This thread gets more surreal the more it goes on.
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I think we are into extra time 
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Luckily they have dropped replays this season
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Please blow the final whistle now!
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They think it’s all over ……
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…it is now.
DG…
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MESSAGE FROM OUR SPONSOR DURING THE HALF TIME AD BREAK:
We would like to point out that Edmund-of-Essex is mistaken in his original posting. Since the new Focal-Naim website has been developed more technical information is available for at least the NAP 250 and NAP 350 power amplifier products and customers and owners are encouraged to note that these products have excellent linearity (THD+N) into 8ohms at moderately useful power levels.
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Hi, I_B
Thanks for the multiplicity of suggestions - much appreciated.
It seems that the only post in reply to my genuine question was yours.
The one method I had not thought of was laser! However I checked the idea (for cutting polystyrene with low power laser) and noted that on some DIY forums were significant warnings about the dangers of this. Mainly to do with the risk of the piece catching fire and also the need to have a fume extraction facility as well.
So in light of these considerations, I decided to go ahead with the BANDSAW method.
WARNING, Please do not try this at home!
The bandsaw in question is very old, does not have a safety brake, and also please do not post about the lack of effective PPE.
This thread is the equivalent of a Yoko Ono album.
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I still don’t recognise your interpretation of linearity (see my earlier post). I would expect any half decent hifi power amp to have THD low enough to not be a concern, ditto noise unless intending to use horns or similarly very high sensitivity speakers, so what I find to be of far greater significance, and for the first time suggests the 350 as the first NAP in which I might have real
interest, is the 350’s declared 175W into 8 ohms and 345W into 4 ohms, showing almost perfect power linearity down to at least 4 ohms. Also the claim that “it can deliver a peak power of up to 1.7kW to drive impedance dips of complex speaker crossover networks” is encouraging, while being a monoblock is also good. How it sounds and so whether I’d like it I have no idea…
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Just guessing, but you are not keen on Yoko Ono music?
BTW, me neither. I tried listening to two of her albums today and I was not impressed.
If David Lynch had ever created a thread on the forum…
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….it would have made more sense 
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I got confused with the word, football.
DG…
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Hi All,
It seems not too many people are interested in the data and specifications of the equipment, much preferring what happens on the pitch or in the listening test. As a teaser as we are about to begin the second half here is the Leader Board of the final four:
PS: (The lowest score is the better score)
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Hi @Innocent_Bystander (and anyone else who might wish to contribute).
I would appreciate your input(s) please. As you will note from my original list of amplifiers at the start of the thread, I have yet to finally decide on what amplification to purchase.
Given that it has been (correctly) pointed out a few times that current delivery into loudspeakers at realistic listening levels is very important - and my loudspeakers are indeed quite a difficult load. This is why I am yet to settle on the ‘right’ amplification to achieve best performance from the whole system.
Perhaps you might consider suggesting some amplifiers with minimum power of 50W RMS (any brands of your choice and no budget limits) to drive my loudspeakers that have a sensitivity of circa 87dB/W/m, nominal impedance of 4 ohms and the following electrical loading characteristics below 100Hz:-
Impedance (magnitude) circa 4 ohms in the midrange, lowering to 2.3 ohms between 74Hz and 88Hz.
The (electrical) phase angle is –71° at 50Hz (impedance magnitude at this frequency is 6.5 ohms).
The above, together with the combination of ~3.2 ohms and –54.5° at 60Hz makes my loudspeakers quite a difficult load.
PS: Room volume is approximately 45m3.
Thanks in advance for any help and input you may provide.
I don’t think you’ve named your speakers, and they’re missing from your profile?And I’ve no idea of your budget.
I can’t recommend an amp, but I offer the following: My current and previous speakers (PMC EB1i and MB2 respectively), are both nominally 4 ohm, and reputedly not the easiest to drive. Sensitivities are 89 and 91 dB/W respectively, so a bit less power required for the same sound level as yours. Within the Naim range - and I qualify this by saying I haven’t heard any - I felt the 300 would be the minimum I’d find suitable for my speakers, preferably the 500, but now the 350 is on the scene it seems best of all on paper. What I have heard and can recommend are Bryston amps: the 4Bsst is very capable, neutral, and handled both sets of speakers well. I heard the 7Bsst on the EB1, and it was better still, but the 4B was perfectly adequste. The 4B also was very good on the MB2. I now have gone to an older amp, Musical Fidelity A370, which is a class A amp, and simply makes them sing exquisitely. Interestingly I’ve also heard the A370 on ancient IMF RSPM speakers (4 ohm, 84dB/W IIRC, also transmission line) and they match perfectly.
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Very many thanks for your full and considerate reply.
The Bryston range is a good suggestion for me. I was already aware of them but I had forgotten how effective they could be.
Regarding your point about my lack of loudspeaker information - my apologies - it is a long story but I’ll try to keep it short.
After my first proper system (see my posting to Neilb1906 earlier in the thread) I used Linn Ninka’s with a Naim integrated amp from 2002 until 2019. At this time I wanted to combine excellent stereo listening with AV at the same time. I purchased an Arcam AV860 surround processor and also an ATI 4005 amplifier which I then used with the Linn Ninka’s as main L&R and some Rega Ela’s as surround L&R, with a B&W centre. For the ultimate last time buy (for me) of loudspeakers, I started by choosing from mainly (but not exclusively) UK and European brands of loudspeakers………
ATC, B&W, PMC, Linn, Focal, plus some other European brands plus Vivid Audio.
Then tried some USA brands…….
Wilson and then MAGICO.
In each case I let the dealer(s) recommend the appropriate amplification. Amongst these brands were Vitus Audio, Soulution, T+A, Naim (of course), Devialet and CH Precision.
Prior to all of this activity, my analysis of specifications and respected review publications led me to believe that either ATC actives or Focal Sopra 2 would suit my budget and listening preference.
Well, the budget was blown - MAGICO S series was the out and out winner.
So I have Magico S series for the centre and surrounds and something else Magico for the main L and R .
PS: Since 2019 I have spent more than double (triple even?) on acoustic treatments than I have ever spent on amplifiers in total, ever. As you might conclude from my posting in other threads, I am an advocate of effective room treatments being the best value for money HiFi spend for improving listening experience. This (hopefully final) amplifier purchase aims to restore a bit of balance to the system spend profile.
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Hi All,
The Second half has started and there are new formations on the wings!
Images of the right wing reflection (treatment) strategy below……
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