More Naim x Magico

Bart001

Bart001

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Oct 9, 2018
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Boston, MA USA
I don't know where this belongs. Socially distancing gave me the opportunity to replace the 300DR amp with the 500DR amp. And to rebuild the racks, although the power cords need tidying.

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the professor said:
How does it compare to the 300?
Click to expand...

Very significant difference from 300DR to 500DR. (I bought it w/o an audition, so these are just my in-home observations.)

A tight grip on the bass at all volumes. And really, the full presentation at low volume is perhaps where I notice it the most. Magicos are not ported of course, and thus don't themselves provide what Alon calls a 'loudness button' effect (to grossly paraphrase what I read) one can hear from ported speakers at low volume. But the 500 seems to ensure that even at low volume, there is appropriate energy to the bass. Then it all stays perfectly in-balance as the volume increases. So that's one big difference I noticed already. I loved the 300DR and I'm sure I'd still love it if I hadn't gotten this in! It helps destroy that silly myth that big amps are (only) needed for high volume.
 
the professor said:
How does it compare to the 300?
Click to expand...

I bet it drives your M2's wonderfully as well!

I bought my A3's when my system was more modest (relative terms of course) - 252/250DR. The right deals on the 500 series came along a few months later. So here I am!
 
Yes

It's awesome. I'm sure yours sings!

Love the Naim/Magico match up.



Bart001 said:
I bet it drives your M2's wonderfully as well!

I bought my A3's when my system was more modest (relative terms of course) - 252/250DR. The right deals on the 500 series came along a few months later. So here I am!
Click to expand...
 
Joe, we need to come up with a way to block all this NAIM 500 talk. It’s making me jealous. [emoji6]
 
Mike said:
Joe, we need to come up with a way to block all this NAIM 500 talk. It’s making me jealous. [emoji6]
Click to expand...

I finally understand it -- the 552 and 500 really are 'different beasts' than the classic series. Sorry Mike!!

Naim + Magico at this level really seem to be a great combo.
 
Bart001 said:
I finally understand it -- the 552 and 500 really are 'different beasts' than the classic series. Sorry Mike!!

Naim + Magico at this level really seem to be a great combo.
Click to expand...

Joe, how’s that filter coming along? Bart and Jock are teasing us again.

All kidding aside, I’ve loved the NAIM/Magico combo. It never got much traction outside of us guys, but it’s truly superb.

One day I’ll get a 500 setup. One day. At home I’ve got a real make shifty NAIM setup:

SN3 (as preamp)
HiCap DR
250DR
ND5 XS2

The streamer is just “ok”. It’s not even in the vicinity of the NDX2/XPS-DR. I’m sure the 500 streamer is miles better again.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 
Yup it is. :woot:


Mike said:
Joe, how’s that filter coming along? Bart and Jock are teasing us again.

All kidding aside, I’ve loved the NAIM/Magico combo. It never got much traction outside of us guys, but it’s truly superb.

One day I’ll get a 500 setup. One day. At home I’ve got a real make shifty NAIM setup:

SN3 (as preamp)
HiCap DR
250DR
ND5 XS2

The streamer is just “ok”. It’s not even in the vicinity of the NDX2/XPS-DR. I’m sure the 500 streamer is miles better again.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Click to expand...
 
Mike said:
All kidding aside, I’ve loved the NAIM/Magico combo. It never got much traction outside of us guys, but it’s truly superb.
Click to expand...

It's really a great pairing. I think the problem is that at this level and price point, there are a LOT of options. And it's a UK-based brand without consistent marketing umph behind it here.
 
Bart001 said:
It's really a great pairing. I think the problem is that at this level and price point, there are a LOT of options. And it's a UK-based brand without consistent marketing umph behind it here.
Click to expand...

True, but the incredible dynamics/toe-tapping PRAT, bass control, sweet top end and 3D sound of NAIM make it a great pairing with frankly, almost anything.

The only downside to NAIM is that it’s really a system play - amp, preamp and source. Also, chances are your speaker cables won’t work and you’ll need some NAIM zones and admittedly, it’s tweaky as hell.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 
Mike said:
True, but the incredible dynamics/toe-tapping PRAT, bass control, sweet top end and 3D sound of NAIM make it a great pairing with frankly, almost anything.

The only downside to NAIM is that it’s really a system play - amp, preamp and source. Also, chances are your speaker cables won’t work and you’ll need some NAIM zones and admittedly, it’s tweaky as hell.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Click to expand...

I'm not convinced Naim is as tweaky as people say it is . . . I don't know if it's lore that has become "truth," or the other way around. Is it just owners saying they hear it when interconnects touch each other....and that becomes lore? I dont know.
 
Mike said:
Joe, we need to come up with a way to block all this NAIM 500 talk. It’s making me jealous. [emoji6]
Click to expand...

In the last two years I’m trying to get home demo of DR 500 with no success, my local dealer keep saying he will arrange it for me but so far nada

I bet it’s phenomenal partner with my speakers but I can’t spend that much without home demo.

One of my concerns is it’s low output ( I know Naim play loud and has lots of power reserve )

My room is over 1000sq ceiling between 10-18 feet tall my speakers are 88db and we listen at high volume


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 
no32 said:
In the last two years I’m trying to get home demo of DR 500 with no success, my local dealer keep saying he will arrange it for me but so far nada

I bet it’s phenomenal partner with my speakers but I can’t spend that much without home demo.

One of my concerns is it’s low output ( I know Naim play loud and has lots of power reserve )

My room is over 1000sq ceiling between 10-18 feet tall my speakers are 88db and we listen at high volume


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Click to expand...

Not all dealers are as customer-friendly. You need to find one who'll make it happen. It probably has to be one who has one on the floor, as it seems that the US distributor (owned by Naim) isn't usually willing to work with dealers other than by selling them a unit, and the dealer probably doesn't want to buy it at risk.

Which speakers?
 
no32 said:
In the last two years I’m trying to get home demo of DR 500 with no success, my local dealer keep saying he will arrange it for me but so far nada

I bet it’s phenomenal partner with my speakers but I can’t spend that much without home demo.

One of my concerns is it’s low output ( I know Naim play loud and has lots of power reserve )

My room is over 1000sq ceiling between 10-18 feet tall my speakers are 88db and we listen at high volume


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Click to expand...

Do you have the rest of a NAIM system? The 500 DR without the Naim pre/source/cables is really not the best way to go.
 
Mike said:
Do you have the rest of a NAIM system? The 500 DR without the Naim pre/source/cables is really not the best way to go.
Click to expand...

I’m looking for the whole set, source pre power cables


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 
Bart001 said:
Not all dealers are as customer-friendly. You need to find one who'll make it happen. It probably has to be one who has one on the floor, as it seems that the US distributor (owned by Naim) isn't usually willing to work with dealers other than by selling them a unit, and the dealer probably doesn't want to buy it at risk.

Which speakers?
Click to expand...

Good point I didn’t think about it, thx [emoji120]


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