Thanks for that. Can the Isotek power unit be moved to the floor? That and losing the Hicap would free up two shelves. I’m guessing that a phono amp and the Rega PS probably can’t or shouldn’t share a shelf?
Just a thought, if you sourced a 222/250 used then if it didn’t suit you could trade them in for 333/332 without losing much if any money.
For me the combo is an improvement by quite a bit, mostly b/c the NC digital is a better signature and improved amplification over the OC. With a PS it’s a formidable three box setup. It’s been a long time since I’ve been satiated with a Naim set up. The OC boxes just left me wanting more and constantly trying to tweak better SQ.
The Rega is Full width so there is no room for a phono stage next to it. The Isotek is also full sized abd needs a shelf.
I’d suggest you try to answer the question of whether you want something different, or if you are looking for something better. As has been said already, the NC250 will drive your speakers a lot better, but the 222 won’t be as good as the NDX2/XPSDR. If streaming is your main source, are you willing to reduce sound quality? If you genuinely want to get better sound and swap to the New Classics, you really need a 333 and 332.
If you don’t have room for a phono stage, do you really need a turntable at all? Do you really need a CDP? How often do you both actually use them? You can’t have everything and you need to compromise somewhere.
And then there is the question of why you want to change in the first place. What exactly is the motivation? Answer that and you’ll know what to do.
If you want better streaming SQ I’d go with the 222/250. I think you can use the XPS with the 222 with a special burndy but ideally you want a NPX or 555DR. And it gives you an upgrade path to the 333/332.
Two experiences that may or may not be relevant.
My listening room: I went from a hicap-202-ND5XS2-250DR to a 222-250DR setup. Massive improvement in SQ. Plus better user ergonomics, fewer boxes, phono. The phono amp is fine, the headphone amp is very good. (Like you I have Focal Utopia ‘phones).
A dealer’s room: I auditioned a 300-222-250NC against a 300-300-333-332-350-350. Wilson speakers. The 300 series was better, but it was not nearly as much of a jump as my home upgrade of old 200 to mostly NC 200. Whether the 200->300 improvement in SQ is worth the money and the boxes is up to each of us. But I will say confidently that the 222-250 is a fantastic combo.
Is the headphone amp in the 332 better than the headphone amp in the 222 or are they both the same?
They are the same, but the headphones amp in the 332 will benefit from the better quality source you will likely use with it, so in real terms, yes, it’s going to be better. Also it may well perform better due to the less cramped layout in a box which doesn’t contain a large range of digital circuits, but that is just a hypothesis.
Another question. Will the Focal-Naim app allow me to select the phono input, even if I am using a non Naim phono stage?
It’s quite a different sound. I’d test carefully.
I thought the 222 was very impressive. Quite neutral in comparison to what was before, but while some felt it beats a NDX2/252/Supercap, I felt that my aging NDX/XPS/282/SC to still be more resolving. Though I can imagine the 222 being a giant leap over the 272 it replaced.
If anything, the dem showed me anything less than the 300 series wasn’t an upgrade. But the 300 series costs 2.5 times what my old classic series cost when I bought it new so many years ago.
If you prefer the sonic signature of the NC, you’ll probably find a 222/250 beats or equals even a 500 series system. If not, you might find a ND5xs2/SN3 beats a full fat 300 series. It’s not really a buy on a punt type of change.
I have a SN3 and NDX2/XPS2. Looking to switch to NC. Hone audition is not possible.
If I went with the 300 series, can I connect my CDP to the 332 with my Sarum T (DIN) or do I need an XLR cable? Similarly, if I kept my NDX2, can I use a standard DIN interconnect to connect it to the 332.
I think your current system is very capable and the 222/250 will be a sideways move imho. If I were you I would sell the XPSDR and spend the funds on a second hand 555PS which will make a massive difference to your NDX2 (source first). And then spend the rest of the funds to add a New Classic 250. The 222 is not going to offer anything better than you have sound quality wise, only practicality, and the NDX2/555PS combo will be miles ahead of anything you can achieve with a 222, even with its PS in the future.
Just getting a 332 and using the SN3 as a power amp might work well at a reasonable cost - swapping the HC for a phono stage due to racking constraints…![]()
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Could get NC250 later on…
If I were to keep my NDX2/XPSDr, how would I connect it to the 332?
If I used my current streamer with the 332, how would I use the Naim app to fully control all the inputs, including streaming volume?
Can use either DIN or RCA to connect NDX2.
System automation for volume control etc via standard 3.5mm jack copper cable. ![]()
Here’s the back of the NAC332. There are DIN inputs (three of them), XLR inputs (two of them) and RCA inputs (three of them). One of the DIN inputs can also power the optional NVC TT phono stage.
If I understand correctly, all are selectable remotely, via the app, or supplied remote control.
I don’t know how the system integration works for controlling the NDX2’s streaming source (selecting Tidal/Qobuz etc, or local UPnP), but volume control on the NAC should be fine regardless of source selected.
Might go to
P9
P9 PS
Isotek
NAP 250
CD5si
NAC332
NDX2
XPS DR
But you need room for a phono stage? Given your rack constraints I don’t think the NAC332 works. The NSC222 does work as it has the in-built phono stage, and would simply work instead of the 332 in the above scheme, freeing up two shelves if you sold the NDX/XPS.
If you went 222 and sold your NDX/XPS, you might use one of the free shelves for the NVC TT, which the NSC222 can also power via its single DIN input. Your CD5si would then connect via the remaining RCA. That would improve the vinyl source sound quality. On balance the 200 might be a sideways streaming sq move, but an improvement for your CD, vinyl and headphone listening.
Obviously stacking order might change in my suggestion above, but the number of shelves does not increase ![]()
Adding my thoughts here as I have owned the 222/250 and 300 and then a 332. Sources post 222 were Atom HE and then a Linn Klimax DS3 Organik.
Vertere Redline full loom throughout (which is a big improvement in itself)
Speakers Atohm GT1SE.
222/250. Very convenient 2 box system. Sounds fine. Headphone amp is great, phono stage a bit so-so compared to my Vertere Phono1.
Add 300 - quite a jump mainly in soundstage and bass control.
Swapped 222 for 332 (using an Atom HE) Prior to this I compared the 222 streaming v Atom HE alone into the 250 and HE into the 222 (as a preamp). I found the Atom HE bettered the 222 in both configurations but not by much. The 332 was a dramatic improvement on the 222 as a preamp, bearing in mind I kept my 300. All the usual, detail, separation, timing, soundstage.
Replaced the Atom HE with a Linn streamer - OMG - simply the best my digital source has ever sounded, a live breathing, immediate and natural performance, like having musicians in the room…..
For personal reasons I have subsequently downsized the amplification to a Naim Nait 50. Thats not quite at the same level, more like the 222/300/250, but at what I paid for it it’s amazing value. But wouldn’t suit the OP as no remote.
Personally I would keep the NDX2, upgrade the PS to 555 at some point (or go 333) but at this point get a 332 and NC250. New range and best flexibility. The 222 would be a bit of a side step.
