The Naim New Classic range - Part 1

One point I have noticed about the 300 :dark_sunglasses:
I have previously owned a XPS DR and 555 DR. Both hummed loudly, when connected to my mains supply and the XPS liked to blow fuses on power up. The hum was so bad, due to my seating position, that I had to invest in a D.C. blocker. It stopped the hum :+1:
However, the 300 has so far not blown any fuses and is as quiet as a mouse :mouse:.
Oh, and it seems to make a nice enhancement to the 222 :blush:

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@NoNaim if you donā€™t mind me asking which DC blocker did you use? I have a similar problem, cheers Gary

I believe it was mentioned earlier in this thread the the process of manufacturing the transformers had changed for the new series. Also the way they are bolt down to the chassis and the position of the transformer in the chassis has changed.

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@Garydod The D.C. blocker was a MCRU Excelsior Mk2.

Thatā€™s my experience too. I replaced my XPS-2 (which had a constant hum and a tendency to blow fuses) with the new 300 power supply last week. It does not hum and in terms of sound quality it is a considerable step up.

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Richard, many thanks for your efforts as allways!

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Well, all I can say is that Naim have done a very good job :+1::ok_hand::blush:

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:sunglasses::sunglasses::sunglasses:

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@Garydod I just remembered, that I the blowing fuses, was particular to the XPS. The 555 never blew a fuse, but I put this down to the higher rated internal fuse in the 555. I have seen other XPS owners on here with blowing fuses. I changed the XPS for the 555, no more blowing fuses, but more hum. This is when I bought the Excelsior and the hum was reduced to a level that was not noticeable, besides sticking my ear next to the 555 :+1:

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Too late to delete that post now Mike :cowboy_hat_face:
Maybe reword it to ā€œEverything I own was at least made down the road in Salisburyā€!
Letā€™s hope things remain as weā€™d all like them to be. Worst case we can all defect to Linn and pay over the odds for the ā€œMade in Scotlandā€ badge on their stuff :face_with_open_eyes_and_hand_over_mouth:

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My guess would be the new NVC-TT external phono option will be available with a separate PSU option too.

So it can be used with Naim legacy systems and other brands.

My hope is such a PSU option might also be used for other equipment. Like a HiCap.

We have to wait and see :wink:

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Sent an email to my local dealer requesting a comparison
i) between my 202/Hi Cap (instead of my no Naim PSU)/stageline/DSD Dac
ii) NSC222

My Dac and the 222 acting as Roon endpoints, and an LP12 Majik to compare phone stages, will be at least mid Feb, need a couple of DSD digital tracks to compare, I have a small library. I am in no great rush, will be a few weeks before I can make the purchase.

The 222 can be upgraded with the 300 as a minimum, my 250-2, could be upgraded all long term.

You could also use your existing DAC as either a digital or analogue source to the NSC 222.
Out of interest what exactly is your existing DAC?

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Arghhh. My dealer is giving me much more than I expected on trade for my 250DR so I will be picking up a New Classic 250 this weekend.

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Thatā€™s interesting, I thought itā€™d be the opposite right now. Look forward to your opinions.

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Thereā€™s not as much Naim Gear here in the US so Iā€™m sure that helps. I figured Iā€™d jump now as things could change in the next few months

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I think itā€™s the opposite here I believe thereā€™s a bit of unsold stock that the distributor hasnā€™t been able to shift.

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Managed to get my first listen of the NSC222 with NPX300 this morning. Power amp was 500DR (wanted 300dr but there wasnā€™t one available) comparison was dCS Bartok straight to the 500. I found the comparison very close, the Bartok more detailed, slightly leaner, the NSC222 somewhat richer tonally, great low end bass control. It seemed a very accomplished product and congratulations to Naim - could happily live with either, decision, decisions.

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So true. Guess thereā€™s now a classic 250Dr out in the wild.

That sounds pretty impressive considering the Bartok is double the price of the NSC222.
And I am making this comment as someone who owned a Bartok and currently owns a Rossini APEX.
OBVIOUSLY running through my 552/500 :grin:

Best
Gregg

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