Is there an audible difference between the 222 and the Atom HE if you only stream and not use the headphone and analog inputs?
I wonder if there really is an audible difference when using them into a NAP 250 (new classic). I read the old topics but the last reply is from 2023 so I think there must be a lot more users now that tried this combination.
Very very little, but you canât add an NPX300 to an AtomâŚ.
@Hifi_Naim_CNNL The 222 solution can be more costly. Those who really like the 222, say it becomes much better with the power supply, which increases cost. I have read that the 222 uses the headphone module of the HE. The 222 offers greater ability to pursue other sources besides streaming should you ever want to. I donât know what your budget maximum is, but if you can swing it, the 332,333,NC250 is a much greater improvement in SQ. Had I not been able to afford my currrnt system, and wanted NC, I could have happily lived with the 222/300/250 system.
One would reasonably expect 333/332 (circa ÂŁ16k) to outperform an Atom HE (circa ÂŁ2K).
Not sure how your answer helps. Have you compared Atom HE to 222 or 332/333?
@BrendanD answer is factual and relevant.
I donât know what the OP max budget is. The 222/300/250 option is good but if the OP can stretch. He or she has to decide.
The OP asked a specific question. Why should they âstretchâ beyond ÂŁ2K.
They asked if a ÂŁ2K Atom HE matches an ÂŁ5.7K NSC222 as a streaming source into NC250.
@BrendanD has provided a response based on his personal experience.
Adding an NPX300 to the 222 (ÂŁ5.7K) or suggesting an upgrade to a ÂŁ16K equivalent source is not relevant.
Weâve heard both 222 (bare and +PSU) and HE into ATC 40 (active) as part of our quest for an office system upgrade, And would agree with @BrendanD. If we wanted bang for buck, Atom HE is a no brainer.
Was bare 222 into ATC audibly better than HE? Maybe slightly. Can you add a 300NPX? Yes. Is the 222/300 at ÂŁ11.4K (with 2026 price rollback) better than the HE at ÂŁ2K into ATC. Yes.
Unfortunately we have no experience of HE into NC250, but would expect our experience into ATC active 40s to be relevant and (having auditioned NC250 and NC350 with 222[300] and 333[300]/332[300] all with/without 300) fairly representative.
If we donât upgrade lounge system, Atom HE/ATC40 would make a compelling office system.
It seems from the OPâs profile that they already have a 333/332 with active speakers, so I image this is for a second system. I discussed the HE / 222 question with Naim when I visited last November. The view was that if the intention is to use the 222 without the power supply and there is no need for the phono stage, then you may as well get the HE. I wasnât expecting this view at all, I was expecting them to say how much better the bare 222 is, but they didnât.
Because, if you listen to both into same active speakers, it is not much audibly better (to our ears).
HE is a real bargain.
I agree. HE/250 makes a lot of sense if sticking there. I tried a lot of combinations when I moved from 222/250 to Linn Organik 332 300 250 and had an HE in the house.
The 222 is much better with a 300.
The HE is bizarrely a slightly better source than the 222 ( note you can not separate the pre- amp in the HE but itâs fine)
HE/ bare 222 about the same.
HE /332/300 - way better than a 222/300.
In the end I took a punt on a bargain used Linn KDS3 Organik as I only wanted a one box source - and was simply stunned. (My âbetterâ means all the usual stuff, more flowing sound, not harsh, controlled bass and a sense of three dimensionality to the sound stage)
So if I wanted a minimal system for a good price I would go HE 250 passive or HE active. Iâve also tried a standard Atom and itâs not a patch on the HE. I wouldnât bother with a 222 but step straight to a 332/300/250 OR Nait 50 (!) which is what I now have, and a good digital source if I wanted to better the HE.
Interesting - not heard HE with 332/300!
I wonder if this is what makes the price jump to 222 a hard sell. The Atom HE is very good, and there will be lots of people without other sources or the desire to add a power supply. The Atom HE is enough for them, as per the factory visit view explained above.
It is indeed for a second system. My 332/333 is to Scm40A are not going anywhere.
I think the posts confirm what I was expecting already actually. It really seems that the HE is extremely cost effective option if you donât want to upgrade and donât have other sources than streaming.
One disadvantage is that the HE canât switch on the NAP250 so you have to do it manually as far as I know.
The 250 has a music sensing feature so should wake up when it gets a signal from the Atom.
Really? I didnât know that. I thought this works only when the glass fiber cable is connected between 222 and 250. The HE doesnât have this connection.
You are thinking about automation: music sensing is different. Or so I believe.
The Atom HE got a 10/10 review on the Headphonesty site
They are one of the more reliable review sources..
Presumably when used with headphones.
Roger
I had a home demo, connected the HE / 250 to my surround speakers (ATC HTS11) and I am stunned how good this speakers sound considering their size. I only heard them connected to my Marantz surround receiver as back channels but connected to the Atom HE/250 they really sound very good. This shows that the HE/250 combination is a very very capable match. I tried the combo also on Focal Kanta 2âs and there the combo sounded a LOT better than with a Hegel H390 with Aurelic G1 streamer. You heard within 5 seconds that there was a lot more refinement and control with the HE/250. The Hegel was dynamic and grandiose but lacked refinement and control of the bass. The Naim sounded so much more relaxed and calm. The background was a lot more silent giving the instruments more space to breathe and removing noise calmed the sound down.
I didnât get a chance to do A/B comparison with a 222 so that remains a mystery but perhaps I can arrange it at the dealer.
I also confirmed that the 250 does not switch on when the Atom starts playing music so this needs to be done manual 
Maybe should but it doesnât. Perhaps Iâm doing sth wrong.
There is a setting somewhere; itâs covered in the manual. I have active speakers with mine, which donât have music sensing, so I turn them on in the morning and off at bedtime.
My NC250 wakes up from standby when it receives a signal, provided the âInstant On/Auto Standby Switchâ is set to âAuto Standbyâ. If it doesnât wake up at first then a slight increase to the volume on the source does the trick.
This is with either my Selekt or my HE connected by XLR to my NC250.
As to the value proposition of each of the HE or Selekt Organik then that comes down to personal choice and wallet. Each has its merits - my HE (Bought from a dealerâs trade in) cost me 12% of what the Selekt Edition Organik ( Bought ex-demo with Katalyst and recently upgraded with a Stereo Organik module) has cost me
I mainly use the HE as a DAC/headphone amp with a SPDIF feed from the Selekt - and it excels in this role.
If I had to downsize in the future I would keep the HE, but thatâs a long way ahead. The Organik DAC is very special; I vastly prefer it to the Chord Dave I had a few years ago, and itâs way ahead of the NDX2 ( with and without 555DR) that was replaced by the Dave and a dCS Network Bridge back in ââ21