Thanks patk!
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I’ve been thinking about it, and I’m going to buy a NAP-250DR power amp first and connect it to a Goldnote IS-1000 pre-out. Later I’ll get the NSC-222. I initially wanted to buy the 272, but after doing a lot of research, I really see the problem if something breaks. It’s better to buy decent, future-proof equipment slowly. Has anyone used the NSC-222 with the NAP-250 DR Old Classic?
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Probably a good idea, and that’s coming from a 272/XPS2/250.2 user.
The front end of the Naim is very clunky nowadays but can sound fantastic.
Be interested to hear how you get on. I’m liking Gold Note.
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I’ve owned Harbeths almost uninterrupted since 1980 (HL monitor Mk IIIs, Compact 7 ES2s, Super HL5+, Monitor 40.1s, Monitor 40.2 Anniversary). In my experience, most of them will work with just about any decent amplifiers, but the bigger Harbeths (Super HL5s and Monitor 40s) need amplifiers able to tame their woofers, as others have pointed out, or they may sound boomy. Smaller Harbeths (eg Compact 7s) are easier to work with - they made a great system with my then 102/140 combo.
In my room, a 252/300 had a hard time controlling the Monitor 40.1s, but a 552/300DR system was very at ease with the Monitor 40.2 Anniversarys.
I’m now using a modern 70 wpc tube amp to drive the 40.2s and it does the job magnificently, so as always you don’t know until you listen to them in your system.
Claude
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The 250DR is a safe purchase and a great poweramp.
Personally I’d never use it with other Brands preamp, have been there, done that, a no-go for me. Naim need to be paired with Naim - But its your money and decision - sometime things need to be tried.
NC 222 is a cool preamp - but NC 222 money can buy a lot of good Naim preamps, separate streamers, power supplies, cables. etc.. that is if more boxes is of no concern.
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You will have to find some suitable cables for both of these preamps, as the cable Naim supply with the 250DR is not suitable. For the Goldnote you could have the supplied cable re-terminated with RCA plugs. For the 222 Naim sell a special cable to connect the New Classic 222 to the Classic 250, which will cost you around €300.
If you bought a New Classic 250 you wouldn’t need the special cable, but of course it is more expensive.
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That’s exactly what I want to avoid. A maximum of three devices (222/250/300) but buying them all at once would mean waiting three years. Then I’ll do it step by step, because I can’t wait.
Only as a temporary solution! Not forever.
Then you are good to go! In fact you could use this cable with the 222 as well. It has an RCA output, although Naim recommend that you use the XLR output for best results.
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If I buy a NAP-250 DR now and later exchange my Gold Note IS-1000 for an NSC-222, is it important whether the NAP-250 is the DR version, or is a 250 without DR sufficient?
Oleg, did you try the NDX2 with Nait 50? My gutfeel is that is enough power for now and you can buy a second hand SN3 later. Alternatively buy the Naim CI-UnitI 102 with a lot of power https://www.naimaudio.com/products/ci-uniti-102 I use it myself with the Harbeth PS3, which requires a lot of power. In any case I would suggest not to go back to the M30, but to the 7ES. because the seven sounds much more like the five in my experience.
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They are both ‘sufficient’ in that they are of similar specification in terms of what speakers they can drive, but they do have a different character, so you may have a preference for one or the other. Older (Olive and Chrome Bumper) 250s are different again.
Be aware that the non-DR 250.2 may well be old enough to require a recap/service to sound at its best, so check the service history before purchase and budget for a service if necessary.
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No, I don’t have one. The Nait 50 will stay in the bedroom. I want to replace my Gold Note IS-1000 with a Naim.
SN3/NDX2 I wanted that too, but I think 222/250 is better for Harbeth SHL5+
NAP-250 is from 2013 without Recapping and NAP-250DR is from 2019
The 2013 model may well require a recap, so it may not be cheaper than a 250DR which is not yet in need of a service.
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Actually, you’re right.
I ordered the S/H Naim Uniti Atom HE + NAP250DR. This is intended to replace my Goldnote IS-1000 for the time being.
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