The Naim New Classic range - Part 1

I’ve optimised my artistic interpretation to be: excessive pride in one’s achievements :man_shrugging:. Ask a friend for advice.

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Is there really any need for such mobbing and stupid remarks. He is clearly identified as a trade member, so if you don’t like what he has to say then go read elsewhere and avoid such remarks. I would say your remarks are against forum rules from what I read

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I have muted him.

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To replace my 272/XP5XS combo I ordered the new 222/300 combination to connect to my NAP 300 DR with the special cables. My dealer found it nonsense to replace the NAP 300 DR by the new NC 250……
This saves me 7000 Euros…
I hope//think he is right……

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I am sure you will be happy with this combination. However, no one can confirm whether this choice is the best for you. I would advise you to listen in your environment to understand the differences between the 300DR and the NC250, considering that the voicing will be different. On the other hand,

I do not believe that different combinations can lead to synergy problems, since the new NSC 222 has been developed in synergy with the old classic series.

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Re-capping and service life

Sounds like @feeling_zen has the measure of it. Here’s some more information for the curious.

Capacitors

Capacitors are necessary. They are used in power supplies to store energy. They are used for coupling of audio signals between stages and filtering of unwanted high frequency signals. There are many types of capacitor, each have unique properties and selected appropriately for their task.

Capacitor life (electrolytic and tantalum - not film such as polystyrene which do not degrade) has generally improved over the years extending their life. When they are new using them improves their properties as the dielectric forms (insulation between the plates) improving SQ. As a capacitor ages further its leakage increases and capacitance decrease. This has a negative effect on SQ. Replacing them brings the sound quality back. For continued best SQ we find life to be 10-20 years, they continue working beyond this.

(This is not unique to Naim but all electronic products)

Standby
To have the fastest run-in time, disable standby for a few months. Once run-in, ‘warm-up’ (it’s not just a temperature thing) is quick and standby can be used to save energy.

If 0.5W standby is used this will further extend capacitor life. However, if the NC 250 is left ‘on’ the service life is the same as 250DR.

Oxidisation
I find oxidation of connector contacts over the years changes the sound of my system. Especially the speaker sockets on my SBLs. They were not good after several years. To clean them, I repeatably pull and insert the speaker plugs. My house is 250 years old and can be damp that accelerates oxidisation. The same can be done for signal inter-connects.

Mechanical wear
Potentiometers (traditional volume controls) have a usable service life. This is because they have a resistive carbon track with a moving wiper. Reed relays as used in the NSC 222’s new volume control have a specified life of 100 to 500 million operations…that’s a lot of volume changes (Statement NAC S1 was tested 1,000,000 times)

In vintage audio products the audio input selection was via mechanical switches. These would wear and oxidise. Using reed relays allows fly-by-wire and work for the life of the product. Naim has been using reed relays for input selection for many years. (relays sound better too).

Temperature
As a general rule of thumb for electronic design - every extra 10 degrees C halves life. Especially important for internal power components. Naim R&D engineers ensure all power parts have <40C increase of ambient.

Extreme temperature cycling can also effect life, especially on solder joints.

Naim Service
If a product or system is about 15 years old and is not sounding as energetic as you remember it is time to consider a service. Our service team replace serviceable components, clean contacts, inspect solder joints, test the functions and measure the performance.

Costs
Hi @Neil_D and @Mark63 , Yes, ultimately they will need a service in 10 to 15 years or so, longer if you prefer. Longer if kept in standby, shorter if a power amp run at full volume 24/7. This is the same for all marques of Hi-Fi. Our service department will help with costs.

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We now have learnt something significant. @110dB uses SBL’s!

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Sounds like a good approach if you don’t want to listen. There is also features to block certain users. This seems to be the right usage of the forum as opposed to writing the nonsense that has been written

…and I love the SBLs. Using them with an n-Sub, NSC 222 and a NAP 250DR

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Thanks for that Steve, so to be clear regardless of sq does leaving my SN3 on 24/7 reduce or increase cap life or does turning it off and on regularly have a detrimental effect?

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You should try your SBLs active with a pair of NC NAP 250s. Oh wait…

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I bet someone’s wrist hurts

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Steady…

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Just a bit of light humour Richard.
Nice to read the old SBLs are still going strong paired with the new NC250 :grin:

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When your house is finished, you need to get those PMC Twenty5 23 out of storage. I have never heard these speakers, have yours and i version, as good in my room, as I have today, with 222, 300 & 250. I have used these speakers with various systems. I would even go as far, as saying, “in my room”, both ATC 40 actives and passives, which I have owned.
I do remember, having a pair of B&W speakers, which had ferrofluid tweeters. Like you, I had them in storage for a few years. When I finally got the out again, there was hardly any sound from the tweeters. When I took the tweeters to bits, to replace the original ferrofluid, it had gone hard :frowning:. All was well after scraping it out and replacing with some fresh ferrofluid. :blush:
I hope PMC Seas tweeters cope better with storage or you get them out now again and give them a blast.
Anyhow I digress. If you get the chance have a listen to the new classic series and Twenty5 23’s, I think you might be surprised :crossed_fingers:

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Thanks for the really informative reply @110dB, much appreciated

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Let me be provacative Steve, is the new 250 a big step up compared the old one in sq and soundstage?

Yes, leaving on will reduce life. However, if the SN3 at idle is not very warm so not too much effect.
Turing it on/off is fine. It can ultimately stress the rear mains fuse. Caps, transistors etc are fine.

Also never powering it will reduce life. If caps do not get used the dielectric does not form.
My advice is use and enjoy.

Once run in it’ll come on song in an hour or so after a power down.
Some listeners are more sensitive, Roy G and Paul S did not like turning their active systems off.
I leave mine on 24/7

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You could always read the thread…:man_shrugging: ATB Peter

Or… what makes the new 250 better than a 300DR