Nap500

Similar story here - I have a mix of full Fraim shelves and Lites, but I have upgraded the Lites with Naim glass, cups and ball bearings. We have very uneven floors from where the previous owner sanded them far too aggressively. I have found it extremely difficult to get the base level both horizontally and from the back to the front. Nearly exact but a smidge off and I have tried so many times I do not have the patience anymore. I have also painfully stabbed myself a few times with the spikes by accident :rofl:

Like you, I find the easiest way to dust and clean is to take it apart level by level and then re-assemble. I try to do at least once every two months as I think it is good to avoid too much dust accumulating, plus it looks a lot better and taking the cables in and out is a good way to ‘clean’ them I hear.

I think they have nailed it with the Fraim. Why change a winning design :+1:

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I’m clearly not caught on the treadmill - 82 for c12 years, 252 for 5 years before 552 - can’t resist a bargain and this was, ex-dem, 135s maybe 15+ and only went when due a service!

…just don’t think of the £££s!

Pleased Dan you and others are enjoying your own box swaps.

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I wouldn’t disagree with your comment, I guess I was trying to be somewhat subtle, that at the level of NDX2/252/300 that’s a good balance. Add 552DR, nice jump up, then of course ND555 and that all requires budget as we all know. Of course a single PS is fine.

My “worth” was that when another upgrade exists, it isn’t easy for some to resist, my approach is a vfm one. I never got on with NDS v NDX, although I thought at the time that one of NDS or PS was under performing, so when next gen ND555 was released in due course, a more natural upgrade path.

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I think you’re exactly right too about the system balance and vfm. Swap in the 552 and it then “warrants” a better source.

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Yes you need to be patient and carefully check things out…I picked up my Nap500 from Italy…got it for under 5k… I then had it fully DR updated and recapped…giving me effectively a new amp…my best purchase to date…

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I understand better now and agree the 252/NDX2/300 gives me a nice balance. I am already tempted by the 552 I’ve found for just under 6k and I haven’t even got the 300 yet :roll_eyes:

I’ve decided to wait until I have the 300/555ps and if it’s still available in a few weeks time, I’ll reconsider. It probably won’t be, but that’s a good thing as it takes the temptation away.

Ps. Hifi upgrade addiction should be a new branch of therapy!!

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That’sa wonderful looking mid century modern cabinet :+1:

I hope that joy love the 300DR. It’s what I’ve got in my system, and works really well

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Try HiFi Shark…they are often on there…

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So, the 250DR is gone… Sold for £1600 which is not a great price but I think reasonable. There seems to be a fair few on eBay at a higher price that have been there a while. I’ve purchased the 2017 300DR for £3000 so all in all a very cost effective upgrade. I’m picking it up on the 31st so relying on my very capable KEF LSXII speakers until then :+1:

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Cost to change seems about right, so no great loss there. Nice upgrade.

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Very nice upgrade. 300DR is superb.

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I must admit I cannot wait to hear the difference! I feel like a kid waiting for Christmas Day to arrive…

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When you get the 300dr…before installing throughly clean the speaker sockets…its well worth doing.

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Thanks for the tip. This is a very long thread so I forget; but does it include the lengthy message exchange on using cotton buds to clean them? I will go back through it if so :+1:

It’s a fantastic feeling waiting for new black boxes to arrive. Great price for change up from 250DR to 300DR.

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Thanks Dan, I thought so too. Most of the 300s that come up are quite old, which is a good sign as it shows people do not sell them that often, but this one is relatively new and the guy is only selling as he has moved up to a 500DR. Closes the loop on this story quite nicely I think :grin:

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You need to remember that a new 300 DR would have set you back 9K just a short time ago. Enjoy your upgrade ! :+1:

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Yep, I’ve definitely done very well. I don’t think I would have been able to afford any of the components in my system without eBay. I’ve consistently got great deals on fairly new items at c30-40% of the RRP :+1:

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I worked out that I have paid 38% of price of 500 series kit if new!

And some of that is from a dealer.

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Nobody in their right mind paid anywhere near that for a new 300DR :laughing:

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