A power supply for the NDX 2 would mean another shelf, which I don’t really have space for. One day…
On the servicing front, Chris from real music is still helpful if I have questions, but the new distributor has someone in the Hutt valley who does classic/retro restorations for services. It appears that getting parts from Naim is the primary challenge at the moment…
I could have easily stayed put with the 282/HCDR but the introduction of the SCDR was the catalyst, for me the 282/SCDR is where Naim pre’s really take off.
The SCDR lifted the 282 to new heights, music retrieval from the Dave was off the scale, superb.
The introduction of the 252DR is another milestone, its ahead of the 282 in every area and so it should be. Over 15 years ago before DR I borrowed a 252 against my then 82 it was good but lost the drive of the 82, 252 went back. The 252DR is a different beast, pace, drive its an end game pre especially with a source like the Dave.
552DR, an opportunity came up and the deal was too good to turn down, received an excellent price for the 252/SCDR, you only live once so went for it.
552 is still warming up but out the box I cannot put into words how good this pre is.
Back to the original question, if you have a great source the move from 282 to 252DR will deliver in spades and would be end game for most, but then again the 282/SCDR is also excellent
If you are limited to 5 shelves it would be interesting to compare your existing system with one with a 555PS on the NDX2 and a 250DR instead of the 300DR…
Any plans for 500DR further down the line if another attractive deal comes up?
Some say, the 552DR/500DR are just two halves of the same unit and that they’re just made for each other, that SL2’s seem to grow in size when the 500 kicks them up the backside compared to the already excellent 300DR. That it doesn’t need a massive room to hear benefits, how instruments take on added realism, sound stage is rock solid and vocals become more ‘in the room’.
I’ve no idea if any of the above is true so obviously don’t take my word for it…
The 500DR does seem like the logical move and something to consider in a few years, my none DR 300s were Naim serviced in 2019 so plenty of time ahead, I hope
Me too. My first ‘proper’ system in 1979 was A60 and Rega Planar 3 with SME 3009 arm and Shure M75ED cartridge (I think). I used it with Goodmans RB20 speakers which were decent at the time and I couldn’t afford to upgrade them!
I’d wondered the same, as that is the set up I have. I expect @JonoB’s speakers like more juice than my Totem Forest Sigs, but it would be an interesting comparison all the same….
I should have thought of that - I’ve still got the 250DR and should have given it a go when I demo’d the 555-PS DR. On the 300, the 555 sounded better - slightly warmer, and more “fluid” (or maybe musical is the term), but not enough for me to broach the idea of a second Fraim rack with my wife
You’re always welcome to pop round for another listen - indeed a proper listen (and hear what the Innuos stuff brings to the party).
I love the Diapasons and although occasionally curious to hear some the latest favourites, can’t imagine ever changing to anything else.
I can’t say much vs. 808s because I’ve never heard them. I wasn’t, however, massively impressed by the first generation Titans, though definitely preferring them to their smaller brethren, which I found dead in the midrange and flabby in the bass and, frankly, detested.
I had SL2s with an nSub when I auditioned the first gen Titans. I admired the SL2s greatly but hankered after more scale for big orchestral works in particular. The Titans did bring a small lift in scale and quite a sweet top end, but lost palpably in dynamics, timing and texture. I felt they were quite a dumbing down, as did others who listened.
The Diapasons don’t have the lightning responsiveness of the SL2s, but match or exceed them pretty much everywhere elsewhere and the sense of scale and three dimensions is in another world. Plus, of course, they do that Shahinian thing of placing real instruments in the room and for all listeners. But the Obelisks do that, too, only with less physical presence, especially in a large room.
Mine of course isn’t a large room, though, but still benefits from the spacious effortlessness of the Diapasons, which work surprisingly well in small rooms and really don’t fit in too badly, since they are relatively low level and don’t tower over you like some designs. My better half actually found them less obtrusive than the SL2s.
Thanks Michael. I may well take you up on that kind offer, but I think I also need to hear a pair in situ in the new room to know if they’ll work for me here. I suspect they will, but it would be prudent to check first.
I think I need to talk to John Burns to see what I can sort out regarding a home trial, but given that I’m really not keen to pony up for a new pair, that may not be a straightforward conversation. John has previously been in touch with some sellers and they do occasionally come up for sale and if anyone has a finger on the pulse there it will be John.
It will obviously be a bit hit or miss given the scarcity of Diapasons, but fingers crossed that he may have some suggestions.
Definitely worth a home demo as accommodating as the Diapasons are of different environments by virtue of their design. Also worth getting in touch with Midland Audio Exchange, they also get hold of used Shahinians, though are not generally prepared to demo far afield.
True Mike. Midland Audio Exchange we’re the source of my Ob2’s and I traded in my Hawk 1’s with them to get the deal done. They don’t seem to have any Diapasons currently ( though they do have some exdem Ob2’s).
I sold the Hawks because they didn’t work so well in a new listening room I’d just moved into. I wonder how the Hawks would sound here
That’s interesting. The bass drivers on the Hawks are of course further from the floor than on the Obelisks and Diapasons… and from memory the Hawks don’t have the super tweeters…