Nap300 dr or keep nap250 dr

Since you already have an XPS on the 272 and the pre-amp is to remain the next  step may be to upgrade the power amp. You could however try Super Lumina cabling as HH has done. In both cases you need to demo before purchasing such expensive gear.

I would have suggested that you should audition a front end upgrade as well as a power amp upgrade to decide where you get the most benefit. However, that's a lot of speaker to hang on the end of a 272/250, and I would guess that driving them with a 300 would get them to perform much better.

I live in the middle of nowhere, 6 hours to the nearest decent audio shop.  There is no such thing as demo anything.  I'm stuck with what I have, BUT I can upgrade the 250dr to a 300dr if it would make a difference.  Don't get me wrong, what I have no is nice, however.  

'Decent audio shop' and 'no such thing as demo' is a contradiction in terms as far as I'm concerned! Still, if you had to take a punt on it, I'd be very surprised if you were disappointed.

It's beyond me why people buy these mullet systems, but having experienced the difference between a 250.2.and a 300, though I've never heard a 300DR, I think going for the bigger amplifier is a very good idea. I'd also think about a 555PS to get the best out of the 272. But ultimately the 272 will hold things back. 

Zackwater posted:

I live in the middle of nowhere, 6 hours to the nearest decent audio shop.  There is no such thing as demo anything.  I'm stuck with what I have, BUT I can upgrade the 250dr to a 300dr if it would make a difference.  Don't get me wrong, what I have no is nice, however.  

You seem to be satisfied with the speakers at least. Would it be possible to contact the Naim distributor or  a dealer with a view to posting you a set of SL cables to demo or even the 300. A  speaker manufacturer actually shipped a pair directly to me for auditioning once. They may require a refundable deposit, but it may be worth a try. 

Zackwater posted:

The objective is to get a little more fullness in the music at lower volume, sorta like turning on the old loudness switch on my Kenwood amp in 1977.

Have you experimented with speaker positioning ? Worth trying before throwing money at the problem. 

First off, I don't understand how what I have is a "Mullet system", I don't think that's a compliment.   I like what I have, I just want a little better.  I listened to 4 different dealers who all recommended the exact same naim components, maybe that's because that's all the distributors had in stock, I don't know.   I just want a little more fullness/bass  at lower listening levels.  When I tune it up, it's amazing.   So on a scale of 1 to 100, with 100 being perfect, I'm at an 89, I want to be at 94.   

Just do it, I have it done about 5 month ago and haven't regretted any moment since...

ive owned both the sopra 2 & 3 on the back end of a 250 & 300 dr and N272....where are you located

I have a NAP 300DR having gone from 250.2 to 300 to 300DR.  It will be a better performer at lower levels. Certainly more detail and wider, deeper soundstage. Not sure about the increase in bass though. Some find the 250 has more bass umph. It's a matter of the added cost vs. your expectations. Hope you're not disappointed if you do take a punt. You could ask those dealers what they think. Hope you get an honest reply.

I don't think its the Naim components that prompted the Mullet response (and I have to agree I don't like that particular description either albeit I know it is not meant offensively) more the Sopra 3 speakers.

Given that the Sopra 3 appears to be normally driven by Statement amplification in Focal demonstrations then using them with a front end of 272 and 250DR, as good as it is, is probably not getting the best from them to say the least. Against this then an upgrade to a 300DR is likely to do more justice but if you were to pair them with peer Naim components then NDS, 552 and 500 are probably more appropriate.

I am somewhat surprised that the Dealer who supplied the Sopra 3s didn't mention this.

Callan has a point. It would help to know what your final budget is, given that you spent the best of £16K GBP on the speakers. I take it you want to stick with the Sopra 3's

Just looked of the Focal web and they appear to be recommending the 282/ NDX/300DR as a partner for the Sopra 3. 

If I add the nap300dr that's another $6000. That will put me right at $40k usd.  I'm about done, however when my tv goes out I then have room for a turntable, so add $5k for that. I live in central Arkansas (near Texas).  I'm really not wanting to trade up on the 272.  If that's a must for the 300, then I will stick with what I have. I like the speakers, when I bought them I read all the reviews and they raved about them, for what that's worth.  I know just enough about audio to get into big trouble as you can tell. I need you expertise to answer one question:  TRADE UP THE 250 FOR THE 300 or not considering my other components, please help. 

