NAP500 with small speakers

That seems a strange, rather open ended question.  Is it just idle curiosity or do you have a specific reason for asking?

I'm sure a NAP 500 will drive small speakers just as well as it drives large ones.

If you want more specific information, perhaps you should ask more specifically?

I did, for a short while; CDS3, NAC552, NAP500 driving a pair of n-Sats.  The sound seemed impossible from such small speakers.  I was inspired to try this after having to substitute a pair of n-Sats for SL2s at the Top Audio show in Milan (the SL2s arrived damaged).  The rest of the electronics were 500 series Naim and it turned out to be what many judged the most enjoyable sounding room in the show.

Funnily enough as I type this I am listening to that same pair of n-Sats, although this time in the very near field driven by a rather more modest system of Pono Player and original early NAIT - they still sound fab.

272, 500 and PMC 20.21 would be interesting...

Right .... currently I use PMC20.21 in a small room ..... they are quite dynamic with 250dr.... and highly revealing of any changes in the system. I am going to purchase my ultimate amp shortly a s/h Nap500 ...... which ultimately will be dr upgraded - when funds permit. My previous experience with small speakers .... is they normally love being gripped by a good powerful amp. I was hoping to see how others have got along....with this amp.

Does a small room show the NAP500 at its best?

C.

Before there is a tor-raid of response  .... re 272 and Nap500 .... and front end hierarchy  I am aware of this ..... my system is work in progress. Having said that the 555ps and 272 are very good.

Richard Dane posted:

I did, for a short while; CDS3, NAC552, NAP500 driving a pair of n-Sats.  The sound seemed impossible from such small speakers.  

I did this as well, just out of curiosity. And you're right Richard, the little nSats rose to the challenge admirably! I also tried my old LS3 5As, & a pair of KEF RDM1s. Amazing on both, with my old 555 as source.

I spent some time playing mine into Spendor 5e, which are floorstanders but diminutive little match sticks. They never sounded better. They seemed to love and revel in the grip, control and their newfound dynamics.. This is not surprising. They were selected after months of auditioning because they worked well in the room. Room match being the first and most important thing to get right.

The 500 is all about fingertip subtlety, detail, coherence and above all, grip.  Yeah, it will go loud without aural strain but that's not going to bother a pair of decent speakers unless you're silly. Clipping is more likely to kill them. Any set of speakers which are good enough for a HiFi system which are not broken will sound their best.

I've used mine on ibls and an old pair of MS10is as well as various cheaper speakers. I can only echo what has been said elsewhere- you will be astounded at what any speaker can do on the end of a 552/500.

Well - I am hoping that the Nap500 will give an iron fisted grip - and turn of speed ... 

Richard Dane posted:

I did, for a short while; CDS3, NAC552, NAP500 driving a pair of n-Sats.  The sound seemed impossible from such small speakers.  I was inspired to try this after having to substitute a pair of n-Sats for SL2s at the Top Audio show in Milan (the SL2s arrived damaged).  The rest of the electronics were 500 series Naim and it turned out to be what many judged the most enjoyable sounding room in the show.

Funnily enough as I type this I am listening to that same pair of n-Sats, although this time in the very near field driven by a rather more modest system of Pono Player and original early NAIT - they still sound fab.

That is why I, after having tried/owned Sats (4), SBLs (2), Credo, Ariva, Allaes, S-400s here, have recently bought my fifth (and last) pair of Sats. And a nice pair they are!

(Thanks Anthony, they look great [and will sound great with 282/200DR]).

M.

Thanks all - for the feedback ... much appreciated

Recently when my SL2 leaved, i used Nsat with 552/552/250 and they were really brilliant.

Now i have Nap 500 and S600 waiting a BMR replacement part so i 'm tempetd to connect them again

Regards

Robeto

Let us know how you get on.......

Massimo Bertola posted:

Richard Dane posted:

I did, for a short while; CDS3, NAC552, NAP500 driving a pair of n-Sats.  The sound seemed impossible from such small speakers.  I was inspired to try this after having to substitute a pair of n-Sats for SL2s at the Top Audio show in Milan (the SL2s arrived damaged).  The rest of the electronics were 500 series Naim and it turned out to be what many judged the most enjoyable sounding room in the show.

Funnily enough as I type this I am listening to that same pair of n-Sats, although this time in the very near field driven by a rather more modest system of Pono Player and original early NAIT - they still sound fab.

That is why I, after having tried/owned Sats (4), SBLs (2), Credo, Ariva, Allaes, S-400s here, have recently bought my fifth (and last) pair of Sats. And a nice pair they are!

(Thanks Anthony, they look great [and will sound great with 282/200DR]).

M.

You are back in the game Massimo.  Enjoy the n-Sats...again!

G

Richieroo posted:

Right .... currently I use PMC20.21 in a small room ..... they are quite dynamic with 250dr.... and highly revealing of any changes in the system. I am going to purchase my ultimate amp shortly a s/h Nap500 ...... which ultimately will be dr upgraded - when funds permit. My previous experience with small speakers .... is they normally love being gripped by a good powerful amp. I was hoping to see how others have got along....with this amp.

Given that the room is so tiny, the 250DR is already incredibly good, the PMCs are quite modest and the preamp is 'only' a 272, I'm not convinced that the 500 is a good idea. In fact, it seems like a real waste of money and unlikely to provide much improvement over the 250 given the constraints. 

Hi HH I undestand I know this may not give full potential ..... but it gives me future options if I so wish..... plus  I am hoping for a room upgrade one day..... 

Perhaps you should put the money towards a bigger house. Adding a 500 to the current system is pointless or daft, or both. Why on earth would you use a £20,000 power amp in a room 8 feet by 9? It's obviously your choice, and I'm not being in any way negative, simply realistic. 

I've just swapped out my 16 year old, unserviced 500 (bought from emporium hifi 5 weeks ago) and replaced the 5 year old 250-2 in the system. The boogie factor has improved noticably so if your 500 is as old as mine don't wait too long before getting it DoctoRed. I don't think my speakers could be described as small so can't comment on the main subject.

4 weeks from submitting the serial numbers to getting the RMA! 

Hi HH ...... yeah ok ... infact you could argue most naimers could do with a dedicated ... and designed listening room....so you have a point. I will let know how I get on .... if I am not happy I will sell it.

Hi I have now got my Nap500 wow this amp is fantastic with the little pmc 21......the delicacy, poise and sheer clout make these speakers really sing all at low to medium listening levels. If you turn up the wick... wow... the sound stage and depth is fully maintained and the result is incredible, viseral. The 250dr is totally outclassed (not taking anything away from 250dr I still consider it a fine amp)..... This has been an amazing purchase ..... these amps are working there way to the sh market ... at reachable prices.....   the only down side is the huge price of the DR upgrade....

i used to run 135s into linn kans...

Richieroo, I think you did a wise thing by going straight to the top of the amps. Saves a lot of hassle and loosing money on all the intermediate steps.

I've seen the s/h postings of the Nap 500 on various websites, but what would be the bandwith (min/max) of cost for a 500? - you have probably spend many months in hunting for one, so you're considered the expert here ...

I don't know if the DR upgrade is really the thing to do. I have seen some posts doubting if it is really necessary.

The cheapest 500 ive seen was £6000 for a 2000 vintage about a year or so ago.

Congratulations. A superb and IMO peerless power amp. When you hear what the DR upgrade turns it into the outlay doesn't seem quite so savage. And compered to the cost of a new unit it's reasonable. 

I wish you big fun with it.