What's different about the 500 PS?

Posted by: NigelP on 13 December 2001

It's no good - I can't contain myself anymore! I'm lucky enough to say that I've got my NAP500 and this is a very good amp. Mine's be installed for about three weeks now and it's really beginning to show what it's capable of. I've got a really wide taste in music and have thrown everything I can think of at it. One of my favourite tracks from Phil Collin's excellent album "Face Value" sounded absolutely stunning. The track I am referring to is "My roof is leaking". It's so busy at the end that I've not found anything that could cope with it - until now...
Anyway, I've played Floyd, Marsalis, Genesis, Men They Couldn't Hang, Pogues and everything else that I could think where I've loved the music but haven't quite found that "Nirvana". The 500 is playing all these with the arrogance and contempt that would be associated with something that is the best and knows it.
Ah - but what about the excellent "On" from Echobelly. This is one of my favourite rock albums with some really busy electric guitar work, drumming and wonderful vocals. It's never sounded right on anything in the past. Surely this will beat the 500? No! This is amazing and with a pair of Nautilus 804's.
Anyway, I've been getting to know my new friend a little more and have discovered something else. I have a separate mains spur with dedicated earth. All done properly and according to Naim's own recommendations. The XPS and Supercap still humm from time to time. Usually there is silence but sometimes I think there must a noisy generator switched on somewhere to make up the need. The 500PS has never hummed though even when the Supercap and the XPS are. I know that the 500PS has a larger transformer but there's something else or I have my setup wrong. Are there any words of wisdom or knowledge that can help me to understand this?
Posted on: 14 December 2001 by Paul Stephenson
"words of wisdom or knowledge that can help me to understand this?"

There is a whole story about toroidals and windings which we discuss, sample and try to improve all the time but the consensus here is that although we have a separate process and specially select the transformers for the 500 for several parameters it could well produce the same tune as your others
depending on the noise on your mains.

Posted on: 14 December 2001 by woodface
I find it a bit odd that someone with a (mostly) good taste in Hi-fi can enjoy such excrable music. Phil Collins!!!!! I mean why bother with an upgrade path, PC will sound shite on any system! I think before you look at your next upgrade you should ask yourself whether you actually like music?
Posted on: 14 December 2001 by Andrew Randle
Same goes for those who like Oasis: you may as well offload your kit to me now.

Andrew

Andrew Randle
2B || !2B;
4 ^ = ?;

Posted on: 14 December 2001 by Timbo
some more "different" from others.

Agree about Oasis - should have applied the kill it before it grows analogy. Saw a few (3) 500's 2nd hand advertised for £6999.00 each - bargain!!

Tim

P.S. I wonder if Richer Sounds is to become a Naim supplier!!

Posted on: 14 December 2001 by Paul Stephenson
Face Value is maybe the best thing he's done! perhaps you don't know the album, the recording vinyl)was very good, don't know about re-pressings.
Posted on: 14 December 2001 by Simon Matthews
Not a lot wrong with his production and drumming duties on 'grace and danger' for John Martyn IMO.
Brilliant album.
Posted on: 14 December 2001 by woodface
Suggesting that face value is Phil Collins' best album is hardly a ringing endorsement! I have heard a number of tracks from it and understand that it was recorded after some personal upheaval but please... Good music costs the same to buy as bad so why compromise? A world without Mr Collins would be a much nicer one.
Posted on: 14 December 2001 by Doug Graham
Come come now Woodface. Another mans meat and all that. Just have a look through your collection and tell me that there is definately nothing there that we can ave a laugh at!I know that in moments of weaknes(drunk) I've bought the occassional klanger.

Face Value has some great moments. Maybe you've not heard it!

Later

Doug big grin

Posted on: 14 December 2001 by Ade Archer
Woodface,
Please list your entire collection of vinyl/CD's here so that we can all see the definitive collection of the 'All Time Greatest Recordings Ever'.

Cheers
Ade

Posted on: 14 December 2001 by woodface
I'm sorry but saying Phill Collins is..... is not exactly controversial is it? We all have blunders in our collection but either no longer listen to them or deny all knowledge. My wife actually has the record on vinyl (yes it really is her's) but I have never felt any urge to place it on the TT. I have a fair few records that I am embarassed about but would never give them away (I have more Level 42 than is healthy). The thing is I will admit they are poor as opposed to trying to defend them; lets face Mr Collins is indefencible!
Posted on: 14 December 2001 by woodface
In response you were taking me out of context when it comes to Rod the Mod! At least Rodders had a bit of cred in the early 70's he also has one of the great rock voices. Mr Collins has a weird sounding croak and should have stuck to drumming!
Posted on: 14 December 2001 by Simon Matthews
The Faces show up 99% of new british 'rock' as badly produced mono chordal wallpaper.

'Oh la la' gives me the musical horn. Rod at his best.

Posted on: 14 December 2001 by Jez Quigley
Add me to the Phil haters, boooriiing and bland. When I think of all the amazing talent there is out there at the moment, Eric Bibb for one, that goes almost unnoticed and Phil C and the like get away with selling multi millions of that unoriginal dull dull stuff.
Posted on: 14 December 2001 by Alex S.
When I first read NigelP's proclamation: 'One of my favourite tracks from Phil Collin's excellent album "Face Value" sounded absolutely stunning', I, just like you, thought Jeez, 'this man does not deserve a 500', but then I got to thinking and realised this man needs a NAP 500 more than anybody else.

Alex

PS Nigel, got any Sarah Brightman?

Posted on: 14 December 2001 by garyi
Will have to go with woodface on this one, good drummer, (only good mind, not great) and totally a shit singer, I don't even see the 500 saving that, a bit like a male Celion Dion