My NAP500 is overdue for re-capping but still sounds wonderful, so I am not rushing. Using it with a NAC552 DR and Superline + Supercap (non-DR), Planar10 + Aphelion1, and a CD555, etc.
I think the DR upgrade for the NAP500 + PS500 is no longer offered anywhere.
Has anybody tested or made the leap with these choices?
I seem to recall that a few NAP300 fans preferred it to the 500 in certain setups, regardless of price, making the comparison more than a little subjective and harder to pin down, I am sure.
Background: Speakers are my ridiculously modest KEF Q-50s c. 1993. I am considering upgrading to Wilson Audio Sabrinas of some vintage one day. After a lengthy and brilliant audition at the shop recently, I played the same mix at home and could not justify swapping out the awesome KEFs!
More background: I was planning on swapping the KEFs out for B&W Nautilus 805s stand-mounts I also have. This system is integrated into my AV cinema system as well as serving 2.0 HiFi duties. The KEFs are staying and the B&Ws are going. In a different room the B&Ws were better, but not in this one.
I hope this confession conveys more good about the KEFs than bad about my hearing and discernment. I AM picky about sound. Love the hobby!
Being very much at the other end of the Naim spectrum, I cannot offer solid experience.
However I sense a desire for a NAP500DR so I wonder if selling your NAP500 and buying a NAP500DR is a possibility.
As an aside, I was lucky enough to visit the factory in 2025. I was left with no doubt that 552, 500 was where Naim still think the pinnacle lies (Statement notwithstanding).
Hope it works out for you. Good luck whichever path you choose.
I’ve moved from 300DR to 500DR with the 552DR and it is a very substantial step up. At least it is, on my system (bigish speakers certainly benefiting from extra drive, much tighter control and more detail).
Thanks for your insights, Chris. It is good to hear the 500 series still holds its position in the Naim hierarchy, performance wise. Wonderful to get the impression at the mother ship! Wish I had been there.
I don’t recall anyone saying they regretted the move from 500 to 500 DR. All the same, I am satisfied with the 500 until something goes wrong. Might jump at a good deal on the DR if it comes my way, though. Fingers crossed on both counts.
Thanks for the input and advice. I have not shopped the 500 DR in a while. The only reason I was able to afford and justify the 500 I have was due to a dip in the used market at the time. I bought it directly from a third party my dealer vouched for. It was only a few years old in those last pre-DR days. Stars aligned indeed!
A few years ago my setup was a 552DR with none DR 500. For some bizzare reason I ended up on a crusade, sold the 500.
A Nait 50 took over amp duties. Unable to sell the 552DR I decided to buy a 250DR, quickly followed by a 300DR, but I missed the 500 power amp. Luckily a 500DR popped up on the used market, secured a deal. The 500DR offers so much more than a none DR 500, some say the 500DR should be called a 750DR, and for good reason, its that good!!
I think that @HiFiman is in the greatest position to judge as he has had both.
A 500DR is the ultimate apart from statement. On paper the 350s look very good. But it is a different sound. For me, having listened to the 350s they are superb, but the 500DR is better match for OC kit. Also, will look right!
The none DR500 I owned was built in 2012 just before the DR was launched. The 500DR I own now is from 2002, but serviced and DRd in 2017, so plenty time before service is due.
Ive heard the NC350s a few times now, although excellent I would easily chose a none DR 500 over the 350, especially with a 552DR already in the setup.
The 500DR takes the none 500 further, lower noise floor, with a vice like grip, music hangs beautifully in the room with greater separation of instruments, although the none DR 500 is no slouch.
The 350s will probably be around the same price as a used 500DR, service cost for a 500, circa £2k.
I upgraded from a 500 to a 500DR. The 500 is an incredible amp, and the 500DR is a substantial improvement. You can’t lose either way, but it you love what the 500 does then a DR is a very worthwhile investment.
I had my 552, 500 and 555PS DR’d years ago and I found the 500 was the biggest improvement. I changed the 500 to 3x250 which I preferred (though some may not) and then the 250s to 3x2x350, which I found better again. I have the feeling I would prefer a DR 500 to 2x350 passive though. Seriously, the DR improvement to the 500 is such that in the OP’s situation, I would probably sell/trade in the non-DR 500 due a re-cap for a DR one which isn’t…
It’s only with the 500DR that I’ve felt that my big Dynaudio speakers have truly come fully to life. The 500DR drives them with ease, bags of reserve, no audible distortion when cranked up and with fantastic detail.
I’ve heard the 350s once on an NC system. They were very good but I wouldn’t swap. Naim’s Jason, per his words on a previous site visit, were pretty emphatic on the audio hierarchy after Statement and who am I to disagree. Either way though you will get a great power amp.
I AM picky about sound. Love the hobby!