In my opinion, they work very well without externa power.
I have a ”space” limit of 4 boxes. I auditioned the 250 and an external power for either 333 or 332 and compared it to the two 350s and no external power. For me, the 350 combo won with quite some margin. That’s how good I think 333 and 332 work without external power…
A year ago my main system was similar to yours. NDX2/XPSDR, SN3/HCDR, Spendor A7.
I went down the 2nd hand OC route: NAC252/SCDR and NAP 300DR.
I can tell you it was a very worthwhile upgrade even with the Spendors. Adding the Kudos 606 came afterward and was another big upgrade.
I know you have limitations on space, so this route is likely not viable without a big reshuffle of your listening room. I say this because I’m not sure you’re going to get a significant upgrade without more boxes unless you move away from naim.
In truth an upgrade within the parameters you have described as has been suggested might mean maxing out the sources you have which will definitely feel like an upgrade whilst keeping the things you really like so on top of the ND555 that has been suggested that P9 of yours really deserves a better cartridge and a separate small profile phono stage would also really make that P9 shine.
If a new phono stage isn’t appealing then either a new Rega ND7 or either the Audio Technica VM740 ML, VM750 SH or the VM760SLC all of which have interchangeable/replaceable styli and won’t break the bank.
Good luck and most of all enjoy the experience upgrading done wrong can be anything but.
Anyway an upgrade to ND7 element for your Rega will be great. I have a SN3 with Rega P3 50th anniversiry and replaced Excact for ND7. Great! I have Spendors 2/3s by the way.
Success! Fransbert
I am keeping the SN3 and love its SQ with the HCDr.
I gave up on a better headphone amp for my Utopia headphones. I thought long and hard about this, but given the issues and the fact that u don’t use my headphones more than a few times month, it does not seem appropriate. If I start to use them more frequently, I can return to the issue.
Several people have asked me to identify what is lacking and truly I struggle with that.
The series 200 streaming preamp would give reduced streaming quality says my dealer. The series 300 components would require me to use a remote and I don’t do well with remotes given my disabilities. I like the fact that I can adjust volume when streaming which is very important. Streaming account for at least 80% of my listening.
Logically I have concluded there is no reason to upgrade at this time. I think I have taken my system long way and maybe as far as I can. Upgrading just for irs own sake, is probably fool hardy.
Looking at what you have currently, it’ll cost you a boat load of cash to improve your already really great setup. Sit back and enjoy is the best advice that was given to me and I’ll pass it along to you. Sometimes the best upgrade is to do nothing!
@marcusman Thanks. My dealer feels that only going to a series 300 system would deliver a huge SQ upgrade that I might want but at a significant cost. It’s not even the cost that is the primary issue, but the fact that I would lose certain ease of operation, given my disabilities, that I currently get with the SN3 and my stream
But always keep the 300 series up your sleeve for the future
I have the 3 box NC’s 333/332/250
Expensive yes but the SQ is quite amazing . And most importantly very simple to operate via an iPhone or iPad , no need for the remote supplied, I’ve left those unpacked
@Bevo when I first went to the dealer, I thought I would pick a very basic Naim system. XS3 integrated. Naim CD player and entry level focal speakers. Prior to Naim
I had a Rega system that got trashed from home renovation. I had no thought of the SN3, no thought of headphones and certainly no experience with streaming. I have no idea what next year might bring, but for now, doing nothing more is fine for a while.
Presumably you currently use system automation to control your Supernait volume using the Naim app. If you change the Supernait for a 332 you can do the same as long as you use a system automation cable to connect it to your NDX2. In both cases, you will have + and - buttons to adjust the volume up and down.
If you use a 333 streamer with a 332 preamp, you no longer need the system automation cable connecting them, and you have the choice of a slider or + and - buttons.
What headphones would you view as clearly “better” than the Focal Utopias? I can understand not liking the sound if it’s not what you’re after, or the ergonomics if they don’t fit your head/ears, but it’s not clear to me that there’s a “better” set of cans at the premium, $5K, price point?
@Middle It’s not the headphones I might change. If I find myself using them more frequently—as I currently use them infrequently, I might want a better headphone amp then is in my SN3. When i use them they are very good.
