What is the cheapest pre-amp for NAP 500DR?

[mech]

Halo, my 552 is being scheduled to go to UK for a look at. I am not sure why it is taking so long. After 1 week the unit is still in Singapore. Is it because dealer is waiting for Naim to give the go-ahead or a ticket number so to speak?

Anyway, I will not bother to ask dealer too many questions as this is becoming quite troublesome.

I want to ask what is the cheapest pre-amp I can use for my NAP 500DR in the interim?

Is Olive NAC 82 got connection for the NAP500?

Any suggestion under $1000 or $2000

I assume the ND555 can’t go directly into the NAP 500DR, am i right?

[HungryHalibut]

If you get the right interconnect - Din to two XLRs you can connect the 500 directly to the 555. Just enable variable output and off you go.

It’s not ideal but saves spending money for a temporary solution.

If you got the 82 you’d need a Hicap. The 500 would then connect to the Hicap.

[PeakMan]

I’d have thought anything in your price range is going to disappoint. Would it be better to switch off your main system and go for an all-in-one? Something like a Muso perhaps, and then, when you get your 552 back, you could sell it on or use it in an another room.

Roger

[mech]

Tks, I will go try to find that kind of cable.

[mech]

I don’t mind being low quality abit. I am about to return the loaned Nait 50 and get back my NAP500DR (being at dealer place to do testing to eliminate causes of distortion).

So I am just trying to at least have it boot up and having music going on.

It will for sure be a temporary situation.

[Ian2001]

Hope you liked the Nait 50, I wonder how this little amp drove your Focal Utopias ?

best wishes

Ian

[HungryHalibut]

The alternative is a pair of RCA to XLR cables, which may be easier.

[mech]

The XLR will be a true balanced (normal) cable right. It is not something special or unique to Naim only right.

[HungryHalibut]

No. The 500 is not balanced, so it needs to be wired correctly. The 500 should have the pin connections on a label on the back.

[mech]

Nait 50 is super wonderful with the Utopia. Very very acceptable. It drive it very well. With a small apartment room, i never move pass 9am in the volume pot. I just don’t have a 2nd system to take any advantage of so decided might not be a good to buy it and not using it.

[mech]

Okay, not that easy. I will need to ask around the dealer expert.

[mech]

But why does the spec says “true balanced via XLR”?

[HiFiman]

Another option is the Naim 272. The 500 cables will connect directly into the 272.
The 272 is fairly cheap on the used market but all depends if there’s one going for sale near you.

[mech]

I try to not have streaming dac+pre-amp overlap. I think maybe the cable route is the best course of action to utilise the ND555 with the 500DR.

[HiFiman]

Good luck. One thing is make sure the variable input on the ND555 hasn’t resorted back to fixed before hitting play otherwise

[HungryHalibut]

I don’t know, and I may be wrong.

The 500 is connected like this, with just two wires:

Balanced is like this, with three wires:

[mech]

U scare me and I am too stupid to mess with settings. I am a plug and play guy when it comes to Hi-Fi equipments.

[Geko]

I used my old Olive 72 with my 500 when I sent my 552 for servicing. It worked fine.

[naimophile]

Hi mech , I’ve been following your journey on hi fi,
And it’s very clearly that your journey w the 509s are torturing for you. I would not prolong such unhappiness after spending so much $$ on the product, and get nothing back but unsolved issues.
I would cut short the pain and trade in all and get a system that you truly will just sit back and enjoy what you paid for.
There’s a lot of many makes that I believe you have in mind , go for them.
Music is for enjoyment, after all , if you don’t feel that , something is very very wrong for you .
Hope you will get to that happiness soon👏🏻

[mech]

Is this correct? Using a single-DIN to 2 XLR to the 500DR.