Wondering if anyone has experience with this comparison. I can’t see anything in the various 333 v NDX2 threads to date. Looking at getting rid of boxes, mainly because Naim support/servicing in my country has gone. Currently have NDX2/555DR > 282/250DR > Proac D30R in 5m x 4.5m room. Mainly listen to rock and blues/rock. Toying with the idea of 333 > Nait 50, but this would be a blind purchase. Concerned that the Nait might not have the oomph but also whether a bare 333 would be a step back from the NDX2/555DR. Getting rid of the Burndy would be great. Thanks for your opinions.
I’m probably not who you’re looking for as I’ve never heard a NSS 333. However I can say that the NDX2/555PSDR combo is still excellent. I find it a little hard to believe a bare NSS 333 will better it; maybe it would with a power supply (some here say the NSS333 is better with the 555PS instead of the NPX300), but I suspect it would be marginal.
However, lots of people REALLY rate the Nait 50 it seems, to the point where I sometimes feel FOMO even though I have no place to put one! So if downsizing is the goal, maybe buying (or borrowing) a Nait 50 and trying it out with your existing streamer and speakers is a good first step.
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@Django84 I don’t have the 555 so take what I say with a grain of salt. I first ran the 333 without a PS for about four months and found it better than my NDX2 with an XPSDr power supply. The 333 was more neutral and for me, more engaging. When I added the NPX300, it became better yet.
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I prefer my bare ns333 to the nds/555 that I enjoyed for 5 years previously.
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That’s interesting… when you compared ns333 to nds, did you already hab the nc amps?
@drago i have the NC250. The other confounding factor is the 332. How much of the better SQ is due to the 332 or 333? Maybe both?
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Above seem opposing to me.
You looking for current flagship Naim streamer ? - While servicing in your country is gone ?
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It was some months ago now that I compared NDS/555PSDR to NSS 333 but my written findings says something along the way that NSS 333 bare reminds pretty much about NDS/555PSDR but you can hear progress in soundstage, detail separation and leading edge and such. With a PS on NSS333 it takes another step further.
What was your take on their differences?
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I had a NDX2 with a 555psdr in my system when my ND555 was away for repair I was pleasantly surprised how good it was far better than I expected?
I have listened to the 300 series at my dealers, speakers used were the same as I have been been using at home for several years I found the bare 333 somewhat lacking in musical presentation and the addition of the 300 power supply made a vast difference
I would tread carefully on replacing with a bare 333 it really needs a power supply after what I heard.
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And we come back again and again to the same…..
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No I didn’t. Initially I went from an NDS/555/52/300DR, which I’d been happily running for about 5 years to Nov '24, to an NDS/555/N50. This was unexpected, done from low risk curiosity after having watched the N50 thread. I ran the NDS/555/N50 until August this year. Then I gave the 333 a try after the success with the N50 and potential liking for the new electronics.
Like all of these things, you have to try them in your own system in your own surroundings..
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I would say similar findings to yourself - more revealing, speed and tuneful bass. More of what the N50 did well..
I should add, these weren’t massive changes. I think the 333 has more in common with the NDS than separates it.
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Agree 
But the ND5 has the older steaming board?
NDS yes. I used a Lindemann Bridge II streamer into it.
It would be interesting to hear what you think of the 333 as Streamer into NDS as Dac …
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@Igel In planning for the 333, I would assume Naim included there best sounding DAC Moreover, to me, I favor the simplicity of a one box solution for both streaming and CD. Less cables, less hassle, less to question the SQ about.
But the Nds/555 dr has not more weight, textures, organic sound vs the bare 333 ?
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But the 333 is the new NDX2,the NDS has the same Dac chip and Spring suspension as the top Streamer ND555…
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