I’ve listened to the full 200-series (NSC 222 + NAP 250 + NPX 300) and the 200-series without the NPX. I think both with and without the PSU, it sounds most excellent. My first thought is buying the NSC 222 and NAP 250 while in a couple of years I could add the NPX 300 to my kit.
However, this had me thinking about future upgrades. Is there a logical path I can walk in upgrading the 200-series? Or is the 300-series a more sensible starting point so I could eventually upgrade certain components more easily?
I’m a Naim fanboy, so I can imagine sticking with it.
You mention both are upgradable, but since the NSC 222 functions both as a streamer / preamp, in order to upgrade that unit, I would have to buy the NAC 332 and the NSS 333 in order to have the same functionality, right? I can’t keep the NSC 222 and add the NAC 332 for example?
I’m using an NC 222/250 combination (without NPX300) and it sounds utterly brilliant. When I heard it with the NPX 300 it seemed not much of an uplift for an awful lot of money. I would start 222/250 and see how you get on. You can easily upgrade from there but it is an awesome system as it is
Yup you cant cos 222 come w streamer and pre . Whereas 332 is a stand alone pre. Only add on is NPX for both. And it depends on your take on the 350 monoblocs … if you are after that , more suitable is the 332… both the NC 200/300 are awesome boxes
So in order for the 300-series to function you would need the NAC 332 + NSS 333 + NAP 350? Whereas for the 200-series you only need the NSC 222 + NAP 250?
I have a pair of Proac D2R’s. Fabulous standmounts that really work with the 222/250. Once you have heard a pair of true ribbon tweeters there’s no going back
There are lots of threads on this, including when @Dan_M and others (including me) got an extended dem at Naim HQ.
There are no bad products here - ‘even’ NC 222/250 is pretty good - and you won’t find a 100% agreement on the importance of various steps, but I think this is mostly fair:-
In typical Naim fashion, an external NPX300 is generally reckoned to be a good upgrade. However, some certainly preferred 333/332/250 to 222/NPX300/250. Adding the NPX300 is even more effective here, on either 333 or 332, but I don’t think there is 100% consensus on which matters more if you can only do one. Of course, once you are at this level (and particularly if you have very demanding speakers), you may be considering 350s instead of the 250.
The biggest reason not to buy several of the excellent NC boxes is probably cost. And that 552 and 500 can be bought s/h at excellent prices.
Given all the choices, I think you are doing the right thing thinking now about what sort of system (and how many boxes) you can see yourself having in 3 or 4 years.
with upgrades in mind i bought 222+ 350s as to me that sounded better than 222+250+300 at about the same price. and meant i would only have to trade in one box to move into 300 series. i have a fairly large room so also appreciate the extra power of the 350s
my current plan is to add 333 and use the 222 as preamp as my first upgrade. i discussed this with jason gould at the acoustica show last week and he felt that would probably give me more than a 300 on the 222. then finally trade in the 222 for the 332.
the only spide in the works is that i am using the internal mm phono stage of the 222 so would have to add a phono stage alongside the 333 if i want vinyl (very much a secondary source)
Yes that makes sense 332 with 222 then swap out the 222 for a 333. Agree with the OP that the 222 is such good value it’s quite a jump to a 332/333, and even more if you add another PS.
I have the 222/300/250 - adding the PS really helped bring my system more ‘out into the room’ (which is 80sqm) and added better bass control. It only goes to show that each link in the chain affects the final output and it’s not as simple as ‘power amp to drive the speakers’.
I started my NC journey with a 222 and NPX300 keeping my 250DR initially.
Then sold the 250DR and replaced with a NC250.
My next step was to get a NVC TT and NPX TT for my LP12.
Following this I was dissatisfied with the streamer side of the 222 so bit the bullet and sold the 222 and bought ex dem 332 and 333, initially planning to just use one NPX and get another NPX at a later date but I managed to get an excellent deal on another NPX300. It would have been possible to keep the 222 and have used it with the 333 but after comparing this combo with the 332/333 combo I upgraded both together.
If your goal is to end up with a 300 series system you might consider getting a 333 to add to the 222 as an alternative to buying an NPX300. Then upgrade the 222 to a 332, which would be a smaller outlay so perhaps affordable a bit sooner.
Add an NPX300 or two later, and/or trade the 250 for a 350.
Lots of options. Make your dealer earn his money, do lots of listening before you spend your money.
Don’t see why you still can’t use the internal mm input? You’d still be using the 222 as a preamp you’d just have the 333 connected as a source surely?
NSC222 + NC250 here - into S400s. When I tried in one room, the NPX was a great addition. In a difficult room acoustically, the NPX didn’t add to the sound enjoyment (and didn’t remain). However the NPX is a good addition in the right context.
That means, as ever, that a very careful audition is a prerequisite regarding the NPX.
To the op @MacMarty89 the question re upgrade path, is best approached from what is the budget today and what might you add to that budget in the future? If you are content to have NSC222+NC250, with a NPX later, then there is the answer.
However if you are forever going in the direction of what if…then two options, full on, 3 series being 333+332+350, adding NPX later. For vfm, go 333 + 332 + NAP250DR or NAP300DR (both NAPs s/h lots of bargains around). In a few years, swap out for NC350s or NPX (1 or 2) as deals come along.
By the time you are using 332/333 (with 0, 1 or 2 NPX300s), you’ll be wanting a better phono stage anyway.
The NVC/PX is certainly an option and fits well in every sense. However, if you really don’t use vinyl that much, a s/h Superline (or a Rega Aria or Linn/Dynevector/ other rivals) might make more sense.
I guess it depends on budget and what you think your ‘end game’ system will be. If you’re happy buying s/h maybe start at 333/332/250 giving you scope to upgrade the 250 to 350s at some point in the future. After that you could add 300s for a full six-box system.
the 300 allows you to choose a streamer of your like in future .