A fond farewell to 200 - hello 300
Posted by: antony d on 25 June 2017
some 16 years ago I purchased my first couple of NAIM CD5 & 200 from a highly repected dealer in Leicester
changed the system around a lot over the years but the 200 remained - moved from CD5 to CDX2/XPS then downgraded to Unti but still with 200
I can't praise my dealer highly enough for the advise - guidence (and invoices!) over the years they say NAIM is a journey, well to use that metaphor " whilst the journey may not be over I am going to sit on a bench for a while and admire the view" - LP12, NDX, 282, HCDR, FRAIM and in a couple of weeks 300!
That is the great thing with Naim gear. Because the trade in/resale values are so strong and because the reliability of the kit is so good, you can upgrade and even downgrade without losing too much money. Of course downgrading it is possible to come away with money in your pocket! Better still is taking advantage of ex-demo stock and pre loved kit from dealers with the back up service that allows. Most of my system has been built with pre loved or ex-demo gear and I have upgraded with the benefit of trade in allowances. It is all good.
BTW, great system Antony. I have owned the very same system but still have the delights of a 300 to experience, maybe sometime in the future. Right now, I am very happy where I am.
I'm sure you will be delighted with you new acquisition went it arrives.
Just interested to know, if you were able to have a home dem of the 300 or have you just decided to go for it?
wenger2015 posted:I'm sure you will be delighted with you new acquisition went it arrives.
Just interested to know, if you were able to have a home dem of the 300 or have you just decided to go for it?
after speaking to my dealer (who i know well and moreover trust) choice was mine either ex demo 250DR or SH 300
went for the later, cost was slightly higher and will look to get DR upgrade at some point in future,
it also fits into my plans and the FRAIM!
Hi Antony ,
very happy for you, the recipe for your success is having had a very knowledgeable support, from a valuable dealer (I don't know him and no connection with) but I understand his 'modus operandi' throughly . You didn't fall into that 272 trap, you did the right source move(you cn always improve it), and anything else spot-on. Enjoy!!
I am extremely confident that you will love the NAP300/300PS - and then DR will be a big bonus 
Great system but they all are from low to high end. I bought a SH 300 way back when and they sure had grip and detail.
so today is the day the 300 is collected and the Lions win a in NZ?
thoughts to follow when set up
I am running a 282 into a 200 with Dynaudio Focus 160s. I know that my next upgrade will be the 200, but I am a bit worried about changing the balance of the system which just sounds right at the moment. In theory the 250 or 300 should be a better match with the 282 but I could be chasing nirvana when my best system is already here.
282/200 is a mighty amplifier- it has something very special about it and it a good final destination.
Antonio1 posted:Hi Antony ,
very happy for you, the recipe for your success is having had a very knowledgeable support, from a valuable dealer (I don't know him and no connection with) but I understand his 'modus operandi' throughly . You didn't fall into that 272 trap, you did the right source move(you cn always improve it), and anything else spot-on. Enjoy!!
slightly harsh about 272 trap...? It isn't as bad as you seem to think.....?
NJB posted:I am running a 282 into a 200 with Dynaudio Focus 160s. I know that my next upgrade will be the 200, but I am a bit worried about changing the balance of the system which just sounds right at the moment. In theory the 250 or 300 should be a better match with the 282 but I could be chasing nirvana when my best system is already here.
Really liked the 282/200 combo, I think the 200 punches above it's weight
300 has been running for couple of hours now and really coming on song, more depth and detaIl on the bass line, mid range is really dynamic already pleased with move to 300
plan is to get it DR in near future, but at the moment more than a little foot taping going on
those boys in Leicester have got it right again!
Congratulations on your 300, it really is a great step up, enjoy..
Congratulations. I made that upgrade as well before I changed to my 500. It was such a massive upgrade - that I would recommend that to anyone in the market for such an upgrade. Unless you hear the 500, you can be at your end of the upgrade path.....
I reckon the 300 is a great amp. I changed mine for a 500, but only because I suspected my nbl's imposed a heavy loading and required a bigger kick up the jacksie to perform at their best than I would ideally have liked. With an easier going pair of speakers, I would have been more than happy sticking with the 300 which has a wonderful sound quality. Hope the OP gets many years of enjoyment from their new 300.
Peter
Hi you don't say old your 300 is .... the dr upgrade and service will make a very big difference ..... this is a move you will never regret.
Richieroo posted:Hi you don't say old your 300 is .... the dr upgrade and service will make a very big difference ..... this is a move you will never regret.
Richieroo
7 years old, planning to DR it later this year
so far delighted with upgrade from 200 - the presenation of the of the music is very much like the 200 but from an older slibling who is older and much wiser, well worth the upgrade
What speakers are the NAP 300 driving?
ryder. posted:What speakers are the NAP 300 driving?
B&W 805 Nautilus on HNE Granite stands - Cord Odyissey speaker cable
that's a nice speaker. I used to own an 805S, and I miss it quite a bit.
Too bad the 80d3 is now so expensive.
Thanks for the information. The B&W Nautilus 805 are nice speakers. I have owned them briefly more than 10 years ago (pre-Naim days). They do respond well with different amps. Some of the amps I have used on the N805 are the Krell KAV-300i, YBA Integre DT and Plinius separates.
Enjoy the newly acquired NAP 300. I'm sure the system sounds special.
By the way, I think someone here has the latest 804 or 803 Diamonds driven by the NAC 202 and NAP 250 DR...
analogmusic posted:that's a nice speaker. I used to own an 805S, and I miss it quite a bit.
Too bad the 80d3 is now so expensive.
I have read about the 805S being an improvement over the N805, an overall better speaker. Before I got into the Harbeth I did look at the 805S but eventually went the other direction. Yes, the current Diamond series are very costly.
ryder. posted:analogmusic posted:that's a nice speaker. I used to own an 805S, and I miss it quite a bit.
Too bad the 80d3 is now so expensive.
I have read about the 805S being an improvement over the N805, an overall better speaker. Before I got into the Harbeth I did look at the 805S but eventually went the other direction. Yes, the current Diamond series are very costly.
got them SH from a local dealer, really pleased with them - the do need to be driven
music room is quiet small so need a bookshelf rather than floor stand speaker, just posted some pictures on System photos
antony d posted:got them SH from a local dealer, really pleased with them - the do need to be driven
music room is quiet small so need a bookshelf rather than floor stand speaker, just posted some pictures on System photos
Saw the photos in the System thread. Nice room. The room certainly does not need larger speakers. The size of the N805 fits the room nicely.
Yes, the 805s do benefit from good power. They do sound livelier with better bass punch and dynamics with a larger amp.
The 282-300 was my first Naim pre/power set up which I ran for 7 years. They drove B&W 803S. Looking back this would have been a good place to stop. Very enjoyable and full of energy. This was long before anyone said "DR" so I can't comment on how this may improve things. With your NDX and LP12 your have electronics that will let these sources shine.
Dave