Nap 300 First impressions.

With your setup,I would start looking at the Contour C30 or C60's,glad to hear you are liking the 300,one day I might go there too.

I would get a supercap

the x32 isn’t bass shy at all, I used to have one till I got Focus 260

I went from a 155xs to a Nap 300. To be honest the difference wasn't wow what an upgrade.

I still run little Guru Junior speakers which I also had with 155xs. Yes there are small improvements but I suspect the real benefit will come when I get round to the onerous task of auditioning new speakers. Also there is th DR upgrade option when it needs a service.

In contrast when I went from 152xs to Nac52/Supercap now that really was a wow upgrade.i just had a big grin on my face as every record I played seemed to reveal so much more detail I just could not believe the improvements. I suspect once we reach this sort of level improvements if any are pretty subtle and value versus cost nosedives.

From reading other comments on the forum it seems 552 might also be a wow upgrade but I can't afford to go there and would it be a wow over a 52 or just what I would call subtle improvements? I don't know. 

Or get yourself a pair of Dynaudio Contour 3.4 LE. Extremely value at a relatively low cost if you can find second hand.

Anders

I always suspected that I might have to upgrade my speakers don't get me wrong the 300 has taken control of them in a way my 250-2 or 200 couldn't and they are the best vfm purchased used speakers that I have ever owned but I think I need to go up a level and yes Anders the Contour 3.4's look a possible improvement.  

I will seek to upgrade the x32's when I'm able when the right pair comes along used but until then they are a great set of speakers.  I did a thread recently detailing removing the granite slabs I had under these speakers and I suspect what was happening was that it tamed some of the heaviness of the 250-2 and I think if I put the granite back under it may well improve things even more.

Even after one evenings listening I know this amp is a keeper and the best I have owned to date.

I’m so pleased it’s worked out in the end. The 300 is wonderful; I remember swapping from 250.2 to 300 when I had my bigger system many years ago, and it was like the speakers had grown two feet taller. 

Yes the 300 is something quite special (and it should be at the price).  One thing I find particularly amazing is the way it performs so well at low volume - power, control, delicacy and poise, all in one package.  The best of the 200, matched with the best of the 250, plus a bit of magic all of it's own!

I would suggest replacing the cuddly toy power supply with a genuine HiCap (preferable a DR), and then not only will you be able to connect the sub again, you'll also get a better performance from the 282!

Huge posted:

 The best of the 200, matched with the best of the 250,

 

My take: best of 200: speed / lean / agile. best of 250: muscles / drive / power.

I agree with Huge, I would replace the cuddly toy PSU with any Naim Hicap (serviced) and you will forget about the SUB.

Huge posted:

I would suggest replacing the cuddly toy power supply with a genuine HiCap (preferable a DR), and then not only will you be able to connect the sub again, you'll also get a better performance from the 282!

Could well be worth a try. (Although not a prerequisite for adding a sub, but we can't discuss that here!)

If the sub has high level connections, one can run leads from the back of the speakers. Bog standard mains wire is all that's required. 

Huge posted:

Yes the 300 is something quite special (and it should be at the price).  One thing I find particularly amazing is the way it performs so well at low volume - power, control, delicacy and poise, all in one package.  The best of the 200, matched with the best of the 250, plus a bit of magic all of it's own!

I would suggest replacing the cuddly toy power supply with a genuine HiCap (preferable a DR), and then not only will you be able to connect the sub again, you'll also get a better performance from the 282!

Huge, my thoughts as well recently changing from a 250dr to a 300dr also as HH comments the speaker seem have seemed to have grown in size quite a special and amazing amplifier.

All this adulation makes me feel quite sad I couldn't make the 300 work in my set up. Although extremely satisfied with the end product using the 250DR, there will always be a little 'what if'!

I suspect in the end it all came down to room dynamics and my choice of speaker, which I wasn't prepared to give up. It's just difficult, having initially chosen the 300, then reading all these plaudits. Hey ho, that's life.

analogmusic posted:

I agree with Huge, I would replace the cuddly toy PSU with any Naim Hicap (serviced) and you will forget about the SUB.

 

I actually had a 2014 serviced CB HiCap and the Cuddly Toy at the same time and I preferred the latter although I have no doubt that a DR'd HiCap or an Olive SuperCap would see the Cuddly Toy off and it is something to consider I could probably with a bit of wheeling and dealing do one or the other speakers or psu upgrade.

Hungryhalibut posted:

I’m so pleased it’s worked out in the end. The 300 is wonderful; I remember swapping from 250.2 to 300 when I had my bigger system many years ago, and it was like the speakers had grown two feet taller. 

Thank you HH it has certainly brought out the best in these humble Dynaudio's.

The cuddly toy and DR Hicap sound very similar.

To get the best from a 282, go Supercap. I really enjoyed that combination with a 300. 

