I can understand where you are coming from…my view is the DR upgrade can shift the balance of a system…but usually its a matter of the brain adjusting to a slighty more intense presentation. For me the DR upgrade was superb…but I could easily live with a pre DR 500… its a fabulous amp.
Even earlier this week, I was very happy with the pleasure my old non DR gave me. But after hearing for a bit I wouldn’t want to switch back anymore.
Haven’t heard any downsides in my system so far….
A mate use to comment on how ‘relentless’ the non-DR 500 amp sounded in my system. Not in a bad way but he was describing the power and the grip it showed when playing loud. Nothing would fluster it.
The 500DR has the same grip but a much more delicate touch. It’s darker, more grown up, more dynamic but much more natural. I find stuff just jumps out of the mix like it would if the musician moved forward to do his thing. I marvel at the fact I can hear a triangle ting in the middle of some awesome guitar rift!
Not surprisingly, it’s closer to the statement sound than the olive sound. And while the standard 500 is a step up from say a pair of 135 it kind of has the same energy.
I found the old 500 in my system still very refined, but there was a warmth in the lower registers … which has gone with the DR - the DR has more percieved clarity because of this and is more punchy… I found a similar effect going from 250.2 to 250dr - but the 500 is more pronounced. As for detail…yep there is certainly more detail in the 500dr. But having said all that, the original 500 is still so good…the warmth could be obviated by speaker matching … and as for detail - well there is still tons there…its a lovely well judged amp. Infact, the 552 and original 500 are a perfect pairing…the slight upfrontness of the 552 complemented by the slight warmth of the 500…beautifully judged. I think - possibly the combination of the 552dr and 500dr combined with those Focal Utopia’s at Salisbury Head Office are maybe not the best of matches…
Just a quick update to say the 500DR didn’t come to pass.
I decided to be patient and keep enjoying my 500 for now…
Why the change of heart? Are you still getting the ND555?
Nothing wrong with the unit it will be a great buy for someone. Just had a change of heart after sleeping on it, which I often do! I mean, I’ve only had my 500 for 5 minutes!
Sensible reasoning Stu. I‘m still living with my ‘massive’ upgrade from 2004. Yes I would like a 552 and 500, but other priorities on the house and other funds for retirement are more important. Besides I can still enjoy what I have and find buying more music curves the craving if you know what I mean
A sensible approach who knows in a few years Naim may bring back the DR upgrade for the 500 series, fingers crossed
I personally think the days of upgrades are gone … never to return…survival of hifi companies is tough … I am sure Naim did not want to stop…
Agree with your comment on pairing with Focal, but the DR versions of the 552 and the 500 are clearly superior…
Agree dr is superior…no doubt…
My further experiences on the upgrade to the 500DR with extra bonus are as follows….
- much more precision
- tonal balance more neutral
- less noise
- more detail audible
- no feeling of strained sound and multiple volume levels
Happy that I got offered the opportunity to get a DR version. Not that the 500 was sounding broken, but definitely a level up. It’s a different AMP as the identity also changed slightly.
But where did the Boogie factor go
It’s here with me
PRAT is still their in spades, no worries….
PRaT yes but less Boogie ,I think
Said it before, as have many others, the 500 to 500 dr is easily the best dr upgrade.
There’s nothing to dislike, well, apart from the price difference, i guess.
It makes the 500 so much more, so much in fact it probably should have been called something different.
As with lots of things, don’t try one if you can’t afford it, as you will certainly want it over all the other naim amps ( well maybe not over the statement)
Wish I hadn’t read that. I’d only just dampened the flames
Sorry, but it’s true.
But then there’s always an upgrade, even after the 500dr, it’s keeps on going.
Plus, maybe you might be better waiting to see what comes next? As the new 250 has reached new levels now, so, maybe the new 300 amps will be better than the 500