OpenTube

"British sound" from China: Naim NAP250 speaker amplifier clone review!

HiFi Zone

27,624 views

---------------------------------------------------------------------
Remote beer tap control :D
https://paypal.me/hfzytreviews
Behind the scenes photos:
Instagram: hifi_zone_yt
---------------------------------------------------------------------

This is affordable middle-tier clone, but bear in mind that this is something built upon 8500USD real Naim power amp.

I dont approve that its using Naim name (not exactly logo as this is different) but I do approve the sound quality - not "for the price" - but also when compared to amps many times the price.

If you'd like to get yours from the same shop I got mine from (so tested as safe and reliable - and thats not always the case, but you do not get to see the reviews for the equipement that was damaged or lost on the way, obviously) then get it here:
https://s.click.aliexpress.com/e/_EQ2...

Remember to look for seller or aliexpress coupons!
Two links this time as the other one is for shop that I got NAC52 preamp from (oups, spoilers!!!)

Chassis only for DIYiers:
https://s.click.aliexpress.com/e/_DDi...

Audio setup used for my listening session (you can find reviews of most of these in my channel):

FLAC/DSD files - Foobar2k - Fully passive 11th gen Intel PCwih LPS - AQ Jitterbug -
Chord USB - Singxer SU-6-IIS via fk AQ Thunderbird - Gustard X26 Pro and Semibreve DA50 (yes two DACs) - fk Thunderbird RCA - AMPLIFIER - fk Dragon/K2 - Dali ikon 1 mk2, Dali Opticon 1, ML 15i ML 35XTi, ML Motion XT B100 and ML Ascent I speakers.

Power: two Pavalle power strips with additional DIY EMI filters, power cords: fk AQ Silver Cloud (Singxer and Ascents) AQ Dragon Source (DACs), AQ Dragon HC (amplifier)

-------------------------
New set of Aliexpres codes valid untill October 31st only.
I've chosen some popular devices that I recommend (like Cary clones or C2860+ preamp) and you can reach them via collection page:
https://s.click.aliexpress.com/e/_Ew8...

Ali portal says these codes should be valid almost everywhere in the world, with few exceptions, and for almost everything (minus mobile phones but thats the way it is)
$15-2: 【IFPPJWWL】 $35-5: 【IFPKVWAG】 $65-9: 【IFP9OI52】 $99-14: 【IFPHCJVG】
$169-23: 【IFP7421X】 279-40: 【IFPNXV5Z】 $379-55: 【IFPTBFPT】 $559-80: 【IFPPYCF4】

-------------------------

20 Comments

@makka33 1 year ago

thanks for your videos, really looking forward to when you compare all the clones!

@SantafeLtd 1 year ago

Congrats on reaching 5000 subs buddy, I see great things for your channel because you're doing something that no one else is, giving audiophiles an opportunity to access high quality equipment at prices they can afford.

@jm-vq4cm 1 year ago

Super review👏

@aldepal 1 year ago

Another good review! Looking forward to the ChiFi Speaker reviews!

@eddiebaby22 1 month ago

I have the newer NAP250 based Ali amp and its terrific

@VedatMed 7 months ago

Friend, we are interesting to hear how it sound ❤ Thank You

@AllboroLCD 1 year ago

I hope one day to see one of these reviews side by side with the OG product. Either way, this does look built fairly well. I do not believe they can ask the price they do without using clone/fake components.

@BostonMike68 1 year ago

I was interested in these amps and pre amps but I couldn't find any reviews until I found your channel. I'm looking into buying one soon, I am just still trying to decide. Thank you for taking the time to make these videos. I will keep watching as long as you keep making them.

@iv3shf 6 months ago

jesus it really looks like it... I'll look for the test on your channel now!

@themountain59 1 year ago (edited)

Nice presentation .The "clone" looks like a new model outside and at least 10 years old inside. This quirky cable managment is exactly the same as it was in the old units. The whole construction and distribution looks sound.For the money absolutely worth it. Let's not forget ...the Original is 7500€ at the moment 😮. BTW Naim offered the amplifier with Cinch and/or XLR connectors as far as I remember.

