Naim NAC-N 272 Streaming Preamplifier

A very interesting product that unfortunately arrives too late. Box count forced me to opt for another upgrade route for my main system in which a UQ2 now serves as a digital transport (mainly because I really like the naim app ...). Do I want to know how things could have turned out if the N-272 had been presented in late 2014 ?

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I do not know how to define an optimum design but I know why I consider iPads defective designs. It is simply because iOS does no support (or supports poorly) views and operations that I consider to be mandatory. And because I cannot easily run a different OS on these devices (in which case I would just argue that iOS is defective, not the hardware itself).

Examples of capabilities which are missing (or crippled down on purpose via careful iTunes/iOS design) include a file system view of the data stored on the device, the capability of transfering data via standard protocols, the capability of transfering (via iTunes) folder hierarchies (without the actual data; this would be very useful, for instance, to have a view of a whole music collection on a mobile device), the capability of reading and copying data to USB devices, etc. etc. I know that some of these capabilities can be partly achieved with workarounds. To me, this makes the systems even more deprecable. And on the top of that, one has to rely on apps which are virtually undocumented.

I am not dogmatic w.r.t. computing platforms. In our household we have two iOS devices (iPhone and iPad), a OS X system, a Windows system and two Debian / GNU Linux systems. I occasionally use the iPad to control the music player server (MPD) and for occasional internet browsing. But, to me, the iPad and the iPhone are, in terms of usability, ergonomics and connectivity, the worst I have seen. There might be something even worse, of course, I do not know.

Ok thank you, though I suspect the iPad was not designed as a general purpose computing platform.

Simon

I guess you are right. But this does not imply it should make data transfer more difficult it actually needs to be. An even the first Compaq PDA had a file browser, if I remember correctly. Apple has developed very interesting devices, among others the unsuccessful Newton. But its lifestyle products are very low quality, in my opinion.

I am curious about the DAC quality of the 272. price wise looks unlikely to be ND5XS level but it supports DSD...Interesting... any clue if this feature can be retrofit into the existing streamers? 

Looks tremendously versatile to me. The USB input will give you Tidal, Qobuz, Deezer and whatever cloud streaming service pops up next week, as well as DSD, at the expense of a modest pc or Mac. The spdif inputs give you great connectivity for Sonos, tv, bluray. And the streaming does the streaming thing. All bases covered. And presuming it used the same galvanically isolated USB as the DAC-V1 and the same buffered de-jittering as the nDac the results should be pretty good. Analogue inputs and optional steam radio to finish the package off. Who couldn't use one?

Graeme, the DSP is using the SHARC processor from what I have read, so I suspect at least not now  any advanced DSP algorithms or increased tap reconstruction filtering that we see elsewhere... But it serves the NDX, NDS and NDAC well.

Certainly looks interesting if you are in the market for an all-in-one... which is what a fair few apparently want these days so I am told.

Simon

Yes, it can, and an upgrade is coming – however Naim wouldn't be pinned down on a definite time-frame for this, as it still needs to be beta-tested, etc.. I've amended the story accordingly.

Great, thanks Andrew!

Paul S's intervention last week was quite timely. I certainly adjusted my expectations as a result. It's clearly going to to take the company some time to develop a modern streaming platform.

The more I think about this some interesting options appear. Plus, it is powered by XP type of power supplies as an upgrade, not HC / superCap therefore the signal goes a shorter route to the power amp. Not the traditional route. 

I wonder how the resister ladder based volume control, referred to in the Andrew Everard article in this thread, compares to the DAC V1 and SU?

I also see that the Hifi Gear posted in the 'Bristol' thread is now not available, which stated that the volume control was based on the Pre in the Statement.

It is not clear whether the USB is asynchronous or not.

Jude

The USB interface looks to be a standard type A device interface not the asynchronous type B interface on the DAC-V1. I would guess it's very similar to the USB input on the existing streamers.

I'm sure if it did Andrew's piece would have said so.

I find it difficult to believe that Naim haven't included asynchronous USB when they have already implemented that technology successfully before ??

Indeed: the connection is a front-panel Type A, designed for iPods and USB sticks, not the connection of computers.

Thanks Andrew.   Is there any info on whether the DSD playback capability will be available for the two Naim DACs?

Jude

Shame about the USB port.

Nice preview Andrew - very informative. But did they let you listen to it ?

You have as much info as I do, but I must admit as an NDS user I was of course asking when I could get DSD on that unit!

I got the impression Naim was talking about adding it to network products: there was no specific mention of the DACs.

Yes, but with unfamiliar speakers and music, impossible to draw any conclusions.

Ok, thanks

Oh right enough, so you can only plug in a USB stick or an iThing. Not impressed! 

FWIW I love my NAC N-172xs. I got it ex-demo at a very good price, and it's a good upgrade on the (excellent) UQ that will also get Spotify for the kids. I have no opinion on the 272 as I haven't listened to it, but I can say that the 172 is rather lovely and we're very happy together. It's playing Agnes Obel as I write!