That is far from a compromise. The Sarum T DIN will be significantly better than the stock DIN.
Compromise in the sense that I already had the SarumT DIN, so I chose not to replace it with a SarumT XLR connecting the 332 to the 333. Everything else is SarimT XLR.
Ah, I see. Still a nice compromise all the same.
Naim in fact recommend DIN between 333 and 332, indeed you only get a stock DIN in the 333’s box, so I doubt you are missing too much, if at all.
I am with Naim on this. To my ear having one NPX 300 is better on the 333. But it does seem to be a minority view here. In my system, I have a NVC TT and NPX TT, so logically I thought having both sources with the external PS would be better and trying it out I felt overall it was best. I would go with what you think sounds best and not worry what others think. Not that I had only one NPX300 for long, a few weeks at most.
Having two NPX300 is definitely worth it if you can stretch to it in the fullness of time. It is a big financial outlay making the move from the 222/300/250 to my 333-300/332-300/250 but worth it to me. I have my final system.
@NigelB when I first purchased my SN3 and ND5XS2, before I got into upgrading, I tried the standard Naim interconnects and was not impressed. I darted out with Chord Shawline, then EpicX and finally SarumT interconnect for the subsequent upgrades. My speaker cable has remained at EpicX. My room configuration requires long speaker cables, that would make SarumT or beyond, too costly.
Hi Nigel, when I tested the 300 series I much preferred 300 on the 332 so take a look at my Soundstage Ultra reviews (there are three of them - 333, 332 and 350) for more on this.
Nice dilemma though and you’re going to love the upgrade either way!
Jonathang
I too have made a half system swap towards an NC system. Out went my 272 and XPS-DR and in came a 332, soon followed by a 333. My old NAP300 remains in place. It is odd now that the NAP300 XLR input on the right side is out of phase with the left. I took the soldering iron to the right sided cable of a Chord ClearwayX XLR pair to get up and running.
There is a big improvement in sound quality to my ears, similar to your description of adding the 350s, detail, dynamics, reduced background noise. Plus I got the Qobuz input I wanted.
The system automation capability brings Naim into the 21st century. I think the embedded software team did a really good job with Zigbee. I like the ability to wake up half the system from the app on my iPad.
@JonathanG
Thanks Jonathan, I have indeed read all 3 of your reviews on Soundstage Ultra which are extremely informative. I just couldn’t recall your comparison of the 300 on the 332 only vs 300 on the 333 only.
Like you I preferred the 300 on the 332 at the Naim demo, but will of course try for myself at home when the 333 and 332 arrive.
Any thoughts on the DIN interconnect vs XLR interconnect between the 333 and 332.?
Until you start lusting after the 350s ………. ![]()
![]()
![]()
For me, the viability of 350s was predicated on rack space which I don’t have. Also outlet availability is an issue for me. Plus the NC250 drives my speakers without difficulty. Blanket statements, even in jest can be of limited value. For me, it was not about the increased cost of the mono amps
After retiring I’ve upgraded to 333, 332 and 350s and very happy. I’m considering getting the 300 at some stage and my dealers view is to connect to the pre amp.
What caught my attention was that you have the ATC SCM40s, why, I’ve just ordered a pair which should arrive next week and sound superb
When I heard the 350s, I wasn’t that enamoured with them. Initially, they sounded very impressive, but after a bit of listening, I found they sounded a bit overblown to my ears. Again, I know I am in a minority for having this opinion. That being said, I am intending to give 350s another listen at some point in the future, but I am very happy with my current system as it is. I don’t normally listen at very high levels, as it triggers my tinnitus, and the NC250 is such a step up over the 250DR I had before that the urge is not there at the moment.
I’ve promised myself never to listen them. That way I’ll remain happy with my NC 250
.
I regularly listen to a full 500 system, and whilst it is better, I don’t lust after it since getting my current system. I go home and I am totally happy with my set-up.
That is most important of all !!!
Mnc,
You’re in for an absolute treat with the 40’s - they are simply astounding with Naim, it feels at times as if they were made for each other I think.
I had the honour of my Editor in Chief “Chewie” sitting in with me for the session this evening, he found Janice Ian’s “Breaking glass” album on Analogue Productions particularly engrossing…
After a pretty varied selection of music he has passed his definitive judgement on the upgrade to the NAP350 combination and awarded it a solid four and a half paw points… He’s already expressed an interest in hearing how the NAC332/NPX300 will change things when it arrives.
He has by far the most discerning ears in the house and can regularly pick out more subtle low level detail buried in the mix than the rest of us. It’s his eye or indeed ear for detail that makes him such a valued member of the reviewing team here at Soundstage Ultra.
He’s far too busy annoying the cat, snoozing or eating to join us for every listening session, but when the important stuff comes in like a new Naim series or an SME turntable he makes a point of making time in his busy schedule to listen…
JonathanG
Amen to that ![]()
@JonathanG I think the Album is Breaking Silence and not Breaking Glass. I don’t know if it is available in the UK, but there is a PBS documentary about her. At age 14, she started to perform her songs. at the Village Gate for monthly hootenanny sponsored by Broadside. She was amazing. I grew up with her Granny award winning engineer.
Good grief, are they really giving away Grannies these days.![]()
Adorable dog
What kind?
David


