True. With the NC kit you only need special cables if you have Naim kit! Power supplies anyhow.
…back to the listening experiences.
Heard ‘bare’ 333/332 and 250 today. Definite change of sound signature - less forward and more refined than my classic kit certainly. No less musical and engaging though.
I like
Thank you for bringing the thread back on track!
I attended today 07/10 a demo by Paul and Mark of Naim at Hotel Meliá in Milan, organized by AF Merate.
It consisted in adding 300 power supplies to the 300 four box system, back and forth, once and again.
It was easy and satisfying to hear the improvements and the loss thereof. I had been worrying that I would be unable to hear the difference, but I passed the test with excellent marks.
I think the system was one of the best sounding systems in the exhibition, and if you consider the price, the very best by far.
I don’t think the addition of non-din plugs supports your claim. Sorry.
Don’t get a CD player
Think it is so obvious that discussion is pointless.
You’re correct which is why you should limit your comments to your actual listening experience instead of speculation.
3x250.3 would certainly be interesting.
Sadly for active, it would have to be 6x350 as they are mono amplifiers.
No, you buy 3x350, but each unit is supplied as 2 monoblocks. So the good news is it’s “only” 3 x £12k vs 3x£5.7k, but the bad news is it’s 6 black boxes to accommodate/cable…
Yes and no. It’s a trivial point but as Blythe wrote it’s 6 x 350 just like it was 6 x 135 which is why that was referred to by all and sundry as a “six pack”.
I am currently having a 332/300/250 system on loan from my dealer to perhaps replace my 252dr/250dr.
Listening experience:
- I mainly listen to vinyl. The differences I notice are minor. Some more grip on the low end, less harsh in the highs perhaps.
- The digital side is another story. One of the reasons I hardly listen to my nd5xs2, is that I find the experience too much of a difference to my vinyl sessions. Too hooked and harsh, narrow field. In the demo set I have, this is almost all gone. Even at low volume, I find the experience very relaxed, open, controlled.
- It has a headphone out. Not too overwhelmed with that one on my ZMF headphones, but that could be my brand and perhaps it works better on others. For mine, I would prefer to keep using my BeyerDynamic amp.
- The remote…zigbee… oh boy. Not a listening experience, but a big minus for me. We use harmony here for turning on the beamer, lowering the screen, changing the input on the 252 to av, turning on the av amp and apple tv, all with one button. That won’t work anymore (unless this can be fixed on the NAS with Homebridge or something). This might turn out to be more of a discussion than the money
- Listening experience: no transformer hum!!! I didn’t think this was possible, very nice!
Overall, a very airy, open, detailed first impression from me, for what that’s worth.
How much of the improvement in streaming do you think is due to the NPX 300?
What would be due to any of the components is a more valid question I guess. The nd5xs2 is still operating on its own with its own internal ps. The rest is a comparison of a whole line swap of pre/ps/amp. Hard to tell which changes what no?
What’s the price ratio between ND5XS2 vs. Rega P8/Apheta 3/Aria MK3?
The ND5XS2 is £2.5k whereas the P8/Apheta3/Aria is close to £4k
I guess I wondered if you have tried the NAC 332 without the NPX 300 connected.
Would be very interesting to read your findings if you do listen with/without the NPX300.
However, if you are anything like me, you will probably think ‘I don’t care - I have paid for both and will always listen to both!’.
Just read your post again - you have them on loan so the % benefit of adding the NPX300 will be worthwhile for you as it means spending/avoiding £5,700!
I will be trying it without the 300. However, I am offered a pretty good trade in deal.