NAC 332 vs NAC 272 & XPS

I have just replaced my NAC 272 plus XPS DR for the NAC 332.

Long story short a very big upgrade.

System

NAC272 plus XPS DR
250 DR power amp
Chord Qutest DAC
chord epic speaker wire
Focal Utopia Diablo speakers
Innuos MK 3 ( room core and streamer )
REL Carbon Edition Sub

I had been noticing something missing for a while ( and it still is to a lesser extent )
I bought the 332 and out the box the sound is: smoother, definitely clearer, better stereo image and detail is far better . The music is more joyful to listen to. The thing is, it wasnt bad before but it didn’t keep me listening. I can say the Naim 332 is a big big improvement on the NAC 272.

Next will be the 350 mono blocks which I am hoping just puts the cherry on top of my music cake.

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Hi ricto, I’m glad to hear you happy with your move… by all accounts, and my own brief encounters with the 350’s, I don’t think you’ll be dissappointed. What source are you now using with your new 332, is it your Chord DAC and if so were you using that with your 272 before?

Hi Bokermonz

Yes I use the Chord Qutest for the DAC and the Innuos MK3 as Roon core and streamer.
The 272 was only used as its preamp.

I’m glad you feel the 350 are better than the 250DR it’s a big outlay to change the green fronts lights to white.

It is a big outlay for sure… as always the only way to be sure is to have a listen yourself to decide if the 332/350s is worth the extra over your 332/250dr, which I’m sure is a great combination already. It’s a decision I wouldn’t rush, I’d be tempted enjoy the 332 upgrade for a while. One other consideration is your source… I have no familiarity with the Chord DAC line up, but the 332 is way up there as a preamp on the naim ladder. Is the Qutest as far up on the Chord ladder? If not, then that might be a good place to look also as your 332/250, I’m sure, will thrive with the best front end your comfortable to give it work with… Good luck with whatever you decide…

Yes I was thinking the 333 but worried like the 272 it gets dated with new streaming technology and doesn’t hold its value as a future trade unlike most Naim products.

The Innuos is a good streamer however the Chord Qutest is low on the Chord hierarchy.

You know yourself we are never happy and always looking for something new. lol

So my thoughts where change amp then look at streamer later. Plus changing streamer would need an extra purchase of Naim core ( which must be due a upgrade )

Still not sure but think your right stick where I am and enjoy it for now that’s good advice

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I’m sure taking some time to get to know your new system intimately will help you make the best next move. Also there are a plenty of forum members that run chord dacs (and other manufacturers for that matter) with nice naim amp setups like yours, so I certainly wouldn’t rule out upgrading to another chord dac…

Great result, but then the 282 and 252 both wiped the floor with the 272.

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Yeah I would think so but getting old tech now so went for the 332

Yes and the advantage is that the 332 doesn’t need an external PSU.

Enjoy your music!

If youre thinking of getting a pair of 350s, I would also listen to what an NPX300 would do instead, and even the NPX 300 and 250NC - I have a 222/300/250NC set up and the synergy is excellent.

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You may find the recent thread on Dan’s day out at Naim HQ interesting. The strong view from listeners and Naim staff alike was that (as so often with Naim) adding the PS box (in this case NPX300) to preamp or streamer was a god step to do before going from 250 to 350 power amp. YMMV of course, but it is probably worth a listen.

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i found with a 222 front end that 350s gave a greater boost in clarity and overall enjoyment than nc250 +300 power supply for much the same cost

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I did get the XPS for the NAC 272 but can’t say I notice a great difference so I’d be concerned to do it again. My mains sockets are wired direct to the fuse box so thinking that should have a similar effect.

From experience adding an NPX 300 to the NSC 222 is dramatically more rewarding than adding an XPS DR to the NAC-N 272 :grinning:

ATB, J

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Are the 350 better at lower volumes ie clarity and dynamics than the 250 do you know

When I did the demo, NAC332 + NAP350’s was clearly better than NAC332 + NPX300 + NC250.

Even without the separate power supply on the 332, the mono’s raised the sound quality and performance higher- so I bought the 350’s.

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They will.

That’s a bit strange.

I recall that XPS-DR was a big uplift on 272 both to streaming/DAC performance and to pre SQ (via an external phono stage).

You shouldn’t have any concerns though, adding NPX to the new 300 series did make a big difference when we demoed. There’s plenty forum feedback from those who have added NPX to great benefit.

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hi ricto
sorry i didn’t check that

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Thanks Geoff

That’s really what I was after hearing obviously demo first but nice to know before hand

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