250 DR vs 300

Worth a search I know some have reported on it.  I haven't but I'd put my money on the 300.    

At the risk of plagiarising the erstwhile sales tag-line of The Skottish Company - 'Simply better'. 

I guess you should try a SC on the 282 as an alternative upgrade. 

John. 

Having owned a 300 for some years, and now a 250DR, I'd take the 250DR over a used 300 any day of the week.

G

NAP 300 without a doubt. Surely two boxes says it all?

As much as i loved my 300 at the time, in pure practical terms it's two boxes to site and the Burndy cables are a PITA. I'd be cautious if you are thinking of changing without a chance to try.

John's SC suggestion is a good move and will make the best of the 282. 

I can't comment on the 282, but auditioned both the 300DR and the 250DR with a 272 (+555). In my room (6m x 5m) with ProAc K6 speakers the 300 was a great disappointment, producing overblown, overpowering, muddy, booming bass. As soon as it was replaced by the 250 it was as if a curtain had lifted, and I heard music better than anything I had experienced before.

I'm not criticising the 300, or claiming the 250 is a better amp, simply relating my own experience. Both amps had been fully 'run in'. For whatever reason, in my situation, the 250 was the one that did it for me.

I used to run a 250 (non DR) and replaced it with a 300 (non DR). Good as the 250 was, the 300 blew it out of the water in every department. Can't add anything re: DR differential though.

GraemeH posted:

Having owned a 300 for some years, and now a 250DR, I'd take the 250DR over a used 300 any day of the week.

G

Very interesting... what are your reasons for this ?

Timmo1341 posted:

I can't comment on the 282, but auditioned both the 300DR and the 250DR with a 272 (+555). In my room (6m x 5m) with ProAc K6 speakers the 300 was a great disappointment, producing overblown, overpowering, muddy, booming bass. As soon as it was replaced by the 250 it was as if a curtain had lifted, and I heard music better than anything I had experienced before.

I'm not criticising the 300, or claiming the 250 is a better amp, simply relating my own experience. Both amps had been fully 'run in'. For whatever reason, in my situation, the 250 was the one that did it for me.

Is it possible it was a burndy issue ?

analogmusic posted:

Timmo1341 posted:

I can't comment on the 282, but auditioned both the 300DR and the 250DR with a 272 (+555). In my room (6m x 5m) with ProAc K6 speakers the 300 was a great disappointment, producing overblown, overpowering, muddy, booming bass. As soon as it was replaced by the 250 it was as if a curtain had lifted, and I heard music better than anything I had experienced before.

I'm not criticising the 300, or claiming the 250 is a better amp, simply relating my own experience. Both amps had been fully 'run in'. For whatever reason, in my situation, the 250 was the one that did it for me.

Is it possible it was a burndy issue ?

I believe not. All leads and connections were checked and rechecked by my dealer. Consultation with ProAc revealed this was not a first in respect of the 300''s interaction with the K series in smaller rooms. I dare say I could have looked to change speakers, but the K6 is exquisite, and matched with the 250 is all I can imagine ever wanting!

The 300 has an iron grip on the bass. It's great with my DR 300. Are you sure it's not the 250.2 you are referring to?

low volume listenening is one of the 300's strengths.

Bob_B posted:

I used to run a 250 (non DR) and replaced it with a 300 (non DR). Good as the 250 was, the 300 blew it out of the water in every department. Can't add anything re: DR differential though.

Same here but with DR versions. I recently acquired a pre-loved 300DR to replace my 250DR and the difference is significant in all areas. Source is a 272/XPS DR. As much as the 250DR was an improvement over the 200 DR it replaced, the 300 DR is a game changer - it sounds like live music.

rightcoastants posted:

Bob_B posted:

I used to run a 250 (non DR) and replaced it with a 300 (non DR). Good as the 250 was, the 300 blew it out of the water in every department. Can't add anything re: DR differential though.

Same here but with DR versions. I recently acquired a pre-loved 300DR to replace my 250DR and the difference is significant in all areas. Source is a 272/XPS DR. As much as the 250DR was an improvement over the 200 DR it replaced, the 300 DR is a game changer - it sounds like live music.

 

If nobody would hear a 500 - everybody would be highly content with the 300 it's a real masterpiece and great value for money.

Bert Schurink posted:

If nobody would hear a 500 - everybody would be highly content with the 300 it's a real masterpiece and great value for money.

I am fortunate not to have any friends who own any 500 series level gear. 

The DR enhancement was a huge uplift in capability for the power amps; much bigger than the preamps imo. The 300 was good, but the 300DR is sublime. A 250DR vs 300 would be a tough call, so why not wait, save a bit more and get a 300DR. It's the right answer....

