From the main thread ( new classic range) and this one, we can read such different and sometimes opposite views that it became quite pointless to follow.
Some found the 222/300/250 inferior to Ndx2 / 282/ hicap / 250 dr.
Other wrote that 222/250 is at the level of Nd5xs2 / 202/ hicap / 250 dr. Other found the former better.
Some even found the 222/300/250 better than Ndx2 / 252/Supercap /300 dr.
And recently two posters said the new 250 outperforms the 300 dr.
Next, when the new 300 will be produced, we may read itâs better vs S1 monos. Who knows.
It is interesting that connecting the NDX2 to the NSC-222 via the analog input didnât sound that good. I was thinking about something similar but using a nDAC instead of the NDX2. Guess it would be moot if Naim releases another streaming dac at the 300 series level.
As has been said, on the old forum the same thing happened when the 272 was released. Once the dust settled most agreed it was somewhere between the 202 and 282
I vividly remember that at the time of the release of the NAC-N 272, there were many discussions about the possibility of finally surpassing what the Superuniti or the NAC-N 172 XS had shown in terms of usability, simplicity, integration, and listening quality.
The 272 then proved to be an excellent compromise between sound quality and convenience, with the authority of giving many the opportunity to experiment with various amplifications, from the NAP 200 to the 300, and then go further with the arrival of the DR models. More refinement was achievable with the XPS power supply, and that was a step further. So a product with a lot of upgrade possibilities.
I donât remember, but I could be wrong, if there were any doubts about the possibility that a pre-streamer could be better than a dedicated preamplifier like the 282 and its bigger brothers.
I believe that this NSC 222 represents something more than what the 272 had shown back then, in that context. I have no particular doubts about this. How much more it is, will be understood over time. In the the meantime, I really really like this new combo. But I suggest doing a test that is worth more than a thousand words.
Donât get me wrong, I really really like the NSC222 as well. Iâm just waiting to see what else is on the Horizon and whatâs the best upgrade path for my SN3. Iâm in the minority as I really donât like the old classics second row of buttons and Iâm hoping a new pre-amp comes out soon. If I can afford it is a different question.
I would love to borrow a 300DR to compare to the NC250. The NC250 is just so much better than the 250DR itâs a bit shocking. This is with my 252DR. It wasnât close to as impressive with the 222/300.
Itâs all very interesting and will all settle down in a year or so, no doubt. All the same, Iâm happy with a used NAP300 DR (7 years old) for less than half the price of a NC 250, even with the unknown of what servicing options will be available in NZ in 7 or so years.
Iâd be extremely happy with a NAP300! Congrats!!
Canât beat that for the value! Here in the USA used ones are extremely rare and even the new one with the 20% discount is still about $4000 more than the NC 250.
The NAP300 DR is on sale here, new for NZ $13K, versus $15K for the NC 250.
Used gear at this level is very rare here in NZ also. I was very lucky to get in the same deal, a 3 year old NAC552 DR for 30% of the new retail price. My hi-fi fund is bone dry now though.
552/300 is a great place to be
So maybe the analog input is the limiting factorâŚ.
When I demoed the NDX 2/XPS DR vs NSC 222/NPX 300 the former definitely presented more detail and not just to my ears.
I will try to compare at home, vs my 250 dr. If I find the same as you, in my system, I may go for it later, instead of going from Nds to Nd555. Maybe it will be a bigger upgrade for the money. I wonât be able to do both upgrades.
I was being a bit sarcastic Mikey. Maybe the new 250 is approaching the 300 dr, or at similar level but just different. Better, I doubt.
But the new 300, at maybe something like 10/11k , bettering the S1 monos at 130 k, itâs impossible and crazy.
Youâve done very well there Mike obtains the 300 gear so congratulations
The dust will settle on the new classics eventually
I heard the NPX300, NSC 200 and the new NAP 250 today. Similar speakers as mine (Harbeth 30.2 XD VS C& es3-XD).
The new system sounded noticeably better than my SN2 with Hicap and NDX2 with XPS-DR. I suspect the new 250 is the star of the show!
My dealer says the new 250 is better than the NAP300.
It is certanly much better than my SN2 with Hicap DR.
I am thinking of using my SN2 with Hicap DR as a preamp, and the new 250 as a power amp.
I suspect itâs a combination of things - the elimination of the interconnect and SNAIC cables, fewer noisy transformers, better single point earthing, better PSUs, better streamer-preamp design etc ⌠and of course a superior 250.
I wonder how much of the âNC Effectâ is simply adding a 250âŚ? Where there was none before.
A 250 is (IMO) unlikely to ever makes things worse. Perhaps NC will bring a new group of people to the 250 owners club�
You could also try adding the NPX 300 to your NDX 2 to see what benefit that adds to your current system. Then take the NPX 300 off and add the NAP 250 (2023) to your SN 2 to hear the difference/benefit in sound to your system if upgrading one piece at a time. Just a thought if you have a local dealerâŚ
I was listening the new and I donât think is better, it sounds different ⌠thatâs for sure.