Naim NCS 222, NPX 300 & NAP 250

The Ear reviews Naim's New Classic NSC 222 preamp/streamer/DAC, NPX 300 power supply and NAP 250 power amplifier, an inspired statement of intent for Salisbury's finest.
Full review at the-ear.net/re...

[@Tokaisho1]

I have to say I miss their old green led's

[@vvmaster2010]

Hello, Thanks for the review. I'm just curious about when you said "even using tidal tends to sound a bit better"... which sources do you consider sound better than Tidal ?

[@jasonkennedy5238]

Locally stored music on a good server is significantly better than Tidal, and Qobuz usually sounds better too

[@michaelbooth6007]

In my day fans were something that were only fitted to Pro amps which of course were vastly inferior to high end stuff ie Naim & Linn ( and vastly cheaper ) I used to own a Naim 250 and Linn klout. I don't miss either amp.

[@CheekyFest]

but no CD player in the new series?! They're going to lose me then...

[@Tokaisho1]

It's funny to me how there's a phonograph and lots of support for old vinyl records, but no hi-fi CD player

[@CheekyFest]

@@Tokaisho1 ditto. I presume they think people dont want CD players anymore, that they're either Streaming (easier access, high Quality than CD?) or using vinyl

[@tengkukamil3951]

Hi Jason, what speaker cables do you use with this set up? IMHO, Naim sound signature has been forward with enhance high frequencies and listening fatigue will gradually set in.

[@TheEarOnline]

I used Townshend Fractal F1 which works well with modern Naim amps.

[@r423sdex]

Why worry about cables when they make absolutely no difference.

[@anthonymontreuil1737]

Oui très fatiguant à l écoute

[@vvmaster2010]

@@r423sdex that's not true. Cables make a huge difference. I bough a triangle borea br 0 and tried them with generic cables from the store, then I bought cables from Triangle (160e the pair) and the difference was huge. After connecting this cables I heard the true sound of these speakers.

[@dbg317]

In your experience how much improvement does NPX 300 bring to the whole system?

[@TheEarOnline]

It makes a significant difference to everything by allowing the streamer to deliver higher levels of detail, especially at low levels. Essentially it turns the NSC 222 into a far more revealing and engaging streamer.

[@KevinKelly-wg4bu]

Naim back on track? I'd say no but then perhaps that's only my opinion. Where's the new CD player? Don't hold your breath, and where's the input for a legacy tape deck too? Gone, just as tapes making a comeback. Not all Naim fans are onto digital streaming either. Sadly since Focal have arrived on the scene, Naim will lose many of it's old diehard customers because all it seems to be really interested in is big bucks. A pity really and very sad.

[@tomeasterbrook9486]

How would I connect the NSC output to the 5pin din input on the hicap powering my SNAXO?

[@TheEarOnline]

That question would be best answered by a dealer like Tom Tom Audio who know all there is to know about Naim connections.

[@tomeasterbrook9486]

I just thought it strange that Naim has predominantly used 5pin din forever, they usually have excellent support & compatibility with older equipment because so much of it is still in use; yet switching from a single 5 pin din where left & right channels are carried by one plug, to separate xlr plugs for each channel sounds like a nightmare. One that would require custom cables as I don’t think it would even be possible to use adapters with existing Naim cabling.