The Naim New Classic Range - Part 2

Sorry, yes, 332, still getting used to the new numbering convention.

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Waiting impatiently for the 332 here as well.

Demo complete and highly satisfactory. Taking a few days but currently inclined to keep the 250DR and avail myself of the Naim cabling offer. But I may weaken and take the NC250 as well. Need to commit before the 300 series is available for demo :thinking: :money_with_wings:

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Hold out. The 300 looks as though it is worth waiting for.

Waiting patiently for the NAC 332 here.

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Apologies in advance if this has been covered before. For those who have the current 3 boxes (NPX300, NSC222 and NC250) if they have the funding and either just want to or believe there is a SQ improvement to be gained by moving to NSS333 and NAC332 which box will they connect NPX300 to - NSS333 or NAC332. Appreciate the vast majority of forum members will not have heard any of these as yet due to non availability of demo boxes but what is the perceived preference.

If they have only one NPX300, then such a person could try connecting to one and then after listening for a while connect to the other. Then decide which they prefer.

At the moment it’s entirely guess work to know which will sound better, unless @110dB already knows the answer. Of course he may well be on holiday and not watching this thread.

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Therein lies the beauty of the 272 or 222, you don’t have to make a choice :wink:

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Given that 272/555/300 was a proven configuration tempted to think about 222/npx 300/2x350.

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The correct answer is to purchase a second NPX300 :wink:

One dealer I spoke to said those monoblocs would be wasted on a 222, based on listening to the 222 with various amps and where they placed 222 against classic hierarchy. And if you have speakers which require the monoblocs to drive them then they are likely at a price point which deserve a better source than 222.

Your dealer’s opinion may vary, especially if you offer to spend 12 grand. The 222 into monoblocs would likely sound excellent.

The 222/300/250 seems the logical partnership, and would be the replacement for 272/PSU/300DR. Having owned a 272 we can confidently say the Gen2 streaming module is comprehensively better (shared between NDX2/NSC222/NS333).

All the dealers I spoke to said the 250 is the best bit of the new range so far.

The monoblocs are not a direct replacement for 300DR, they are expected to be a good bit better (as the price indicates). As many here have already indicated the new 250 is [close to/at (* delete 1 based on listening tests)] 300DR level of performance.

Based on what multiple dealers have told me if we do decide to upgrade the next step for us would likely be the monoblocs into new speakers.

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Think it was Stevesky, Naim staff, that said they were running that combination at home with some PMC Fact 12’s. Whilst not for me, if your speakers would benefit from the extra control and power it’s worth a demo at least to scratch the itch.

Same here, waiting for the 332

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Waiting? Down in Australasia we are waiting for a distributor. Silence since May.

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The Naim New Classics have brought forth a new dimension of simplicity in design. Nevertheless, they also present a quandary when deliberating the optimal 4-box system: the 222/NPX300/350’s or the 332/333/350’s. Opting for the latter, allows you to bid farewell to dedicated power supplies.

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Why 4 boxes?

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I was replying to the previous comment regarding the appeal of the old classic 4-box system, which consisted of 272/555/300. With the new classics, there are now two distinct options for a 4-box system, and the Naim Graphic Design department also sees the aesthetic appeal of a 4 box setup from its website and promotional material. It will also be interesting to observe if one option is clearly superior to the other.

:grin:

As if!! Anyone purchasing a 332,333 and 350 will never be able to resist adding the PSs long term. The lure of the upgrade is crazy strong. I’m in its grips right now!

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