So, impressions after a couple of days with the whole system:
The soundstage has improve in all directions. Separation has improved, bass is tighter and punchier.
The whole system sounds like it is more grown up. There also lies my current challenge: I miss that cheeky in your face bit that it had before. As @jlewis mentioned, the CDX2 may very well have added a massive dose of excitement that feels sort of…missing. Granted, my mood over the weekend wasn’t great, serotonin levels were very low and I shut down then. Don’t worry, I’m fine
Everything sounds great so far and the 7000CDT is a magnificent little machine in terms of sounds, I may need to keep searching in the long run. It is a great bargain for what it does, but it has it’s annoying quirks.
The display always stays on a little bit while in operation. It’s only off in standby mode.
The drawer doesn’t open far enough (you always need to put the edge of a CD under the facia) and closes too quickly when you search for a CD.
I can’t switch the display on and off with the button. The remote has it, but it doesn’t do anything (the manual mentions this, still odd).
I’ll keep playing with it of course, as it might improve with my mood too, hoping that bit if magic will turn up!
Ironically, just after posting this, during my last listen I finally felt something click a bit more. I sort of stopped the analysis part of listening and just started listening to the music more. I still notice the fact it’s a lot less forward and feels less involving than what I’m used to, which might just be because so much of the system has changed. Still, I’m glad it just felt better, hope for more improvement in that aspect of the experience!
I have this on my shortlist for when I have saved up some funds. Currently working on a house remodel, which will be costly I feel. After that’s been finalised, I’ll see if the more exotic transports are as good as the Audiolab
I do indeed! The NAP250 makes it clear my room could have done with a bit more controlled bass on that end. Loving the presentation it gives. I’m sure with a better front end (say a 252/SC and a better CDT and maybe a 555PS on the nDAC) it’ll shine even brighter!
The NAP250 has had high praise ever since it’s inception in the Chrome Bumper line as far as I know, and it’s well deserved!
The system so far is coming together. In a bit, I’ll check out some different transports. The main thing for me now is seeing what doing a bit of a rebuild around the house will cost (that was already in the planning before the CDX2 read it’s last bits). Then I’ll see what we can stretch to if I wanted!
True, but as the overall design is very similar (bar the change to DR and the move to a larger transformer), then the total parts count will be similar.
There was a change of transformer size, during the CB era. The 250 switched to using the larger 135 size transformer, I think around 1984…? (I know my 1985 version has the larger transformer)
There is a further (bigger) change in the transformer size with the 250.2, carried over to the 250DR.
All 250’s are Great, but some are Greater than Others.
It was hard for me as well - looks like new and serviced in 2018.
But…
Qute2 in use, nait50 in use, 500dr in use, 135 (2001, service 2019) stored together with 52.
Don’t want to be a museum
Thinking about cdx as well (also stored) - but I want to own a cd player.
Looks like I unintentionally unleashed a NAP250 debate
Challenge with Naim is always the upgrade bug. If it has bitten, it’s particularly difficult to treat! In all fairness, if my CDX2 would have been OK, I probably would have been happy with the combination I had for time to come! Now, listening to old music anew, it’s challenging to resist to urge to think what the better stuff could do!
Currently enjoying some Peter Gabriel and it grooves like mad!
I had a weird issue yesterday and today where a CD I was playing lost synchronization with the DAC. Very annoying. It happened later during the albums playback, so might be related to speed of the disc. Will test with some other albums too, this was the same one on both occasions. Would be a bit miffed if either of the devices was faulty, but also if the CD will be an issue, as it’s a very good album!
