Does anyone know if it is possible for an n-Vi to drive and NAP250-2 direct from it's front preouts or does the preout have to go via a preamp set to unity gain?

If the n-vi has pre outs, then these are for connecting directly to a power amp, and a 250-2 should do the job quite nicely.
Have fun

Richard

Yes I think it does have preout looking at the online manual, but it only shows it going into a preamp not directly into a power. I think as you say it is probably possible. I think it requires a custom lead (£££) as the lead I have with my 250-2 does not look right. It only has 4 pins not 5. It is the lead I connect from my HICAP2 to the 250-2 at present.

Oops, strike that last comment.
Althought described as Pre out, it seems that the stereo analogue output from the n-vi is at a fixed line level, therefor you will need a seperate pre to control the vol. So its more like a tape out than a pre out!
Appologies for operating hand before brain was engaged.

Richard

Yup. It's what I have. Just ask Naim to make up the appropriate 5-pin to XLR cable with your n-vi instead of the more usual 4-pin to XLR which would be used from a power supply to the 250.2. Whack it into the Analoogue Audio Output and voila.

You can use the output either to drive the front L/R via an pre-amp or directly. If the n-vi is your main source (it is mine bar the LP12 which I run through the Analogue Input on the n-vi from my P75 phono pre-amp) then that's the way to go. OTOH if you have multiple other sources then run the n-vi to your pre-amp (unity gain input if you have one) and treat is as yet another source.

Purists will say that I'm strangling the LP12 by effectively using the n-vi at a pre-amp. They may well be right, but as I watch more AV these days and have grown increasingly box averse it works well for me. Just wish I could say the same about the n-vi. Ahem! But that's another story ...

Line level outputs vary as may your opinion.

Duncan

Cheers guys, I think that answers my question.

Hmm, the n-vi manual is not entirely clear

Richard

quote:

Originally posted by Duncan Fullerton:
Purists will say that I'm strangling the LP12 by effectively using the n-vi as a pre-amp....

Duncan

Excellent and useful post, Duncan

Are the purists right, well IMHO: no they're not. You're listening to the LP12 through the nVi/250 and they're not - so I reckon if you're enjoying what you hear then that is all that really matters.

The best thing I've heard about purists is expressed by HMHB on 'Trouble Over Bridgwater'

Give me Love, give me Can, give me Meatloaf
Give me Rush, give me Marquee Moon
Michael Ball or The Fall, I could listen to them all
In the twilight of the afternoon

Irk the purists, irk the purists, irk the purists its a right good laugh
Irk the purists, irk the purists, irk the purists at the back

Hall & Oates and Miles Davis
Patti Smith, Simply Red, Sly Stone
Be they false or real, I don't care and nor does Neil
So long as we can hear their songs

Irk the purists, irk the purists, it could well be an olympic sport
Irk the purists, irk the purists, if you've never then you ought

Husker Du Du Du, Captain Beefheart, ELO
Chris de Burgh, Sun Ra, Del Amitri, John Coltrane

Irk the purists, irk the purists, come on boy you know it feels so right
Irk the purists, irk the purists, irk the purists tonight

In a nutshell.....

You can connect a NAP250 (or NAP200 etc) directly to the n-Vi via a special lead from Naim or maybe from Chord company.

The NAP250 will boost the left and right output!

No pre-amp needed, unless you have other sources, but they can be connected to the n-Vi - it's a pre-amp too.

Cheers guys, thanks for the replies. After pondering, I have decided to stick with the AV2 and buy a DVD5 rather than sell the AV2 and go for an n-Vi. I think the AV2+DVD5 route will give me better results and more flexibility to add better center and rear amps later if wanted. The only down side I can see so far if more boxes.