How can you tell if a nap300 that has no serial number is a DR version or not?
Cheers!
Richard
Have a look insideâŚ.
Why no serial number. 
1 Like
I guess, perhaps wrongly, that you are asking this because of the one currently on eBay with no serial number. Seems odd to me that it has no number, even if it was a management special!
If you are asking about the one on eBay itâs not the DR version. You can tell because it has the NA007 transistors. The DR version uses the NA009. Looking at the supplied cables seems to show that the necessary Din to XLR leads are not included.
2 Likes
Indeed, I was looking at the one on ebayâŚ
Thanks all for the info
The rma number visible in one of the photos can be used to track it with Naim. Normally a serial number would then be added.
If you at all interested I would speak to Naim and ask about the rma.
Even if it was a staff build, it should get a serial number.
Buyer beware!
2 Likes
Whatâs an rma number? Not very helpful to say the least
Martin
1 Like
An RMA number is given by Naim for any item booked in to return to the factory for whatever reason.
Not having a serial number is not necessarily reason to be alarmed. Staff builds had no serial numbers for ages, and R&D units too well into the Classic period.
4 Likes
Standard acronym.
RMA stands for Return Merchandise Authorization . This process allows customers to return or replace a product from a manufacturer.
No serial number means its been stolen. Not by the current seller necessarily, but at some point in its history.
Not so , read the reply above from Richard
4 Likes
my 300Dr has no serial number visible on the outside, i was told by the dealer that it was originally a staff build.
I do have the service receipt though for when it was later DRed and serviced, the service receipt references a number displayed on a label inside the case. i opened the case to check it was actually DRed!
1 Like
If youâre happy with provenance then thatâs good.
More information than I commented on.
1 Like
Could someone enlighten me on what is a âstaff buildâ?
Seems a strange term as you would think all Naim gear is built by their staff.
ah cheers guys, never knew that
Martin
For many years Naim offered Staff (as well as some dealers or distributors) the chance to build a piece of Naim equipment themselves at the factory. Usually this would just entail populating the PCB boards and wiring up, everything else would be done as per normal production. However, cosmetic parts such as casework, knobs etc⌠had to be what Shirley Clark would call âbish stockâ so not quite good enough for normal production. The reality was that youâd probably not notice any difference, and if no âbishâ items were available you could apply to use an A grade piece from stock. It basically allowed Naim staff to build their kit at not much above the cost of the parts, thus encouraging the staff to have great Naim systems at home.
Of course, not all of us (such as yours truly) built the kit themselves. I, like a number of others, wanted to ensure that whatever kit I had would be as good as possible so I came to an arrangement with one or two people far more skilled than I to build my own staff build kit for me.
Back in this days if you were new to the sales team then you spend the first few weeks working in different departments around the factory learning how the kit was made from start to finish. I started out as Naimâs customer service manager and so one of my jobs was giving factory tours, and this few weeks really helped me to fully understand how the production process worked. Unfortunately, one day I was giving a tour and was looking for some example boards to show to the guests. I opened up a cupboard and pulled out a bunch of CD5 tray boards. I asked why they were there and was told they must have been rejects. It was then that I noticed who had signed the boards - me! That was as good a sign as any that I should let others who knew how to build the kit far better than I build my own systemâŚ
14 Likes
And by 2018 - despite being mentioned in my âwelcome to Naimâ pack - the staff build program had been scrapped. I was very disappointed. There was also no âspend time in every deptâ so I never made a thing.
1 Like
I can understand the reasons why the staff build scheme had to stop (IIRC HMRC had issues with it), but I feel that spending a little time in each department when you start was critical to really understanding the business, the products and also getting to know the people, who, after all, are what the business actually is.
9 Likes