Hi, I’m sitting here enjoying Beethoven Violin Concerto #1 (Perlman/Giulini/BPO) and wondering what my best upgrade path might be. Current system is NDX2/XPS/NAC252/SuperCap/NAP250. All power supplies are DR upgrades. Speakers, the oldest part of my system, are Sonus Faber Cremona floorstanders. I sometimes feel higher frequencies are a bit bright, esp. at higher listening volumes. I’m wondering whether a NS333 or better speakers (suggestions?) would be the way to go.
Have you thought of improving the amp side to the 300DR? It could depend on room size but I found the 300DR was a significant improvement over the 250DR. Some have found that the 300 DR is a little too boomy in a small room though. I can’t comment on the source swap though from an NDX2 to the 333. Speakers have a good reputation generally so I’m not sure which speaker you would replace the Fabers with.
I went from SN3/NDX2 to 332/333/NC250. Both systems had requisite power supplies. Huge improvement. However, since I took a different path, I am not sure how useful my comment will be. That not withstanding I think moving to the 333 might be a good start. However sone caution mixing OC with NC.
I note you are flagging the brightness. That might be room rather than kit but I’ll leave that for others.
I wouldn’t rush to change any component though. You might try a 555PS DR on the NDX2, you might try a 300 but I’d be tempted to stick, not twist, at least until you are happy on that brightness point.
As @bruss who replied, I would suggest Nap 300dr. Last time I heard the Cremona, they come alive with lots of power. It was with Jeff Rowland 200W class D.
Thanks for your comments. Room is 6.2*3.4m with plenty of furniture! I had thought of NAP300 as an option but wasn’t sure the extra power would suit room.
I do not know the speakers you have, so I cannot speak specifically to their nature, but your room, as you say, is well stuffed. Before you spend a lot of money on amplification, I would try a few things that require some effort but are free as no amount of improved amplification will make the speakers work well if they are being strangled by your room.
You could try towing out the speakers a bit, which may tune down the treble. Then, if you can temporarily remove some of the furniture, starting with the red two seater. If removal or moving some of the furnishings makes a pleasing difference, then buying a new amp will not help fix the room.
Also, if, as you say, you are enjoying the music playing on your hifi then just sit back and enjoy some more.
I think if you want to go for the NSS333 it may well lead to change out to full NC system. The NC sound is somewhat different from the Original classics that you have.
You’re system is currently well balanced. Adding a used 555PSDR would improve your current XPSDR. A 300DR would improve your amplification further.
As for speakers it’s a very personal choice and I would recommend home demos after listening to some at the dealers.
It depends if you are feeling an itch that you want to scratch with upgrades. Speakers can transform a system. When I got my Focal Sopra 2s they completely transformed the system.
(a) have yet another go at positioning the speakers (!)
(b) try some different speaker cables. (I’m can’t remember the make of mine, they were supplied by the dealer with the speakers, but they are quite chunky!)
(c) Audition a NAP300DR, based on the # votes in favour!
I’m interested that the sound of the new 300 series is “different”. Surely it is in a good way?
I really enjoyed my setup when I had the NAC252/SuperCap DR/NAP250DR.
I also had the nDAC in between the NDX2 and the 252.
My speakers were the Eminent Technology LFT-8b (new woofer, but not the active woofer in the ‘c’).
I now have an Uniti Atom into the same NAP250DR into the same Eminent Technology LFT-8b’s on the ‘second’ system.
Always a big fan of ProAc speakers if you have the option try them.
While I do agree that the NAP 300 DR is a ‘better’ amp than the NAP 250 DR, I feel that most of the ‘to dry’ or ‘hi-fi’ comments about the 252 + 300 combo to be attributed to the 300. For me the NAP 250 DR had the right touch with the ETs (and Quad ESL 57s).
Try NAC5 for the speakers. Also your dealer should be able to create F connects on the speaker side so you can avoid the stock jumpers (which are usually garbage).
I do not want to suggest a loom of Naim Super Lumina but on my 500 series it plus a pile of PowerLines really improved things (for me).
If you are toying with the idea of SLs, get a secondhand NAC552DR (even with ‘just’ the NAP 250 DR). The ND555 is absolutely lovely but with a pair of 555DR power supplies, you will thinking about the 552 and 500 in your dreams.
I have head good things about the new series 200 and 300 gear but I have given them a good listening to.
As a big Faber fan, the older generation I think you would benefit from moving from 250 - 300’s and I would also experiment with the coffee table, just try putting a blanket over to see and as suggested perhaps a little toe out. What speaker cables are you running ?
