the 555PS on the NDX2 with the 252/SC/250, which is a stretch too far for me, I think. Mind you, I had a 2 box limit a few years ago! It will be interesting to hear how the 300 non-DR compares with the 250DR with the SL2s. I don’t sense much lacking with a 250 DR on my Totem Forest Signatures.

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I just say I’m rather looking forward to giving it a proper running. The one thing that I have really appreciated this current lockdown has been the stereo (last year was good on the music front, but the 252 is a significant step up).

And I’m sure that 5 boxes in the Fraim instead of 4.5 won’t be too overbearing, right? :wink:

It’s been musical chairs really. My SN2 and HiCap went to Wellington and a 555 PS then came back later on, as I found someone who was after an XPS DR. That was just after I got my new 250 DR from the new dealer, so I’m not so keen on swapping out a brand new amp!

Ooooooo, the 300 is quick and smooth. Just made the move myself about 2 months ago. I have a 282 supercap on the front.

Scott

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I’m really interested to hear what you thought of the difference between the XPS and 555 - I assume this was on an NDX 2 or similar?

It’s one of those upgrades that I hope I don’t end up wanting… If I had a 555 and the 300 then I would need with another shelf from my Fraim (which would make it too high for our TV) or another base (and I don’t want to have two stacks if I can help it.

Ah well, I’ll just need to find solace with my music amongst all these first world problems :wink:

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It’s very easy to be content and scale back when your hearing is shot, but when you can hear what each and every upgrade brings to many there is only one route…

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Every black box I’ve changed has increasingly brought benefits and enjoyment.

Without doing that journey, how would I ever have known?

My hearing, while not perfect, is good enough to appreciate and love the changes I made. I can understand the pleasure in simplicity, but the sheer envelopment in music I experienced in changing from the XS2, SN3 to 282 and on to 252/300…I wouldn’t swap it back unless dire straits ( no, not them) made it necessary.

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Not playing the empathy card tonight then?!

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Yes, a tricky one this, and a similar situation to the one I’ve found myself in needing 6 levels or a second rack to add a 300, or to stay with a 250 and 5 levels.

I initially added an XPS DR to my NDX2 when I had my SN2, and it was a big lift in SQ across the board really, more detail, lower noise floor and more expansive sound stage being the main areas of improvement. Since then I’ve changed from the SN2 to a 252/250 setup - wow :sunglasses:. I then chanced across a used 555PS and had someone interested in my XPS DR, so swapped that about a month ago. It brings more of the same benefits and adds a real level of refinement and finesse. Having said that, I think the 555 PS is too expensive new in NZ and for the same money I’d be looking at a XPS and Superlumina interconnects, but very worthwhile if a nice one is available second hand.

Personally, I prefer source improvements, and would add the PS to the NDX2 over the 300 and stay with the 250 for a 5 box limit though…… But maybe your speakers may influence that?

I’m interested in your choice of the 300 non DR over the 300 DR option?

@Mike_S I’m naturally a “source first” fundamentalist and have been for 40 years, but the one component that has most challanged my natural behaviour was the Nap300 when it was originally released,
Paul.

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Mostly for me it comes down to the SL2’s. They’re a pretty fantastic sounding speaker, and there’s a review (I’ve decided to refer to it as “famous review”) from HiFi Critic that compared the SL2 with a passive (300) and active (2*250) configuration.

The review decided that the active 250 configuration was better, but that the 300 still sounded very strong. Having decided that it was extremely unlikely that a 555 would come up at a price that I would feel worthwhile, the “let’s try the 300” path unexpectedly became viable. I’ve usually been a source first person as well, but have found this an itch that really needs a scratch. And if it doesn’t work out, I can put my 250DR back into the stack and no-harm-no-foul.

The 300 was very well priced, which allows me to see how it works, and maybe DR upgrade later if I decide that’s something that I want, and (hopefully) come in at the same price point.

That said, if a 555-PS came up at the right price, it would be something I would consider very carefully. Especially if it was a stepping stone to an ND-555 :wink:

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I’m also running 252+supercap DR and 250 DR. Could accommodate another space for a 300 plus PSU. Very pleased with the sound and its where I’ll stay.

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I used to have a 6 stack Fraim and moved to 2 x 3 shelf and found the Burndy’s for 252/SCDR and 300 power to head unit hang well without touching floor. RH Fraim from bottom = 300DR power supply/SCDR/300 head unit.

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Oops, meant couldn’t accommodate another unit!

Freudian slip?

But if you could accommodate an additional unit, would you upgrade to 300?