I went from nd5xs2/supernait3 to NC 222/250 and I’ve been very happy with it. I get to keep to a neat two-box system and the sound quality is better to my ears (not that I was unhappy with the supernait3). The extra power and control is noticeable. The streamer in the 222 seems to be very good. I like being able to put both units in standby with the remote or the app, as well as being able to wake them up from another room ready to listen. The app works really well. One major advantage over the supernait is the balance and sound quality at low volume levels - this is massively better with the 222 in my experience (as well as maintaining perfect channel balance there is more kick and life to the sound at low volumes).
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I’d concur. I had the 222/250 combo briefly and preferred my SN3/NDX2, my feeling was the NDX2 was quite a bit ahead of the 222 and that’s without an XPSDR on my NDX2
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Swapping out the SN3/HCDR & NDX2/XPSDR for the 222/250 sure feels like 1 step forward 2 steps back
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Not only is the series 300 way more costly (332, 333,250) but I would need a phono stage. I have to talk with my deale, but even with a generous trade, I suspect it will still be way more costly. You got to stop someplace. I believe that the 222 would give me a better phono stage and a better headphone amp then the SN3.
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If I deside to go the 332/250 route, can I connect my NDX2 and use my phone to control the pre and the volume, including streaming?
Yes. With an NDX2 you still need a system automation cable - the one you use with your Supernait will be fine.
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I understand the desire to upgrade, but in my experience the cost to upgrade significantly from where you are will be, well, significant.
Your system as it is now is very very good - you have an excellent source and excellent amplification. Going 222/250 may be an upgrade in power amp but definitely not in your source. You have an excellently balanced, classic source/amp combo right now. If I were you, I would only consider going 333/332/250 OR NDX 2/XPS DR/332/250. This would give you a significant upgrade from where you are now.
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The 222/250 will be a nice step up in SQ and gets you to current spec. I can’t speak to the analogue inputs on the 222 as I only use streaming. You’ll also have a nice upgrade path if you decide to go that route. Of course if you can swing 333/332 even better.
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I have a 222/250 and it is brilliant, simply brilliant.
You DO NOT have to upgrade to the 332/333 combination, yes they are a step up the SQ food chain but they come with a much bigger price tag and you’ll need to spend more to add a phono stage, more expense, and you’ll still need a power amp.
You can start with the 222/250 combo, you can use a high end MM or High Output MC (mine is a Hana MH) in the built in phono stage, it is very good, a stand alone phono stage can be added later if you want to and when funds allow.
The 222/250 can be improved with the addition of the NPX300 - I have and it’s a worthwhile upgrade, but it is optional.
I have absolutely no need or want to upgrade to the 300 series, my listening experience is very enjoyable and I have a big smile on my face every time I settle down to listen to the radio, CD, a stream, external drive or my favourite vinyl.
For me the 222 is everything that I could want as the central point of my music system, I really don’t need anything else unless I want to add a phono stage to use LOMC cartridges.
You will not be disappointed with a 222/250 combination.
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I’m assuming you are saying that the 222/250 would be an improvement over my SN3? More so if I add the NPX300 power supply?
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I’ll try to help with just the use of logic 
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I suspect the preamp and phono stage of the 222 is equivalent or better than that of the SN3. I can’t imagine for the price that Naim wouldn’t at least match the SN3 preamp in the 222 That said, I’ve not compared them for SQ.
The NAP 250 should be better than the SN3 power amp stage, likely by some margin. Depending on speakers this may be significant. Into your Spendor D7.2s I feel sure you would appreciate its capabilities.
I like to think of the 222 as a combined ND5 XS2 and SN3 preamp. I’d imagine the SQ would be similar but with an NC signature rather than OC bias.
Although your NDX2 ought to be better sounding than the streamer section of the 222, based solely on price, the integration with the preamp section of the 222 might prove otherwise. However, into an SN3 it’s hard to say without a home demo, and the cable between NDX 2 / SN3 will be a factor.
Hope that helps.
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I saw a video where Jason states that the 222 phono stage is an improvement on the SN3 and designed to work with high end MM or HOMC carts.
Of course this may have been pure promotional hype by Jason but to say that one Naim phono stage was better than the other if it wasn’t would seem unlikely.
I cannot say that the 222 is better than the SN3 as I haven’t heard the SN3, just going on the comment by Jason in the video.
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The cable is the Chord Sarum T. If I went with the 222 I would use that to connect my CDP. One of the things holding me back from the 332, is its lack of a phono stage. I play vinyl very infrequently. Maybe 5% to 10%. Streaming is primary followed by CD. the attraction of the 22/250 is that it is a complete upgrade.
With an XPS DR on the NDX2 the source is currently rather good. I’ve not felt that the 222 streaming section is on a par…
OTOH the 222/250 is a clear step up from the SN3 amp-wise.
Realistically going from current system to 222/250 is going to be a sideways step that may be felt by the OP to be an improvement worthy of the investment but could equally be a poor use of resources.
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I’d imagine the usual advice for most SN3 / NDX 2 users wanting to upgrade would be to go OC with 282/Hicap/250 DR and a Rega (or other) phono amp, all preloved. That could be done in stages, spreading the cost over time if required. But a good few boxes,
To better an NDX 2 / XPS DR would require a 333, possibly with an NPX 300. That could feed the SN3 initially, before adding a 332 (with special cables to feed the power amp in the SN3) and then adding an NC 250 or 350. However, in this case I understand usability is key, as well as avoiding complexity in both use and setup.
I’m very pleased with the 222/250, and so far have not chosen to add an NPX 300. With the latest (5.3.0) firmware it’s a real pleasure to listen to, although I’m keen to upgrade my speakers. Whilst I’m sure spending more money will yield better results, we all have our priorities.
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Thanks for your reply. Putting aside the cost of the 300 series, it presents some issues. The 332 lacks a phono stage and depending on how I configure the system I may not have rack space for a phono stage. I don’t if I added an NPX300 for both the streamer and the pre-amp. I am not sure I want to add new racks.
The 222/250 avoids this problem. I could add an NPX300 to the 222 and still have room on the existing rack. Another important thing is the headphone amp in the 222 is on par with the Atom HE and is therefore more suited to my Focsl Utopia then the amp in the SN3. This avoids an external headphone amp.
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The 332 also has this headphone amp, so partnered with a 333, or with your NDX2, it will be the best headphone system of all the options you have.
Having said that, the Atom HE, 222 and 332 all have much better headphone amps than the Supernait.
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How many levels are there in your rack? I’m curious about where you fit your Hicap. A separate phono stage would likely be of similar size.
The Highcap is on the bottom shelf. There are two racks. Four levels each.
Rack 1 top to bottom
Rega P9
Rega P9 PS
Isotek Power Unit
Highcap PS
Rack 2 top yo bottom
Naim CD5Si
SN3
NDX2
XPSDr
No room for a better headphone amp or phono stage with current racks and system. The 222/250 would not have these issues.
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I wrestled with the choice between 333/332/250 vs 222/300/250. In my dealer demos the former was clearly (much) better, but about twice the cost of a 222/250 which I just could (be allowed to) afford .
I was upgrading from an ND5 XS and XS2 and my priority was to get onto the later generation streaming platform with the ability to stream Hires Tidal. I also wanted to upgrade my speakers (still do) to make the best of the improvements, so in the end I decided the 333/332/250 was a bridge too far (and still is).
Given you have a very good streamer already (NDX 2 / XPS DR) and a nicely balanced system with SN3 and Spendor D7.2 any worthwhile upgrade is going to be expensive and may best be made in steps.
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