I created this thread so we can focus on actual listening experiences of the 300 series and discuss those. Hopefully this will keep diversions to a minimum.
I had the pleasure on the 9 September to visit the nice folk at the The Audiobarn to listen to the new 300 series, hosted by Mark Raggett of Naim. We started by listening to the 333/332/350 without any power supplies. Once we were accustomed to the sound Mark added two 300 power supplies, first to the 333 streamer so we could hear the improvement this addition made to the source. Mark then added the second 300 power supply to the 332 pre amp taking the system to a full six-box configuration.
I had a chat with Jack of The Audiobarn before the demonstration and he made a rather interesting comment about the sound signature of the new 300 series compared to Black Box classic. Jack had observed that the 300 series is a tad ‘easier on the ear’ (I am paraphrasing) than some of the black box classic series. The visceral nature of some black box configurations, that can occasionally tip over into harshness, had been tamed, or should I say controlled, by the 300 series. I wasn’t entirely sure what Jack meant but all became clear when I sat down to listen.
My initial impressions of the system without any power supplies was a clean, extended and ultimately a lovely musical presentation, with plenty of PRaT. I will say now that, as I was sat to one side, it was virtually impossible for me to get any real sense of instrument placement and soundstage. Compared to a 500 series I would say the 300 without power supplies was a little softer in the bass, vocals possibly lacked a tiny bit of focus and separation was slightly lacking. I then had to remind myself that this system was brand-new out of the box and was far from its best. I got the impression this bare 300 system had a lot more to give, some of which I would discover was delivered by the addition of the 300 power supplies.
As we continued to listen to the bare system things began to improve. Mark then played a track I was familiar with - Chris Stapleton’s Death Row. Blimey! I was hearing stuff on this track I’ve never heard before. This track is about a prisoner awaiting his fate on death row, and it came complete with dread, fear, foreboding, despair, and a sense of hopelessness, as of course it should. This track alone showed me the 300 system, even bare, was superbly capable at communicating emotion. If I was being critical I would say Chris’s voice softened very slightly when he hit the loudest notes, when compared to say a 500 system - but read on.
Mark then added a 300 power supply to the 333. Now things were beginning to tighten up with increased focus and PRaT. At this point I began to understand Jack’s comment to me before the demonstration. With black box classic, even a 500 system, crescendos could have you on the edge of your seat. Not so with the 300 series where even at the extreme peaks of the track things remained completely in control, without any loss of impact and excitement. I put this down to the iron grip the 350 mono power amps were exerting.
Next the second 300 power supply was put on the 332. Now things really started to take off. More of everything, above all yet more musicality. I asked Mark to replay the Death Row track and now I could hear Chris’s voice in all its glory, an absolutely fantastic rendition of this brilliant song.
In my view the addition of the 300 on the 332 provided a greater improvement than 300 on the 333. In my mind I put this down to the fact that this was the second 300 going into the system and there was some kind of synergy happening. However later Mark told me that the 300 that went on the 333 was brand-new out of the box, whereas the 300 that went on the 332 had been more run in. This would certainly explain the greater uplift I heard with the 300 on the 332. It was then I had to remind myself that, other than one 300, all the kit was essentially brand-new out of the box. It is clear to me that this system has a lot more to give, which is a rather exciting prospect.
As I have owned a 500 system I am in a reasonable position to compare 300 to 500. For some reason I am finding that difficult to do. I sold my 500 system several months ago and I’m listening to the 300 system in a different room with different speakers to mine. What I will say is the 500 and 300 systems are different and you will absolutely have to go and listen for yourself.
The 300 system is superb. In my view it is not better or worse than the 500, just different in the way I very much appreciate.
Many thanks to Jack and Mark for putting on a great demonstration - The Audiobarn is a great venue and they are nice people to do business with.
