NAP135 vs NAP 500 vs NAP500DR

Anybody compared NAP500 to NAP500DR? I am sure a lot of people did. 

Looking forward for comparison info of both amps.

If you do a forum search there are loads of comments from people who have had their 500s upgraded. Hours of reading. 

There are stacks of commentary on 500 vs 500DR. In summary 500DR is awesome over a mighty 500!

I have read several threads on NAP500 and NAP500DR although I find lack of specifics , seems that the consensus is that an NAP500DR is much better than NAP500.

Still looking for an opinion where does NAP135 stands in the NAP300/NAP500/NAP300DR/NAP500DR hierarchy.

Easy. In increasing goodness:

500, 135, 300, 300dr, 500dr

JON

i was always under the impression that 135's to 300 was perhaps a sideways move but the 500 was head and shoulders above either of them

this was in the days before DR 

lyndon

Nah. 135 beats 500 for boogie. 500dr is different animal. 

I accept many will disagree strongly. I don't care

jon honeyball posted:

Easy. In increasing goodness:

500, 135, 300, 300dr, 500dr

OP: 135 vs 500 vs 500DR

It appears that the OP & Jon are on the same pg.

Just by the Title, I suspect the OP, or any inexperienced hi-fi enthusiast would expect, the 500 DR Trumps the 500!

Hence, the Title could be reduced to:

135 vs 500

@ Mr. Jon Honeywell:

First off, there is no substitute for hands on Experience!

Is Naim's Statement Mono Blocks, an massive supped up version of the 135s ?

The 300 series are not Mono Blocks!

The 500 series are not Mono Blocks!

Hence, Jons take would be:

500 vs 135s vs 500DR

Is that your view, with your professional hands on experience????

Enjoy your Music, The Why!

Allante93?

I have said before they I prefer 300 to 500. That 300dr is a significant upgrade on the 300. And that 500dr is top of the tree. And arguably as good maybe even better than statement poweramp. 

jon honeyball posted:

Easy. In increasing goodness:

500, 135, 300, 300dr, 500dr

500

135 Mono Blocks/6-pack

300

300 DR

180K Statement Mono Blocks

Naim's best VFM, Interesting! 500DR?????

==========$$$=====================

Bigger is not always better!

And there is nothing like hands on experience.

Thanks for sharing your views!

Allante93!

PS. And arguably as good MAYBE even better than statement poweramp. 

Hi replying to 500 v 500dr I found the original 500 had a warmer base .... rendition that seemed to impact on the lower midrange.. ..not unpleasant the 500dr removes this and gives much more grip and definition....also the lower midrange has superb clarity. The 500dr also seems to be letting more information through.... better sound stage.... etc. But most importantly all this is brought together cohesively.... so the boggie factor is better. Remember all these effects were heard through a 272 with 555ps.....a good but not the best partner for the 500dr .... I would imagine with a 552 and a dedicated source it would be even more apparent.. ...

Further to the above... when i upgraded from a 250.2 to a 250dr I noticed the same effect. It must be to do with the better transistors and regulators.... By the way the old 500 blew away the 250dr ..... apprent within 10 seconds of comparison.....the 500 has great finesse 

jon honeyball posted:

Easy. In increasing goodness:

500, 135, 300, 300dr, 500dr

Hi Jon, where does my 250 DR stand in the hierarchy... 

someqwhere around 135. Pluses and minuses.

135 has the advantage of monoblock

250DR has advantage of DR'ness and more modern design

Personally, I'm somewhat annoyed there is no 135DR. But noone asked my opinion.

Also consideration has to be given to what people are using 135s in. 

135s are really the purview of "oldschool naim sound" like SBL, DBL. 6x135 into DBL is a magical combination.

250DR is aimed at a different user, different world -- I use my 250DR with ATC SCM11s. 

One of my regrets was selling my 135s and replacing it with a 300.  Should have kept it.  The 300 was a little bit cleaner and clearer sounding but, for me, it wasn't worth it.  This was using the 135 with 552/NBL.  But that is just my ears and my preference.

you could DR your 300 and thats very much worth it

jon honeyball posted:

Easy. In increasing goodness:

500, 135, 300, 300dr, 500dr

Jon,

Thank you so much for sharing your hands on insights. 

Others will disagree. 

jon honeyball posted:

Others will disagree. 

...a bit...

Richieroo posted:

Hi replying to 500 v 500dr I found the original 500 had a warmer base .... rendition that seemed to impact on the lower midrange.. ..not unpleasant the 500dr removes this and gives much more grip and definition....also the lower midrange has superb clarity. The 500dr also seems to be letting more information through.... better sound stage.... etc. But most importantly all this is brought together cohesively.... so the boggie factor is better. Remember all these effects were heard through a 272 with 555ps.....a good but not the best partner for the 500dr .... I would imagine with a 552 and a dedicated source it would be even more apparent.. ...

Richieroo,

Many thanks for the reply and sharing of your hands on experience. It really gives me some good idea how they are different (NAP500 vs NAP500DR)

jon honeyball posted:

Also consideration has to be given to what people are using 135s in. 

135s are really the purview of "oldschool naim sound" like SBL, DBL. 6x135 into DBL is a magical combination.

250DR is aimed at a different user, different world -- I use my 250DR with ATC SCM11s. 

Not trying to beat a dead horse, I get the 135s, Trumping the 500 argument, Mono Blocks.

But could you elaborate on the 300 Trumping the 500?

Your take, forget about the naysayers! 

No offense, to the Esteem Tonym!

Allante93!

PS. Just edited! 

500 is boring. Has pretentions of detail, but its bit of a bully. I find it boring, it doesnt hold my attention over time. 

300 boogies, is lighter of foot, good detail. Smaller than 500, but more engaging. 

300DR boogies lots more, and is more detailed and open and airy. Big step up. 

500DR boogies hardest, has staggering detail and air. 500dR plus Townsend Allegri is about as good as it gets, realistically. (Apologies to 552 owners - I think 552 is way past its prime now, even with DR. Waaaay past...)

And my view is no more valid than anyone else's