I have heard Boulder amps at my dealer but never in my home system. I would audition a Boulder 1110/11xx pre/pwr but I don’t have the budget to replace my 252/300 with Boulder. That’s about as costly as a change to 552/500.
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Thats a funny one Blackbird 
Are you excluding the 866 integrated audition?
I have no interest in that or any integrated at this time, so yes I am excluding the 866. TBH, that’s the one Boulder I think is ugly, whereas I think all the others have beautiful casework.
Boulder 1110, and either the 1163 or 1151 monoblocks would be the goal for me.
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Thank you IainO
Exciting to hear about your solution, 282+ Hicap+ NDX, but it gives me two more boxes in my system. The other solution with 300 + PS300 replaces my 250, which would give me one extra box.
But yes, I had once considered 282 and NDX, which would also give me an extra box if I keep 250. But then I know myself, that at some point I also want something on the effect out to the speakers. Hope you can see my point. Thanks for the information with connection guide 272
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Definitely worth getting the 300DR!
We did consider this when we had 272, but decided to focus on source upgrade first.
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250 dr and 500 dr have more in common than with 300 dr. Should I add the boring IMO?
If you have one day the occasion to listen to Gryphon diablo 333….25 k dollars, one box, at the level of 552/500.
Thanks for suggestion, but nearest dealers are all a day trip for me, at a minimum. I prefer to support my local dealer of the last 30 years, and don’t want to deal with remote dealers at that level.
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If you’ve decided that you like the Boulder sonic signature - transparent, neutral - it must be tough to stay happy with Naim. Naim is fantastic, but it’s fantastic in a different way.
It wasn’t until I borrowed the entry level Boulder power amp (I think it was a 1060 , 300 wpc and circa $20,000 in 2003) that I realized the NAP500 had problems at high volumes, where it became a bit shouty and forced. Even at insane volumes the Boulder kept its poise and grip, with its front mounted clipping LED only flashing occasionally. Methinks the 500 was clipping at much lower SPLs.
I also borrowed the matching Boulder preamp, which at the time was around $12k.
It was soundly spanked by the 552.
But the 1060 left a lasting impression. As it did on the dealer, who carried the 140lb monster up a flight of stairs to my listening room.
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At the moment I have the Boulder 1108 phono-stage, which smokes the Superline/SCDR I had before. I currently have no concrete plans to change to a Boulder 11xx pre/pwr, but if/when I do I will do an extended home demo first to make sure it’s what I want. However, based on what I have heard of the 2000 series at my dealer, and my own experience with the 1108 since I got it in January I’d be surprised if I didn’t like the Boulder 11xx better than my 252/300.
One thing is for certain. If I move on from my 252/300 it will not be to other Naim.
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It’s interesting you say that. I was talking to a former Naim rep last fall and he said pretty much the same thing.
When I told him how much I liked the upgrade from the 252DR to the 300DR and what music I like to play he thought a 500DR would not make me happy. It’s kinda moot anyway. I have no chance to audition a 500DR (or a 552DR) anyway.
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Another Dynaudio user here encouraging the 300DR. Never really satisfied with the 250DR.
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I run a 552DR with a 300DR. The 300DR is one of the best upgrades I’ve ever made to my system, a rare upgrade that exceeded my expectations.
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I have an opportunity to buy a complete set of 300DR+300PS year 2016, serial number 4118xx & 4119xx with all the necessary cables. There is a dealer selling the kit but he only gives a 3 months used warranty. Is there anything I should be aware of here?
I assume there are still quite a few years before it needs servicing
Since the 300DR is essentially a 250DR split into two boxes, it is quite obvious it has to be an opinion, as the facts scream otherwise.
I mean on the sound signature characteristics. Not on specs.
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Can he demo it to you or perhaps a trial at home but I don’t think there’s ever been an issue with 300 reliability. At 10 years I think you enter the service window.
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