I have sn3 ndx2 1 year old and they have only continuedto impress me. Id definitely go used.
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The curse of believing google 
Wow five years.
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The new kit has been timed perfectly for me, I picked up an NDS for Ā£1850 last year and can see that the CD555PS (Non) can be picked up for around Ā£2.5k right now. I will be waiting till they come down sub Ā£2k then jump in. I guess within the next 12 months would seem reasonable.
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I think the idea of buying a used NAP 200 as an interim power amp is a very good one. Thanks for the suggestion.
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So I see you choosed the 222 way. Very good option. But donāt forget, you wonāt be able to upgrade above 222/300 ps. However itās good also to be satisfied by a certain level and donāt think of future upgrades .
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Well, not just yet. Iām simply mapping out the options. But running a NAP 200 rather than my XS2 in the interim is now a preferred option.
Looking forward to my home demo in a couple of weeks time. Then the decision making will get serious!
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I hear you that for a lot of people, this would do the trickā¦ For me, and many others on this forum though, closing oneās eyes and feeling you are there takes a little more. If setup correctly, Naim does this at every level.
Iām sure an upgrade path will still be there when the new stuff is announced. Separating the streamer and pre-amp followed by upgrading the power-amp for instance. The power supply sounds like it will never be redundant. The new classics sound like a great way just to start the high end journey if you can afford it. For me, the only way is active and a usd 222/ps will be high on my list of potentials for a future pseudo downsize into a nice pair of active speakers.
Of course. But what i mean is that upgrading from the all in one streamer/ pre as the 222, you will have to sell it and buy a separate streamer and separate preamp.
Not sure if the 222 has a digital out, to connect a better dac.
It does not have a digital output.
As you say to move on up it would have to be completely replaced by NSS/NAC.
You could then turn 1 box into 4 - NSS/NPX + NAC/NPX, or 6 if one wished!
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Becouse you do not need a better dac than the internaldac in nsc 222. Very expensive dacās will only be a sidestep.
Update: Home demo of NDX 2 and NSC 222 (with special lead to feed my XS 2) booked for weekend of 20th May. Canāt wait!
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Not sure I understand your comparison.
NDX2 streamer into XS2 as pre/power
Vs
222 streamer/pre into XS2 as power
Apples and oranges?
Surely the 222 based setup will win as it has the new relay based volume control?
The NDX2 will be severely limited by the nait?
If the 222 didnāt win this face off then something would be well amiss as it would mean the 222 is no better as a pre than the XS2.
For what itās worth, Iāve been idly considering the same comparison. I donāt think itās a foregone conclusion given the likely difference in streaming source quality. Be interesting to hear the result, both literally and by proxy from the OP
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The XS 2 will only be an interim solution. This comparison is all about deciding whether to go Classic or New Classic. Unfortunately in the near term I canāt afford to upgrade my amp, so Iām going source first, although a suggestion in this thread is to pick up a used NAP200 if I go for the NSC 222.
If I go for an NDX 2 my future budget will likely limit me to an SN 3. Even used, an NAC282/HICAP/NAP250 will cost more than an NC NAP250 - the NDX 2 and NSC 222 being a similar price.
There are RCA outputs on NSC222 so not sure āspecial cablesā would be necessary but enjoy and agree it would be an interesting comparison. I know it may not help but would test 222 with NC NAP 250 and NDX2 with SN3 if they are the alternative end games if possible.
Source first is usual mantra on forum as well as put an Ndac on it and thatāll be right - so an interesting perspective.
I believe the special cable is dual XLR into DIN. My dealer now has one.
I plan to follow up the home demo with an NDX 2/SN 3 vs NSC 222/NAP 250 demo in store. Given comments in this thread I will see if I can also swing an NDX2/282/250 demo as well. But I donāt want my dealer to get too excited! My short term budget is ~Ā£5k ish.
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In that case Iād test that i/c against standard RCAs (assuming you have this lead already) to see if itās worth it as a temporary fix.
Enjoy.
Ah ok, I see where youāre at now.
Both demo setups will be limited by the XS2.
We used to have 272/XPSDR/250DR so know how enjoyable a 2 or 3 box naim setup can be.
In your shoes, starting the upgrade ladder and looking to invest one piece at a time, it would be an absolute no brainer for me - new classic. With a view to the long term 222/NPX/250. Eventually some of these will become available used/ex demo. Or a used 250DR for little over Ā£2k, great option.
And I say that as owner of an obsolete 7 1/3 box classic system 
An NDX2/SN3 system would undoubtedly also be very fine and could be put together at used prices now for around Ā£6K. Great VFM and no more outlay required. Of course you could add XPSDR, HiCap etcā¦ā¦
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@IainO has nailed it. 