300 DR v 500 DR
Posted by: dave marshall on 05 December 2018
Oh dear, communication today from my ever friendly dealer, to the effect that he will have available, next Spring, a new 500 DR , and guess what, his initial offer, to include a trade in on my 300 DR is, at the very least, interesting. 
Here's the thing though; I'm extremely happy with my present power amp, particularly with the recent introduction of an ND 555.
I'll obviously demo the 500 at home, but I am aware that there's a few folks on here who have done the comparison, and have surprisingly come down in favour of the "lesser" amp, the 300.
So, lot's of time yet for me to decide, but I'd welcome thoughts from anyone who's had both, or who has at least done a home head to head audition.
The fun just never stops, does it?
nigelb posted:We also still await a report from the OP.
Come on Dave!
I won't be having the home demo until after Geoff's annual show in April, so a wee while to wait yet.
Mind you, all bets are now off, since I let slip earlier in the thread that I've now managed to get hold of an additional tall Fraim level.
Yes, I do pride myself on having free will ............................. yet, having a dealer who regularly thinks outside the box, it's the sheer
inevitability of things that I can't deal with! 
The Strat (Fender) posted:Well I’ve heard the 300 and 500 on more than a few occasions and I prefer..................
The NAP 250DR! 
dave marshall posted:nigelb posted:We also still await a report from the OP.
Come on Dave!
I won't be having the home demo until after Geoff's annual show in April, so a wee while to wait yet.
Mind you, all bets are now off, since I let slip earlier in the thread that I've now managed to get hold of an additional tall Fraim level.
Yes, I do pride myself on having free will ............................. yet, having a dealer who regularly thinks outside the box, it's the sheer
inevitability of things that I can't deal with!
you mean it's dangerous letting him lend me a 552 later this week?
living in lancs yearning for yorks posted:dave marshall posted:nigelb posted:We also still await a report from the OP.
Come on Dave!
I won't be having the home demo until after Geoff's annual show in April, so a wee while to wait yet.
Mind you, all bets are now off, since I let slip earlier in the thread that I've now managed to get hold of an additional tall Fraim level.
Yes, I do pride myself on having free will ............................. yet, having a dealer who regularly thinks outside the box, it's the sheer
inevitability of things that I can't deal with!
you mean it's dangerous letting him lend me a 552 later this week?
It certainly is, since, if he's your regular dealer, you'll already know that he has this habit of coming up with offers which are simply too good to turn down .................... still, it's only money.
dave marshall posted:nigelb posted:We also still await a report from the OP.
Come on Dave!
I won't be having the home demo until after Geoff's annual show in April, so a wee while to wait yet.
Mind you, all bets are now off, since I let slip earlier in the thread that I've now managed to get hold of an additional tall Fraim level.
Yes, I do pride myself on having free will ............................. yet, having a dealer who regularly thinks outside the box, it's the sheer
inevitability of things that I can't deal with!
Ah, OK Dave, I thought the trial of the 500DR was imminent.
Well you will just have to slum it with your 300DR in the meantime.
nigelb posted:dave marshall posted:nigelb posted:We also still await a report from the OP.
Come on Dave!
I won't be having the home demo until after Geoff's annual show in April, so a wee while to wait yet.
Mind you, all bets are now off, since I let slip earlier in the thread that I've now managed to get hold of an additional tall Fraim level.
Yes, I do pride myself on having free will ............................. yet, having a dealer who regularly thinks outside the box, it's the sheer
inevitability of things that I can't deal with!
Ah, OK Dave, I thought the trial of the 500DR was imminent.
Well you will just have to slum it with your 300DR in the meantime.
It's a tough job, but someone ................. etc. etc.
nigelb posted:living in lancs yearning for yorks posted:Have managed to resist his offers so far! Happy to report that the loan of the 552 comes with a full trip down and rebuild of the system...
Lilyy, the 552 is very special, as you know. I hope you have the funds earmarked, as it will be a very frustrating experience.
Have fun.
Ah well, I have seen many, many people over the years say that the 552 is very special, but I have never heard it compared with anything else. I have heard it in a friend’s system and at a couple of dealer dems over the years, but I need to be convinced 
living in lancs yearning for yorks posted:nigelb posted:living in lancs yearning for yorks posted:Have managed to resist his offers so far! Happy to report that the loan of the 552 comes with a full trip down and rebuild of the system...
Lilyy, the 552 is very special, as you know. I hope you have the funds earmarked, as it will be a very frustrating experience.
Have fun.
Ah well, I have seen many, many people over the years say that the 552 is very special, but I have never heard it compared with anything else. I have heard it in a friend’s system and at a couple of dealer dems over the years, but I need to be convinced
Absolutely right, and you are doing the right thing with a proper home demo. I heard the 552 (that I know own) at my dealer (with a similar system to my own) just before bringing it home. It sounded so much better at home in familiar surroundings, system and playing my own music. Do give it a couple of days to settle in at home and it is great that you are getting a full Fraim/system rebuild at the same time.
As I have always said, when contemplating spending these kind of sums of money, a lengthy home demo is a must.
living in lancs yearning for yorks posted:Geoff is insisting on a full strip and rebuild as part of the loan of the 552. Has found this increases the chance of a sale. Substantially. Oops
Told ya!
As mentioned earlier ............ resistance is useless!
Seriously though, everything I've ever loaned / bought from him has been fetched over from Chester to North Yorks, (oops, sorry), for a full install, which, together with his strategy to make the purchase relatively painless financially, means that his guidance throughout the merrie danse of upgrades has been well received by me. 