Sn3 ndx2 has something special about it in my biased opinion, Im looking forward to demo on nsc222 with new 250. As i purchased my equipment after considering 272/250(i bought it and sold it used and lost 300us.) and actually decided to go sn3 ndx2, its only a year old and ive rarely if ever felt the need for more power or clarity. Naim never fails to surprise me though. Bought rel sub for tunetots and it just works. I did like the 272 a lot soundwise but….
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Don’t overlook system synergy on the journey. You can mullet together all sorts of systems but realistically to get them at their best you’ll be wanting to aim towards a specific longer term goal.
The systems being considered here aren’t just “good”, “better”, “best” either, a SN3/NDX2 or a New Classic 2/3 box setup is known to synergise well, at their optimal, they’ll perform quite differently and understandably so given the differences in system design between them.
You could for example add an ND5 XS2 to the Nait XS2 and have a well balanced system right away, then add a NC NAP250 to the XS2 and gain improvements there, next trade the XS2 and ND5 XS2 for a NSC 222 and you’re back to a synergistic whole again.
Upgrades can take time and priorities and budgets can change, if you’re at the starting gate with £5k in hand maybe consider how you want to enjoy the system during the upgrade process as well as how it will be at the finish line.
I’d be inclined as above to add both an ND5 XS2 and NC NAP250 to any home demo, I’d be confident you’d be pleasantly surprised considering system synergy and importantly your first step costs.
You could additionally add a lower cost NAP stage (Classic NAP 200/250 + cables) as others have suggested as an intermediary step, obviously longer term you’d be aiming for a New Classic only system, you can always add a PSU to the NSC 222 later on and arguably, it’ll perform optimally as such whilst still being capable as “only” a 2 box system.
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You make some good points, which in part is why I’m leaning more to an NC based system than a Classic. I’d probably look to replace the XS 2 with a used NAP200 fairly soon while saving up for an NC NAP250.
Going with an ND5 XS 2 now, only to swap out later, is however less appealing to me. Adding an NC NAP250 later would still then rely on the preamp of the XS2, so not really a balanced system.
If I do prefer the NDX 2 then I may go used and pick up an SN 3 at the same time. Probably nearer £6k, but if P/X is available e.g. ex demo kit or trade-ins, then doable I think.
I haven’t read the entire thread but wouldn’t the obvious solution be to demo the NDX through the nsc222 using the xs as power amp?
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That is a good idea for me to directly compare their streamer and DAC functions. I’ll give that a go.
They’re the same thing from a streaming transport perspective. Most of these choices come down to time (between upgrades) and budget. An extended period (lets say years) with a mullet system may see you disconnecting from the
enjoyment of your system. Whilst upgrade paths are useful they can also put you in a holding position between upgrades thar you don’t enjoy living with so be sure (as it seems you are) to listen to the options ideally at home and for a week or two to get a sense of what you’ll be compromising and gaining longer term.
I had a similar thought process with respect to my SN3 + NDX2 system once the New Classic kit was announced.
In my head it made sense to keep the NDX2 as a dedicated source adding a NC NAP250 to the SN3 then a NPX 300 to the NDX2 and eventually a NC NAC (once they appear, ideally ex demo or even used).
I’ve owned HiCap’s in similar systems and even used one briefly in the current setup, I evaluated an XPS as well but concluded that longer term the money was better placed elsewhere (better turntable, New Classic upgrades, this was before any of that was announced but was inevitable even back then).
I’ve tweaked mine as far as I feel sensible, Full Fraim, Powerline’s, Hi-Line DIN etc, I would say that as a two box system especially considering used availability and prices as they stand today, it’s a lot of system for not silly money, overall not as capable as a NC equivalent but still fantastic fun.
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How did demo go, did it help?
Be interested to hear what you find with that, can’t be many with that combo of boxes!
Unfortunately I had to postpone as I caught COVID!
I’m on the mend, but it won’t happen now until later next month. I’ll post back with my findings then.
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