Perhaps not. Dealers are in the business of selling kit.
Someone new walks in the door - NC kit is fantastic, best ever, unbeatable. Sell sell sell.
An existing customer who has a close relationship with the dealer - they may express different opinions or preferences in private.
Having heard NC now, there’s a definite preference aspect since the sound signature is quite different. But opinions on 300 series are all very positive.
You may of course be right but I am taking the views on this forum to be representative of the larger population. Pure speculation on my part of course.
Better will be subjective but if it’s a case of New Classic going toward neutrality, I can understand the appeal. If anyone has experienced a non-Naim amp and perhaps compare them with the New Classic, some insight can be gained. Perhaps the New Classic will sound closer to other non-Naim amps out there now since it’s now considered to be more neutral and less coloured.
Thx for your reaction. I looking for amore open, crisp (fresh) sound in my set. I read that the 250 Dr sounds a bit “swampy?” compared to 250. Just wondering if anyone did the comparison.
Furthermore what difference in sound has NSC200 vs 282/NDX2
And how do these two changes add up?
The NC250 is just a much better amp and is at or nipping at the level of the 300DR but with speed, rhythm and presentation more akin to the 500DR. It sounds a bit thinner at first then you realize it’s tighter and deeper with loads more control.
No experience with the NSC200 but if you have the NDX2/282 presently I think it would make more sense to go NAC332
I’ve had 250DR and 300DR. If someone claims 250NC is on par with 300DR and then claims 250DR is swampy sounding I’d say that person is lying or is on drugs. Or both.
Hypothetically speaking, if one was offered a bare NC 250 & 222 or a bare SN3 & NDX2 for exactly the same price which one would you go for and why? I’m leaving cost aside here so purely in SQ terms.
As someone who’s had all of these and only the NC now, I would say that my current setup is faster, more engaging, lifelike and dynamic and with the foot tapping button just constantly on, while my previous … well, less of the above, trying to sound big and … taking itself a bit too seriously!
So have I and I have spent lots of time with the NC250 as well. The fact you are accusing people of lying or being on drugs when you haven’t spent time with the NC250 is purely speculation and adds nothing to this discussion.
If you read my post someone claims 250NC sound close to 300DR. If that is true then 250DR does not sound swampy. Someone claiming 250DR sound swampy is just hyper of having bought a new amp. Someone have to defend 250DR which is a true classic.
I went from a 272/555/250DR to 222/250 then later added the 555DR. The 222/250 on their own sounds great and I found it more enjoyable than the 272/555DR/250DR. More space, quiet inky blacks, slam, fast, tight, and more information. I didn’t do a head to head 250DR v 250 but I think the 250NC is contributing significantly to the improvement. It’s a different and better amp to the DR version in my view and the 250DR is not a bad amp but it does sound inferior (swampy is a good term) compared to 250NC. The new sound signature is different and better to my ears and based on your stated goals I think you’ll prefer the NC sound but you really need to listen first. I don’t recommend buying blind b/c you may not like it. Also, I’d have no problem going to a 222/250NC from NDX2/282/250DR. But that’s based on my experience with the NDX2/252 which I didn’t find very convincing at the price point and opted to stay with the 272/555. Also, I’m not sure how the OC and NC streamers, pre and amps sound together so that’s a variable to consider. An in home demo would be ideal.