Before the NAP250NC we had a NAP200 non-DR. Needless to say, we were quite happy with this (costly) upgrade.
2 Likes
I would go with your idea of replacing the 202 with a 332, which with the NC250 is fabulous combination.
2 Likes
That’s quite an upgrade. I’ve heard the 202/200, 202/200DR and the NSC222/NAP250 NC, unluckily not with the same speakers and not at the same moment, so I couldn’t really compare the three. IMHO the difference between the 200 and 200 DR is substantial, so I do wonder how close the NAP 250 NC is to the NAP 200 DR.
If you’re end game is ATC 50 actives, save your money on 350 and expensive cables etc. and drive the 50 actives direct from your 222. That’s what I do!
Paul
Can you elaborate on the comparison between NC222/NPX300/NC250 vs. NC222/NPX300/350s and why the disappointment as I am considering this upgrade primarily because I want to keep to a single Fraim stack with TT and would need to lose the NPX300 if I went 332/333. The above should represent an obvious upgrade given the price difference involved and compatibility shouldn’t be an issue given same family of components.
I compared the following using Fraim, p/ls, Naca5 with S400s, NAP250DR v NC 250 v NAP300DR.
Both 250s were similar age, c 1 year old (last build, first build) and 5 year old w00.
The NC250 is a good step up from its predecessor. So there is little likelihood of any closeness NAP200DR with NC250.
NSC222 +NC250 somewhat reminds me of a previous system, being NAC252 + SCDR + 135s + SBLs - which should give you an idea of how the NC250 positions. The latter is, despite some comments on the forum, some way short of challenging NAP300DR, even when the latter was run in, rather than just a year old!
2 Likes
I wrote a thread on “300 series demo…” which commented that NSC222 sounded edgy against 3 series streamer and pre. I’m not sure what you refer to as an upgrade. In a second system my NSC222 + NC250 sounds very good into S400s. Worth noting that in one room, NPX worked well, introduced into the combo and brought additional benefit. In another room, NPX was of scant benefit - therefore auditioning is a prerequisite.
The combo worth spending time auditioning, would be w/o NSC222 if a single stack of Fraim is preferred. 333 streamer + 332 pre + 350s. However iiuc you already have NSC222 + PS + NC250.
IMHO just swapping out NC250 for NC350 may be less than truly beneficial. Source first isn’t the only approach, but it does have substantial merit, when applied appropriately. It will require blind audition with a genuine dealer, prepared to let the system sound for itself, if you prefer to change NAPs. Good luck.
I wonder if you have tried Naim i/cs and speaker cable, before your current choice? I use stock cables in one system and SL i/cs in another.
1 Like
To my ear, whilst the 222-350 was initially very impressive I was left feeling the sound quality was overblown, a bit like watching a TV with the brightness turned up too high, adding an NPX300 into the mix didn’t really address this for me. Whereas I feel the 222-300-250 was much more balanced. Neither set-up is perfect but my preference was for the 222-300-250 and I stuck with that, when I upgraded to the 332-333 I kept my 250 and added a second 300, again because I think having NPX300s in my system works better. At the moment I am content with my system and have no immediate plans to replace my 250 with the 350s.
1 Like
Oh, go on …….
2 Likes