Went to upgrade to the "new" 300 series, came back confused


All I can say is WOW. New system installed today. Paul from Billy Vee installed it. 4+hours. We have a wonky wood floor (it’s a rental). He was very meticulous getting the Fraims just right. Will shift the chat over to system pics 2025 but I am a very happy camper and glad I stuck with naim. Have to still decide on new speakers but the existing ProAc D38s (pre-ribbon) are handling the 500s well.

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Paul’s great isn’t he? Whether it’s a small or a big system, he always gives it the same degree of care and attention when installing

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Great end to the story.
Maybe time to update your profile :+1:

Good luck with the new system.
R

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Thanks @ratrat, and yes, the profile update is on today’s “to-do” list. :slight_smile:

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The thing is with Naim…the system needs to be left switched on for at least 2 days before any serious listening. So its quite easy to put the Naim gear at a disadvantage…dealers know this…so your right walk away.
Incidentally you have ended up with the system I have…it is amazing…and should give you many years of pleasure…I keep mine powered on for long periods…its essential for the 500 to be fully warmed through…

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Hi @crispyduck, yes, top quality service. Thank you @stuart.ashen , @crispyduck and @Sinewave for the recommendation/endorsement of Billy Vee and all who provided advice, wise counsel and some smiles over the past 3+ months. Listening to Krishna Das (Sri Argala Stotram/Show Me Love) a few minutes ago and now Imogen Heap’s Blanket with Jeff Beck from Beck’s Ronnie Scott’s show. Love my new system (as Hendrix’s Wind Cries Mary comes on…)

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Hi @Richieroo, yes, plan is to keep the system on unless we are away for an extended period. Hear you on running the system in. The NAP500DR was a demo so that is nicely run-in. Paul said the other components will also benefit from time so looking forward to that path as well.

I spoke to Paul recently and he mentioned that I helped some anonymous forum member to buy a 500 system. Still waiting for him to send me my commission…

When I recommend Billy Vee I guess I am really recommending Paul. Always top draw service!

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By the way…if ever you want to improve things still further…and substantially in my opinion a second psu for the ND555 is brilliant… I amnot a big fan of Super Lumina between 500 and psu…din yo xlr. All other areas are great…I suggest you keep the original cable…

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Congratulations that is one awesome setup, I am sure that once it has settled in you will be spending many a long hour listening to your favourite tunes.

Enjoy.

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From friends of mine I understand the Proac speakers are a match made in heaven … I wish I had the space for them…enjoy…keep us posted on your bedding in period…it should get better and better…mine took around 6 to 8 weeks to settle…and really deliver.

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Have a demo of the Marten Parker Quintet’s booked for Saturday. Listening to Peter Frampton right now on the new system with the 15+ year old ProAc’s. Sounds so good!

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Proac’s seem to match Naim quite well…

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Biased opinion from me but yes Proacs and Naim go well together. When I change to the 300 series one day I’ll keep my speakers for sure.

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Tested the Marten Parker Quintet’s yesterday. They are very nice speakers, but I wasn’t convinced. Believe it may have been due to a few factors. Speakers were tested using first the naim NC300 series with only a separate (non naim) power supply for the preamp. Source was a ClearAudio Innovation turntable with a non-ClearAudio phono stage (didn’t catch who made the phonostage). We switched to a Gryphon 333 which provided an improvement, but we (the dealer included) think the speakers were hampered by the listening room, which was on the small side and their placement being a bit too close to each other. The diamond tweeter was impressive but the mid-range was smeared (which I think was the dealer’s term) and the bass “bouncy” (my term, and which I attribute to the room but also my ears as my existing ProAc’s present very differently). I am not ruling them out and the dealer is very happy to give me a few days with them in our flat which is a much more open space and which I will likely take him up on.

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