Had a couple of demos this week, thinking about whether to keep my NAP300DR with my 222/300 or go three box with NC 250 or add the 350s. Both options sounded superb, although to my ears, I felt the 222/300 didn’t get the best out of the 350s ( I tried a dCS Rossini direct to 350s and they sang). Considering the trade in on the 300DR it would be close to 9K to upgrade and I didn’t feel the jump from my current amp was sufficient. I could happily add in the NC 250 for three box simplicity, but, you know, I think I’m just going to leave things be - the 300DR is a great amp.
17 Likes
Very interesting Marq. I have the same set up (although with a 555PS rather than 300PS) and was wondering whether I should go down that route. The 300DR is indeed a superb amp though.
Yes, it was curious, just not a big enough jump with the 222 as the source and this was through 30k PMC speakers. My theory is the strength of the 222 is on the pre-amp side, a good turntable through the 222 may have been a different story - just conjecture though.
333 on home demo for a week … will be interesting comparing with the nDAC source I’m currently using. Expecting it to be different of course, but how much? …
17 Likes
Question on automation cable setup with the 333, I had assumed there’d be an optical cable included with the 333 that would go from the remote out to the remote in on the 332, but it looks like neither come with those cables, they’re only included with the 350s? So I have four boxes with two automation cables?! Cheers
Edit … feeling a bit stupid 
Hi @Sinewave. Your original thread is closed but I wondered if you got your auto standby working on your NC 250 in the end ?
@james_n - Hi mate - it had to go back to Salisbury for a fix. Rapid turnaround - couple of weeks I think?
1 Like
wonder if anyone has tried x2 555pd on the new pre? when i did this to my nds the difference is astonishing
Never mind, I was being stupid … cable not needed 
Cheers 
You don’t need cables to connect the 333 to the 332. Those 2 cables are used to connect te 332 to the power amps. To connect streamer and preamp first setup the streamer. Then launch to focal/naim app. Go to system automation and follow the instructions.
Thank you, yes realised that in the end! … RTFM 
Another question
The screen, is there a way to keep it displaying the current track? Seems to show it briefly and then go to the album cover only.
Thanks
1 Like
Please keep us posted on the nDac vs 333!
2 Likes
Will do, trying not to make any judgments yet as the 333 had been powered off completely for 24 hours. Tomorrow will be interesting
Nope unfortunately
Got my second NPX300 today and connected to NSS333 so now both streamer and preamp have a PSU.
Once connected and even though the brand new PSU was very cold to the touch, the SQ improvement was immediately apparent. The main difference seems to be an increase in clarity. I thought the bass was good before it is now even more tuneful. Voices seem to be better separated and nuanced.
In fact, I would say that ‘more nuanced’ may be the best way of describing the change. An example is the bass on the track ‘Bye bye blackbird’ by Van Morrison on his ‘Versatile’ album. The double bass starts and sounds deeper than I recall from 2 days ago. The timbre of the trombone sounds realistic to me as does what I think is a flute.
The piano and guitar parts are very well delineated and can be followed easily. A great sounding CD rip!
Van’s voice can sometimes sound a bit shouty on some recordings but the addition of the NPX300 gives more insight to the inflections within his voice. Very pleased with the upgrade so far!
8 Likes
Thanks, I thought that might be the case 
I went through every setting on the app and the box itself and didn’t see anything. I don’t really understand it, that’s the useful info, especially when listening to unfamiliar albums, and they’ve implemented it, all it would take is an extra option in the display setting. When I pressed play for the first time my reaction was “Oh that’s nice” … for about 3 seconds
1 Like
I know, it’s very poor and could easily be addressed, it’s only been like that for about 6 years! It would take a firmware update but they’re few and far between these days, i’m surprised it was not addressed with the launch of the 333.
Well, you have that info in the Naim app, so I suppose they felt no need to duplicate.