You got got an excellent deal…enjoy…
Even if you can got hold of a 10 year old 500 don’t worry about it. Still going to be very good. Think we gotta get over the service thing, I’d put money on it will last many more years. Got to remember back in the day of cb the parts when we’re not as reliable as they are these days, therefore the servicing was very important….my 2 cents or 2p in your local
Absolutely. I upgraded from early 552 and 500 to nearly new DR models at around the same time - close enough that I was able to try the various combinations. The 552DR made a much greater difference than the 500DR, despite the 500 being much older than the 552 and in fact well beyond the recommended service interval.
Perhaps however worth noting that IIRC others on here have observed the opposite.
Thanks - doing that as I write!
Seriously however, just upgrading, this is a buyers market. There are deals out there which a couple of years ago would’ve seemed inconceivable, particularly I think if you’re not looking to trade anything in and can pay cash (as in no finance is all I mean by that!).
My 552/552PS service set me back £900. Compared to the initial outlay and in view of the sonic performance on tap, this was bearable, not that I had a choice because it had failed. It now sounds better than ever.
That’s exactly the situation I found myself in late last year, when the never-again ND555 deal was available. With that and the FinkTeam Kims I’ve got something really nice to remember him with every day.
That is great to hear, I know he would have liked me to get a treat as part of it and I couldn’t think of anything better than this
Apart from eBay are there any other sites people would recommend keeping an eye on for ads? Not sure if that is an allowable question under forum rules so please disregard if it isn’t
I would email all dealers who sale Naim within 50 miles of where you live and explain what you are after and if they can accept trade ins.
See who gets back to you. Dealers have kit that isn’t advertised which they will want to get rid of.
This is how I got my 552DR and Linn LP12 Klimax upgrades achieved.
Darren from DNA audio travelled 600 miles and set everything up. Part exchanged some of my gear as well.
For me it was convenient as I was ill at the time. Excellent service and outcome.
That’s good advice and thanks Dan. I should have thought of this myself as that is how I got the stands for my Sopra #1s - I saw Nintronics were selling a pair of #1s with stands and I asked if they would sell the stands separately. They wouldn’t but had another ex demo pair sitting in the stock room and I got a really good price.
On a different note, I hope you are doing ok
Ebay and Pink Fish. Also check your local small ads.
Gumtree worth keeping an eye on too, though possibly not the best place for 500 series kit. I bought a CB setup off gumtree a few months ago.
Mentioning the sites is fine, linking to commercial sites in general, or items for sale in particular isn’t fine.
500 has it’s devotees - well deserved. Here’s an alterate, unless you are swiftly going full 5 series kit.
Since you are enjoying your 252 and assuming you have SC-DR powering it, then consider this perhaps?
Potentially earlier implementation so enjoyment arrives sooner, without too much chasing deals; better balance until you change all.
Split budget, between a 555PS for your NDX2 and a late 300DR - real bargains to be had as result of upgrades to 350, less so with 500 kit.
The time imho, to chase 5 series kit, if you are enjoying what you have, will be in a few years when 500DR is replaced - think of the wonderful hours you will spend before then. If and when 500 v2 is announced and you wish to upgrade, a late unit will be real vfm. Good luck.
It’s a good idea. I have not owned or heard a 300DR. I had 2 x 135s CB serviced. 500DR is a huge leap from 135s. It made biggest change in my system. That and the Sopra 2s.
My understanding was that 300DR would have been a sideways move for me.
If you like really loud music then 500DR is one to go for. My Sopra 2 s would clip if pushed by 135s. The 500DR has more than enough power now.but it’s not that that is really important. It’s the grip that the 500DR has on bass and is a far more refined and effortless amp than the 135s
It just has oodles of power. Very refined and has the boogie factor of 135s. It’s a superb product. I would favour it over a 552DR upgrade, as @What_Are_You_To_Me has the 252, Supercap DR already.
Certainly the 552DR is better and will bring everything together.
The other option is to sell the NDX2 and get an NDS as DAC and use with ND5XS2. Get a 555PSDR. See separate thread on this. Sounded superb.
Other potential is to upgrade the speakers and get some floorstanders.
You must have read my mind @sound-hound ! This afternoon I have found a 2013 555PS DR in the 500 series finish and a 2017 300DR, which I think I can get for £6500 combined. That seems like a cracking deal to me and would allow me to enjoy that step as you say whilst keeping my eye on the future. The next step would be an ND555 and I could enjoy that whilst continuing the enjoy my 252 and no doubt what will be a very enjoyable step up to the 300DR from the 250DR.
Thanks once again Dan. If I can get the above deal, I think I would then go for the ND555 and then I have the option sometime next year probably of going for the 500DR and/or 552DR. It is probably the most uncovential and strange order to do it in, but it sits right with me and allows me to enjoy each upgrade in turn given I have been really happy with my 252.
Re speakers, I did a deal with my wife that I would not get floorstanders again. She has been very understanding of my hifi hobby and so I want to make sure I stick to the deal. If I ever did change them I would probably go from the #1s to Diablo’s but I have no intention of doing so. It would be a number of years in the future
It sounds like a great plan to me. And good to go through the Naim amps. It may be that the 300DR is all you need.
The 555PSDR will make a big difference.
Your system will also be very well balanced with excellent source. Superb pre and power amps to go with your speakers.
Many stop at that point.
Thanks Dan, it will certainly be very interesting to find out. I will definitely take my time enjoying them and if the 300DR is as good as everyone says it will help focus my future upgrade path on the sources.
ps. yes, I do like loud music especially when the neighbours are out
So, the sun does shine on the patient!
@Dan_M makes a very valid point when a 552 is in the mix; already owning a 252, you will be in a for a treat adding to your current config.
I recently compared 250DR (very young) / NC 250 / NAP300DR and there is a step up with each, so 300 over 250 will likely not disappoint, all on specially set up fraim.
In main system with 552DR, I went 300DR rather than 500 - but then I do have 3 x 300 (active) complete with four stacks of fraim. In that scenario, almost personal choice between a single 500 and three smaller boxes!
Just one extra thought, so your funds are potentially conserved - it will need carful audition, imho, to significantly beat NDX2 + 555PS v ND555 with a single PS.
There will undoubtedly be a difference, but a balance v vfm will need to be a consideration. Since you will have great kit, accrue the £s and await the next big upgrade opportunities, perhaps?
We were hell bent on 552/ND555, and will still likely go there.
However 252/SCDR/NDX2/555PS/300DR is such a wonderfully balanced and enjoyable system that we’ve lost the impetus to upgrade.
The 500 series being “current” and not to soon be replaced means there will be plenty opportunities to upgrade over the next few years.