Nap 500 non dr from 300 dr

I would go for it. The 500 (whether DR or not) is much more advanced than a 300 DR.

The 300 DR is a fantastic amplifier but the 500 is just much better.

Go for it, the 500 is in a class of it’s own.

Consciousmess posted:

What are your thoughts? I might have a week with the present offer until someone usurps me!!

Don't allow yourself to feel pressured, there will always be another one.

You've got a wallet in your pocket and two ears on your head fit to be the ultimate determinant.

Responses on a forum are really just clutter to that, and you can glean from them any positives or negatives you happen to be looking for.

I upgraded from a 250dr to a twelve year old nap500.... the 500 was amazing ... I would imagine it would still improve on a Nap300dr...remember due to its design it has full control of the negative speaker return....and does not really on the classic earthed speaker negative return. So this amp has far more control and drive...

The 300 is superb. The 500 is something completely different. 

It's not more of the same. It's not like a 300 but bigger. It's special. I wouldn't buy blind though.

Consciousmess posted:

 

The sound is gorgeous now, with texture I never had before - but surely the scale would be enhanced with a 500 and I’ll be honest with you , I never expected to have a listening room which I have as it’s spacious and not joining any neighbour. 

Why not just leave it alone and enjoy it - you have a very good system as is and you avoid the risk of buying blind. 

Spend the money on music and the wife 

Well, "local Naim store" suggests that a blind-buy isn't necessary. Just get the 500 into your house and compare -- easy peasy, lemon squeezy... After you bought a new 552 very recently, I assume that your dealer is very friendly with you...

An ex demo nonDR 500? I’d want to know how long they’ve had it. Factor that into your bargaining. I paid £6000 for an early (but post flight case) 500 from a non Naim dealer and DRed it straight away if you need a reference point.

Very recently, a non-DR "Forum" 500 sold for less than £6000 -- from a "prominent" Naim dealer... 

If you demo the 500 - beware, it needs some time to warm up stabalise and give its full sonic measure - I was still able to hear a huge improvement from cold. What I really noticed - if you play your music moderately loud - and then get a really complex piece of music that builds - the 250dr's image and depth would gradually collapse as the music got more complex and loud. The 500 seemed hold this so when you turned the volume up the whole thing was totally coherent - totally awesome, tracks where you may back off the volume on the 250dr thinking its too loud..........with the 500 it sailed through - epic on some tracks it can be quite frightening. This is only one aspect, the 500 has huge finesse - the top end is more detailed and the bass has allot more power...........its a win win ..... a very neutral and accomplished amp ... DRing this amp improves things all round yet again.........if you buy the old 500 you will end up Dr ing it! Finally if you have a 552 remember this amp was designed to run with it - and in essence the two belong together - and there is a synergy. Also I used the 500 with a 272/555 combo and it was very very good.

AndyP, while I can sometimes perhaps err on the side of caution, I do also try to give members the benefit of any doubt and, in the absence of any evidence of any wrongdoing,  try not to be judgmental when it comes to members personal conduct outside of the forum.

Richard, noted and having given this some thought I've deleted my reply above. But I would say that there is a wider audience here and my kids as budding Hi-Fi enthuiasts dip into this site and I don't like the fact that they have to be exposed to this sort of thing. Maybe the OP, in his profile, would like to reflect on this.

Go for it!  Used NAP500s are a bargain and you can upgrade it to DR.  You'll have a 500DR for less than half of new.  The 500 is very special, I've had mine for 15 years it replaced a six pack of 135's/Snaxo/Supercap (It blew them away).  The DR upgrade was tremendous, the new amp has incredible grip and resolution.  You can't go wrong here.  

Exposed to what Andy? is this the drug reference? I take a lot of caffeine, a powerful CNS stimulant.  Should I be thrown off the forum? How about anyone who consumes alcohol - a life wrecking and life ending drug. Highly addictive too. 

I'd be more worried about some of the music they might get exposed to on here

LOL! I wouldn't even want to go there.

Harry posted:

The 300 is superb. The 500 is something completely different. 

Meaning humble?

:-)

Hi i have just checked out this discussion again since the last post after enjoying my enhanced Bob Marley ciggy......... whats been going on man! 

AndyP19 posted:

Richard, noted and having given this some thought I've deleted my reply above. But I would say that there is a wider audience here and my kids as budding Hi-Fi enthuiasts dip into this site and I don't like the fact that they have to be exposed to this sort of thing. Maybe the OP, in his profile, would like to reflect on this.

Andy, the phrase "taking drugs" does not in itself indicate either drug misuse or the taking of illegal drugs.  It could just as easily apply to over the counter and prescription drugs.  Either way, the UK statistics, whether legal or illegal, are somewhat alarming, so perhaps it's something for all of us to reflect upon.  

However, your concerns are noted, and in the spirit of any error I may make being made on the side of caution, I shall make an edit, which I'm sure the OP will understand, so that any possible misunderstanding is avoided.

Harry posted:

Exposed to what Andy? is this the drug reference? I take a lot of caffeine, a powerful CNS stimulant.  Should I be thrown off the forum? How about anyone who consumes alcohol - a life wrecking and life ending drug. Highly addictive too. 

we're all Naim-o-holics anyway....  

AndyP19 posted:

Richard, noted and having given this some thought I've deleted my reply above. But I would say that there is a wider audience here and my kids as budding Hi-Fi enthuiasts dip into this site and I don't like the fact that they have to be exposed to this sort of thing. Maybe the OP, in his profile, would like to reflect on this.

Lighten up Francis! The member in question has been here for a long time and no one has ever been offended by his type of humor. 

This is what's wrong with the current state of affairs.Holier than though attitudes. People complaining for no good reason, why bring up such concerns on a trivial Hi Fi forum? Just ridiculous. If you're concerned about your kids being wrongly influenced by a forum I would guess you have bigger worries than monitoring a public forum!

analogmusic posted:

we're all Naim-o-holics anyway....  

I prefer to think of myself as a lover of music. But now you mention it, I have a friend who thinks he might be.....

Since it's an exdem 500 from your dealer why not give it a try at home for a few days ? It should be well run in and i am sure you'll come to a conclusion quite easily that way.

f

Doesn’t need to be local to borrow and try it out. I just did a 280 mile round trip to be able to test a 300 non dr last week. It’s staying ????