Hi. I’m considering upgrading my Uniti Nova to 200 Series. I wonder whether mixing with 300 Series is a good idea. Does anybody have experience with comparing NAP250-NSC222-NPX300 with NAP250-NSC333-NAC332?
I don’t want to go to full 300 Series and NAP350 monoblocks because of the box count.
Absolutely no reason not to 
. However, I would strongly suggest you audition the 222/300/250 with your chosen speakers, preferably at home if possible, as you may find this combination perfectly acceptable; it’s really very, very good. Substituting 300 Series, sans power supplies, should offer an improvement but whether it represents vfm is a subjective choice.
ATB, J
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My speakers are Scansonic MB5. Love them, I will keep them.
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@Joel1 i would not recommend mixing NC and OC. The 222/NC250/NPX300 should suffice. However, the 332/333/NC250 will be a big jump in SQ if your budget allows. However if you are concerned about box count, the 332/333/NC250 may eventually increase your box count if you eventually add PS for both the 332 and 333.
You keep saying this in threads. Why? In a different thread you said you’d never had a mixed OC/NC system, but upgraded en-masse so you are not speaking from experience.
I know you are passionate about your NC system, and also appreciate you like to share your experiences and try to be helpful to others but I think it is important when we make didactic comments on the Forum that we say if this is from our own experience or just passing on second/third hand advice. People can then judge the validity of the recommendation.
To the OP @Joel1 . Many people on the Forum have reported successfully combining OC/NC components in various configurations. You may find more via Search. There’s no specific reason not to do it, but in the end only a demo and your ears will decide.
Bruce
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There are plenty of people using a 250 with 300 series systems. Yes, they work well together. When I suggested to my dealer that I really ought to be running a pair of 350s with a 333/332 he said no, the 250 is all you need.
My only reservation was about running 350s with a 222, which was a little disappointing compared to other New Classic combinations.
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@BruceW As I said before, the fact that special cables allow this, does not for me, mean that it is optimal. NC and OC have, for me different sonic signatures and to my preference, should nit be mixed. Economics nay preclude a complete switch abd I understand that.
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I have actually run a 282/HiCap DR with a NC250 and can therefore comment having actually listened to an OC/NC mix - and apart from a couple of cables (L and R DIN-XLR) there is no reason not to go down this route.
It sounded brilliant by the way…
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My feeling is that unless your room is quite large and/or your speakers need lots of power or are difficult to drive, an NC 250 should be fine. But only a home demo can confirm this.
I’ve had demos of 333/332/250, and whilst I thought it sounded fantastic I opted for 222/250 to save budget for a speaker upgrade. Now I’ve got that done I’m considering my next move: NPX 300 or stretch to 333/332.
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@Sinewave Did you compare the OC system with a NC without mixing?
I owned the 222/250 for about a year. I didn’t have the NPX300 with the 222. I then went to 333/332/250 and now currently own the 333/332/300/250. I also had a few different sources feeding the 332/250 before I acquired the 333.
The 333/332/250 is better than the 222/250, of course. However, the largest jump in satisfaction and separation from the 222/250 was when I added the NPX300 to the 332. The whole system became more full, more realistic, smoother, and the 250 all of the sudden sounded 2x the size and effortless. I’ve learned over many years to never buy a Naim product unless you plan to buy the accompanying power supply.
The current Naim offerings require a big compromise from you (bad for Naim). You either buy a 222/300/250 and then be stuck with an inferior source or you spend a LOT more money and have 5-6 boxes with the 300 series. Ideally, they would have a really good integrated in the line up so consumers could easily build a system based on Naim’s decades long advice of a source first approach. There is the Nait 50 if it fits your needs.
Other brands exist. Explore them as well.
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I’ve owned several iterations of Olive, OC and NC, and listened at length to OC v NC directly. Not sure what exactly that adds though…
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I am in the midst of that exact transition, although I have retained my NPX300 from my 222/300/250 system.
