More NAP250.2 for my Home Cinema - the Journey

Hello,

I would like to share my experience in the home cinema sector and Naim w.ith you

In the room already presented here, I started with a Naim AV1, a NAP 250 (olive), a NAP 180, a NAC82, a couple of Allaes speakers in the front, and a Credo speaker in the back. A Nubert AW1000 served as a subwoofer. That must have been 25 years ago!

Over the years, I’ve expanded and improved a lot. In 2006, I bought the new AV2, the DVD5 (the best sound system ever - of all DVD, Blu-ray, and UHD players on the market!!!). I also learned a lot about sound and the impact of individual components and cables/tuning.

A lot has happened in the meantime. I bought the NBL and owned a NAC 282, then a 252,

CDX2, XPR, then a 555PS (the best power supply for the CDS3 – only then does it really come into its own) and several NAP250s in olive and then in the Classic version. I also added a NAP300 and finally NAP300DR and even more nSubs. The projectors in recent years have always been from JVC.

Last year, I upgraded to Atmos and installed 4x NSat speakers and powered them with the fantastic NAP 100.

For even more homogeneity, I then had the idea of ​​​​powering the upper speakers (highs) with NAP250s as well.

To avoid adding another level to my left-hand device tower (currently 9 levels), bringing it to 10, I decided to remove the second power supply from the NAP300DR. I sold the non-DR NAP300. I was a little sad. The second power supply simply creates even more space and authenticity.

Still, the path was clear. At some point, I’ll switch to a NAP500 for the fronts.

Two days ago, one of the two NAP250.2s came back from recapping. The other one is still perfectly fine and sounds fantastic on the NBL. Fast, great resolution, and a truly structured, compact bass! You really don’t need anything more!

The NAP300DR, of course, makes everything even better—you know how it is!

6 Likes

For the Atmos speakers, I also chose the same cable length in pairs. I only ran 50 meters of cable for the four height speakers.

3 Likes

To connect the amplifiers cleanly to the AV processor, I assembled several adapters and cables. This alone took me two days :slight_smile: I used high-quality plugs and cables and old silver solder

1 Like

What is the current status:

Front NAP300DR NBL
Center V145 Axent
Sides NAP250.2 Credos
Back NAP250.2 Credos
High Front NAP250.2 nSats
High Back NAP250.2 nSats
Subs aktiv 4x nSub
Pre NAC252
SupercapDR
AV Pre Primare SP25
CD CDS3 with 555PS
4k UHD Pioneer UDP-LX800
Beamer JVC DLA NP5
Racks Phonosophie with Grounding
Multiple Power sockets Phonosophie AG, Direct power supply from the fuse box. The fuse is a Neozet fuse with silver contacts.
The entire system including the projector is connected here to avoid potential differences.

2 Likes

Thanks for sharing, you have a most impressive system. It reminds me that I need to reconnect my AV2. I’ve not used it during summertime but now winter is approaching I should really start using it. It gives the best av sound I’ve had in my house. I’m sure there is better nowadays but still … for the money … an AV2 is great. Some years ago we watched The Crown and even the tune of the series was fabulous to listen to. Music really!

Your star of the show is imo the Axent though!

Thank you very much! The AV2 is the best AV processor for DVD formats (DD up to 768 kbit, DTS up to approximately 1200 kbit). At higher bit rates on Blu-ray, the core area is extracted, which can lead to the feeling that some audio information is missing.

Incredibly good for stereo music with a suitable soundtrack!

I spent a long time looking for a suitable replacement and came across the Primare SP25, and I’m really happy with the sound. It’s really good in 7.1.4 - Atmos tracks and DTS tracks are particularly breathtaking.

But yes, install your AV2! I still have mine :slight_smile:

How does it sound in surround sound?

Because the highs now “see” the same power amp characteristics, everything is even more homogeneous and spatial. Vocals that are supposed to come from the middle of the room now also appear there, and it seems more natural because the timing is just right.
I’m a real fan of the NAP250.2, and I think this power amp is completely underrated. For NAIM AV enthusiasts, this is a real opportunity to get one for their setup at an affordable price. Even if you don’t want a 250, any Naim power amp will be significantly better than what’s built into 99% of AV receivers.
It’s obviously an extreme effort, just the setup, the cables to the power amps, the power connection, and then to lay the cables in an audiophile-friendly way—it’s practically impossible. You’re definitely making compromises in the stereo plane, that’s for sure!
But I’d never want to miss the overall concept again.
I would like to encourage the Namies to do it if they have ever thought about it:-)

It’s so much fun!

Such a beautiful amplifier:-)

2 Likes