Nap500 with 552

Got a new kitchen going in and it’s way over budget.

So a 500DR is that bit further away

That would be crazy to downgrade the 552DR.

Personally I would not upgrade kitchen. Get a 500DR and ND555 instead if you have the funds.

Kitchens won’t make you happy @Stu299. Your system will.

:rofl:

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I would consider upgrading 135s to 300 DR tbh. Thoughts ?

But seriously…
@Stu299 get your kitchen done.

Your system is epic. Maybe leave it alone for a few years and enjoy it.

One thing about my system which isn’t great is lack of streaming on NDS. Tidal doesn’t work and Spotify is good, as is local streaming. Screen has now faded completely. Considering other options such as using NDS as DAC and getting ND5XS2.

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My kitchen is 15 years old and it bares the scars of bringing up two kids. Lots of doors missing, half my oven doesn’t work. Fridge barely works. Feels like money down the drain tho.

Could’ve bought an ND555 with 2nd PS and a 500DR instead :angry:

How you enjoying your recent upgrades now they’ve bedded in?

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I sold it for 1500 EUR to @frenchrooster so I can afford paying my Puritan 156. He’s super happy now. I think his nick will be available soon but cheaper if you’re interested.

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Hang on is blackbird slamdam :thinking:

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I bought your identity, but for now Richard didn’t changed frenchrooster for Slamdam. I will make a special enquiry to Naim support.

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The speakers are fantastic and has given a huge improvement by 30% on the system. The 52 is very good and a 10% improvement. The 3 powerlines are great and seem to make the sound a tad darker with clearer bass.

Overall I am very happy with upgrades and now my ears are adjusted it is the sound I am used to.

Planning on booking in 52, Supercap 2 and XPS2 for service with Darran at Class A this month. He is away from work at present so can’t book a date in as yet.

Hopefully when units come back there will be further improvements.

Display on NDS is dim and am not happy with its streaming qualities. Have never been able to connect to Tidal only Spotify. So maybe looking at changing it to ND5XS2 and using the DAC on it rather than changing display. Or repair it, sell it and get an NDX2. Not sure as yet. Don’t really want another box.

And then with LP12 want Karousel bearing, Radikal power supply, Urika phono stage and maybe Ekos 2 tonearm and new cart.

These are upgrades in pipeline. But very much a case of one step at a time.

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I think bigger upgrades to system would be 552DR and 500DR, ND555 and Linn LP12 upgrades.

But that is serious money! I am not in a position to do that.

For now I am extremely happy with what I have and its a case of leaving it at that.

Potentially would consider a non DR 500 but then you have to get it serviced.

Could a 300DR be a better bet than 2 x 135s?

I am looking for more effortless power. The 135s seem a little bit underpowered for what I want. Or is 500 way to go?

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The 500 will give you more effortless power. 100%. I moved from 300DR to 500 non DR and the 500 is a different animal for sure. Much bigger step than 250DR to 300DR. And the looks of the 500. I never get tired of it. My favourite box.

I would not replace the NDS with ND5XS2. If anything I would use the ND5 as a streamer only into the NDS. Strange that you have issues streaming with the NDS. Latest software on it? You should give Audirvana + Qobuz a go. It turns the NDS into something even better than what it was made for natively.

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I wasn’t going to replace it with ND5XS2. Was thinking of using NDS as DAC and ND5XS2 as streamer. But then thought I don’t want another box so going for NDX2 as alternative approach. The NDS wont connect to Tidal. Tbh I find it quite poor as a streamer. Old tech and all.

It’s fine on Spotify and not great with my Zoneripper hard drive. Takes ages to load up.

And with dim screen its all a sorry story!

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500 sounds perfect @Slamdam.

Preferred your previous name. Why the change or is it too private?

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Nothing else than that it could be read as “Slam them”. At least that is what I thought and didn’t like :slight_smile: It’s the same account so all history is still connected to me. No hiding or such.

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Fair enough @Blackbird. Will get used to your new codesign.

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@Dan_M, Ive just replaced my much loved and very very lovely 2 year ago serviced 1987 135’s for a non DR 500. Mate i tell ya if you can do it get it.
What i particularly enjoyed was the 500 has a very similar sound signature to the 135, so works just great with the 52 but sooo much better in every way. Jaw dropping better, so much more of all things the 135 do well.

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Well he can’t so stop winding him up :wink:

I think if we were all really honest here that going through the higher levels is where the law of diminishing returns apply.

I just brought a good working order nap 500 for around 6000 uk ponds.
Id also suggest you haven’t herd how good a pots 8 52 is until you stick a 500 up its Jaxie. Yes 552 is way better but a 52 is way good with the same amount of fun but not the hifi of the 552,
an eye opener to tell you truth. Im well happy I brought it. My wife not so much, but hey 1st world problems and all that.

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Get her a nice perfume box :sunglasses:

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