@Pikachu78256 1 year ago

I recently subscribed to your channel. I find it very useful. I'm waiting for you to make a comparison of the clones that you had. I already realized that you liked the Dartzeel 108 clone. Yes, it's probably a good powerful amplifier, but I'm worried about my tetters. I have shelves. I didn't listen to the Europeans, only the Japanese. I want to try a clone, maybe it will be able to show close to the English or European sound. From your reviews and other hi-fi bloggers, I realized that the fm 300a clone is very good and the scheme is very similar to the original. But I'll be waiting for video comparisons.

@gerardjoye5033 1 year ago

Thank you so much for the review. I've had this amp now for 4 weeks and it delivers! The sound quality on my system is how you described it. Especially the nice bass extension...so much so that my previous concern that my speakers didn't go low enough was unfounded. And I've just received the Cary SLP90 (with Psvane Art series tubes) to pair with it and even without time for Cary burn in, they already sound great together. NAP 250 is good for my needs as I live in a sub tropical place, have placed it in an open cabinet and it doesn't even get warm.

@marklewis910 6 months ago

My experience whith pre phono amp ,didn’t go well off aliexpress ,constant humm on my moving coil ,ended up buying naim prestage off eBay,it looks and weighs the part but gives lovely smooth sound whith the constant humm

@sg1676 1 year ago

Yhank you for your great reviews. The only suggestion I would make is to use a clip on microphone. With the current setup, your voice tends to wander from the right channel to the left. During the infrequent moments that there is a balanced stereo image, your voice is much more intelligible. Thanks!

@davidbrown8230 1 year ago

I found out that if you want to brighten the sound , get rid of any ceramic caps and replace with silver mica. Also, the Mundorf silver/gold caps really bring out the mids and treble. If you can fit these op amps on the board, Sparkos makes some great sounding discrete op amps and voltage regulators. I know it sounds like a lot of work, but if your into DIY, you can get these Chinese amps sounding pretty damn nice.

@edwaux2929 1 year ago

Great videos and descriptions. I found your channel recently. Most people making videos seem like salesmen. Your videos are informative without being biased. I'm looking for a clone amp to power some polk audio sda 2B. My research seems to be a speaker that needs high current and 120 to 150 watts with an amp that can dip below 4 ohms to reveal its potential. Do you have an opinion that would pair well with that type of speaker. I like spatial with nice imagining and warmth. Thank you for your detailed and informative videos. I'm now subscribed and paying attention to your channel.

@dieterpianoman8092 1 year ago

Another great video about another great amp ! I had a NAP200 clone here for 2 weeks, which I loved. Unfortunately, it had some problems in the right channel, but the seller is professionell, and I will have my money back. My question: Do you prefer NAP 250 over NAP200 ? The Transaudio NAP200 is also a really good amplifier.

@user-s9q3j 1 year ago

Hi, I own this one for 2 years already. I must say that it cost me apart of the money, also some nerves at the beginning (fuse installed in the power socket got burned down several times before I replaced it with the one of higher value (luckily it solved the issue - there was no other hidden reasons for the fuse to burn.) It replaced HK3490 in my system, it is driven by rDac, and it drives JBL L880's. Soundwise, I would say that it bring a new life to my speakers in the upper range. Bass, I think HK3490 had more to say in this field (more power and detail). Generally speaking the way Nap clone presents the music to the listener, scenes imaging (comparing to HK) is far more interesting and more involving...
It was interesting for me to hear your opinion regarding that particular one also in configuration with various speakers.
Big thx for this review (and all remaining too, obviously :) )

@johnshaw359 1 year ago

What you describe sounds like a Naim design from memory. They need an inductive load and speaker cable, as they removed the zobel network from the output and will oscillate with capacitive loads. Naim were known for an involving wholistic sound, and not to analyse ever little bit of it. I think they were best used with rock rather than classical music. p.s the Valhalla 2 cable should be a good match for it.

@sandralhaurault7563 1 year ago

Hi from Australia ,thoroughly enjoying your videos. I am limited to "Budget" sadly I have "Hi End" tastes and ears. Your breakdown of the goods are very informative to me. Are you intending to take on AVR reviews?