NAP 300DR trade for older NAP 500

I traded non DR 300 for a 500. No doubts the 500 is superior and will be to a 300DR. I have found that the biggest upgrades have been on the pre side over the years. I added my 500 to a  552. This is the logical partner for the 500 and the 500 in your system might not be such a big step. If the deal is good and you are aiming for full 500 series amps at some stage, the swap makes sense. I have not heard 272 with 500 so I am guessing. I cannot speak highly enough of the 552. I would get there first before considering the NAP500.

Dave

Given that the 300 and the speakers are new, and that the power supply for the 272 appears to still be on the way, I certainly wouldn't do this. The best thing to do in my view is to let the system all run in and enjoy it, unless being on a constant upgrade treadmill is a higher priority than listening to music. The 500 is far too much with a 272 based system. You'd be far better swapping the 272 for an NDS and adding a 552 to use with the existing 300. 

I would have to agree with HH. While 272 is definitely a great and very successful product, it doesn't play in the same league than the higher Classic or the 500 series. System balance always remains key.  

Chag -

well I'm gonna give it a demo now and see what my ears hear...

So why ask if you are going to do it anyway?

I'm in agreement with the voracious fish. 300 DR is a killer amp that will very adequately handle your Sopra's, and given your pre, adding a 500 would create imbalance. I've been prone to upgrade-itis... but it's not an upgrade I would make.

So I just listened to a full 500 series system with passive Ovator 800 's and NDS and full SL loom....ehhhh 

Then played N272 bare and with a XPS-DR and 555PS with full loom on NAP 500 what opinioned I formed is I have no need for any other Naim pre-amp or source as N272 was and is that good, no vfm I would only put a 555PS since the XPS did very little....

Hungryhalibut posted:

So why ask if you are going to do it anyway?

My my your a funny guy

greekspec2 posted:

So I just listened to a full 500 series system with passive Ovator 800 's and NDS and full SL loom....ehhhh 

Then played N272 bare and with a XPS-DR and 555PS with full loom on NAP 500 what opinioned I formed is I have no need for any other Naim pre-amp or source as N272 was and is that good, no vfm I would only put a 555PS since the XPS did very little....

So Greek are you saying that the 272 performed     Near the 552 with the 500? I am not at that 500 series level and of course I have no experience there, but I was surprised by your observation. 

Moussa posted:

greekspec2 posted:

So I just listened to a full 500 series system with passive Ovator 800 's and NDS and full SL loom....ehhhh 

Then played N272 bare and with a XPS-DR and 555PS with full loom on NAP 500 what opinioned I formed is I have no need for any other Naim pre-amp or source as N272 was and is that good, no vfm I would only put a 555PS since the XPS did very little....

So Greek are you saying that the 272 performed     Near the 552 with the 500? I am not at that 500 series level and of course I have no experience there, but I was surprised by your observation. 

my 37yr old opinion....I have the money to drop on a full 500 series rig and was ready to but after auditioning every piece of Naim's flagship shit, I'm sticking with N272,555PS-DR,NAP 300-DR or NAP 500DR and Sopra 3.My ears heard the difference in the amps and not in the source or pre-amp....I listened to a 552,NDS,NAP and a N272,555PS,NAP 500 on Ovator 800's and must say thank god for the demo.........

How efficient are the speakers? How loud do you listen and how big is your room? I'd imagine the 300 would provide enough power without clipping. I'd hazard a guess that unless cranked up to distortion levels you'll be fine.  It's a very good amp, and the Sopras are relatively standard size compared to the Utopias. Good Luck!

AussieSteve posted:

How efficient are the speakers? How loud do you listen and how big is your room? I'd imagine the 300 would provide enough power without clipping. I'd hazard a guess that unless cranked up to distortion levels you'll be fine.  It's a very good amp, and the Sopras are relatively standard size compared to the Utopias. Good Luck!

my room is L18x12Dx9H and no I'm not clipping my speakers my Sopra 3 are 92.5db

just to be controversial... my ordering in increasing quality is:

500, 300, 300DR, 500DR

Going from a 300DR to a 500 seems to me to be a significant backstep. 

Now people will squeal that the 500 is better than the 300. Its bigger, more powerful, but it simply doesnt time as well. However, it doesnt matter what you think of 500 or 300, and the relative qualities of both -- a 300DR is streaks ahead of either.

Depending on your foreseen endgame the 500 would always be a better bet. Unless you want to stay with the 272 then a 300dr would be a best balance.

the 500 can in time always be upgraded to dr spec...

greekspec2 posted:

So I just listened to a full 500 series system with passive Ovator 800 's and NDS and full SL loom....ehhhh 

Then played N272 bare and with a XPS-DR and 555PS with full loom on NAP 500 what opinioned I formed is I have no need for any other Naim pre-amp or source as N272 was and is that good, no vfm I would only put a 555PS since the XPS did very little....

