Time for upgrade?

Posted by: MangoMonkey on 28 October 2017

Checked my emails - looks like I've had the kudos Super 20s  about four years now.

Stellar speakers.

Really have no idea where I would go from here - they're about as big a speaker as I would want. 

Maybe it's time for the 500? Will it be wasted on the super 20s? Would that be a pointless upgrade given that I don't think I'll be upgrading the speakers anytime soon?

Current system - NDS/552/300- all DR except the 300.

Seems a little pointless to upgrade the 300 to DR spec - but If that's where the balance lies, maybe best to get a 300DR and push the 500 upgrade for the next home?

Or maybe best to do nothing at all?

 (Second system is a 272/250DR) - got ridof the XPS-DR on a whim - miss it, but figured best to keep second system Spartan...

And had my first HiFi accident recently - kiddo accidentally nudged a set of standmounters the stand slipped on the slab and toppled over - no one got hurt luckily, but a couple deep gashes on those speakers make unsellable - those were the harveth shl5+ i use in the study with the 272/250..

Trying out the 250 DR in the big system.jnstead of the 300s tonight - hmm... The 250DR can't match the non Dr 300... There's so much info missing - hence the thoughts of moving to the 500DR from the 300....

Fwiw - got into a new hobby - me and my son - 6 yrs old now - go mountain biking every weekend. That is a lot of fun...

Posted on: 28 October 2017 by MangoMonkey

Baby#2 is 5 months old - and today is the first day after he was born that I've had a chance to sit down and listen to some music at night once everyone has gone to sleep...

Listening to water music suites/Trever Pinnock...

Pleasure/Feist prior to this 

Posted on: 29 October 2017 by Chag...

I would definitely go DR on 300.  

Chag -

Posted on: 29 October 2017 by Huge
MangoMonkey posted:

Baby#2 is 5 months old - and today is the first day after he was born that I've had a chance to sit down and listen to some music at night once everyone has gone to sleep...

Listening to water music suites/Trever Pinnock...

Pleasure/Feist prior to this 

Yes good recording that.  The English Consort are a period ensemble but very well balanced.

Posted on: 29 October 2017 by analogmusic

Hi mango 

what info is missing from 250dr?

Posted on: 29 October 2017 by Huge

DRing the 300 is an interesting one.  The 300DR is a beast of remarkable subtlety, delicacy and insight...  It doesn't force you to listen, it just draws you into the music as though there was no other choice you could actually make.

Posted on: 29 October 2017 by Consciousmess

^ but I can’t help but wonder whether hearing the 500 DR in that fine system then heating a 300 DR might make your perception of the 300 DR sound compressed.

If the finances aren’t an issue, then the 500 DR should be your upgrade. Mind you, I bet you wish you had the hearing sensitivity of your 5 month old.

(An irony which always struck me - one can only afford the high end system when one is older with failing hearing...)

Posted on: 29 October 2017 by Consciousmess

All the more reason to upgrade now!

Posted on: 29 October 2017 by Chris Dolan

I would consider the NAP500 but would probably actually DR the 300PS - and also think about servicing the NAP300/300PS depending on their age.

Then think about a longer term plan - such as a 300 "four pack" going active with Kudos Super 20As (assuming the SNAXO works), or perhaps 606 or 707 

Posted on: 29 October 2017 by Christopher_M
MangoMonkey posted:
....kiddo accidentally nudged a set of standmounters the stand slipped on the slab and toppled over - no one got hurt luckily,....

The perils of slabs. Glad the child is ok.

Posted on: 29 October 2017 by Bert Schurink

I would suggest you upgrade to the 500. It brings you on a totally different level of quality of reproduction. Upgrading it to 300DR would also be an interesting step forward, but will be still quite a step away of what a 500 is capable off (own experience). The question of the speakers is a non question. Your speakers should fare well with the 500, the 500 will show what they are ultimate capable off.

Posted on: 29 October 2017 by tonym
Consciousmess posted:

(An irony which always struck me - one can only afford the high end system when one is older with failing hearing...)

Maybe. But us oldies have acquired the wisdom to only buy those hi-fi components that make a positive difference to what we hear and are far less likely to be swayed by advertising blurb or dazzling specifications.

Posted on: 29 October 2017 by Foot tapper

An interesting 3 way choice:

  1. 500DR, or
  2. go active on the S20A with a pair of NAP300 , or
  3. jump to the Kudos 606, which are only 25mm (1 inch) taller than the S20A (again probably active)

Do let us know how you get on.

Best regards, FT

Posted on: 29 October 2017 by The Strat (Fender)

Mango -long time no hear.   I think if I were you I’d initially think about the 606  or even 707s both of which the NAP 300 would handle with aplomb.   

Regards,

Lindsay

Posted on: 29 October 2017 by MangoMonkey

The 250.2 and 250DR are different enough - that they shouldn't even have the same name.. and if you really liked the 250.2 - I'm not so sure you'll like the 250DR..

Not sure if the same rule applies for the 300 and 300DR...

From all reports, the 300DR is a different beast than the 300 - so I'll try to actually hear it before I do the upgrade.

 With the amount of time I have, I figure I'll combine the 300 recap with DR upgrade at the 7 yr mark. That'll be in 2020. 

No churn for now.

Posted on: 29 October 2017 by Foot tapper
MangoMonkey posted:

 

... With the amount of time I have, I figure I'll combine the 300 recap with DR upgrade at the 7 yr mark. That'll be in 2020. 

No churn for now.

Hi MM,
A wise approach.

However, "no churn for now"?  I'm sorry; are you feeling okay? 
Delighted that you are content to enjoy your lovely system as it is.

Best regards, FT