And so I made the decision after such a long time! I knew it was coming, but, even though my tinnitus, hearing loss (age related), general “wisdom” saying not to expect too much, I can hear a lower quality to my sound. I hope is not mental self-convincing, anyway it will be done!
I’m back in Italy since 1995, and I purchased my used NAP back in 2011 in the UK. The transaction was easy then (no Brexit insight). Now the service will be done in Italy (through a company called LASA). They are NAIM service center (Naim sent me their contacts). I spoke to them and discussed the service. Thy will be substituting all the tantalum caps and all the 10.000 uf caps in the power supply. Being the non DR version, this is all (? I ask you owners out there). They told me that there is no more possibility to convert the amp to DR mode as NAIM has stopped providing the kits. Can anyone confirm? All in all, I am a little worried about letting my gear go for heart surgery, I have grown attached to it. I’ve spent wonderful moments with it.
Hi
DR upgrades are no longer an option. 
Hi @salvo
I understand that our esteemed forum member @Debs had her non-DR 500 system serviced fairly recently, so perhaps she can provide some insights into the benefits.
I confirm, no dr anymore.
Can’t respond on what they change , apart the caps.
However have a question for others :
Following recent discussions on no service anymore for Nds and Superline, I wonder if actually they will change all the caps inside the 500, or only the tired or defective ones.
Don’t worry about that. Sandro has an incredible knowledge about all Naim gear and Lasa is a great service centre.
The NAPs, like the power supplies, have a set service routine which likely includes the big reservoir caps and the Tants. I’m sure @NeilS can give the complete run-down.
No more DR updates for old kit from Naim as it was causing production issues due to limited supply of certain parts.
So you’d trust contributors on this forum ahead of Naim’s service partners??
I trust the Experience!
On my year 2000 500 non DR they changed this back in 2018 (including cartons and inner filling). I believe I will change the caps in the 500PS only next time since the life span of tant caps is much longer than that of the huge caps in the PS.
500 Head unit
- Wire assy fan control twisted
- Logo assy (bleeding)
- Resistors 10pcs, two values
- Tant caps 56pcs, three values
500PS
- Wire assy fan control twisted
- Logo assy
- Machine screws
- Block mount
- End cap foam reference
- Caps 12pcs radial 63V 10 000uF
Thank you so much. Very comprehensive list. Most importantly, the caps and Tant numbers match with my info.
I read more that the OP is still hopeful. Maybe, crossed fingers, they are wrong.
Your sentimental attachment is understood here, feel exactly the same about my non DR 552/500, and had them sent back to Salisbury HQ for a routine service last summer.
Although there is the option to sell and upgrade to a 500DR, either new or pre-owned, with the dwindled resell value of non-DR 500 this will be an expensive upgrade, i simply didn’t want to spend any more money than i had to. The service cost of £1,800 for head unit and power supply is far more affordably very expensive, rather than financially bankrupting…
Meanwhile my 2013 NAP500 had become occasionally grumpy with PS humming and occasional strange buzzing from the NAP. The 552 was sent along too, may as well be without both at the same time, they were gone about two months, and on return took another three months to come on song. All units run quiet now, and well behaved.
Your 2002 NAP500 must be really gagging for a service by now, plus a service may incorporate a few retrofit upgrades too, so unless you are flush with cash and can afford a newer 500DR i say go for it and enjoy, the non-DR 500 remains a fabulous amp 
Sometimes, yes
Thank you, Debs, for your comments. Yes, I do not intend to part with my specific 500. I associate it to the growing of my children during the 13+ years it’s been with me. Sentimental ?? Yeahhhh:-)
I have recently read on Audio Review (an italian hi-fi magazine) an interesting article about the NAP-500 and the reviewer prefers the non-DR version to the DR one. So, maybe you don’t even need to upgrade to DR.
Would like to read that 
How can one find it?
What is their conclusion on why non DR was preferred over DR?
Thanks for the input. Can you specify in which month’s edition you found the article. It be interesting to read.
Thanks
Found It is on this month issue! Thanks