Hi greekspec2, interesting review. Just to be sure, one of your conclusion is that the xps2 DR was not improving the 272 during your testing session?

greekspec2 posted:

Moussa posted:

greekspec2 posted:

So I just listened to a full 500 series system with passive Ovator 800 's and NDS and full SL loom....ehhhh 

Then played N272 bare and with a XPS-DR and 555PS with full loom on NAP 500 what opinioned I formed is I have no need for any other Naim pre-amp or source as N272 was and is that good, no vfm I would only put a 555PS since the XPS did very little....

So Greek are you saying that the 272 performed     Near the 552 with the 500? I am not at that 500 series level and of course I have no experience there, but I was surprised by your observation. 

my 37yr old opinion....I have the money to drop on a full 500 series rig and was ready to but after auditioning every piece of Naim's flagship shit, I'm sticking with N272,555PS-DR,NAP 300-DR or NAP 500DR and Sopra 3.My ears heard the difference in the amps and not in the source or pre-amp....I listened to a 552,NDS,NAP and a N272,555PS,NAP 500 on Ovator 800's and must say thank god for the demo.........

Thanks for your reply, I see what you mean. I guess the important thing is to be happy with the choices we make, never about bigger is always better

FWIW I replaced a 300 with a 500 - definitely and improvement, though the 300 was very good.  This is into S600 and from 52.  Both the 300 and 500 were 2nd hand, the 500 rather older than the 300.  I was very happy I made the change.  

Steve

Beachcomber posted:

FWIW I replaced a 300 with a 500 - definitely and improvement, though the 300 was very good.  This is into S600 and from 52.  Both the 300 and 500 were 2nd hand, the 500 rather older than the 300.  I was very happy I made the change.  

Steve

Which is all very lovely, but not relevant to the OP who currently has a 300*DR*

jon honeyball posted:

just to be controversial... my ordering in increasing quality is:

500, 300, 300DR, 500DR

Going from a 300DR to a 500 seems to me to be a significant backstep. 

Now people will squeal that the 500 is better than the 300. 

No squealing from me here. If we're talking 300 vs. 500, the latter is better, in every department, and not by a little bit. I've used both extensively in my system by the way.

Alba1320 posted:

jon honeyball posted:

just to be controversial... my ordering in increasing quality is:

500, 300, 300DR, 500DR

Going from a 300DR to a 500 seems to me to be a significant backstep. 

Now people will squeal that the 500 is better than the 300. Its bigger, more powerful, but it simply doesnt time as well. However, it doesnt matter what you think of 500 or 300, and the relative qualities of both -- a 300DR is streaks ahead of either.

Where does the 250DR come on your 'scale', Jon?

Hard to say cos I havent done that direct comparison.

At a guess, I would put it ahead of the 500, en route to the 300 (both non DR). Not sure where between the 500 and 300 -- possibly closer to the 300 in a 250DR-friendly system. Closer to the 500 in a less 250DR system.

But thats a finger in wind...

jon honeyball posted:

just to be controversial... my ordering in increasing quality is:

500, 300, 300DR, 500DR

Going from a 300DR to a 500 seems to me to be a significant backstep. 

Now people will squeal that the 500 is better than the 300. Its bigger, more powerful, but it simply doesnt time as well. However, it doesnt matter what you think of 500 or 300, and the relative qualities of both -- a 300DR is streaks ahead of either.

Something wrong with your system then?  I contacted Naim when the 300DR was first  introduced to ask if it was worth swapping my 500 for a 300DR and the reply was to stick with the 500 so that's would I did. 

Jonn posted:

Something wrong with your system then?  

Ah how foolish of me.

Clearly thats where I have been going wrong then.

Phew.

Glad to have been of help 

Chrissw19 posted:

greekspec2 posted:

So I just listened to a full 500 series system with passive Ovator 800 's and NDS and full SL loom....ehhhh 

Then played N272 bare and with a XPS-DR and 555PS with full loom on NAP 500 what opinioned I formed is I have no need for any other Naim pre-amp or source as N272 was and is that good, no vfm I would only put a 555PS since the XPS did very little....

Hi greekspec2, interesting review. Just to be sure, one of your conclusion is that the xps2 DR was not improving the 272 during your testing session?

 

I wouldn't worry too much. You soon learn how much significance to attach to different members' comments. 

Hungryhalibut posted:

I wouldn't worry too much. You soon learn how much significance to attach to different members' comments. 

Wise words