Yup I use the S12 with the 500dr … a match made in heaven…superb.
The 500 DR went for $20,150.00. It went well beyond my comfort zone whilst I was out mowing the lawns, never got a bid in.
The 552 DR went for a bargain $15,350.
Both were vintage, but recapped and DR’d by Chris Murphy in 2017.
Don’t forget non DR versions. The non DR 500 I’ve seen around 12-14 000 AUD around here.
Yeah, I watched it through the afternoon. If it has stalled around 15k I would have probably relented and put a bid in, but the price it sold for was about what I expected.
Yeah don’t discount the none DR 500, as some say its a six pack 135 active setup in one box (well two if you count the 500 PSU)
None DR 500s go for silly money too.
It’s much better than that.
I’ve never compared but thats good to know.
There are some rather nice 500dr’s on a certain site…for relitively sensible money…
Edit/ please ignore.
Got entirely the wrong end of the wrong stick and thread.
Yep … I made that exact upgrade when I had my DBL’s
Yes I had my bank number ready too. I tell ya Jono I was in my Prius prime ready for a early morning drive to the upper south💥
The owner who had ownership from new did very well imo. 2004 til now had them serviced and DR in 2017 at mates rates as was revealed in the description, he still pulled $36,000 nzd out of it. What was the 2004 nzd price??? I’d almost consider that to be and investment!
He mentioned the reason for sale was the purchase of some horn type speakers, I guess he went to some valve setup
I’m of the understanding he’s a hifi store owner and an ex naim dealer.
Fortunately my 300 DR is sounding pretty darn awesome. I’ve pretty much concluded now that I’m at end game for amplification. No real need, and a 500 DR isn’t going to be attainable, or even the right place to spend on the system if I was inclined to,
Yes, the seller was an ex Naim dealer, who has moved on from the hi-fi business he had. A top bloke too, I had a few chats with about the black art of power conditioners on Naim systems back in the day.
The 500 is the key to unlock the potential of the 552, two halves coming together.
Absolutely agree.
I would argue that the orginal Nap500 (non dr) and the 552…were perfectly matched. The 500 had a slight warmth that the 552 balanced out…perfectly. The 500dr does not have that slight warmth…so is altogether more explicit…a really good thing as far as I am concerned…however we are not talking huge differences…the orginal Nap500 is a mighty fine amp…
I’ve been looking at a NAP 500 for quite some time now after deciding to upgrade from my 250DR and skip the 300 (mainly due to reading this thread and a few others). I had a 2021 model lined up for c11k but the dealer sold it to someone else in the end as I could not get the funds together until early September, which was fair enough.
At the moment there are two I am interested in on the bay - one is a 2006 non-DR model at £5.4k (although a 2013 non-DR sold recently for £4.2k so there could be a deal to be done - wish I had grabbed that bargain!) and a 2001 model that was upgraded to DR in 2016 for £9.9k.
Whilst I appreciate the DR version would be preferable, given the price difference, I wondered if people had any thoughts? After reading the above, and noting many of you are very happy with the non-DR version, I’m tempted to try an offer on that listing. I could then keep the difference or even use it to get a 555PS for my NDX2…
ps. I understand that DR upgrades are no longer possible and so it would mean selling the non-DR one if I ever decided to change it.
Tricky one but would probably recommend going down the DR route if your pre and power supplies are DR’d (or if you intend to go for these at some point?). If they’re not then non-DR is still pretty good. Just make sure the non-DR 500 has had a service otherwise the money you’ve saved will soon be eaten up!
Thanks @Geko, I’ve just messaged them to see what the score is service wise. 2006 is coming up for 20 years old so if it has not been serviced that could the answer to my question…
What do you think of the price for the DR one - £9.9k for a 2001 model feels a little punchy even though it has been upgraded?
Budget approx £1800 for a NAP500 service.
Walk away from a none DR 500 thats over 15 years old without a service unless you are prepared to have the units serviced.
Also early 500s needed a tweek that was taken care of during a service.
Personally I would wait for a 500DR to come up at the right price.
If this 500 also had the service at the same time as DR its probably worth it, I think I’ve seen this 500 listed and I believe this is through a reputable Naim dealer.