Similar money if the 500DR is P/L.
Of all the new v ‘old’ comparisons this year, this is the one that’s intriguing me the most…
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A non DR 500 is roughly half the price of a pair of 350 monos.
What’s P/L?
I am guessing it means pre-loved and possibly not pre-loved enough to keep.
I am too interested in this comparison, hopefully someone has done it and could share their perspectives.
Having heard a 500DR fed by and S1-pre, which sounded stonking as to detail and clarity, it’s equally the case of what’s in front of the 500DR (obviously in context that means how good a 332 + PS is compared to a 552DR (better and/or different?) – but that’s for another thread?).
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Pre-Loved or in other words: second-hand
I’m probably a purist, being an Engineer, but why would you mix different design typologies in a system that is designed to work as a whole: 552 into a 500, DIN to XLR, signal grounding and separate power supplies.
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imo the 350 must be replacing the nap 300DR as it has now stopped being produced . Therefore it shouldn’t be able to touch a Nap 500DR as the Nap 300DR didn’t touch the Nap 500, even though the 350 has more RMS than the 500. This is obviously part of the design specifications. Possibly to compete with other high end brands in other markets e.g the US.
Take a look how Naim launched the previous new 200 models, that may be a clue that a new Nap 500DR (550 or 750?) is on its way, even a New statement could be in the works. So those that are thinking of a upping from 500 DR I seriously do not think the 350 is the one.
Every 10 years or so Naim seem to pull a rabbit out of the bag.
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If ditching say a NC preamp or poweramp meant i could get most of the new detail and clarity, but still with that weight and tonality of the current classic range? Those with the Statement preamp and the 500 dr seem to be having their cake and eating it.
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However, Gaz … I know you have some naughty bits…so your 552…should be about as good as you can get… = fabulous… in your opinion is it any closer to an S1 as a result?
Probably not…….but never heard them back to back. But having heard the 552/500 and active 552/500 vs Statement they do not disgrace themselves. And if you factor in a full Statement is over £200 k……the 552/500 is a steal. And of course if any naughty bit makes them sound better to your ears……happy days.
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It seems that a lot of people seem to have difficulty realizing that the technical changes that Naim has implemented on the New Classic series mean that it is not possible or meaningful to try place the new products in the old hierarchy. Naim has simply got a new house sound adapted to today’s ideals and it’s probably time to start accepting it.
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Not sure what you mean with that we shall adapt to a new sound. We chose what we like and if the new house sound is not then we chose something else? 
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To say the new 350 will be at the same level as the out going 300dr is simply silly, it was on the same level then it’s completely failed.
The 350 will be much better than it, but it will sit in the range in roughly the same place, as with a new 500 series coming out, and the 200 series below it.
Progress comes with a new sound, as if not it would just be the same in a posher box.
You either like it or not, but for certain the new kit is sonically better than the old classic kit.
I feel a few are unhappy to see new better kit and trying to make themselves feel better by trying to put the new kit down.
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Maybe I expressed myself a little unclearly at the end of the post Blackbird? Of course, you don’t have to adapt to the new house sound, which wasn’t my point, the point was to realize that a change has actually happened.
From my Nait 2 and 90/92 through the various Naim iterations up to my present 552/300 DR, I have found the new products and their changed sound an improvement to what I like. I hope the nc series will continue that improvement. I understand those who prefer a cb or olive or classic or DR sound as being THE Naim sound that they prefer, but I don’t find it that way. I guess I compare it to cars ( my other hobby). My 1970 Elan was the best car in its time, but against a modern ‘insert make here’ it is a terrible car.
Fortunately my Nait 2 is still a better integrated than many modern equivalents, but it is not better than a more modern Naim integrated. My only concern every time (4/5 times in 40 years ish) Naim release a new design concept I worry that the sound will change to please a different market.Hopefully not, I will find out soon enough.
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I haven’t heard the new kit yet but on the assumption that it has a new ‘house sound’ its unlikely to be better for everyone. For many people maybe, but probably not everyone. Many years ago I changed from an olive 82/250/Hicap to a classic 282/200/Hicap. The presentation was very different and I preferred it. The guy I sold the olive gear to had actually just got rid of his 282/200 because he felt it had lost that Naim sound. For him the olive kit was better. Likewise my wife preferred the sound of the olive gear.
Technically I am sure the new kit is superior but sound wise some will prefer the presentation of the old classic, olive, chrome bumper kit.
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Some new cars have a little bit too much computer assistance and take the real driving away😜
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Yeah, quite a bit of that going around and most haven’t even listened to the kit. I joined the old site around 2001 and I don’t recall the sour grapes from the olive owners at the time when the old classic was launched. And I was a happy CDS2/XPS/72/HC/250 owner at the time.
Same as it ever was.
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Love that comment…a good system with synergy…will always be good…and it just deserves enjoying…whether it be olive,chrome bumper, classic or new classic…
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