Looking to upgrade from Supernait 3 and NDX 2

Would it be better to buy a NSC222 / NAP 250 / NPX300 or NAC 332 / NAP 250 /NSS 333 and do upgrades to the 33 series later? they are both around the same price in this configuration. Looking for thoughts and advice. thx

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When I had a demo of these setups although I much preferred 333/332/250 over 222/300/250, I just couldn’t justify the additional expense and settled for 222/250. YMMV of course. Make sure you demo at home too.

At UK retail prices the 333/332/250 is ÂŁ23,100 vs. ÂŁ18,300 for the 222/300/250 I believe, so not that similar unless you get a great deal or buy used/ex-dem.

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The other option is to stay “classic” black box.
Add xpsdr to ndx2 (though it will take an npx300)
Add hicap dr to sn3
Buy 282, power with hicap, sn3 as poweramp
Swap sn3 for 250dr
Ending with:
Ndx2/xpsdr/282/hicap/250

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All depends on your listening preferences and available budget doesn’t it? :innocent:

ATB, J

I would suggest that if you’re really wanting to upgrade from the NDX2/Supernait then the 300 series is the way to go.

Otherwise you’re more into a sideways move; albeit with a subtly different presentation. You could always add power supplies to what you have for a significant upgrade at reduced cost - but I sense it’s more about getting the NC kit?

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This would be the way to go IMO, even though I wouldn’t rush to change the NDX 2. Instead you might add an external PSU (NPX 300 or PS 555) to it.

According to your preferences, budget and taste, you might also want to consider what @robert_h mentioned. The end result would be equally great.

i have 222 350 which i preferred to 222 300 250 - my feeling was that the 300 didn’t do that much for 222. but if i had an ndx2 i feel the 222 would be, at best, a sideways move. personally i would keep the ndx2 for now and go for 332/250 or even 332/350 but the key is to demo the various options

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And here’s the rub, emphasising the need for a home audition, particularly as you’re considering a change from OC to NC.

I added a 300 to my 222 after a blind test which absolutely highlighted “ The promised improvement from the optional NPX 300 power supply was convincingly delivered” - Martin Colloms, Stereophile. Others have found the complete opposite, go figure.

If you can, arrange to audition your options, preferably at home, it’ll take time, but you’ll be sure you’re making the right decision when it comes to writing the cheque :grinning:.

ATB, J

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I would seriously consider the SN3 upgrade path. I found that the HiCap DR and the XPS DR were both a big step up - and swapping the XPS for a 555PS was transformational. If you need more power for speakers then consider moving away from the integrated, but if the SN3 is running your speakers well, it will be very expensive to replicate some of the magic (think $$$ for interconnects once you have separates). There is something really special about the SN3, it’s not all gains when you go the separates route.

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Agree 100%

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Very sensible advice. Something I may do as well. Swapping my XPSDr for a 555ps just may stop me from thinking about upgrading. There really isn’t the perfect upgrade path from a SN3 to the 200/300 series

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you are correct - the 300 upgrade was dealer demo i didn’t try at home - the result may well have been different - i left the 300 as a future option i will compare to adding a 333 in front of 222 as a step towards 333/332/350

I have to ask this question, because it has got me very perplexed. Just how did you connect an XPS DR and the 555ps to your SN3 ?

Indeed, my next step may be an NPX 300 or an NSS 333 (into NSC 222). Home demo would be a must.

You can’t, these power supplies are for sources such as ndx2.

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I know, that’s why i asked the question. Unless i read the post wrong, but i don’t think i did.

The PSUs were connected to the NDX2, not the SN3 of course. While keeping the SN3 in place with a HicapDR. That’s what I’m referring to as a potential upgrade path that is substantial. Source first as they say.

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Sorry, i obviously read your post wrong :blush:

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I think the post was mentioning hicap dr and Xpsdr for SN3 and Ndx2 , as the thread title. But Ndx2 was not written, as it was obvious.