Currently with a 222/250 and contemplating upgrading now I have my speakers sorted (Kudos 606).
The most obvious move is to add an NPX 300. But I feel my speakers deserve a better source, so moving to a 333/332 is the next most obvious move. However, it’s a big jump financially, so I’d be interested in thoughts as to whether adding a 333 first, feeding the 222 (DIN - DIN), with a later planned step to a 332, makes any sense. Would the uplift from the 333 be wasted? Or be a good step up? I’d expect to wait about a year before making the step to a 332.
I had a 333 into my 222/330 for a few days, whilst I waited for the 332 and a second NPX300 to arrive. The 333 without the NPX was much better than the streamer section of the 222, so I think it is a good step forward if you are intending to get a 332 at a later date.
@MrFixit One problem with adding a 333 to a 222 is I am not sure how you would disable the streaming in the 222. Also you have already paid for the streaming in the 222.
if funds are limited I would just add an NPX300 to the 222. In the event you ever move to the 332/333, you can retain the NPX300. At the time you are able to move to the 332/333 combo, you might want two NPX300 units.
Another option might be to retain the 222 and move to the 350 amps.
Lastly, explore with your dealer about trade in/upgrade options for moving to the 332/333 at the ssme time.
I’d agree that the 333 and 332 are the way to go. As you plan to get them both eventually, it really doesn’t matter if you don’t get the full benefit of the 333 from day one.
As I’m planning to get a 332 eventually I’m not concerned that the 222 wouldn’t be being fully utilised initially. I just was wanting to break the expenditure into smaller chunks. However, if there would be little uplift it wouldn’t be worth it.
As the 333 would just be a selectable input to the 222 there would be no need to disable the 222’s streaming function.
@paulbysea That is why I suggested starting with an NPX300 for the 222. When @MrFixit then can upgrade to the 333, the upgrade will benefit from already having the NPX300.
That may be true, but once I get an NPX, and then a 333 and 332, I’ll be conflicted about where to plug in the NPX! So then I’ll have to add another NPX. I’m really trying to avoid that expense and end up with 333/332/250.
@MrFixit Another option would be to get the 333 and 332 now. Trade in the 223 and do not do the NPX300. I had my 332/333 without power supplies for several months and I found the SQ improvement to be great
I agree that a good place to stop would be a 3 box 333/332/250. It is a very balanced system. As soon as you add 1 power supply you will start thinking that you need 2 power supplies to be more balanced then next thing you know, you will want 350’s.
I’ve got 333/300/332/250 and I have switched the power supply back and forth a couple times now but I feel to get the most out of the power supplies, you need one on your 332 and 333.
Don’t get me wrong, 4 boxes sounds better than 3, but if you buy the power supply now you will miss the opportunity to stick to 3 boxes which will sound great also and will be a nice neat stack.
I had planned to get my turntable going again, but I need an MM cartridge and currently have a MC one. As I’ve only got about 100 LPs I decided not to pursue it any further as streaming is more my thing.
@MrFixit i thought seriously about giving up vinyl, but with 2500 records i decided not to. I moved from a Rega P9 to a Rega P10 and moved to an NVCTT phono stage. I rarely listen to records b/c of my disabilities. Streaming is so much easier. But it is nice to occasionally push myself to listen.
I agree. The 333/332/250 is nicely balanced. I would have preferred to go for that initially, but it was too big a jump and I needed better speakers to make it worthwhile. Getting an NPX now I’d worry I’d just not be able to get off the upgrade merry go round as I move to a 333/332 .
@MrFixit In retrospect I am not a fan of incremental upgrades. However they may be financially necessary. You lose a lot on trade. Also I was always running through a break-in phase. For me, it was quite difficult to get off the upgrade cycle. But now I am there it is nice to just listen to music.
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