250 vs 300

A quick update and trying to being mindful this is not a fraim thread. In readiness to make space for my new 300 I’ve moved to a fraim/fraim lite rack. Using to the fraim build FAQ that Richard provided I left the final tightening of the base level spike retaining bolts until the end. In fact I’d forgotten to tighten them at all! I rectified that yesterday morning and didn’t really think any more about it. That was until I came to listen to the NDS in the evening and was slightly taken aback by the improvement from the previous evening. It was more akin to a box upgrade, more fluidity and pace, solidity, and in particular more fine detail and space around the singers and instruments. Very nice. I’m not sure if the retaining nut played a part in that or whether it was a more general settling in. Which every, it is this feels like a great place to be, a few weeks to enjoy the new rack before trying the 300.

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Picking a 300DR up in a couple of days. Fingers crossed I enjoy it even more than 250DR :sunglasses:

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I’ve used a 2x4m “shotgun/naca5” style 6mm2 cable from Mark Grant cables for quite some time with my 250DR and been very happy with the result. Zero issues. Should work as well with the 300DR right? Can’t stand the naca5 cable due to its stiffness and always found it a bit cold/spongy in presentation. Sorry :sunglasses:

Hi Slamdam, just a thought, it would be worth trying the WitchHat Phantom speaker cables - they give a 30 money back offer, so no loss. I’ve got a 250DR and just got those speaker cables about 4 days ago (replacing much more expensive Nordost Red Dawn), to say I am pleased with the sound so far, would be an understatement.
Best wishes Amer

Having recently upgraded from a Chrome 250 that I had had for about 15 years, to a non DR 300, the all round improvements are so obvious that even my wife noticed. The soundstage and detail is so far ahead of the 250 that I only wish I had done this sooner. I have a fellow Forum member to thank for my purchase.

There seems to have been a bit of B&W speaker bashing on this thread, but I am happy to report that they work for me. If anything the 300 has shown how much more they can give.

Regards

Nic

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Seller broke our agreement same day as pickup and told me he’ll keep it. Ah confused people!

So hunt is still on.

Probably following the thread…

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…you are welcome sir (fellow forum member) :wink::+1:

Up n running for 1h. Partnered with Harbeth SHL5 Plus. Matched with my 272. First thought are more relaxed. More “grown”. Mids are more relaxed and pushed back a bit for the good in my room and system. Details have more separation. Soundstage got bigger/deeper. I would say the 300 is like a 45 year old that doesn’t have to show everyone what it can do. The 250 is a spoiled teen that cannot sit still. They do sound rather different. More different than I could imagine really. No questions asked. The 300DR is the winner. However the 250DR with its energy, foot taping PRAT and all this is really good to. This goes down to taste IMO. Both are excellent amps indeed.

If no new 272 in sight I’m most likely off to the 282 or 252… never ends does it…

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Before jumping ship to a 282 or 252 try the 555DR on your 272.

Enjoy the 300 its a game changer.

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beautiful example … I could not have explained it better … I also have the 300 for a week and the evaluations can only be those … it is better than the 250 on all fronts … I agree that the 250 remains an amazing amp…

Maybe slightly moving thread sidewise, I have an SN2 with HCDR and have been seriously looking at 282 (With the HC) and 250DR but following this thread I’m no longer sure. I don’t want anything more strident or forward than the SN2 and I did get a demo of a 282/250 as an aside when I was demoing a TT (SN2 not available). With same speakers as mine the TT sounded good but overall the sound was just too forward and punchy, couldn’t relax. Following this thread I think that may have been the 282 or 282/250DR?
The TT sounds better to me on my own system with SN2.
I’m now pondering way forward? Is it likely this is the 282/250 sound? I don’t really want to go 252 or 300 as they both need additional supplies which will make the whole system too dominant in the room. My front and back ends are pretty good;
NDS with 555, melco server, Michel Gyrodec SE and PM Fact 8 with superlumina cabling. The SN2 is probably the weak point so any suggested compromises I should try and listen to?
Anyone with experience of SN2 upgrade route would be appreciated.

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Absolutely. What will it bring to the 272/300DR party? System sound even better now when heated up. Wow, just wow.

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As a 42-year-old (soon 43…), I wonder what that actually means… Maybe I know in 2 years’ time… :wink:

Adding a 555 to a 272 provides one of the biggest gains of its type in the Naim family. It’s well documented on here that a 272 shows perhaps the biggest improvement when a 555 is attached.

It’s better in every respect: wider and deeper soundstage, firmer bass, more clarity & detail, and it works brilliantly with a 300 - that’s a logical and superb end game for those who don’t want or need too many boxes.

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Have one as spare to send me? Hunt is on :sunglasses:

:blush: it’s in constant use so no, sorry.

If I try speaking with my hand over my mouth and then remove my hand the sound becomes more ‘punchy’ and less ‘warm’ . That doesn’t mean it is better though… :wink:

My 555DR is in its box at the moment whilst we sort the living room out if you live in East Yorkshire and have a 7k deposit you are welcome to borrow :grinning:

as per HouseholdNaim post