Hi All,
I’m looking for some guidance, and, having found so much useful information on this forum, I’d value your opinions, although I know that there’s no substitute for an audition.
My journey with Naim hasn’t been very strategic. I dipped my toe in the water with a used UnitQute in 2014, and I haven’t looked back since! I will say thought that every step along the way has led to a greater enjoyment of my music collection.
I currently have NAC 152 XS, NAP 155 XS, CD5 XS (with a Flatcap XS and a NAC-N 172 XS that I’m just using for streaming, with the fixed level output feeing the preamplifier.
I’m generally very happy with the results when listening to CDs, but streaming just isn’t as good, and the old platform is frustrating at times. Although time is short, I’m tempted to take advantage of the current CD player trade-in offer to get a better streamer. I have a CD5i-2 that I’m using in a second system, which isn’t getting that much use, so it seems like a good time to act.
On the basis of my current system, the ND5 XS2 would look like the best fit, but, I’ve often thought that I’d like to get a NAC 202 or 282 with a NAP 200 in future. If I were to upgrade the amplification, would the ND5 XS2 start to show it’s limitations? If so, perhaps it would make sense to go the for the NDX 2 instead. Would there be any issues using the NDX 2 with my current system for the time being? Should I focus on the quality of the source, or the synergy between components at the same level?
Assuming the NDX 2 would be tolerant of my current amplifiers, that seems like a sensible approach, but, given I’m thinking of upgrading in the future, is that the best way to go? The cost of an NDX 2 (on offer), plus a good used NAC 202/282 and a service is within touching distance of the NSC 222. How does the streamer in the 222 compare to the NDX 2? Is the pre-amplifier section comparable to a 202 or a 282?
I know that the 222 wouldn’t be right fit for my current power amplifier (but some margin!), and that I would effectively be signing up for a future purchase of an NC NAP 250, but would that be a more solid foundation for longer term enjoyment? Sadly, I don’t see anything from the 300 or 500 range in my future (the spirit is willing, but the wallet is weak…), so the 200 range, either OC or NC, is where I think I’m going to end up.
Thanks for your help with this, and looking forward to reading your thoughts.