Just seen 2018 250 DR 2nd hand and would like advice from the forum regarding whether this would be a better upgrade (using SN as a preamp) rather than replacing SN with SN3. Your thoughts?
Current sources: Rega P3, Node via Chord Qutest, Naim Cd player
Speakers: PMC Twenty23s
Thanks in advance.
What are you looking for from an SN3? Does your SN drive your speakers at your normal listening levels?
If its for better control of the speakers then the 250DR would be a good thing. If it is for more clarity and opening up the sound then I would keep the sn as the amp and get a 282 as the pre to feed it.
Hi, John, IMO which of your options is “best” depends on your long term plans. The SQ of the pre in the original SN is at 202 (without HC) level, at the very best. As a long term prospect, the 250 DR would outclass the SN used as pre, but if you have in mind to replace the SN with a 282 in the near future, then the temporary mismatch makes more sense. Otherwise, I’d go for SN3 or even a recent SN2.
Roger
Very helpful comments, as I expected. Still thinking of replacing SN with SN3 as best option, as funds don’t really stretch further.
There’s also the Hicap option for SN.
A 32.5/72/82 or 282/HCDR/250DR is really much better than a SN1, as is a Nait 50.
You could add Hicap to SN1.
Not sure if your money is better spend on source. - Turntable if this is the most used.?
Speaker synergy is super important. I had an SN3 and it was wonderful on its own with Sonus Faber Sonetto II. I than upgraded the speakers to Guarneri and the magic was gone so that I had to upgrade the rest of system. But that initial SN3 +SF Sonetto II combi was wonderful. Gave me so many goosebumps moments
Th SN1 has one unique quality though: it has a relative bold sound and some people may love that. As you most likely know, the Hicap DR upgrade is a very significant upgrade. The SN1 is quite a different beast with it.
That matches my experience. I bought a HC at the same time as my SN1, after extensive home auditioning, and would not have used the SN1 bare. When DR upgrades became available I had my HC upgraded and that was another big improvement, perhaps the best VFM I’ve had from Naim, up to N50, at any rate.
Roger