The Naim New Classic Range - Part 2

If the NAC 332 is self powered then does it benefit from DR?

Hi @Devraj

Good question ref the 332 and internal transformer.

The 332 was designed ground-up with the mindset that:
A. Some users want to reduce box count in their system.
B. They want an upgrade route to push their investment to the next level.
C. It should have all the convenience of a Uniti system, so volume control, input selection, standby etc are the same as an integrated system. Remove the legacy limitations of an analogue hifi system. Usability with modern streaming services is a very important factor.
D. We still need to make it class leading design when in standalone mode,

The end result was that with the 332 we inherently engineered it to hit the performance criteria and have an internal power supply. However, we still stand by our statement that moving the power supply out externally is the next step and hence why the 300 series power supply is the upgrade route and then the internal psu is fully bypassed/dead

The 332 is a mix of statement pre tech, 222 tech and various other tech and design techniques that we have built up over the years. If we took a traditional Naim preamp design and threw a mains psu in the box, it wouldn’t perform. It took us nearly 3 years for a good reason :sunglasses:

Best regards

Steve Harris
Software Director
Naim Audio Ltd.

29 Likes

The big question is, does it out perform a 52/252 without/with the power supply?

Your requirements list seem a bit conflicting when getting the best from the unit

1 Like

In what way, do you mean?

In a world where it is difficult to please everyone all of the time.

I prefer pleasing some people some of the time

In any case I will get a demo for the full 300 series and hear for myself

1 Like

The NAC332 benefits from DR when the NPX300 is connected to it. I believe that the internal supply uses Naim’s selected monolithic regulation.

6 Likes

Thank you for your informative and helpful comments about the New Classic range, I find them really valuable.

I am interested to read you have a system where your 222 has two power supplies, I considering a second NPX300 for my 222 and I am wondering how much of a jump in SQ it brings to the system. Would it be better to get another 300 before or after upgrading my 250DR to an NC250 in your opinion? My initial plan was to get the NC250 and buy the hoped-for phono stage which has now arrived. Now I am wondering which order of buying would make the most sense.

He doesn’t say that, if you read it again.

Good afternoon Steve and thanks for your support on the discussion.
I have 2 main doubts:
-without external psu it is not dr regulated ?
-with the external psu how many powered rails are you reaching? Same as 252?
Thanks a lot

Still nothing from the Australian distributor. I begin to wonder why. Changes afoot?

Have no idea they were quick to discount the old classics and listed details/price for the new 200 series. Maybe they feel there’s no rush as it’ll months before it (300 series) arrives here I suppose.

2 Likes

re. the internal PS, see my post above.

Anything else new coming from Naim at Munich? Yes/No/Can’t Say

Well, let’s see now… we have the New Classic Range 300 Series - NAC332, NSS333, NVC-TT, NPX-TT, and NAP350s, and also the NAIT 50. But you want more…? :wink:

9 Likes

We always want more, Richard :blush:

10 Likes

Well 110db rather teasingly stated a couple of days ago - “There is one more very small ‘easter egg’, a rather serendipitous one. I give it a day or so :slight_smile:

Or maybe I’ve just got the wrong end of the stick.

1 Like

Absolutely ultimately the DAC chip used is a small part of the SQ, what you sit it on, and room treatment might make significant differences.
amazing how many conclusing are been made before anyone here has demo’d the equipment never mine a proper demo in your own home with a burned in & settled system.

I fully expect these (3xx series), like the first wave of new classics to be a step up on previous offering and I really wish them all the best with these and any further products

2 Likes

Hopefully Naim will have the New Classic Range on show at the North West Audio Show 17 - 18 June 2023.

1 Like


My new NPX 300 is built in Salisbury. Is the other units in the 300 serie made in Salisbury too?

Probably like the 200 Series where some are made in Salisbury and some are made in the EU.

1 Like