The Naim New Classic range - Part 1

Well done Naim again.
After 50 years I’m sure almost the whole world is aware of Naim and it’s heritage.
Although, as an observation. The heat sink side design could cause some confusion for potential buyers more used to this being a form follows function solution.
A close look inside the casework reveals no output devices connected to the “heat sink” so obviously the design is more cosmetic rather than functional.
This could put off some for paying a premium for buying a product that is somewhat superfluous in design than what needn’t be.

It would sound great but and expensive upgrade for an Atom HE. Good if you desire a more power to drive hungry speakers. Some will take this route as a ‘stepping stone’ upgrade. e.g.

1 Start with Atom HE
2 Add a 250 as a first upgrade
3 Then add an NSC 222 as a future upgrade and move the Atom to a second zone (Atom and 222 will work in a multi-room system)

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The finned side casing is a design continuation from the very successful Solstice high end offering.

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Standard upgrade with all the New Classic Range….

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Fixed it for you!

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The NPX 300 has everything it needs to power the nDAC. Not sure if it is one combination we have tested. I will find out tomorrow when I’m back in the Lab.

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Or maybe…

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Pre-orders will according to my dealer, for my NSC unit, be around 8-12 weeks hence. If new orders are better than planned - demand for Atom HE far outstripped initial projections - lead times may well stretch. I imagine Naim have stockpiled parts, but supply chains further down the line are still likely very unpredictable and unlikely to improve in the near future. Good demand, which we all hope emerges, may extend delivery of course.
I think much will depend on dealers willingness to forward order when they had the chance. My dealer had me down for an ex-dem 250, but when they called earlier, offered me the chance of a matched 250, which they had ordered, anticipating I would succumb. I like the new design, but the new connections were a strong incentive; I like new and old classic.

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I think you’d love a peek into the r&d bat cave/dem room. They certainly used to deafen us upstairs in the IT dept with 30 second blasts of Ed Sheeran and Doves, and the occasional excerpts from Brothers in arms.

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So, in summary, a 555dr CAN power the new streamer but with a new cable that splits at the streamer end to the 2 burndy inputs from the single output on the 555dr? In other words a new Y shaped burndy for legacy power supplies.

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Although the table mentions the NPX300 can’t power the NDS, would this be possible using Burndy option 3 with the NDS in single Burndy configuration (link plug in NDS Burndy socket 2) ?

Seems to me that green is a bit too “sweet”…if I can find a light, i’ll rush to the exit…now where did I put my coat?

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Do tell more. From what I read @Cymbiosis was very impressed with the new 250 as well.

Thank you @sound-hound. Well I have been waiting 15 months, so a little bit longer will not hurt, too much. I will be purchasing the 222 and 300. Looking forward to this combo with ATC 40 actives. :blush:

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You’ve been very patience in your wait @NoNaim. I’m sure you will love it, and Richard will be very pleased that he won’t need to moderate you anymore :stuck_out_tongue_winking_eye:

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image

I have asked for the support of the local Flower Arrangement Committee:

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Thanks Robert for the thought. Yep tempting - next best thing, full active S600s here set up by JG, with a solid walled room. I won’t mention the two pairs of S400s or the mint lightly used N-Sat + stands, I grabbed from my dealer before he could advertise them. Qb in an outbuilding. Interestingly I have just had crossovers refurbished for my original speakers bought in 1975 - one other speakers, then SBLs > S600s.

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This is good news since there should be lots of good 2nd hand Naim stuff on the market when this new stuff starts to ship.

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We probably all hone in on what we want to hear but what exactly are referring to that the 300DR possesses that its illustrious next level up doesn’t?

.sjb

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Now that the dust is settling, my summary is that I very much like the way the range is evolving and simplifying. The aesthetics will be a question of taste, but I think they are a natural evolution of the Uniti and Solstice, which I do like.

The big takeaway for me is the NPX 300, as it will the one power supply to power them all, which significantly simplifies the previous mix of power supplies, burndies and mis-match of boxes. The 300 series streamer and pre-amp (combined or two boxes, replacing the 282 and 252) will be one to watch for, along with the possibility of mono blocks to replace the NAP 300. Certainly, the NPX 300 is a big step up in simplifying the upgrade path for people entering the Naim pathway.

The 222 is pretty much what everyone was looking forward to, and the on-board phono stage is another winner for reducing the box count. The streamer module is the one we all know, and given how good it is, that’s a good thing. And no doubt future proofed for some good software upgrades this year.

The 250, well what’s not to like? More of what is already a classic amp for good reason. I’m not familiar with the XLR thing, but again, it seems to simply a lot of connections between units.

Disclaimer: My gear is not going anywhere.

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