I use the New Classic 332/ 250 as an amplifier. The source is a Lindemann Bridge 2 connected to the 332 via a Naim ndac. The ndac is connected to the analog DIN input on the 332. To play music I have to select the CD input on the 332.
I have set the maximum volume function to max on the 332, the same is done for the input trim CD. The Lindemann is set to fixed output.
I find that I have to turn the volume up towards 11-12 o’clock to get the feeling that it opens up. This is completely unusual from my previous 282 which was quite hot in that sense. I have red that 332 is not as hot as 282 though.
Then I put in the Nait 50 and already at 9 o’clock the volume is quite high, but most striking is the open, snappy and articulate reproduction that I am looking for. The 332/250 does’nt match N50 until I crank up volume as mentioned.
The speakers measure a sensivity at 89 db. Have I connected something wrong, is there something I have not set correctly? Can this simply be because of the different volume technologies or because of the N50’s different character and suits the speakers better?
If you use input 7 you can use the Stream button, which would make more sense. You can also allocate any input to any button, but if input 7 is free, just use that.
The volume control on the 332 is completely different to that on the 282. The 332 control uses reed relays and you’ll find that the volume increases smoothly from 1 to 100, whereas on the older amplifiers like the 282 nearly all of the volume is in the first half. I imagine that the Nait 50 will work like the 282, but I’ve not tried it so can’t say for sure.
I would see this as a limitation of the older Naim preamps which used Alps volume pots designed to work with the much lower input levels of vinyl playback, which has finally been resolved by the use of different volume controls in newer products.
Thanks ChrisSU. As far as I understand, I haven’t done anything wrong, except that stream might be a more correct input to use, even though Ndac handles both stream and CD.
Maybe this is a volume- and also soundsignature issue. Am I fooled by looking at the volume wheel, the manual also warns against this, related to what you and HH write and which I was aware of, a new technology. Second and important, NC have a more blacker/ quiet presentation than N50 which can be perceived as lower level, not as present and the need of cranking up level.
I’ll have to experiment further and learn to understand the right volume where the music is experienced most correctly for me. There is also no doubt that the N50 and NC have different character sonically.
I’m not very good at such descriptions, but let me try. This is based on how I see this with the volume cranked up on 332.
N50 is leaner, but not lean, NC is fuller, but not that full. N50 is more snappy and the contrast in the music is clearer, while NC has a more adult and natural presentation. N50 is perceived as more dynamic, but that’s probably due to the somewhat leaner and direct style. NC is quieter and blacker in it’s presentation.
N50 is emotion and music, NC is an adult, but also emotion and music, but N50 “hit’s me a bit more and I feel no pain” I like both.
I like both.