My old 300 nor DR was in a different league to a 250DR that I had at home for a month when my 500 was in for the DR mod. Having said that, a back to back listen was impossible and we all know how reliable musical memory is.

As with the non DR 250, it's not really a case of "better than". They sound so different (as does a 500 to a 300) that you may as well be in a different universe. Past that, it's down to personal preference.

James n posted:

As much as i loved my 300 at the time, in pure practical terms it's two boxes to site and the Burndy cables are a PITA. I'd be cautious if you are thinking of changing without a chance to try.

John's SC suggestion is a good move and will make the best of the 282. 

The NAP 300 DR or non-DR will surely sound different from the NAP 250 DR and in most cases better though I understand few might find the 250 DR to be superior in isolated cases. Nevertheless, as you have said it's two boxes so that eventually ruled out my intention to try the 300 or the Supercap as both will add 2 additional levels to my rack which will add more clutter.

rightcoastants posted:

Bob_B posted:

I used to run a 250 (non DR) and replaced it with a 300 (non DR). Good as the 250 was, the 300 blew it out of the water in every department. Can't add anything re: DR differential though.

Same here but with DR versions. I recently acquired a pre-loved 300DR to replace my 250DR and the difference is significant in all areas. Source is a 272/XPS DR. As much as the 250DR was an improvement over the 200 DR it replaced, the 300 DR is a game changer - it sounds like live music.

 

I recently changed my 250dr for a 300dr the difference is substantial best upgrade I've ever done.

how does 300 DR improve on 250 DR

analogmusic posted:

how does 300 DR improve on 250 DR

In my system the 300dr has far more grip and control a far better soundstage low level listening is another plus point just better all round but then given the price difference so it should.

analogmusic posted:

I'm curious about the differences between a 250 DR and a 300 Non DR

Has anyone been able to compare these with a 282/HC?

 

Yes recently made the choice to purchase SH 300 from my dealer over ex demo 250DR

my system was then LP12/NDX/282/HCDR/200 - my plan was to add 250DR, spent a long time with them on demo,  when the time was right contacted my dealer about changing - they had just had in a PX of a non DR 300 -

perfect match for my system, love the control, focus and seperation of the 300 plenty of grip - different sound to the 250DR, which I prefer even non DR the 300 is a superb amp - love the musicality - system is now LP12/NDX/282/HCDR/300 into B&W 805N

plan in new year is to DR the 300 but got to say it's damn good non DR

antony d posted:

analogmusic posted:

I'm curious about the differences between a 250 DR and a 300 Non DR

Has anyone been able to compare these with a 282/HC?

 

Yes recently made the choice to purchase SH 300 from my dealer over ex demo 250DR

my system was then LP12/NDX/282/HCDR/200 - my plan was to add 250DR, spent a long time with them on demo,  when the time was right contacted my dealer about changing - they had just had in a PX of a non DR 300 -

perfect match for my system, love the control, focus and seperation of the 300 plenty of grip - different sound to the 250DR, which I prefer even non DR the 300 is a superb amp - love the musicality - system is now LP12/NDX/282/HCDR/300 into B&W 805N

plan in new year is to DR the 300 but got to say it's damn good non DR

Wow!

The Forum at it's best!

Which upgrade Analogmusic!

SC, or SCDR

300, or wait on 300 DR

Or, just enjoy that sweet System you have!

Enjoy your Music, The Why we do this!

Allante93!

thanks for responses every0one

I would need to do a side by side comparison, hopefully soon.

I heard a 552DR/300DR and was totally mesmerized by it, but I need to isolate which part was 55DR2 and which part was 300 DR. And it was a Superlumina full loom.

Or it could be all of these with 36,000 US $ Sonus Faber Amati Futura speakers.

Never listen to much more expensive systems, it will mess with your head 

analogmusic posted:

GraemeH posted:

Having owned a 300 for some years, and now a 250DR, I'd take the 250DR over a used 300 any day of the week.

G

Very interesting... what are your reasons for this ?

The DR brings a certain effortless 'hear through' transparency to the 250. I always found the 300 a bit tight and lean by comparison...but musical memory can be deceiving.

I also found the Burndys a bit temperamental. 

G

This thread just demonstrates that asking opinions does not add much value... What did folks respond on the original question of 250DR vs 300?

• Having owned a 300 for some years, and now a 250DR, I'd take the 250DR over a used 300 any day of the week

• NAP 300 without a doubt.

• The 300 was a great disappointment, producing overblown, overpowering, muddy, booming bass. As soon as it was replaced by the 250 it was as if a curtain had lifted, and I heard music better than anything I had experienced before.

• My old 300 nor DR was in a different league to a 250DR that I had at home for a month

That is 2 votes for 300, 2 for 250DR.... The only solution is: listen yourself.