The Naim New Classic range - Part 1

It can fly over here, if that’s okay with you :sunglasses:

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Tried to unlock those monster Burndys but no luck. Seems like it’s staying. Lucky me :partying_face:

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NC250 vs 300DR maybe but a 500 no chance, active 6 pack 135 vs passive 500 the 500 came out on top.

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Don’t read too much into my listening session/comments in this regard. It’s a while since I’ve owned any Naim gear, so we’re talking at least a couple of generations back when I talk about the ‘sound signature’. E.g., I used to have a NDX/NAC 72/HiCap and have demoed with slightly higher end Naim gear than that a few times (282/250 non DR), but my really high end gear hasn’t been Naim.

So it could be that the older ‘signature’ was already gone/diminished in more recent Naim iterations…?

Also, it depends which aspect of the ‘Naim sound’ you like - if you mean ‘musical and involving’, the NC 250 and the Uniti Atom HE were, absolutely. But they just retained this while also being natural. I think at that point, personally, I remove all reference to ‘Naim sound’ as real music, heard live, IS both natural and involving - no embellishment required, but also, importantly, nothing taken away.

In short, I like very much indeed what I heard and am seriously considering moving forwards with Naim again, where I would have previously said that I’d moved beyond it. I applaud the development team and the way they are moving with these newer components. Much needed integration of Source/Preamp, sounding great without a dedicated PSU, but there if more is wanted, balanced cables, low standby power modes, integration. And I like hearing about the efforts in R&D and the thought in making the PSUs more universal. This is all good!

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I apologize for creating such a stir and am pleased that the NA009 transistors are included.

It did appear a step backward, though I do understand it is a simpler operating system, and more user-friendly now.

My sincere apologies for upsetting everyone.

I still do not understand why the old NAP 250 product name is used.

always sign off manually,

Warm regards,

Mitch.

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There appears what looks like a cooling fan grill. I am unsure, can anybody confirm, please?

I trust as in the 300DR design it does not intake dust into the circuit boards though draws air over external/internal heatsinks. I am not a fan of cooling fans as they are mechanical components that will wear out. Though with the power-out capabilities of this unit, it is understandable.

Warm regards,

Mitch.

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Yes, there is fan cooling on the new NAP250 to draw air over heatsinks.

The NAP250 name is used as the NAP250 is Naim’s most long lasting and iconic product. It has, of course, evolved considerably from the early days (now in its fourth major evolution) but is still a rare thing; a fully regulated power amplifier.

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Are you tempted Richard to try the NC250 against your 250DR

Tempted yes, but my NAP250DR is sounding so good I’m happy to live in blissful ignorance for the moment.

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Probably the best approach Richard

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That is my favourite autocorrect error ever, and the most prophetic slip in this thread!

Thanks again @110dB for sharing your excellent technical insights and all the cool anecdotes from the development process. Your patience and gentlemanly responses are pure class. I’m really looking forward to hearing your latest gear when I get home next month.

Kind regards and best wishes.

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Get yourself a Boa strap wrench (or similar). Works a treat.

Only through time if it has the Dr flux capacitor mod. (Oh and travelling at 88mph)

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Is the cooling fan cover, by any chance, a Focal headphone earpiece moulding?:slightly_smiling_face:

Thank you for that , Mike.

Thank you very much!

We really did enjoy. Thank you for all the hard work in R&D and for your time on here explaining in great detail the various aspects of the designs, both technical and aesthetic - fascinating.

For us, the new concepts and approach is really working.

Might I ask a question, for you to répond at your leisure (hopefully you at least have the weekend free!). This may have been asked before, as I haven’t had time to read the entire thread, but I’m fascinated by the detail on the NAP 250 you shared a few posts ago. One thing I wondered - why the fan? Are you running bias differently (e.g., higher in class A) or is it simply to enable continuous playing without shutdown if driving hard loads at high levels for long periods?

Secondly, I applaud the standby mode and soft start, is there any form of speaker protection on board - not so much for clipping, more for catastrophic failure (speaker destroying DC, etc.)?

Fully agree, there’s just something about 135’s

Totally agree with your post in general, and that point in particular.

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Well I’m surprised at you. The 135s don’t need any “new” technology as we both know :wink:

Perish the thought. This is bordering on sacrilege.

Get them serviced and recapped and that will be more than enough to restore full enjoyment

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