Has anyone done the comparison as strictly an all in one solution for a preamp/DAC/streamer? You can buy the S1 with the external power supply for $2,998 vs. the Atom HE being $3,799 here in the US. I’m really wondering which would be the superior solution for a 2 box system combined with an NC250. The S1 with the additional power supply is technically 2 boxes, but they’re shoebox sized. Is the S1 giving a 222 a run for its money?
In the U.K. the two Auralic boxes cost £3,000 while the HE costs £700 less. It’s generally said that the ‘Naim sound’ comes from the preamp, so I’d be wary of mixing the Auralic with the 250. Some who’ve compared the HE and the 222 have reported little difference, and that the 222 only pulls ahead once you double the price with an NPX300, or if you need the phono stage.
I use my HE with active speakers; maybe that’s an option for you instead of the 250. It will be cheaper and very possibly better.
Nope, but then;
A) That’s just my opinion
B) I’m biased 
Auditioning is the key here, if that’s possible…..?
ATB, J
@Smoothfidelity What equipment do you currently have and where are you located and are you looking for home or dealer audition? This might help us to better respond.
My main system is 333/332/300/250. I’m just hoping there are a few people that can share their experiences on the two products used as an all in one source. I own a second NC250 already. I’ve owned the 222 in the past and I believe it’s a great piece, but not worth the $9k without the power supply so I’d like to go a different way. There are members on this forum that have stated the HE comes really close to the 222, so I initially started leaning that way. However, when the Vega S1 was brought to my attention I couldn’t help but to be interested in it. Especially for the price with the external power supply and claimed analog preamp.
Is this dealer stock? I wondered as I remember seeing a fairly recent post on the Auralic website saying they were temporarily suspending sales in the US in response to its current fiscal policies.
As to comparing the two brands, I’ve not done a direct shoot out between them, but I have heard both in different systems. I’ll refrain from saying which I think sounded better, but they do sound different. So personal preference is likely to be a big factor in choice.
I also second HH’s suggestion of using active speakers. I’ve recently noted that ATC often demonstrate their active speakers with Auralic streamer/DAC/preamps. I guess that says something and they do work well together IMO.
Roger
@Smoothfidelity Thanks. I have no direct experience. However, someone else expressed caution on this thread about combining products as you would like. A safer bet would be the Atom HE with the NC 250 unless you also need phono as nd then you are back at the 222.
Your response is confusing. The Vega S1 claims to have an analog preamp. They actually state it’s the same preamp as the Vega G2.2.
Recently heard the Auralic Vega inc. PSU into ATC active and ATC passive (50s) with Sugden amps. Although we were actually there to demo Aries 
For £3k it’s a very capable little box(es). Dealer said they were shifting quite a few units.
Didn’t compare to Atom unfortunately.
Auralic has a different presentation to naim, so an audition would make sense.
Either one box solution into ATC 40 active would make a great simple system.
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Hi MED, are you thinking about a new path, like substituting the Atom or Auralic in place of your 333/332?
I know you like to play around with gear, like we all do in this crazy hobby.
Maybe you are thinking of a second system?
I know you mentioned elsewhere that you think the Naim preamp is overpriced.
Maybe try a Lumin😁
If my Lumin P1 ever died, I would consider a Hifi Rose RS 150B as its replacement.
I heard one at my local dealer with Macintosh amps, quite impressive. What I really liked is it plays up to 32 bit/768 KHz files and that is what I had on hand for the demo.
These were PGGB’d files.
I used to run Vega G2 into active 40s. That was certainly a significant improvement on the 272/XPSDR I had before, at least when used with the ATCs.
Roger
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Like Roger, I also used my Vega direct into Active 40s I had at the time. Worked really well.
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