Already saving for the 300!
Hi @hsheffer1954 & @Oxfordian
Would you fine gentlemen be willing to try to describe the improvements that your NPX300 brought to your 200 series combo?
I can do that as I did it last year….
This was using my Atohm GT1 SE stand mounts and an 8m x 8m room with a solid wooden floor and lined walls (quite acoustically neutral).
Addition of the 300 was as if I had changed the power amplification. The whole sound stage stepped out into the room more and the bass both tightened and became more obvious as part of the mix. There was a slight improvement in instrument separation and the top end, but not as much as I was expecting (that required a 332). The overall effect was to make the system less closed in and bring it to fill the room. That was a start in an upgrade cycle though as I found the Atom and HE with headphones more detailed and clearer in complex music than the 222….
I’m not a fan of the streamer part of the 222 and hugely preferred my later Linn Klimax Organik DS3 and 332 combination (and indeed the Linn with the N50 I have now). I found an Atom HE as a source into the 222 and then the 332 was better than the 222 alone. I think adding the streamer to the preamp is a big compromise and I wouldn’t do that again. Source first, speakers second to suit room and ears, amplification last….. So N50, 332/300/250 or 350s with top end source you like. I would suggest changing the 222 for a 332 + streamer before adding a 300 as it will be a bigger step in the right direction, or at least look at auditioning that before just adding a 300……
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Hi @stavrose
I can write here what ChatGPT wrote for me as I am not that good in English:
Adding an NPX 300 to a Naim 200-series system gives:
cleaner background
more detail
better soundstage
tighter bass
smoother highs
more musical flow and drive
It is one of the more audible Naim upgrades.
I agree to every word. The better soundstage is the most impressive improvement
But the best you can do is to audit it at home as my dealer did for me.
He knew what he is doing…
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My 222/300/250 combination is my first venture into the world of Naim and I have to say it is a very enjoyable experience.
@BrendanD and @hsheffer1954 have commented and broadly speaking my views are the same other than the area of the streamer, I am not at this stage a big user of streaming so the 222 is more than adequate for my needs and a welcome feature.
Would I upgrade to a 332/333, probably not based on my current needs and uses.
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@BrendanD , @hsheffer1954 & @Oxfordian
Thanks for your thoughts on what the 300 does for the 222/250.
Starting to feel a bit of fomo now. I have to wait for my house move which will likely be spring and then I’ll be picking up a used 300. My target price will be £3k and not a penny more. We’ll see…
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Wow, what a great thread this is!!
It really does “echo” variety is the spice of life! I’ve just got my 555 PSU’s back after a much needed service! Again, wow! I hadn’t realised what a detrimental affect they were having on the ND555! Gosh, i love Naim. They bring me so much joy!
Suffice to say i am enjoying the “full fat” that Naim has to offer, Statement. I’ve worked far too many hours this week, and after a “nanny” nap earlier i am sat here enjoying my system. It literally is on fire, a full V8 pumping, rocking power house. The music for me as always is a priority, as it always has been, and no doubt if i dare move off the sofa to the kitchen I’ll equally be enjoying the duties of my Gen 1 Muso!! However, the sofa, the Statement and the music has me glued to my audio Saturday afternoon delight! Lucky for me the weather has hampered outdoor Christmas lights installation….o well!!!
I am fortunate enough to also have the Atom HE for headphone duties and on a Saturday evening here in the UK there is a certain dancing program on the TV that my wife enjoys, so I’ll be on headphone duties. This combination of HE & headphones will bring me joy and in the future , who knows i may well downsize to the HE and a pair of active speakers. But not today….…Statement…do your thing!
I am really enjoying everyone’s journey, keep em coming. It’s a great read!!
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Naim gear makes music in a very special way!
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If an upgrade of an audio product wasn’t audible, it would be pointless. 
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I meant that the improvement was significant. Sometimes you do upgrade but improvement is subtle.
He iy is real significant
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I’m glad to hear that you got a really good sonic uplift from adding an NPX 300 to your Naim 200-series system.
It’s funny that you cited ChatGPT’s summary of the Sound quality effects of making changes to Audio equipment, when of course ChatGPT is just a computer program that has no ears, has no brain to hear Music with, has no feelings, so could neither listen to Music nor really understand what it is, and what sound quality would mean - because it’s really just sifting through words and making statistical decisions on what the next word is most likely to be.
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Based on what humans have already written. I find it certainly gives some good guidance and insight with the proverbial pinch of salt of course.
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I’ve tried to leave Naim many times. Is Naim gear perfect? NO but it’s some of the most engaging sounding hifi gear on the market.
And when you think of the heritage it’s a no brainer for me. Having sold my 500 system recently I’m still very much a Naim fanboy and I’ve embarked on a new journey with vintage Naim and DBLs active.
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?
Martin
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See posts by @hsheffer1954 above for context.
I think he is using online translations as he is not a native English speaker.
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I suspect you may end up buying it again when you get those DBLs installed…
[Plus a Statement pre when your ship comes in…
]
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As @SoundsOfMusic responded, I fear your tubes amps won’t be a good match for DBL.
@MrUnderhill sold his Ear 534 when he bought his DBL or SL2, and took a 300 dr.
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Hi FR,
Merely SBLs. The 534 didn’t shine.
In my case the change was forced by CATS.
On reflection, I don’t regret it. I ha e upgraded the crossovers and they are brilliant. As a friend and I regularly joke, such a shame they don’t image.
Much like others who decry Naim/Focal, it can also be brilliant.
Adding a tube pre to the mix, in my case a Modwright LS36.5, has really bought nirvana.
If I had the room for DBLs, wow.
With the 534 Tim recommended Graham LS5/9 or Diapason, the Karis I think.
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Ah of course, cheers
Martin
My post above was mainly jocular - I was not trying to make a serious comment about amplification.
I do see the nap 500 as an ideal amp to drive DBLs passively.
But the OP is planning to drive his DBL’s actively, and I don’t know much about that and I’ve never heard it done.