Quick reply (2) in a lunch break
Thanks @silverback for your encouragement.
I would say we are still getting used to our “new to us” NAC282.
Albeit, after latest update, now in an active system.
I think we now need to play lots of music, let everything settle, get used to what we have and how it works.
But, it’s interesting how we got to this.
Original aim was to partner our SN3 with great floor standing speakers.
In considering the PMC23i’s, we stretched to their active version. They offer something more and better, compared with the passive version.
Anyway, whilst confirming active speaker options were good for future upgrades, we auditioned NSS333 → NAC332, etc. With the active PMC’s, this was a seriously impressive listen . I can only imagine - in an entirely positive way - what @GraemeH experiences when listening to music.
So, we confirmed that a separate Naim pre-amplifier would be an improvement, (compared to SN3 pre-amp only). Future options and choices being a current NAC332, or pre-loved NAC282, etc. As NAC282 is no longer a current product anymore, we kinda dived in and bought blind. Our dealer also encouraged us, with good advice and wisdom. Maybe a safe assumption, trusting the Naim hierarchy, that a 282 would still be an improvement, etc.
Yes. It is…
Maybe not as significant as with NAC332 - which is awesome - but YES it is still a good step forward. Maybe more incremental. The main difference stepping up from SN3 ( as pre-amplifier only) to a separate dedicated NAC282 pre-amplifier - I think - is with soundstage, separation, space between instruments and notes. It all adds up to more detail from recordings. Sometimes it’s subtle. On other recordings quite obvious. Making music flow a bit better and more enjoyable.
Following all the decisions, the pre-loved 282 came into our house first.
We ran the 282 as passive for a while, using SN3 as power only. At first, connected to our Epos ES14 and then PMC 23i passive, when these new speakers eventually arrived. We are only now - this week - getting used to active. Active modules were delivered and installed yesterday. It’s another step forward.
At the same time, I would say the SN3 is no slouch. We loved ours.
We have come to understand the SN3 is a bit of a jewel in the Naim line up.
TBH, would have been happy sticking at SN3 and PMC 23i, as passive. Or even SN3 (pre-amp only) and PMC 23i active. That was the kind of “end game” in mind.
I’ve always admired the elegance and simplicity enjoyed by @1GiantLeap and didn’t really wish to get carried away with too many more boxes. However, along the journey, explored “going active” and one thing leads to another. New options become available. In this case, new PMC active modules. Unintended consequences…
This is now our current situation…
So, we added both active PMC speakers and a NAC282 too. Two steps forward.
(The previous SN3 was part exchanged for the nearly new NAC282 with not much money involved. So we did that).
A good step forward with SQ. All achieved with same box count.
Best wishes
R