I do hope I’m not rehashing an older topic but I have an NSC222 and a NAP250 and been considering the NPX300 and what it adds to the sound. I have had mixed benefits from external power supplies in the past. A CyrusPXS blew my Cyrus3 amp. A Gold Note PS10 faulted my Gold Note DS10, still working fine without it. It just seems a whole bundle of cash for a box with a big toroidal transformer and a few circuit boards. In terms of marginal utility and price the NSC and NAP win hands down. I realise that existing NPX owners having invested have a vested interest in saying it was worth it but I’m asking for an honest assessment. Thanks everyone.
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Can you not get a home demo or even a demo at your dealer? That way you can make your own mind up. I have the NPX 300 with the 222/250 and for me the difference isn’t subtle. The 300 lowers the noise floor and just lets everything breathe and for me totally worth it.
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You definitely need to audition. When I bought my 222/250 I listened to an 300NPX and it added a bit but nothing earth shattering and definitely not worth the money/extra box/Burndy shenanigans. My ears, my system etc etc
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Adding a power supply takes this in to a £12+k+ DAC/streamer. Plenty of other choices at that level. I’d be looking at an ex dem Moon 791 for that kind of money.
The only way here is to suck it & see; you are the only one to judge the value of adding a ps. What anyone else thinks/believes is really not relevant. Other peoples ears, systems, rooms, preferences don’t really get you anywhere. Some will say ‘it’s great’, others will say ‘don’t bother’. That doesn’t help much either.
Always remember though; there is always something ‘better’. If you’re happy with your system then leave well alone, would be my advice
The demos I had (both at my dealer’s and at home) showed the NPX on the 222 with a 250 to be a significant upgrade to my ears. I couldn’t run to one at the time - the 222/250 blew the budget as it was - and I wanted better speakers too. Now I have these I intend to get a used NOX some time this year.
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If you can afford it, and that can be a big if, it’s a no brainer 
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ATB, J
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IMO the NPX300 brings some very important improvements on the table, however I can also understand why some people might not be a fan of it.
This PSU adds more depth, better soundstage, lower noise floor, better precision overall. It does make you understand that the NC200 was engineered to worked with it from the very beginning, so I would consider the NPX300 a must.
At the same time some people might not look for those qualities and might not have speakers (or a setup) that show them in the first place. So a test is mandatory in the first place. Only your ears can decide whether it’s worth the expense of not.
Personally I would also consider better interconnects between the 222 and 250, I suspect (and many confirmed) that they hold back the performance of the system significantly.
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I have an NPX300 arriving this week for my 332/350 and very much looking forward to running it in.
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Every Naim power supply has made an appreciable difference on my systems. Flatcap, Flatcap 2X, XPS, Hicap, Supercap, up to the CD555 PS, all improved the sound to varying degrees. I have not heard the NPX300 but bet that it will be a large step up. Only you can determine if it is worth the considerable charge however.
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The npx300 is very similar to an xpsdr in a new box. Save money and try a second hand 555dr.
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i have a problem with lack of detail from a bare 222 (on complex classical pieces - most obviously understanding the words). i demoed adding the 300 vrs replacing the 222 with a linn with organic dac vrs adding a 333 front end to the 222. adding the 333 was the option that really worked. adding the 300 really didn’t do much for me.
personally i would only consider the 300 pre-loved or with a substantial ex-demo discount. in my view it would be a mistake to assume that the effect of external power supplies on OC kit carries over unchanged to NC kit.
As others have said a demo is essential - and preferably a home demo after the dealer demo
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For optimal performance the 222 was designed to be used with an external psu but for cost/convenience was supplied with an internal one - this is the NC way.
The 222 pre-amp section has just over half changed compared to classic range but the Naim design philosophy has been retained so lower noise floor and cleaner power should improve performance.
That said just because it’s technically better may not result in enhanced musical replay enjoyment with your speakers/room/personal preferences - you need to try it!
I’ve listened to many other higher end systems (Chord, Luxman, dCS to name a few) and am still very happy with my humble 200 series that does include an NPX300.
Also I used the OEM XLR for nearly 3 years and did not feel it held back performance at all - I do now use AV Options XLR but is personal preference.
YMMV but good luck.
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I have the 332/333 so I can’t say definitely about the 222. However when I was considering the 222, my dealer felt the NPX300 was a must. I ran the 332/333 without the power supplies for a few months and then added two NPX300 power supplies and was quite satisfied with the improvement in SQ. I don’t know how much the OP can extrapolate to their 222. I also feel that interconnects make a huge difference.
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The one thing that this thread confirms is the need to listen with your ears and then decide, everyone who has contributed has a valid point to make.
But, it is your call whether to add or not.
I would ask; are you happy with the 222/250? Why are you considering the 300 - is it because you’ve heard it in partnership with the 222/250 or because you’ve read about it and the benefits that it may bring to the sound that reaches your ears.
You have to audition a 300 in conjunction with the 222/250, ideally within your home and in your system, then and only then can you decide if its worth flexing the plastic.
For the record I have a 222/300/250 system.
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Having listened to both the 200 and 300 series at my dealer my personal take was that the addition of the power supplies (2 in the case of the 300 series) was a very worthwhile improvement but as always you must listen and make your own decision.
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@Oxfordian Home auditions are offeren confined to the UK. They are often not offered in NYC. Dealer auditions are often the only option. Even then, desler listening space may yield very different results than my home. For these reasons I tend to trust my dealer’s recommendations above auditions. Luckily my dealer and his staff are very familiar with our space and have made great recommendations so far
I would never buy based solely on a dealers recommendation, I would be happy to have them suggest products to audition, but if I’m spending a large sum of money I’m going to want that product in my home to listen to especially if it is an addition to my current system.
Maybe I was lucky but the Hifi stores that I have dealt with have been brilliant and either bought stuff round or let me collect from the shop and try at home.
However, I do accept that what one dealer will do may not be matched by others and purchasers may have to be flexible in where they audition, but IMHO audition they must.
When I’m spending the money that Naim and other similar brands charge I couldn’t just accept the dealers recommendation as I would be terrified that my ears wouldn’t like the result.
Of course, others may disagree and be more than happy to go without hearing their purchases first, I know you did and are very happy with the outcome, but I just couldn’t go that route.
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Good advice Simon!
@Oxfordian NYC dealers DO NOT provide home auditions as I said before. I can’t change that. I have had a history of auditioning at dealers, stuff. sounding good and then performing poorly at home, after I purchased. I continue to trust my dealer’s recommendations. I know I can purchase online and return, but because of disability, I need my dealer’s home setup support.This also precludes used for me, unless my dealer has a used item I would want. For me, this is somewhat moot as I have no plans to upgrade my current system.
The 222/250 NC is a great two box combo but the 222 needs a PS shine. We preferred the 555 to the 300 for SQ so that might be a more economical option in the s/h market. I recently saw a low hour 555 in the US market for only $5KUS. That’s a steal.
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