i want to upgrade my audio but i can’t afford to do it in one go.
Can i add a NAP 350 to my Nova? What impact will it have?
i’ve seen it mentioned previously and someone said it would be unbalanced but i dont know what they mean. is it that the left and right speakers wont be balanced ?
Hi
Tell us a bit more about your system, in particular your speakers, and what you are looking to achieve.
The NAP350s would be a £12k amplification upgrade to a Nova designed as a one box system that cost £4k. I am struggling to think of a situation that would be good value. In most situations I would imagine you’d be better spending that money on separates or if you want a simpler approach and you think you need more control from the power amp perhaps a Nova PE. The Nova/Nova PE are designed with limited ‘upgradeability’ so if you are really planning several stages of upgrades later then separate source/pre and power would make more sense. NDX2/222/250 for example.
The 350s are well regarded but would typically fit in a system with high quality source and preamps such as the 333/332, or older classic components. An all-in one Nova plus £12k amps is ‘unbalanced’ in terms of the the cost and performance of the different parts of the chain.
Bruce
I have Sonus Faber Olympica Nova IIIs powered by a Naim Nova.
I have seen a NAP 350 second hand cheaper than a NAP 250 which is why i was thinking of that one. And then I plan on getting an NAC 332 and NSS 333 next year sometime.
I went from a Nova to a 222/250 and I’m absolutely delighted with it. Before you go all in for a 332/333/350 set up you might want to audition the 200 series. It might be all you need and a lot cheaper
if i saw a cheap 200 series, that would sway me to that to be fair.
A pair (it was a pair I hope) of 350s cheaper than a new 250? Sounds a bit too good to be true if you look at their prices new?
Bruce
just the one. have i misunderstood and you need two of them? :o
edit. just googled it. damn. i did not know i needed two. glad i checked here. thank you 
Hence my comment about being a £12k upgrade!
Hopefully you have a clearer path now.
Bruce
If you consider this an intermediate step … why not?
I noticed several SINGLE NAP350 on an auction site recently, ranging from around £3.5k - £5.2k
Nothing on the auction posts said you actually need two! Why a retailer would have a single preloved mono amp is anyone’s guess.
However, patience and buying two singles for a total outlay of £7k would be a bargain!
Be careful. I’ve seen such ads and they generally are for a single NAP 350 mono block. For stereo you need two, unlike a NAP 250 which is a 2-channel stereo amplifier.
Even to the uninformed, a quick google will tell you a nap350 is a mono amp? There must be a bit of due diligence here?
Actually I have seen reputable retailers advertise the new price for one without making it clear you need two.
I suppose that are not manufactured as ‘matched’ pairs as such but still it seems a little disingenuous.
Bruce
Misleading adds. That’s single units.
If I were you I would remove all ideas of buying kit because it’s a bargain.
I would suggest you spend as long as you need listening to different systems so you can see (i.e. hear) what works for you - really, there is no single right answer.
Once you know what you like, and what level you are prepared to go to (spend), then look around at value for money and your own personal compromises: new, ex-dem and pre-owned.
But do it from a position of knowing what you want and not because you saw a great deal.
Finally, I would say, focus on the music, not the kit.
Good luck,
Tony
Not beyond the realms of reality. I use one (have 3) to power my Centre AV Channel. Replaced an aged 145.
Yes not impossible, but last week on an auction site there were THREE single amps! Two still on there.
Just seemed very strange to see a glut of single amps from different retailers all at same time!
For AV installations wouldn’t the CI101 be the go to?
Selling a single 350 is just weird…
Anyway, when my 552 was away for repair I ran my ND555 into the Nova and it was quite a significant step up from the Nova bare. I then added my NAP 300 to the Nova and that added more drive.
If the 333 is your end goal, I’d start by adding that first as a source upgrade into the Nova, then swap
the Nova for the 332 and power amp
later if upgrading in stages.
thanks all for the tips and advice.
unfortunately i only have space for 3 units under my tv so will be going for the NAP 250.
You should consider selling the Nova and buying an Atom HE seeing as you don’t need the amplifier section any longer. The preamp section is much better on the Atom HE.