To 222 or not 222?

Sinewave · January 12, 2023, 2:01pm

282 is a high bar though?

ChrisSU · January 12, 2023, 4:06pm

Try getting a 282 and squeezing it into a box that contains a NAPSC, a Hicap and an NDX2. Do you think it’s going to sound:

a) better

b) the same

c) worse

than it would in its own box?

Ryder35 · January 12, 2023, 4:33pm

In my experience the 272 was no where near the 282 either, as a pre amp.

IainO · January 12, 2023, 5:14pm

272 was definitely below 282 as a pre when we did demo. We compared 272/XPSDR to 282/HCDR and dedicated pre was clearly better.

We then thought “what are we missing”. Expensive thought, meant we ended up with 252/SCDR which is on another level.

If the new NSC222 meets pre performance of a 282 then that’s great engineering by naim in a single box with all the other gubbins.

Cprdam · January 12, 2023, 5:32pm

Of course you can’t expect to reach the level of the Ndx 2. It’s a pre with a headphone amp and a phono and more. If you want to reach level Ndx 2 you will have to wait for further expansion of the Naim range

ElMarko · January 12, 2023, 5:41pm

But there’s no real way to test that so it’s just speculation. I’ve owed Naim all in ones, integrateds, separates, to the top of the classic series. They all have their compromises when it comes to sound quality.

ElMarko · January 12, 2023, 5:43pm

That depends on what it’s attached to. I’ll take my set up all day every day over a NDX2/SN as I’ve found the bigger compromise on SQ is the integrated amp.

Ryder35 · January 12, 2023, 5:49pm

I did test it, back to back demo at home (owned the 272 and compared it to the 282) the difference was obvious

ElMarko · January 12, 2023, 5:51pm

Yeah, but it’s not a test of the preamps. you’re testing a stand alone preamp to a preamp with dac and streaming components.

Ryder35 · January 12, 2023, 5:52pm

No I compared it using the LP 12 I owned at the time

ElMarko · January 12, 2023, 5:54pm

Like I said. It’s not an accurate test.

Ryder35 · January 12, 2023, 5:55pm

Whatever. What I am saying is that the pre on the 272 is not as good as the 282 pre. Not sure why comparing them both with the same source is not a direct comparison

Cprdam · January 12, 2023, 5:57pm

So Naim releases a pre and headphone amp and with a phono card and a streamer that is cheaper than the Ndx 2 and is on the same level. Doesn’t seem very logical to me.

ElMarko · January 12, 2023, 5:59pm

Clearly. You’re comparing a stand alone preamp to a preamp with streaming board and dac and powersupply. What did you expect? The 272 is for streaming, anything else is a compromise so these comparisons are silly at best.

ElMarko · January 12, 2023, 6:04pm

I didn’t make that claim so not sure what you’re on about.

Ryder35 · January 12, 2023, 6:04pm

My last contribution to this but I said

You replied

I provided information on exactly how I tested them as pre amps. Not sure what is so hard to understand.

ElMarko · January 12, 2023, 6:05pm

Yeah, I don’t understand why you can’t understand it’s not a legitimate test of the preamps. Put a streamer, dac, and ps in your 282 then it’s a fair test.

Cprdam · January 12, 2023, 6:08pm

That depends on what it’s attached to you said.

For me always source comes first.

ElMarko · January 12, 2023, 6:12pm

That source doesn’t exist in a vacuum. The 272 is a compromise, the SN is a compromise, I know which I prefer and I value the source first premise but it’s not an absolute law.

Quickben · January 12, 2023, 8:11pm

With my 272/XPS DR/250 DR system, I am off next week to listen to the NC at Acoustica comparing with my current config. Pete’s hypothesis is that swapping for the 222 & NC 250 will be better than my config for relatively low outlay with the trade in of 3 boxes. Option to up the ante with NP 300.

I have an open mind and stapled shut wallet. Let’s see the numbers….