Bob the Builder posted:

 

First impressions of 282/300  set up on Hutter Rack with a wall shelved LP12 are very, very good the 300 takes much better control of the speakers even at low volumes.  It is quite different compared to the 250-2 with improvements I've usually come to expect from a source or pre amp upgrade and you get the feeling it is making the very best of the signal it is given.  

This is a very fast amp  and comparisons with the 200 are understandable but with that speed comes more rhythm that combined with all of the extra weight of the 250-2  makes for a more together more neutral sound.

I have played the Analogue Productions remaster of Nice 'n' Cool by Gene Ammons  and it sounds so much bigger through the 282/300 I've played this LP a lot through 202/200, 282/200, 282/250 but the 300 just seems to get so much more from the 282 than any of the other Nac's.

I then played Survival by Bob Marley an LP I know so well and although the percussion that comes through is much more life like it is a sound I'm not used to where the Gene Ammons sounded better in every way this LP obviously an inferior recording sounds very different.

I have always used a sub in my set up but because as yet I haven't found a way to incorporate one with the 300 as it uses up that extra socket on my psu I'm finding listening to the Bob Marley LP without one  a very different experience all together.  There are percussion instruments in there that have come from somewhere within the mix to right out in front.

I look forward to hearing my collection through this new amp perhaps I need to ween myself off of that sub woofer but it is so addictive maybe some new speakers might help..........................                                                                                                                            

Sorry, Late to the Party!

No hands on experience, I just like to Party.

Quite an Journey!

A. 202/200 ~ Marque Separates

B. 282~ Upgraded Front End

C. 282/250 ~ Ok, but as Mr. Richard Dane eloquently put it, the 250 being a faster & better amp than the 200, it performs better with the likes of an 252 or better.

D. 282/300~ Your End game!

With the help of the Forum, I would imagine, if you had a chance to start over:

SC>282>300>Rear End!

Enjoy Your Music, The Why!

Allante93!

PS. But look at all the hands on experience you've gained! 

james n posted:

The cuddly toy and DR Hicap sound very similar.

To get the best from a 282, go Supercap. I really enjoyed that combination with a 300. 

I have to agree at almost the same price used with only £1 - 200's in it  HiCap DR v Olive SuperCap is an obvious choice I know there are many that prefer 282/HC DR but I've used a SC on a 202 and it totally transformed that Nac.  Unfortunately I had to sell the SC to part fund my 282 but I'm guessing 282/SC/300 is my end game amp.

That can come in time - you've got a very nice amp setup already so just enjoy your new 300 and if a Supercap comes up at a good price...

james n posted:

That can come in time - you've got a very nice amp setup already so just enjoy your new 300 and if a Supercap comes up at a good price...

I've just been listening to Fatouma Diarawa on Tidal streamed through Raspberry Pi/Digi+ Pro /Chord 2qute and I'm so very happy and I have to say that if circumstances meant this was as good a system as I would ever own SuperCap or not I would be a happy boy!.

Bob the Builder posted:

james n posted:

That can come in time - you've got a very nice amp setup already so just enjoy your new 300 and if a Supercap comes up at a good price...

I've just been listening to Fatouma Diarawa on Tidal streamed through Raspberry Pi/Digi+ Pro /Chord 2qute and I'm so very happy and I have to say that if circumstances meant this was as good a system as I would ever own SuperCap or not I would be a happy boy!.

Gentleman, I couldn't agree more, with the both you!

As James points out,  you have a killer rig!

Quiet as it's kept, Naim's Integrated Amp, is worth it's weight in Gold!

552

252/282

272/202

SN 2

That's right, Naim's middle of the road Pre.

And trust me, there's been many occasions, where members have ranked the 300 DR, above the 500!

500 DR

300 DR

500>300>250DR>250..........200.

But Bob you nailed it!

"I've just been listening to Fatouma Diarawa on Tidal streamed.."

{That's right, Enjoy Your Music, The Why!}

Now lets not discount the How, it's part of our expensive Hobby.

The Display, HH's Systems Pics, Seminars, Hi-Fi Shows, The Audiobarn, and Naim's elaborate Upgrade System.

The How is what Molds us into the unique individuals we are, which is very important!

The How is a major factor, which is directly related to Hands On Experience!

But when its all said and done, the Why is what  makes us a Happy Boy!

Enjoy Your Music, The Why!

Allante93!

PS. I forgot the Infamous Pecking Order!

The Forum!

Hungryhalibut posted:

If the sub has high level connections, one can run leads from the back of the speakers. Bog standard mains wire is all that's required. 

I only have rca in on my sub so have just butchered an old Cambridge Audio RCA Sub cable by removing the plug splitting the wires and connecting them to some old CA copper speaker wire negative to red terminal and positive to white termal at the back of one speaker and viola my sub is up and running again!

I’m not very technical, but surely the sub, which is designed to take low level line inputs, is now receiving a speaker level input, which cannot be good for it? What I do know for definite is that the sub is getting signal from only one channel, so if the sub is connected to the left channel, and the bass player is on the right, you won’t hear it. So even if the sub doesn’t get fried, you are only hearing half the bass.