active NBLs converted to non active

Assuming you preferred the 500DR passive, you will need only the passive XO - although where you would find one is another matter. That said, you'd need one to try the new amp in the first place...!

500 with NBLs is a cracking and really synergistic combination - it is what I run. The 500 is what the NBLs were designed on the end of so I suppose that is no surprise really.

Just drop the 500 into the active setup?

You would not need a new Snaxo, but you would need the passive crossovers that hang on the back of the speakers. If you bought the speakers without them it may be a challenge. 

I was told that the NBL was designed as an active speaker.  The passive crossover came afterwards, and was always a bit troublesome, hence why it was revised at least once in its lifetime.  This may explain why I've never been that happy with the NBL as a passive speaker, as to my ears it has never integrated the various drive units as seamlessly as the other Naim speakers.  It can sound mightily impressive, but long-term I've always found the passive SL2 much easier to listen to and ultimately more rewarding.  However, when you activate the NBL it becomes a much, much, better speaker - the margin of improvement being far greater than on any other Naim speaker when changed from passive to active (and yes, I include the DBL here - I can happily live with passive DBLs, whereas I just couldn't live with passive NBLs). So, if it were me, I would stick to the active configuration, 500DR or not.

zoot posted:

I now have 552/555dr  three 250s with a recapped supercap serving the  active speakers . Would a 500DR bring major inprovement in sound quality.   I would need  new crossovers for the speakers I was told they are no longer made? Possibly a new snaxo?  Are there other changes that need to be made ? 

 Sounds Great Zoot!

Source > 552/555 PS DR 

(SCDR) > (Snaxo) > 3 x 250 > NBLs

Check out Naim's FAQ, What is an Active System:

"We believe that the best way to do the job is to intercept the musical signal as it leaves the pre-amplifier and use a powered [active] crossover (an electronic filtering network) to separate the highs from the mids and the lows. This, naturally, means that we need to use more power amplifiers: one for each band of frequencies. And more loudspeaker cables, of course: one from each amplifier to its dedicated loudspeaker driver connection. 

This is, of course, more expensive than any passive system arrangement but we are convinced - as are many satisfied customers - that the results justify the additional expenditure. Active systems typically sound more precise, clear and controlled than passive systems. The result is music that sounds more like music and less like a hi-fi system. In part this is because active systems inherently produce less distortion than passive systems. [Sorry, for being technical but it's a fact!] "

Enjoy you Music!

Allante93!

PS.

Naim debut it's CD 555/CES 2007:

282 > Snaxo > 3 x 250.2 > DBLs

There is a major improvement running my NBLs active with 3 Nap 250s vs passive with one. I think NBLs were designed to work with Nap 135 six pack or 3 active Nap 250s best.

I have only heard (and still own) NBL's in active mode, I use DBL's now but if my DBL's spontaneously combust I'd be happy unboxing my NBL's and living with them for the rest of my days. They are fantastic music makers and really beautiful looking too, like all naim speakers. Is it only me that thinks Focals B&Ws and all other speakers of today look hideous compared to naim speakers?

Get the snaxo and just play lots of lovely music. Getting NBL PXO would be pretty hard these days.

Mario.

The challange is finding room for all those extra boxes but you're half way there with 2 250s. Just one more stack for 3 500 head units. At least you won't need SL cables, they don't make them with the right plugs on the end.

I'll have to stick with my "faulty" passive crossovers as I really don't have room for another stack. Bummer!

yeti42 posted:

The challange is finding room for all those extra boxes but you're half way there with 2 250s. Just one more stack for 3 500 head units. ....

Posted by Zoot:

" I now have 552/555dr (three) 250s with a recapped (super cap) serving the active speakers."

If the OP decided to stick with his three 250s, would that be a problem?

He already has a recapped SC!

Source > 552/555 PS DR 

SC > (Snaxo) > 3 x 250 > NBLs

My mistake, looks like the OP, only needs a Snaxo 362.

And of course, three pairs of speaker wire to go along with his three amps!

Enjoy your Music!

Allante93!

The OP already has a fully functioning active system, with everything that needs. The question is only about what is needed to go passive, the answer being the passive crossovers that go on the back. 

HH is absolutely right. However if you haven't got the passive crossovers then you have a major problem as I understand that they are impossible to source now.

