Yesterday I had a very useful demo session with one of HiFi dealers in my area. 3 systems were reviewed for comparison with same 5 tracks (selected by myself) used for listening to each system.
Systems:
222 powered by 300 into NC250 into Kudos 20A. This is what I have at home.
333 powered by 300 into 332 into NC250 into Kudos 20A
Linn DSM Select Edition with 2 x stereo cards with Organik DAC fitted into Kudos 20A (driven Active)
Quick summary.
The 5 tracks were listened to using system 1 to set my ears and confirm sound is pretty much as I recalled from home. Suffice to say all was good and sounded familiar.
We then moved to system 2 and repeated the tracks. The difference was noticeable immediately on track one. I described it as much more resolved. Still very good but as @Mark63 intimates above potentially a little bright. The other tracks had a similar feel in that I could hear more individual notes but it felt different, definitely a sense of being brighter. Would need some time listening to see if it was what I really wanted.
We then moved to system 3. I must confess I was expecting a bright sharp presentation (based on previous reading/hearsay) but was very pleasantly surprised. It was warmer than expected, but still retaining an improved resolution to that of system 1. To me it had better resolution of notes than system 1 but had retained some of the coherence that I liked from system 1.
Decision time now. I was intrigued by the Linn system, was the presentation down to the Organik DAC or was it because we were driving the speakers in an active mode. I donāt know, what I do know is that I enjoyed the presentation and feel I like it. The Linn system also has the advantage of being a one box solution which is something that Mrs O would prefer over the 3 box option currently in use at home and definitely prefer over an increase to 4 boxes aka system 2. Its also a bit odd that if an upgrade is agreed when consider trade in etc it is very likely (TBC by dealer when they provide first stab figures) that the Linn system will cost less than the Naim 4 box system 2. Anyway back at home now with System 1 and it is not at all bad - it is not out of the race as yet.
These are my thoughts. The 333 vs ND5XS2 into nDAC.
I donāt have an nDAC. I have ND5XS2 transport into NDS and 555PS (DAC).
I found the 333 bare bright, detailed and very very good.
My 3 box streaming system sounds velvety smooth, fantastic dynamics, expressive soundstage. If I remove the DAC (NDS and 555PS) it sounds bright and tinny in comparison.
I think the 333 needs the power supply to compete with your existing ND5XS2 and nDAC.
Just to say, if you added a 555PS to your nDAC I believe it would sound competitive against a 333 300NPX.
This is my exoerience. Yes itās another box. But maybe worth a try. See if you can demo a 555PS with your current set up.
Hi @PaulDavies and @nitrous , yes of course the dealer needs to eat but quite rightly, he recognises that a sale with a RRP of around Ā£40k allows decent wriggle room. As a purchaser I get to buy significantly better brand new gear than I would should I have to pay full retail price.
The dealer will only agree a discount that he can afford and appreciates my custom over the years. I get a far better discount than many of his other customers - maybe less than some as well.
This sounds like a successful audition and is the way that I approach upgrades - not individual items but rather a potential complete change.
You enjoy your 200 series but are not convinced by the 300 series. The Linn option however, gives you an appreciable improvement over your 200 series. This points to a complete system change to the Linn or stay as you are.
Assuming your dealerās āfirst stabā figures are acceptable, a home trial of the Linn is the next logical step.
Hi @Bjm yes totally agree, I have some very nice HiFi by having a good dealer and agreeing deals that we are both happy with. It makes me wonder how many people discuss the price and actually try to negotiate? It is possible the current prices put a lot of people off even discussing this in a shopā¦ā¦.
They have very different presentations. The 333 is good but different.
We didnāt find any difference compelling enough for a change. In fact we preferred current setup. We could move in an ND555 for say 5k (+3k from sale of NDX2) and at demo that beats both nDAC and 333 setups.
At the price point of 333/300 there are plenty high end streamer and DAC options. Look at used prices and 14k gets you Pulse into mScaler/Dave for example (with change). Various other hi end DAC options.
Hi Dan, I think the NDS has the same/similar DAC to the nDAC? Iāve had a saved search on eBay for a while for the 555ps as that route has definitely been on my mind. However I decided to complete the base four box 300 set as it makes the most sense long term for me (basically end game) and thereās a definite synergy between them. Iām already adjusting and appreciating the mid range and increased detail. I canāt say Iām hearing new things compared with the nDAC so far, but itās more clear/separated, easier to follow. I know I can easily adjust the treble on my speakers, reduced it as a test last year as an experiment for a week or so but ended up putting it back.
I had a two and a half hour Porcupine Tree session last night, cued up āThe Sky Moves Sidewaysā followed by āUp the Downstairā and just zoned out
So anyway, the deed is done A good deal, and trading in my last two green logos My dealer couldnāt have been more helpful, picking it up this weekend along with the replacement 350s.
Iām really pleased for you, and somewhat jealous . I just couldnāt go there (financially), so settled for 222/250 (for now!). Beginning to run them in and itās certainly a big step up from where I was. Hearing so much more, but my 300 series demo showed me there is even more.
Thank you ā¦ thereās always more! Great to hear that youāre happy with your new boxes! Theyāll continue to improve as they settle in I think the whole new range is really exciting and Iām looking forward to seeing what Naim have in store over the next few years ā¦ even if I canāt go further itās always great to see the amazing systems on here.
@Dan_M itās certainly exciting! Yes will do ā¦ have to go through the whole settling in process again but at least I have a better idea of whatās at the end
Oh and re power supplies ā¦ weāll see, but certainly canāt think about that for a long while!
Congrats on the purchase -my four box system is just about run in and sounding fabulous. Iām ignoring power supply upgraditis at the moment and just enjoying the music.
Same here. After a couple of months the four boxes sound so good that Iām not considering any psu upgrade. Basically itās the end game for me. Btw the NVC TT is great as well.
With the monoblocks sounding the best option by some margin (even without the power supply) at Ā£600 more than the price of the NPX300 + NAP250 the decision was easy for me.
My dealer couldnāt have been more helpful, picking it up this weekend along with the replacement 350s.
. I just couldnāt go there (financially), so settled for 222/250 (for now!). Beginning to run them in and itās certainly a big step up from where I was. Hearing so much more, but my 300 series demo showed me there is even more.
