New Classic 222/300/350 - The Modern Mullet

Apart from about £6.5k inc cables!

3 Likes

It’s not quite that bad! But a bit of haggling and it will be worth it, currently enjoying mine with humble 250DR, just imagine what yours will be like :sunglasses:!

Be happy you’re not paying US prices!

1 Like

I did just that and am loving it. I’m now thinking whether I should trade in the 300DR for a pair of 350s. The only component in my “old” system I will never trade in is the 555PSDR.

1 Like

Until you have nothing it can power?

NAIM is providing Burndys that allow 555DRPS to be partnered with NC streamer and Preamp…

I was asking about the streaming board earlier because I have an NDX2 in a different set up and the the new standby function of the 222 allows the app to handshake with the 222 perfectly whereas the NDX2 sometimes does not handshake well at all and needs me to go out of the app and then back in again.

There are some deals on the ND555 at the moment and it’s not that much more than the 333 streamer and I wonder how they compare musically. But I also wonder whether the ND555 won’t be able to connect/ handshake as effortlessly as the 333 does.

Thoughts welcome…

I just listened to the 2500 with Talis speakers and found it to be quite extraordinary.

1 Like

What the hell is a 2500 and Talis.

Confused of Derby…

Earlier question asked about : T+A equipment and what I had listened to.

On my system, ND555 works well with the app. Unlike my previous NDX2 which occasionally played hide and seek when I need it.

Interesting observation. I do think the streamer as source has improved digital playback significantly, particularly over the last few years with HiRes streaming options, thus I can definitely see a well engineered pre / streamer being a cornerstone front end. Add to that the option to improve the power supply, and software updates to an already very powerful processing device, you may well have a near reference level digital source.

For me it’s always a diminishing returns game (since I’m not playing on the same financial pitch as someone shopping for 500 series kit…) so I’m always looking for the sweet spot between what I feel delivers the best value for $, and sound that makes me want to keep playing music. For me, that level is well below ‘ reference’ level gear, so the idea of putting $12kCAD into a 222 with the expectation that I wont be ‘needing’ to upgrade any time soon makes a fair bit of sense -at least in audiophile land :laughing:

Clearly it’s always a relative question, but considering the outright sound quality of the current crop of Naim streamers -even their entry level units- I think there is an argument to be made that an integrated unit such as the 222 is indeed ‘good enough’. If we’re brutally honest, what are the actual gains in quality going from NDX2 to the 555 in objective terms?…

7 Likes

A considerable uplift in the way that sound is ‘organised’. Musical ‘context’ becomes clearer, instruments in complex passages are more distinct and things like background vocals just seem to make more sense in some way.

2 Likes

Having now had my dealer and home demos I’ve settled on a 222/250, primarily due to my currently limited budget. The 333/332/250 was clearly better than 222/300/250. Better and distinct separation of musical strands, more detail etc., so as far as my (old) ears are concerned, source first, but at a significantly increased cost. To go 333/332 instead of 222 is (was, after 1st Feb) an additional £10k that I just couldn’t justify. SWMBO would also have had something to say!

Next step will be a speaker upgrade and maybe later an NPX 300 if affordable.

1 Like

Very sensible, and I don’t think you will be disappointed with the 222/250.

I will say I found the addition of the 300 power supply was very worthwhile……but as you say speakers next makes sense.

2 Likes

Oh, believe me I know, having had demos with and without the NPX 300 at both my dealer’s and at home!

With the imminent price rise I was sorely tempted to court (financial & marital) disaster and order one, but as it’s only a £200 increase luckily sanity prevailed :grinning:. Hopefully not doing so will allow me to get my system better balanced with a speaker upgrade (Spendor D7.2, Kudos Super 20a ……) later this year.

1 Like

Many thanks for the update re your demos. I’m cogitating myself whether to go 222/300/350 or for a bit more cash 333/332 with my 300 and 250. As you say quite a bit of expense now if trying to get in before the price hike. Might just be better to demo/try the single Linn box solution that some on here are saying works well for them. At least no Linn price hikes announced as yet. Having said all that I am pretty happy with what I have and may just stay where I am.

As an aside I see you are looking at speaker upgrades - I settled on Kudos Super 20A with Gaias underfoot. Works very well for me in my room with my ears. Your findings, of course, may vary.

Indeed, a lot more upfront that I couldn’t really justify, even though I could possibly (assuming SWMBO gave her permission :flushed:) draw down cash from my pension! But at 66 I just don’t know how long the money needs to last. Hopefully I won’t regret it.

I’ve yet to hear the Kudos Super 20a speakers, but I did like the Spendor D7.2 speakers very much. I’ll be home demoing before making a final decision.

I’m not really following Linn, but I thought they had a price increase incoming. I could be wrong though.

It depends on your attitude to upgrading. If you are likely to upgrade again in the future then the drawdown option sounds bad. If however, it would be your last system then maybe a consideration.

Most importantly though, your pension is very important. Proper advice and consideration is a must before drawing down. By advice I obviously mean qualified personal advice.

2 Likes

Indeed, I have and pay a financial consultant to handle my investments. Annual review shortly.

For me this is likely an end game system, but then we all know how that goes :grinning:. I also have other hobbies and enjoy travel with SWMBO e.g. Africa safaris, so I need to balance my hifi ‘obsession’.

1 Like

I surmise that your NSS 333 and SN 2 are up on a familiar auction site :smirk:. Speakers too?