The Naim New Classic range - Part 1

Hi-Fi Corner
4001

And vocals seems more realistic than what heard before with the 272/250.

Vocals with the 272/250 are very good but a little bit more closed, intense but less realistic compared to this new classic series.

Now I’m testing the new rig with a pair of B&W 703 S3, later tomorrow I would try with my reference speakers, the Sonus Faber Guarneri Evolution.

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4002

I have to say I’m hearing also a significant speed improvement.

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4003

Have now tried it with fast and very complex music and it doesn’t miss a beat, it never goes into crisis and it keeps the full body and incredible detail. Truly spectacular

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4004

Looking forward to your thoughts as that is my current setup. What speakers are you driving?

4005

Thank you for your report… I also 272.xpsdr.250dr with focal 1028be and I listened to the new 222.250.300 at an auditorium and I had the same impression as you, more clarity but sometimes it was too much with bw 804d4! Perhaps we should have listened to other speakers. I am very happy with my system but I would like to compare my own…

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4006

B&W 703 S3. Tomorrow I will try with the Sonus Faber Guarneri Evolution.

4007

So you like it then? :slight_smile:

4008

I think it is superior than 272/250DR/XPSDR both as a preamplifier and as a power amp. So more clarity, speed and details but with a lot of musicality and silky sound. As said it is a very good balance.

Of course that doesn’t mean that the old rig is not good. It means we have something different, with a different flavor and technically improved. I like it a lot.

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4009

This just makes me more eager to get my 222/300, hopefully, they will arrive on the predicted arrival date at the beginning of March.

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4010

I think the system hierarchy approach might help reduce the number of comparisons needed here.

If I had a 272, was considering an upgrade, and my local Naim dealer wasn’t too busy to do comparative demonstrations with equipment that I own, I would ask to do this sequence of comparisons

  1. 272 vs 222 into 250 DR
  2. Naked winning preamp v naked winning preamp+300NPX into 250 DR (say, 222 vs 222+300NPX into 250 DR)
  3. Winning preamp+PSU into 250 DR v 250 NC (say, 222+300NPX into 250 DR vs 250 NC)
4011

No doubt all three boxes sound better, why wouldn’t they?

I’d like to hear the comparison b/w the 222 and 272 head to head. So plug the 222 into the 250DR and compare to the 272/250DR. That would give you some insight into how the two streamer amps compare. Likewise a comparison of the 272 plugged into the new 250 v the 222 plugged into the new 250. Then you could do a 222 with 250DR v the 222 with new 250 and that’d tell you how much better the new 250 is compared to the 250DR. Do they have the cables that allow the retro fitting?

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4012

How much does the new 200 series cost in Italy then?:thinking:

4013

The cables allowing connections between the various Classic and New Classic boxes will be available over the next few months. At this stage I think I’ll just get the 222 and connect it to the 555dr via a Y shaped burndy. There was a table chart of the new cables earlier in this thread about 19,000 posts ago.:grinning:

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4014

The 300NPX spec sheet refers to it powering new Naim 200 series sources and preamps - so more than just the 222 combo.

Has anyone heard anything about when an NC 200 preamp is expected?

4015

Anyone who actually knows the answer won’t say because of Naim’s embargo on releasing such information before it’s official release.

So anyone who does answer your question (unless they work for Naim!) is either guessing or relying on rumours.

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4016

Do these new classics work best when powered 24x7 ?

4017

The official importer suggested retail price in Italy is 7.250,00 € (incl. taxes) for each component, so it’s 21,7k € for the full set. They are listed around the web at 7.000,00 / 7.250,00 € and I’m sure every dealer can discount a little bit.

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4018

What I can say having unboxed the sealed packages yesterday evening (thanks to my dealer for a home trial with a NIB set), is that it is sounding very good since at the very first ignition… it is probably less sensitive to the always on tradition respect to the old classic series.

4019

I think the new classic series is technically superior than the 272/250DR/XPSDR thanks to the combination of the upgraded 250 amp and the refined pre-amp. So, for me, it makes no sense to make a comparison of the single units head to head: my feeling, let’s say to test the new 222 with the old 250DR amp, is that you will lose speed and power and you will retain some refinement and details of the new 222, of course with all the new streaming board benefits.

If needed and based on what I’ve heard with this new classic series, I may suggest a step-by-step upgrade path as following:

  • For all those that would like to keep two or three boxes count only, upgrade with 222 first, then the new 250 and finally think about the NPX300;
  • For all the others, I think upgrading with the new 250 first is preferable, you will then decide to wait for a new separates or go with the 222. The new 250 is that good!
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4020

Oh I’m quite happy with rumours and speculation :slightly_smiling_face:

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