300DR on demo

Last night the demo 300DR was returned and my 250.2 (still nice and warm in the corner having been kept powered up during the demo) went back in.  I gave it a good listen during the evening. That so-familiar 250.2 sonic signature was very evident e.g. the lower mid-range punch and the slight ‘edge’ that can make rock music so much fun. It was a pleasure to listen to it again. The 250.2’s exuberance is so pleasing and I think it’s a great amp.  

But there was no getting away from the fact that the 300DR out-classes it.  The 300DR is just so obviously more detailed and sophisticated with a much, much bigger sound-stage.  Even on light music it’s superiority is clear.  

So although I will miss some aspects of 250.2’s performance, I’ve pressed the button today and placed an order for a 300DR. I’m told it should arrive before Xmas.  

Mike

Congratulations. Nice amp.

I'm jealous Mike - congratulations you know that you will love it

Congrats Mike, what a great Xmas present!

Thank you Harry and Chris.  The switch is several multiples more expensive than getting my 250.2 DR'ed but I know that I would still hanker after the 300 if got my 250 upgraded. Sometimes you have to let your heart rule your head.     

Thanks dayjay. And for me it will also be a birthday present.

Mike

You'll love it. I've had three weeks with my 300 DR now and I'm still listening in amazement at how good it is.

A great way to start the run up to Christmas and your birthday- congrats Mike!

Congratulations Mike, I'm sure you will enjoy the new amp for years to come.

I think I am right in saying you have already tried the 252 out a couple of times now and decided to stick with the 282. As a fellow 282/SupercapDR owner I can understand why but I have not had the opportunity to try out the 252 so am not familiar with the comparison.

Now I am not suggesting you should spend any more money having just had the expense of the 300DR but I just wonder if the 252 might sing with the 300DR. I only mention this as I am considering upgrading from a 282/250DR and was interested in your decision to go for the power amp upgrade ahead of the pre amp. Of course you may well decide to stick with the 282 but it is a real dilemma for me.

I will in due course try out both a 252 and a 300DR independently but I know you took some considerable time to home demo the 252 but seem to have made a speedier decision on the 300DR or so it seems. I wondered if you might share your decision-making process in going for the 300DR over the 252.

I expect it would but I think Mike is really hankering for a 552 

Aren't we all. 

I'm not. Been there, done that, got the t shirt. You don't need it for immersive enjoyment of music, but it seems, perhaps, that until people have scaled the peak they don't realise that they they didn't need to make the ascent in the first place. 

Yep, still scaling the peak. May not go to the summit, who knows what might divert one. If I do decide to go for the summit I will be sure to let the forum know what the view is like. I can well imagine it might be an anti-climax, or indeed you can get a bit bored on the summit. But until you get there no one can be sure. Plenty have scaled the heights years ago and are still very much enjoying the view.

Now, enough of this analogy.

Wacky as I'm sure this will sound to many, I think the 300 is the best VFM power amp Naim make. Yeah, I know - takes all sorts.

I assume you're sending all three of them at the same time?  Ask them to also make them into a matched set for you.  Doesn't cost any extra - well at least it didn't with my new 300DRs.

Congratulations!

Good on you Mike and a nice little Christmas present too. The things we buy ourselves are usually the best!  ATB Peter

Yes, might as well do the whole lot in one go Graham. As I use the DBLs in my A/V system I'll probably stick on the passive crossovers. I've an old NAP150 kicking about - should be enough for me to watch the telly. Bit of a mullet, and some!

As it's my old amps I don't suppose Naim can make them identical, but as I'm having them overhauled I expect they'll be pretty closely matched anyway.

I don't see why not Tony, I was considering asking them to make my existing 300s a matched set during a service/upgrade before I decided to buy new instead.

I believe Jon Honeyball's 135s were also made into a matched set during a service.

Sorry for the late reply, nigel.  Yes, I tried a 252 (with DR'ed SC) in my system twice. Each time for about a week so I was able to make an informed judgement.  My system had improved from the first home demo so I thought I'd give the 252 another go, thinking my other system improvements might allow it to better show its colours.  But the result was the same on both occasions.  In summary, although I could hear that the 252 was digging out more detail than the 282, and was more refined, for me it just didn't have that enjoyment factor that I think the 282 has.  At the conclusion of the last home demo my dealer and I played AC/DC's Thunderstruck.  It sounded 'nice'  on the 252. We then put my 282 back in and played the song again.  The effect on both of us instant: the band were now enjoying themselves and so we were. The performance had its mojo back. For me the 252 is nice and refined but is too laid back for my tastes. The 282 is more forward, boisterous and fun.  But others find things differently. If I'm ever going to replace the 282 it will be for a 552.

So if you're thinking about swopping your 282 for a 252 give the 252 a thorough listen first. It might press your buttons but you may also conclude that your 282 pleases you more.

And back to the 300DR, I had that at home in my system for about a week, too.  Unlike the rejection of the 252, which I did as soon as my re-inserted 282 started playing, it took me nearly 24 hrs after my 250 was reinserted to decide to place an order for the 300DR. The 250 is a great amp and I've really enjoyed my time with it but in my system it is clearly out-classed by the 300DR.

Hope that helps.

Mike 

But did you try the 252 and the 300 together? Only the combo will really tell you what a 252 can do with AC/DC. Felix

No I didn't, Felix.  I know they are designed to go together but I'm pretty sure the 300DR would simply have amplified better the characteristics of the 252 that I didn't like. As was amply demonstrated during last week's home demo, the 300DR does an excellent job on the end of my 282. I felt I was getting the best of both worlds - the 'fun' factor that the 282 brings and the detail resolution and refinement that the 300DR delivers, plus it's massive sense of scale.

Mike  

Been to my dealer today to pick up my 3m SL speaker and SL DIN/DIN I.C. cable. Less than 2 weeks from ordering them. Pleasantly surprised how quickly they arrived.

At the time of ordering I asked for the price of a new 300DR against my non DR300.

 I was seriously considering upgrading the existing 300. He contacted me yesterday with an offer.

I've decided to px my 2 year old 300 for a new 300DR.

Why? :

1. reasonable px offer

2. get it sooner rather than some time next year.

3. 5 year warranty re-established

4. more comfortable with a purpose built 300DR than a modified one. No disrespect to Naim or people who choose the mod route.

My journey and experiences(thoughts) are very similar to Mikes re; the 282 and associated power supplies. I'm lucky to have been able to take the extra step to the 552. Hope he can follow suit eventually. I know he won't be disappointed

Thanks Mike, very thought provoking.

I too love the 'fun' factor of the 282 (with the SupercapDR I hasten to add) and will certainly give the 252 a thorough trail before deciding. I'm also loving my recently acquired 250DR so not planning any move quite yet.

The one thing we have in common Mike, is that we are not huge fans of the 252/250 combo.

The difference between us is that I listen through a 252/300 all the time and you have never heard it in your system. 

Believe me, you won't know what a 252/300 can do until you've heard it.