How can I be totally wrong when you are agreeing with me?
I do like the idea that we need a special cable to connect a new streamer to an existing amp, otherwise it won’t work…
Oops, sorry, I am not always clear which “Reply” button to press. My bad.
I can assure you, but with only my ears, that the Linn KDS3 and the NSC 333/300 don’t sound the same. I prefer easily the former, more analog sounding, richer .
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Isn’t the difficulty here that folk who have already made their choice will almost always continue to prefer it whilst those who have not by definition remain in the ‘don’t know yet’ camp.
And, as ever, the only sensible thing to do is to go and audition one, other or both to help decide, the only snag being the multiple available models, budgets and configurations now available for the Selekt DSM …….
Oh well, I suppose one has to start somewhere…….
.
ATB, J
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Fair point. Not had an extended listen to the 333/300 as I went for the Linn based on a v good eBay offer.
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Respectfully, I disagree quite strongly to this as someone that owns both products. The Selekt is pretty poor as a phono stage; I’d extend that to all of its “analogue” input capabilities (in quotes as they get digitized).
Brilliant streamer and preamp for digital, though, so I’d use it just for that in a main system (it’s in my 3rd system, so the phonop stage is OK for that).
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I have both apps as I have an Atom and Muso QB as well as my Linn Selekt. I’ve not had reliability problems with either. Both enable me to find the music I want to listen to fairly fuss free, which is all I ask of a control point. If I wanted it to tell me what it thinks I’d like to hear or give me lots of info on performers, composers etc I’d opt for Roon …. possibly.
Roger
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I was trying to avoid saying that the Naim app doesn’t appear to work very well on the Naim Forum 
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I have not compared them side by side, so can’t say which one gives better bass, or details, or soundstaging.
But the sound signature is different, for sure.
Don’t worry, this has been commented on before.
DG…
Hi @Alex64 and welcome to the forum.
I’ve not done the exact comparison you mention, but I’m not sure you’re really comparing like with like. NSS 333 is a pure streamer whereas the Linn is a streamer/preamp. A more natural Naim comparator would be a 222 perhaps with external power supply. A that point it’s really down to personal preference. I’d probably put the 222 on a par with a Selekt with Katalyst but behind Selekt with Organik DAC, particularly the dual mono version.
But that also depends on the rest of the system. I use mine with revealing ATC active speakers. I’m just listening to a recording of the original piano version of Mussorgsky’s Pictures at an Exhibition and the piano sound I’m getting is quite spine-tingling.
Roger
Which version of the Pictures? I have only listened to the LP version I bought many years ago, so I’d be interested in which streaming options are best.
I have done a comparison 222/250NC v 222/300 - NAC250 v Atom HE+222/300-NAC250 v Atom HE+332/300-NAP250 v Linn Klimax DS3 Organik+332/300/350. Speakers are Atohm GT1 and cables vertere redline throughout.
Judging by my criteria of: precise transients but not sharp or exaggerated, clarity and apparent low noise floor, lots of fine detail, organic feeling timbre and plenty of sense of rhythm.
Order is:
222 bare
222/300
Atom HE +222/300
Atom HE+332/300
Linn KDS3 Org +332/300
I didn’t do the Atom HE alone into 250 as I also have a TT/preamp and the line in input on the Atom isn’t as good as the 332 by a long way.
YMMV but by my ears and criteria this was very clear and across a wide range of music.
Slighty complicated by switching from Audirvana upnp to the linn app for the the linn, but Audirvana is better on Naim than the Naim app, with local music and Qobuz.
As I said earlier I didn’t compare the 333/300, but I only wanted one level filled on my twin racks.
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As someone who grew up in north Cheshire I hope you have plenty of farm land around you! Thank you for your comments ( everyone’s in fact). The reason I am looking at the 333 is that I don’t need a preamp, just the best digital source to stream Qobuz. My CD collection is ripped to the Auralic, but I primarily listen to good old records and then Qobuz. I appreciate the Selekt is modular, but I have zero interest in amps, AV or phono units. I could go Edition and Organik, but that simply doubles the cost. Once I am able (new knee) I will listen to the 333 v Selekt/Katalyst at my (fortunately) local Linn/Naim dealer ( big plug for Accent on Music in Mt. Kisco NY).
Cheers, David.
As you’ve had a Uniti in the past you’ll know if the Naim app works in your environment, so that helps determine whether that is an issue.
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I’m in the same position at the OP, coincidentally. I’ve heard the 333 and 222 through various NC amps. The 333 is the better sounding unit IMO - more detail for one. I was aiming for a 333 but at this level of spend I thought I would also take a look at Linn but I know very little about their current product line, so a question for the Linn experts (and Naim experts): is the Selekt DSM Classic Hub with the Organik DAC the right level of Linn product to dem against a 333?
I guess a Selekt Edition Hub with Organik DAC
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The new iteration of the Selekt Classic 2024 appears to run the Edition pretty close - you can see the the Edition main board must be used and as far as I know there is no difference in componentry, the top cover controls now connect as in the Edition, Utopik psu so the only difference appears to be the casework.
£4k’s a lot to pay for an admittedly better box though?
ATB, J