The 300 is an awesome amp. I have one but never tried the 250dr. I did try the 250.2 though and the 300dr is hugely better, there's no contest. 

sheffieldgraham posted:

I have a NAP 300DR having gone from 250.2 to 300 to 300DR.  It will be a better performer at lower levels. Certainly more detail and wider, deeper soundstage. Not sure about the increase in bass though. Some find the 250 has more bass umph. It's a matter of the added cost vs. your expectations. Hope you're not disappointed if you do take a punt. You could ask those dealers what they think. Hope you get an honest reply.

I have a 300dr on order to replace a 250dr and can vouch for the comments made above the 300dr has more grip and control these were my conclusions after a demo of the 300dr against the 250dr last month.

You cannot knock tho 250dr it is a absolutely cracking amplifier and superb value for money the 300dr is just better as it should be at the price difference.

Whether your proposed combination is up to getting the best out of the Sopra 3 is another can of worms entirely.

Yes, IMHO you should trade up to the 300DR because I believe that in the context of the system you have now that is clearly the best option.

Trading up the 272 is most certainly not a must for a 300DR.

The reason for the questioning is not in respect of any doubt as to the SQ of your current Naim components more that the received wisdom based on the old source first mantra tends to be that if you spend $40k on a system you would not normally expect to spend half on the speakers. However that is not an absolute law and I am sure the Sopra 3s are fantastic.

Zackwater posted:

If I add the nap300dr that's another $6000. That will put me right at $40k usd.  I'm about done, however when my tv goes out I then have room for a turntable, so add $5k for that. I live in central Arkansas (near Texas).  I'm really not wanting to trade up on the 272.  If that's a must for the 300, then I will stick with what I have. I like the speakers, when I bought them I read all the reviews and they raved about them, for what that's worth.  I know just enough about audio to get into big trouble as you can tell. I need you expertise to answer one question:  TRADE UP THE 250 FOR THE 300 or not considering my other components, please help. 

Do you really want to get into the vinyl scene? That's a whole new venture along with a whole set of additional equipment requirements.

Get the 300dr, it is an end game power amp for mortals..

Then try super lumina speaker cables...

Then 555DR

Then wait for 372... maybe single by then

The turn table is another huge expense point, it won't finish with 5000$..... it never Does! So unless you have a lots of Lps I say don't..

I just bought a new one ( Eat c-major) and I am regretting now, it so easy to use 272 and the sound is as good as it gets, now I am thinking to upgrade my stageline to superline and power supply and all cabling of naim phono stages....thinking there must be something more in analog,  it never ends..

i love the 300DR -- it was naim's best amp till the 500DR came along.

The 250DR is also superb. Look at how many concerts, musical outings, CDs, months of streaming etc you can buy with the difference in cost. And ask if its really worth it

jon honeyball posted:

i love the 300DR -- it was naim's best amp till the 500DR came along.

The 250DR is also superb. Look at how many concerts, musical outings, CDs, months of streaming etc you can buy with the difference in cost. And ask if its really worth it

That's my concern Jon. I'm not sure the jump from 250DR to 300DR will be enough to satisfy Zack's expectations.

If it was 250.2 to 300DR then maybe.

You guys are really good and a great knowledge base, I just wished I had known about this form BEFORE I bought my system.   I "only" paid $15k for the sopra 3's, those I am keeping.  The other stuff can come and go as needed, but next year.   Stereo budget is shot this year (a new wife would cost way too much).   So I guess if I do go with the 300, the only downside is money.  It won't sound "worse" with my current components than the 250, I suppose.   As for the turntable, it was just an idea, I know I'll have $10k in it before I know it.  

Zackwater posted:

I live in the middle of nowhere, 6 hours to the nearest decent audio shop.  There is no such thing as demo anything.  I'm stuck with what I have, BUT I can upgrade the 250dr to a 300dr if it would make a difference.  

Why does 6hr to a shop stop you? It may make it inconvenient, and not worth the hassle if buying something cheap, but certainly worth ensuring your big bucks are worth it. A year ago I wanted to listen to different speakers, so I took a 4 hour ferry journey followed by 4.5 hour drive to one place, then in the evening drove 4.5 hours to another place, stayed in a hotel overnight and first thing had another audition, then after lunch a 2.5 hour drive to another place, and finally late that evening another 2 hour drive and overnight ferry. And I lugged my old speakers and my amp with me, to have full and proper comparisons. 

And you may find a dealer willing to send the amp by courier for audition, if you pay the full cost upfront as a deposit. However, that all said, the risk upgrading the amp from 250 to 350 would seem pretty minor, unlike changing speakers.

there are a few NAP 300's and a for sell here in the states