Pretty amazing a 282/HicapDR/250DR could sound better since there’s no source🥁
Jokes aside… I think it will be hard for the 222 to match an NDX2 into a good preamp. Especially with it’s own power supply.
From my brief listening to the 222/300/NC250, it was quite a bit better than the 272/XPS/250DR.
However, the NC250 is absolutely stunning with my 252/SupercapDR.
Ha! I had heard it both with ND5 XS2 and with NDX2, with and without a power supply. Even with ND5 XS the old kit was better.
I am sure the new 250 is great with your 252/Supercap. Enjoy!
Rather curious why you would go NC 250 instead of the natural partner 300DR? While it seems the new 250 is a step above the 250DR, it seems more like a sideways move to me? I would have thought 300DR or it’s eventual replacement would be the more logical move?
As others have said, once you get above 250 level the fan is standard and, unless your listening room is very hot to begin with, it will only turn on when the music is loud, and so is unlikely to be intrusive.
I have a 250DR and am interested in upgrading to a used 300DR. My working assumption is that the new 250 is likely to be better than the current 250, but not likely to seriously challenge the 300. But as one of my annoyances about the 250 has always been that it (very occasionally) shuts down at high volumes, the addition of a fan to Naim’s latest and greatest single box power amp gives me pause.
#4 will likely not be used
Having owned and heard so many Naim components over the years, I expect the new series to be an evolution of what Naim started doing with the nDAC first and then with the DAC-V1, the new Uniti and the mot recent components of the old Classic series. Greater speed, different (in many cases better) interpretation of the sound message, more fidelity on different frequencies and musical instruments, more separation, more controlled bass.
On the other hand, however, this new course has slightly changed the typical Naim character that was present in the previous series: that is, a less refined but very pleasant sound, some distortions and noise that made it unique in its kind, less controlled bass but never completely free or rude more powerful presence.
In my personal opinion, the new productions boast a more “correct” timbre than the previous ones, but at the cost of losing (but not entirely, and Naim has done a great job here) that sound signature that has characterized Naim for so many years and which perhaps came from JV’s (and his colleagues at that time) taste/ears/compromise and the need to make the speakers available at that time play.
Of course it is always a matter (or a compromise) of taste and fidelity.
My 2cent!
had the same conversation with my dealer yesterday, I used a car comparsion get into a car from the same year as 272 and one today the tech increase is huge so I would expect the same with 272 vs NC222
My choice to go for NC250 over 300DR was simple. Box count. Am limited in space and cannot fit in yet another power supply. Sadly, the only drawback with Naim for me.
Yesterday had the opportunity to compare the 222/250 vs SN3/NDX2 with Dynaudio Confidence 20 speakers supported by Audioquest Niagara 5000 and Audioquest William Tell speaker cables.
Both setups sounded great. Both system showed great rhythm and pace.
The new classic revealed more details and a bit more punch, while the SN3/NDX2 showed a wider soundstage with more integration between the instruments. The new classic sounded a bit more analytical versus a bit more relaxed (and forgiving) on SN3/NDX. Played a variety of music styles and recordings (Roger Waters/Luis Armstrong/Pollini/Diana Krall/Miles Davis).
Comparing the new classic to my current Linn setup I would position it sound (signature) wise in the middle. Liked both systems, but decided to go for SN3/NDX2 which suits my preferences best.
Thanks winkelmr , greatly appreciated
Does the 222 had the NPX300 power supply? And since how many days it was running?
Don’t think so Akron by the looks of it
But neither does the SN3/NDX2 have the XPSDR PS
So apples with apples as best can
Thanks, I’m expecting the NDX2 to be a superior device than a all-in-one solution like NSC222. Also NDX and SN3 means two separate power supplies for pre-amplification and streaming board. It would be interesting to compare SN3/NDX2 with NSC222 powered by the NPX300, I think the differences will more subtle.
I’m not sure that is the comparison. Most on here will already own the multibox and not be buying from having empty shelves to stack something on. I can’t see me ( or my dealer) doing a straight swap of existing boxes for the nc ones.
I agree. I had a CB 250 and it needed a fan. It would trip out liatening at fairly high volumes. The 135s have fans and have never tripped out. I never notice the fan noise. The music needs to be loud for it to kick in and I think it make s sense for new 250 to have a fan as it is more powerful than ever.
I’m fully agreeing with you saying that for whom has already a multibox solution, will not have any SQ lift if not a slightly different sound characteristics.
I think this NC serie is conceived towards whom is coming from the Unitis (Atom/Star/Nova) or the SI or XS series, so a direct replacement of the NAC N 272.
For whom is coming from a combination of previous classic series, I’m sure they will not feel the need to switch to the new NC series at the moment. At least not before other components will be released (NSC333 and NAP300?).
Hi fellow naim members,
I setup my NSC 222 and nap 250. But there’s no sound.
I did try different sources (radio, bluetooth, tidal) and I think it is setup correctly, the room on naim app also looks like it is working.
Only issue seems like the audio timer doesn’t tick properly on the app.
Did anybody else have an issue with sound not coming out, or had to fiddle?
Thanks,
Have you tried to disconnect and re-connect the power cord from both the NSC222 and NAP250 to let them to fully startup again? It may be a temporary software glitch. Try also to use the “reset” button on both units, following instruction manual.
Interesting the thoughts coming through now on the new classic versus the current line up. I spoke to two dealers who thought the NSC222 with NPX300 gave the NDX2 and 282 a good run. Not better but different. I did my comparison to a Bartok and thought the 222/300 was better to my ears 
. Everyone has different perspectives, budgets to consider, biases to work through.
Makes perfect sense, myself listening to a mix of “new” and “old” Naim sound (Atom HE + SN3). May be combining the Classic and NC wouldn’t be a bad idea at all (just add a bit of permanent marker for the lights!), where a bit of the taste of both is preferred. I do seem to like it more than just the old classic sound as I commented above and although the 222+300PSU does not make sense to me at the combined price point, it would be key what the 222 does on its own.