I am Confused, please supply a link. I still do not see the mention of NA009 transistors. It does mention Class A/B thus crossover distortion. Have we gone backward or reinvented the past to make it more palatable for the current economic times?
Old stock ICs
The new classic NAP 250 uses a full discrete transistor signal path, with no ICs.
No NA009 power transistors
The new classic NAP 250 uses NA009 power transistors for both the DR regulators and amplifier output stages. They are mounted on ceramic insulators to minimise circuit to chassis stray capacitance.
2-ohm loads
The new NAP 250 will drive through speaker impedance dips. It has been tested into 8, 4, 2, 1 and 0.5 ohms. Peak power into 1 ohm is 780W. I find this is especially critical for loud piano passages to play without fatigue.
NA009 power transistors
Eight of our custom power transistors developed for the Statement NAP S1 are in the new classic NAP 250. Interesting fact: During dev all ferrous materials were removed from the transistors. This effect can be heard not only in the listening room but also during high pulse power on the lab bench; the first prototype NA009 legs could be heard vibrating the PCB. Each NA009 is serial numbered and characterised.
DR regs
The new classic NAP 250 has more DR regulators than the NAP250DR. The DR regulators provide a low noise, low impedance voltage for the full amplifier including its output stage. There are more DR regs for the small signal balanced input circuits. Having another four DRs prevents cross modulation of the power amp section back to the balanced input.
Off loading unwanted components
New classic is manufactured using new components. The prices are very high at the moment due to lead times and availability. The components are in demand and often on allocation.
If you scroll down to the section ‘Best of Naim’ it mentions there are DR regs
Cheers
Steve
(PS I work in R&D and developed NAP S1 and the NA009 power transistors. Roy and myself developed the DR regulators - there is a DR white paper on line. I can assure you all these elements are meticulously designed into the new classic NAP 250)
Please supply a link on the manufactures webpage to this extent. I have found none.
After all the efforts in isolating noise and the fanfare to go with it and NAIM introduces a switchmode power supply.
I think they are eating their own BS and believing it and we are meant to swallow it?
What is the deal with all the outboard linear power supplies and separating digital circuits from analog and shutting down digital displays on CD players and so forth?
I am very skeptical that this new old system is any better than the old old system.
So do we dump out outboard linear power supplies as we are introducing switch mode power supplies? Or have we been feed guff for a long time?
SMPSU
Yes, there is a SMPSU in the new classic NAP 250. The SMPSU is only and exclusively used in 0.5W standby mode. When the amplifier is playing the SMPSU is 100% switched off. The main large toroidal transformer and linear DR regulators then take over and power the whole product.
Displays
In the NSC 222 app the display can be turned off during playback.
Outboard linear PSUs
The NPX 300 is an outboard linear PSU. When it is connected to the NSC 222 the internal PSU is completely off.
Win me over
I can’t do that, hopefully you get the opportunity to have a listen.
The multi-disciplinary new product innovation team designed the new classic range to be:
Better sounding
Easier to use (the app works the same for mu-so, Uniti and new classic - see posts on the NSC 222 volume control)
Easier to upgrade - interoperable PSU i.e. will power all new classic products released now and the future, no more pre-amp exclusive PSUs etc
As a naim owner for nearly 40 years, and someone who has worked with the genius talents in the factory, I find this post very disrespectful, trying to hide behind polite language.
Steve @110dB has and will provide all the answers you require.
Sorry but i asked some posts back, perhaps not directly enough. How does the new 250 compare with a 300 (DR/non DR)? Just browsing the specs it seems on a par with a 500 power amp and reading what you have just written, seems that it should better the 300 amp at least
Today had a long listening session with the new classic range including power supply. Cables were full loom Chord Epic/Signature/PowerHous and speakers Sonus Faber Olympica. All I can say (as a 500-series owner) is that I could easily live with this setup.