Help please with Xerxes and Nap250!

[Aifos]

I've aquired an original Roksan Xerxes with Alphason HR100S arm and ATOC10 cartridge and a chrome bumpered Naim Nap250 power amp at a bargain price, I think!

Trouble is the Xerxes power supply only works on 33rpm and sometimes just stops altogether, the Naim amp I'm told works ok but I can't verify this as I don't have a Naim preamp and Hicap to try it with although it powers up ok.

I'm using a Gyro SE with Audiomods Series 5 arm and Dynavector DV20X2 cartridge and Vincent SV236MK amp which I'm happy with. Would the Xerxes and the NAP250 be a big inprovement over what I have if I went to the trouble of buying a preamp and Hicap to use with it? Help!!

 

[PerFlemming]

IMO Naim amplifiers are miles better than what you have.

However your 250 could be an old fellow (serial history available on Naim website) so maybe in need for service even it will play fine, age is more than 25 years.

I'm a big fan of the older CB or Olive stuff, one of my own combinations for years were 250/HC/72 - a classic combo still rivals or better much out there in sheer musicality. I take them anyday over most of the recent Naim stuff.

You can insert matching phonocards in most of the older preamp range if you wish.

Sorry can't help with Xerxes but the Alphason is worth quite a lot, excellent arm

 

[bandit pilot]

IMO Naim amplifiers are miles better than what you have.However your 250 could be an old fellow (serial history available on Naim website) so maybe in need for service even it will play fine, age is more than 25 years.

I'm a big fan of the older CB or Olive stuff, one of my own combinations for years were 250/HC/72 - a classic combo still rivals or better much out there in sheer musicality. I take them anyday over most of the recent Naim stuff.

You can insert matching phonocards in most of the older preamp range if you wish.

Sorry can't help with Xerxes but the Alphason is worth quite a lot, excellent arm

All very good coming from a Naim dealer. Have you actually read the AUP?

 

[Frizzy brizzy]

Have you tried using the audiolab dac as a pre to test the naim, not sure but I think it can be used as a basic pre.(din connector permitting?)

echo the above, alphason is a classic, not so sure about the cartridge probably one for the back of the hi fi drawer.

The xerses can be superb but will need a thorough service, they could be a bit fussy , needed everything to be just so, to sound good.

With all that wood were very pretty.

(never owned one, but watched a friend struggle)

 

[Aifos]

Thanks for your replies.

I'm thinking I'll have a go with the Nap250 and find a reasonably priced preamp and power supply. Hopefully as Naim keep their value pretty well I shouldn't lose too much money if I decide they're not for me and sell them on.

What should I be looking for to match the Nap250 without spending silly money, Nac82/Hicap?

I had thought about using my Vincent amp with the Nap250 through its pre outs but there's lots of advice on the net saying I wouldn't be getting the best of the Nap 250??

The Xerxes I'm still unsure about as I probably need a new power supply (£399) just to be able to evaluate it unless the XPS II can be fixed?

 

[Polarbear]

Contact Roksan re the power supply, they should be able to fix it for you.

As for the Naims, the 82/hi-cap is probably the starting point for Naim amps and you move up according to your budget. It will give you a very different sound to your Vincent and whether you prefer it depends on your personal preference.

Just one last point, how old is the Nap 250? If its older than ten years, has it been serviced?

 

[captains log]

the xpsII has a couple of capacitors that tend to fail over time... this reduces the output voltage to one or both phases of the motor. its a cheap fix for a diy person who is handy with a soldering iron. its easy to reset the output once these caps have been replaced...