Naim NAP 250 review

A superlative power amp’ well worth the time and effort it takes to make it really sing. Magical Tested at £3050

Few components in the history of hi-fi can match the pedigree of the mighty NAP 250. First introduced in 1975, its regular updates – both aesthetic and technical – have kept it at the very forefront of power amplifier performance for more than three decades, creating unforgettable musical experiences for countless music lovers worldwide.

The latest NAP 250 lives up to the challenge set by its predecessors. Housed in the low-resonance, anodised aluminium enclosure of the Classic Series, it delivers 80W per channel (into 8ohms) with all the speed, power and agility needed to unleash your music.

New Statement Technology 

Our flagship Statement amplification system was ten years in the making. The research and development project drew on all of our knowledge and expertise, yielding several breakthroughs in technology. We’ve recently introduced two new technologies from the Statement project to our core range of power amplifiers.

The NAP 250 now features the new NA009 transistors first introduced in Statement. In development for over a year, this key component was created in partnership with a specialist semi-conductor manufacturer to achieve the best possible sound quality. The 250 also includes the high power Naim Audio DR (Discrete Regulator) technology used in Statement to provide the smooth, stable power supply we know is critical for the audio electronics to make music come to life.

These two new technologies, combined with other small improvements to layout and componentry, mean the NAP 250 DR can produce even more of the fundamental musical pace, rhythm and timing that made the originals so popular with music lovers.

Like the flagship NAP 500, and the NAP 300, the NAP 250 uses a new circuit design with improved earthing arrangements, built on a very high quality, anti-resonance main audio circuit board. The NAP 250 uses the same NA009 transistors that were custom-designed for the NAP 500. These outstanding components each provide up to 80 amps and 350 Watts, negating the need to use parallel pairs of transistors (which always have a negative effect on sound). Additional NA009 transistors are used in the fully regulated power supply, ensuring the very best performance.

A new top-quality transformer is used providing the ability to deliver more than 15 Amps and swing a massive 400VA on transients. The NAP 250 is stable into any load and able to drive a 2-Ohm load for long periods of time.

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Latest Reviews

NAP 250 DR | Audio Esoterica, Sep 2016

“There’s a clear statement here: ‘follow us on our path and we’ll take you to the music’. And indeed, with the NAP 250 DR, that’s exactly the destination. And really, what more can you ask of any amplifier…”

Read full review

Naim DR power amps and upgrades l HiFi+, Jan 2016

‘The effectiveness of a regulated supply in cleaning up this crucial part of the circuit was immediately obvious…’

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Hi-Fi Choice l NAC-N 272 and NAP 250 DR, Dec 2015

‘What you see here is physical proof that brilliance need not be accompanied by inconvenience and it is a masterpiece in all sense of the word.’

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The Ear l NAP 250 DR , Oct 2015

This is easily the best sounding Naim amplifier I have reviewed, and one of the best power amps I’ve reviewed period.

Read full review

What Hi-Fi? Sound & Vision, Sep 2008

“Yes there’s a great deal of witchcraft involved in making this system work at its best”

Alan Sircom, Jul 2008

“Much of this reliability comes down to Naim’s eviable reputation for build quality!”

Paul Messenger, Feb 2007

“The bottom line is the NAP 250 still sounds suprisingly fresh and up to date, despite its long history”

Read all reviews

Awards

The Ear l Product of The Year 2015

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