The Naim New Classic range - Part 1

I’m waiting on what comes next for the SN3

If the NC’s are far too expensive here I’m prepared to do something about it should I wish to reduce box count

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Funny I never consider the SNs for some strange reason maybe I might in the future.

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I’ve got the SN3 here in Balmain with the HICapDr

It’s not too bad at all and I treat it as the heart of the system feeding

Digital - CD5XS/NDX2/XPS2

Analogue - LP12ARO/Superline phono/ SCDR/Armageddon PS

It does the job nicely with the small Neat Petite 30 anniversaries :+1:

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Wonder if it’d drive my much bigger Neats.

Nope not yours I don’t think, you wouldn’t be getting the best out of those speakers . I have the neat XLS ‘s down south and Bob the owner of Neat said whilst it could drive them it would be an absolute minimum and not getting the best result

It’s going to be very interesting to see what happens with the next generation of integrated’s if there is going to be one

If the wattage is increased to say 100 watts (like the NC250) then that’s a different matter and might put the cat amongst the pigeons as they say

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Be careful. Those spiders are from mars.

So when the 300 series breaks cover are we going to have a new thread or another 6,000 posts?

Think this can just keep going but I’m sure others may have a different opinion.

This is why we rushed to finish classic system last year.

nDAC was used (obviously). Supercap was mint ex demo, under 12 months. NDX2, 252, 555PSDR, 300DR were new with trade ins and discounts.

The upcoming new classic equivalents will definitely sound better, but at a large increase in spend based on pricing rumours.

We made a call that the discounts available on discontinued/soon to be discontinued kit meant the VFM of a classic system at 252/300 level was preferable to holding on then spending a fortune on new classic.

Not regretting that decision at all.

The fact 222 (and hence likely 333) are using same streaming board as NDX2 means that over next few years any changes or new services are likely to be available to NDX2.

We might upgrade to new classic 333/332/300 in the future but we can sit back for a few years now.

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After 3 months of burning in I consider the sound of my 222 as stable. The power cable still is an interesting challenge because the 222 is extremely sensitive. An expensive Chord Sarum T sounded technically the best but sucked too much Naim signature out of the sound. Supra and Wireworld was a bit in between but nothing compared to the standard Naim cable. Maybe less resolution but uncluttered Naim.

Yesterday I had a wonderful idea: why not do exactly what Naim advises? So I moved the Naim 222 from between the speakers to the right, against the side wall. The Naim Powerline Lite directly in the (dedicated) wall socket, thus avoiding 1 power block and an extra cable (my Neumann KH420’s don’t mind at all). Ofcourse I had to replace the pricey Atlas Mavros XLR’s with 5 metre Mogami’s. So the placing of the 222 could be considered as an improvement but the interlinks were worse.

The result is staggering. The sound is full blooded Naim with all the details and resolution I want, even with the Mogami’s. I really don’t know why. But I think the hefty reaction of the 222 for everything around it asks for the perfect Naim approved placement. For me the nice side effect is that I can sell my Atlas Mavros XLR’s. The first 1000 euro or so for the 300 I guess…

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I find the 222 sensitive in this regard too (should I say, grateful) and in my experience worth selecting a quality appropriate mains cable for it. After trying a couple I ended up with a Shunyata - lovely rich musicality and good match for me.

An impossible equation if you want the very best SQ

i think you might be waiting a while for that mate, Naim do what they do with 50 years experience.

they might be able to do it in 100 years time but probs not worth waiting that long!lol

@Bevo - that’s a great system and I’m sure the SN3 is more than playing its part. As long as the SN3 isn’t given demanding speakers, it’s delivers. Fabulous bit of kit.

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SN-3 on its own here with Kudos X3s and no lack of power or slam in this house. :+1:t2:

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Maybe you could visit us on the What are you listening to thread @HuubF
Would love to know what music you’re playing :sunglasses:

No, it’s not, there are companies doing it now.

A 300 series streaming preamp is no major leap in Naim tech. They could do it if they had the bandwidth for dev and production.

“Companies” yes, but not Naim…

That’s fine, Naim will evolve or die like any other company.

it wouldnt sound like Naim though dude, not sure if you have noticed but peeps like the way it sound round here

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