I do…
Don’t have £££’s to cast around on assumptions 
Roll on February 16th 
It’s seems that very few tried the NSC222 as a preamp only (and also its phono board and headphones out).
Very curious about the Adikt/222 pairing …
As a streamer, most of people who did demos seems to decribe it more on the ND5XS2 side than the NDX2.
IME, the ND5XS2 is a gem and hard to beat for the price though.
M.
3 Likes
Yeah, it’s a different sound so comparisons will likely highlight what folks prefer. I’m enjoying the listener impressions so far, lots of variation as usual. I’m in no hurry but I do enjoy building up some suspense. I’m going to arrange a dealer demo this spring after some of the fanfare has settled down. Hell, I’m more likely to grab a s/h 300DR at this point given the s/h prices.
3 Likes
My home demo in February will target the difference between NAC 202 with ND5 XS 2 and the NSC 222 specifically whilst maintaining the NAP 200DR as the power amplifier.
I will be very interested to hear the difference…
6 Likes
Seeing that someone has posted on another thread that they have a channel lost on their NDX2, almost certainly a relay failed. I wonder if Naim have taken the opportunity to ditch the particular relay and supplier with the new architecture?
Perhaps @110db can give an answer?
1 Like
Hi @Gazza,
We have changed to a new output mute scheme and we think it sounds better. It uses our input selection reed relay and a new armature relay. We do not use the previous change-over reed relays for mute anymore.
We have our input selection relay to connect the output signal when playing, these are best. Then when muting we use an armature relay, this is only used for shorting the signal and they are good at this. When playing music they do nothing.
3 Likes
Thankyou Steve….but does this solve the problem?
2 Likes
Thank you for your views and input, it is appreciated.
I will, hopefully be making a comparison next week, or the week after at my local dealer. Probably with the extra power supplies, in case my financial situation improves again.
My next purchase will be an AT95 for my Pink Triangle, with an upgraded stylus 
Yes, it does.
We had too many mute relay failures with infant mortality for comfort. The mute relays were called ‘change-over’ reed relays. i.e. they either connect the output to the signal or change over to ‘ground’ (mute) depending if it was playing or muting.
All new classic use a new muting method, we do not use the change over relays. We use our input selection relays for the signal carrying part of the mute circuit. These have a life of circa 100,000,000 operations.
8 Likes
Thanks Steve, appreciated👍
2 Likes
Since two weeks I have the nsc222, npx300 and the new nap250. replacement for the ndx2, xpsDR and Nap300DR. The sound is formidable. It sounds like… I’ve never heard it like that before. The music never goes wrong and it takes some getting used to. If there are people who can’t get used to the naim sound. Too bad, this is 50% more naim in the good sense. The speakers are b&w 803D4. I’ll let you know more when it’s played.
2 Likes
we connected the ndx2 to the full nsc222/npx300/newnap250. the streamer/dac of the nsc222 sounded much better.
1 Like
What preamp did you use with the NDX2/300DR?
1 Like
That is positive news!
A couple of follow-up questions:
Did you listen to NPX300 PS connected to the NDX 2 and the preamp section of the NSC222? Did you have the chance to do a side by side comparison to your NAIM classic system?
Thanks…
No, the npx300 was connected to the nsc222. The npx300 can be used on the ndx-2, but the adapter cable is not yet available.
The preamp I used between the ndx2/nap300dr was a stereoknight. A passive preamp with silver-wound transformers.
Using a passive preamp with a Naim power amp is not likely to give it the best chance of performing well. It has certainly given disappointing sound when I’ve tried it, so this could be why this system sounded below par for you.
2 Likes
Thanks for the response. I believe, as @ChrisSU had mentioned, the uplift in sound may have been due to the preamp you were previously using vs the streamer section.
I did not have the opportunity to hear a side by side comparison at my dealer since they will not have cables available here in the US currently. I would be interested in hearing the NDX 2 using the NPX 300 power supply within a classic system.
It is great that you are enjoying the current configuration vs your previous system.
2 Likes
Meaningless comparison then. Racks of Naim kit but no preamp available?
Comes down to system synergy fundamentally, all these “A is better than B” tests are subjective at best, not least the fact there’s only a handful of truly run in 200 Series systems out there (the ones used by Naim staff during development that is)
The NDX2 is no slouch as a digital source and with well matched components performs admirably in many system configurations.
The more interesting aspect is the overlap between Old and New Series from a system evolution perspective, in particular the power supply options and to an extent the new NAP 250.
I expect once the new 2/300 Series preamps materialise we’ll be in a better place to make meaningful comparisons between systems, the NSC 222 is optimal with an NPX 300 and 200 Series NAP 250, the general concensus being the new 200 Series is fast and lively in presentation, tuned more to a younger market perhaps, or keeping up with trends in the wider market, not better or worse but certainly different to what many of our ears are accustomed to with Old Classic systems.
2 Likes