Is 300DR needed to get most out of 272/555PSDR?

My experience is....272 with 555ps and 250dr....I bought an old Nap500 and substituted it in the system and there was a huge difference.....as much as 555ps brought to 272. The 272 is very very capable....not sure what happened with your Nap300.... Bang for buck the 272 is terrific especially with 555ps. By the way the 272 is very fussy over what it sits on .. as there is no suspension in the unit ... you need a quality rack....preferably a Fraim. Enjoy your system.

Timmo1341 posted:

hungryhalibut posted:

The 300 isn’t just about power, and on paper it’s only 10W per channel more powerful. I wouldn’t agree that the 250 holds back the 272/555: it reveals the dramatic improvement that the 555 makes very clearly. About a week after swapping the XPS for the 555 I swapped the250 for the 300 and things shifted up another level. The interesting thing about the 300 is that it made the speakers seem about two feet taller as well as being much more open and natural. I think it’s a truly wonderful amplifier, very significantly better all round than the 250. I’ve always found it curious that it didn’t work for Tim, as his findings go very much against the grain. But findings are findings and it’s always best to try before you buy. 

Me too, HH! I’d actually had my mind set upon the 300, and was bitterly disappointed when I heard it perform. The only thing that had occurred to me was that the demo amp was a 10 year old that had been DR’d some 12 months previously, but it had sounded absolutely fine at the dealers. We checked absolutely everything, but could find nothing amiss, except for the fact it really did not sound good in my room! It really was ‘night and day’ when the 250 replaced it. What I found revealing was that neither Stewart Tyler of ProAc, and a Naim rep whose name escapes me, were surprised, implying they had encountered this issue before. One of life’s mysteries I suppose, although I may be tempted to try another demo one of these years!

Though not a DR model my own experience mirrors Timmo's I eventually swapped the 300 for a 180 on my supposedly power hungry Dynaudio's and the improvement was clear less bass boom.

I remember the debate when the 250 went DR ...how close was it to a none DR 300

The overall conclusion I remember was .. fairly close..but not on level terms by some margin

So it surely can only be a room or speakers dependent thing that makes some people choose a 250 over old or new type 300 ?

Robert Burgess posted:

Hi Bart - Afraid I couldn’t see the email address in your profile, but glad to give my impression of the Magico A3 speakers: they’re very natural sounding with good imaging, but took quite  a while to “run-in”- well over 100 hours before the base settled down and tightened up. Despite being a sealed box design, they do need a bit of space (at least a foot or two) from the wall. I’ve had them for a couple of months now and am very pleased! While not cheap, I think they’re well worth it and stand up well in the price range of the competition here in the States. Have a good listen! Bob

Thanks Bob!  I'm going listen to the A3's in a few days at my local dealer.  They have a 250DR, but not sure what front end they'll use.  I'm concerned that my 250DR is at the very low end for these . . . for average listening, how far do you turn up the volume control?  

I've experienced how much 'more power' can improve things even at standard listening levels with certain speakers. While moving from the 250 to the 300 does creep into my brain, I'm somewhat interested in avoiding the extra box!

for financial reasons i sold recently my nap 300dr.  I am waiting for a nap 250dr.  I will tell you the differences.  I am not sure to loose on all aspects....   I had the 250/2 in the past and the nap 300dr gave a bigger sound, more open, with more body and stronger bass.  But the 250/2 was somewhat quicker and livelier.    In 2 weeks i will know how the 250 dr compares.

My room is not so big ( 19m2) and my speakers have easy load.

French Rooster posted:

for financial reasons i sold recently my nap 300dr.  I am waiting for a nap 250dr.  I will tell you the differences.  I am not sure to loose on all aspects....   I had the 250/2 in the past and the nap 300dr gave a bigger sound, more open, with more body and stronger bass.  But the 250/2 was somewhat quicker and livelier.    In 2 weeks i will know how the 250 dr compares.

My room is not so big ( 19m2) and my speakers have easy load.

I look forward to your review / comments! 

Japtimscarlet posted:

I remember the debate when the 250 went DR ...how close was it to a none DR 300

The overall conclusion I remember was .. fairly close..but not on level terms by some margin

So it surely can only be a room or speakers dependent thing that makes some people choose a 250 over old or new type 300 ?

Spot on! That’s exactly what I’ve been trying to explain to some disbelievers since my upgrade which involved a ‘downgrade’ from 300DR to 250DR. 

Bart posted:

Robert Burgess posted:

Hi Bart - Afraid I couldn’t see the email address in your profile, but glad to give my impression of the Magico A3 speakers: they’re very natural sounding with good imaging, but took quite  a while to “run-in”- well over 100 hours before the base settled down and tightened up. Despite being a sealed box design, they do need a bit of space (at least a foot or two) from the wall. I’ve had them for a couple of months now and am very pleased! While not cheap, I think they’re well worth it and stand up well in the price range of the competition here in the States. Have a good listen! Bob

Thanks Bob!  I'm going listen to the A3's in a few days at my local dealer.  They have a 250DR, but not sure what front end they'll use.  I'm concerned that my 250DR is at the very low end for these . . . for average listening, how far do you turn up the volume control?  

I've experienced how much 'more power' can improve things even at standard listening levels with certain speakers. While moving from the 250 to the 300 does creep into my brain, I'm somewhat interested in avoiding the extra box!

Hi Bart -For normal listening I find the Magico A3's through my 272/250DR need volume set at around 34-40 on the 272's scale, only slightly more than the the level I was used to on my previous speakers. Indeed, I can play them very loud without any sign of strain. Before I bought I checked the A3's specs with Naim, and they said the 250DR would be fine. I think you'll find the 250DR is more than up to the task. Let us know how you make out! Regards - Bob

Thanks Bob - I listen Tuesday of this upcoming week and am looking forward to it.