A piece of highly subjective advice Zoot. Don't do it. Look at other ways to improve your system. A 500DR passive will not be an improvement on active 250s. If the 250s are not DRed then I recommend that. Moreover as Richard says I understand that NBLs were designed as active speakers not on the end of a 500.

Sometimes irony gets lost, and not just in the Atlantic crossing.

yeti42 posted:

Sometimes irony gets lost, and not just in the Atlantic crossing.

Got it yeti42, I'm  a little slow!

250 + 250 = 500!

But, money doesn't grow on trees, and the OP is inches away from an outstanding Active System!

@ Zoot, what Source are you using?

Allante93!

Hi yeti,  cdx2/xps,  ndx/xps ,   lp12/(ekos,akiva, vallahalla,/radikal)

Thanks Camlan I'm listening-

Mario posted:

They are fantastic music makers and really beautiful looking too, like all naim speakers. Is it only me that thinks Focals B&Ws and all other speakers of today look hideous compared to naim speakers?

 Mario.

Apart from the IBL. Crikey those things are horrid. It's the remodelled school table leg square tubing at the bottom that makes me urge. 

 I enjoyed my NBLs with a single 250 (and Naims last spare passive crossover). The 500 after a bit of box rearranging makes it more comunicative musically and I rarely struggle to decipher lyrics nowadays (English ones at any rate) but the sense of swing was still there with the 250 ( the reason for the box rearrangement was to recover it after the introduction of the 500 and it's ps). I don't have space to go active so will never know what I'm missing unless I move house. You'll struggle to find a crossover so I think your choice is to go wonky or work on the front end and I think the latter may be more rewarding as a first move. I don't get Radikal AND Valhalla?

Drewy posted:

Mario posted:

They are fantastic music makers and really beautiful looking too, like all naim speakers. Is it only me that thinks Focals B&Ws and all other speakers of today look hideous compared to naim speakers?

 Mario.

Apart from the IBL. Crikey those things are horrid. It's the remodelled school table leg square tubing at the bottom that makes me urge. 

I've had two pairs of IBLs and they are rather lovely. They are too small to be horrid. I've never heard the term 'makes me urge', which sounds interesting. 

And I thought you were a man with taste.

In the eye of the beholder and all that, but I've never seen a Naim speaker, either in the flesh or in print, that holds any aesthetic appeal whatsoever. No matter how good they may sound, I could not live with any of them! Mind you, that also applies to 90% of all other speakers I've seen. Just as well we're all different.

Well give us a clue what looks and sounds great in the wonderful 10%.

ProAc K series (obviously, as I own the K6!), ProAc Response series, Magico S1, Kef Reference 3, Monitor Audio Platinum PL200, Neat Momentum sx5i. There may be more, but they dont spring immediately to mind.

There are some speakers, frequently mentioned, which appear to be beloved by many forum members; Focal Sopras, Kudos Titans, Spendors, B & W 800 series, PMC Fact 8 and Twenty series to name but a few. Regardless of sound, I simply could not live with any of these, purely on aesthetic grounds. I appreciate I am in the minority, but fortunately I have found speakers which satisfy my audio and visual requirements!

The trick with Naim speaker aesthetics is to LEAVE THE GRILLS ON. They all look better fully clothed.

It's still hard to love IBLs unless you're a fan of Mana.

Timmo1341 posted:

ProAc K series (obviously, as I own the K6!), ProAc Response series, Magico S1, Kef Reference 3, Monitor Audio Platinum PL200, Neat Momentum sx5i. There may be more, but they dont spring immediately to mind.

There are some speakers, frequently mentioned, which appear to be beloved by many forum members; Focal Sopras, Kudos Titans, Spendors, B & W 800 series, PMC Fact 8 and Twenty series to name but a few. Regardless of sound, I simply could not live with any of these, purely on aesthetic grounds. I appreciate I am in the minority, but fortunately I have found speakers which satisfy my audio and visual requirements!

The K6 looks very similar to the Fact 8 to me - both are just tall slim boxes. Neither has any particularly distinctive features. 

Sorry HH - coming from someone who owns SL2s and confesses a liking for IBLs (and, I suspect, most other Naim offerings), that's an unsurprising comment! Yes, both are essentially  tallish, slim boxes, but I don't think there are many who would confuse one for the other. A small thing, but the K6's plinth and base are pretty distinguishing, at least to my eyes!

Once again, a case of 'chacun à son goût'.