Unfortunately I am also in the midst of a house refurb, so my 332/333/300/250 is packed away and I won’t be able to set it up until the New Year.
Some have mixed the 200/300 systems by going 222/350 (with or without the 300) while others like me have gone 332/333/250 (again with or without one or two 300s).
I have not heard the former mix compared to a NC200 system, but I have heard the latter mix compared to the NC200 system.
I heard that latter comparison at a couple of demos, but for me, the 332/333/250 only drew significantly ahead of the 222/300/250 by adding at least one NPX300 in the mix.
If, like me, you only have one NPX300, whether you put it on the 333 or 332 is a moot point. I am looking forward to exploring that dilemma.
So whether you mix NC200 with NC300 by going 200 front end/ 300 back end or vice versa is also a moot point. Naim would always say ‘source first’ (meaning 333/332/250, with at least one 300 IMV), and hearing those demos, I wouldn’t disagree. Others insist getting the 350s in your system ASAP is the way to go.
One thing is certain however, moving from NC200 to a mix of NC200 with NC300 will lead to better SQ in all the important areas IMHO. One proviso however, don’t forgo the NPX300. Skipping this power supply is a false economy IMHO.
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Did you compare these two systems at the same time, under the same conditions?
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You are planning to spend an awful lot of money, so I’d advise finding a good dealer who can give you a good demonstration, ideally in your house with your speakers.
I really wouldn’t rule out the 350 power amps, as three boxes are little different to four. On the other hand, if you feel the Nova can control the speakers successfully then you should be over the moon with the 222/250. Why not try the pair first, you can always add an NPX300 later.
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Note that the OP is not suggesting mixing OC and NC. I’m not sure where the idea came from, but it’s not relevant here. Let’s not add to the confusion.
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I have a mostly 300 series system, but with the NC250 instead of the 350s and have no current intention to change the system. I initially upgraded from a Star into a 250DR, to a 222/300, keeping the DR for a few months and then got the NC250, which to me was a significant upgrade.
Having compared the 222/300 against the 332/333 into an NC250, I would go for the 332/333 pairing as it is a step up over 222/300. When I bought the 222, it was before the 300 series was released.
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Did multiple listening sessions with both NC200 and mixed NC 200 and NC 300 components.
Started with full 200 series ( 222/250) and afterwards added the NPX 300. While the NPX 300 might be considered 300 series there is no 200 NPX and the NPX300 added “ a lot” to the 222-250 combo.
So from this pov mixing 200 & 300 series is already a reasonable justifiable option.
A 222-300-250 is a neat 3 box solution. Only negative for me was that imo the NPX 300 was needed pushing the total pricetag up from a reasonable 15k € towards 22k…And then a lot of other options /brands come into play at that pricepoint.
As for the monoblocks ( NAP 350) I tried the 222 and the 222-300 combo with the 350’s. For me I found the 350’s adding a lot of extra SQ compared to the NAP 250. I even prefered the 222/350/350 above the 222-300-250 combo. And less improvement from adding the 300 NPX again.
I know that this is against the “ source first” opinion of many on this forum…but my ears really prefered the 350’s.
As for 332 & 333: not experienced them. Have no doubt they outperform a 222 or even a 222 with 300. But they really come at a price premium and you lose the phono stage. Would really like some insight from experienced members how 332/333 compares to a 222-300.
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i am considering upgrading my 222/350/350 by adding 333 to the 222 i have demoed this combination and it brought a lot of clarity to complex classical pieces. for me it was a substantially better upgrade than adding the 300 to the 222 i would still have the phono stage on the 222 so only one extra box. eventually i will probably swap the 222 for a 332 and that will mean adding a phono stage - the 300s are a step to far for me as i don’t have room for 2 racks
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The NPX300, despite the 3 in the name, is listed as a 200 series item by Naim and is priced accordingly. Not that it really matters, as it can power 200 and 300 gear as well as the discontinued Classic boxes.