Is the 272 a mullet?
Posted by: ChrisSU on 17 September 2015
Following a fairly lengthy dem session at my dealers, I thought I'd post my findings, as there were a couple of surprises, and the kit has been the subject of quite a bit of discussion here on the forum of late. My request was to find the best possible streaming system, with a maximum of 3 full size boxes. This was all done through Kudos X2s, as that's what I have, and started with a quick listen to a Superuniti, which is what I'll be moving on from....eventually.
Before the 272 came along, I had set my sights on an NDX, so I was keen to see which option was the best. Given all the positive comments on the forum, I was thinking that the 272/250 would win the day, and it certainly didn't disappoint, but then I had a listen to an NDX/Supernait, and although it lacked a little of the 250 muscle, on balance, I thought it was more musical and enjojable. I guess that's 'source first' for you; after all, the NDX costs a tad more and has no preamp.
We also tried the 272/XPS/250, and this was a very clear step up from the bare 272. But then we went back to the NDX and put a 202/200 on it, and for me, this was a clear winner. The extra muscle of the 250 was still evident, but the X2s are not too hard to drive, and the 200 was clearly up to the task. So there we have it, for me the NDX/202/200 won the day.
Until.......my dealer then put the cat among the pigeons, by playing the 272 through a NAP300. Well, what can I say! The 300 took the little X2s by the scruff of the neck and forced them to deliver the goods, and now the 272/XPS/250 was definitely off the shopping list. The 272/300 had a more upfront, forceful presentation than anything else we had listened to, but mullet or not, it was a great sounding setup.
So. Round 2 will involve another listen to the 272/300, this time with the 300 turned on the day before so that it's warmed up. Then another shootout, this time against an NDX/282/200. Besides, what happens if I decide I want to squeeze another (little) box in there somewhere................?
I would almost always choose NDX/Supernait over 272/250. The only situation where that is not the case is when the speakers are more difficult to drive.
Given your speakers, I'm surprised you didn't try NDX/XPS/Supernait against 272/XPS/250. That would have settled the matter. I suspect, though I haven't tried it, it would also beat the 272/300 combination, at least for musicality. That 'forced' sensation with the 300 (due to the 272's limitations, not the 300's) would wear me down - that's a mullet in my view.
Of course, the NDS/XPS/Supernait would leap up in terms of performance, but so would the price. It's a pity the NDS is so darned expensive because this would be the winner by far in my estimation.
Regards,
Frank.
All opinions are my own and do not reflect the opinion of any organisations I work for, except where this is stated explicitly.
So many options, just where do you stop!? I might just make my dealer show me all of them, as revenge for his 272/300 prank 
The other thing to consider is speakers- the X2s will hold any of the options back.
Whoooaaa, one thing at a time! You have a point, of course. I was impressed with the X2s ability to hold their own and show up differences in the electronics, strictly speaking, they would become the weak link. Better than a mullet, though 
if source first why not 272/555dr/200dr? 
here we go with another option
The other thing to consider is speakers- the X2s will hold any of the options back.
Whoooaaa, one thing at a time! You have a point, of course. I was impressed with the X2s ability to hold their own and show up differences in the electronics, strictly speaking, they would become the weak link. Better than a mullet, though
I know. I was just reflecting on my recent experience: while the PMCs showed the difference between the SU and the 272/250, changing to better speakers has taken things to a completely different level. You are of course most welcome to visit!
if source first why not 272/555dr/200dr? here we go with another option
Does an expensive PSU qualify as a source component? I'll ask my dealer when I tell him to add it to the list!
If you have chosen them because they match your room well, they are unlikely to be weak. We ran the Spendor S5e off 552/300 and they never sounded better. Yes we did move them on as part of the bigger picture after a year or so but they never short changed us.
The mullet...
"Business up front...party in the back..."
Bad hair notwithstanding, this is a very interesting thread. I thought HH had resolved the minimalist box solution for good, but apparently in Naim land that can never be the case!
If you have chosen them because they match your room well, they are unlikely to be weak. We ran the Spendor S5e off 552/300 and they never sounded better. Yes we did move them on as part of the bigger picture after a year or so but they never short changed us.
The X2s do work well in the room, not that I've home auditioned a big range of alternatives. They have one big practical advantage for us, which is their small size. (But I cheat - I have an N-Sub hidden behind the sofa!) I'm not aware of any substantial upgrade to the X2s that wouldn't be quite a bit bigger, so I may end up sticking with them for some time.
May I suggest a nomenclature:
Very capable speakers with a weaker source: a Mullet
Approximately equal capability source / amp / speakers: a Halibut
(a flatfish, named in honour of HH)
Very capable source with weaker speakers: a Monkfish
(the monkfish is all head and little else!)
Good call, Huge. I was trying to think of a good example of a large headed fish, but the best I (OK, Google!) could come up with was the Gulper Eel. That's a bit of a mouthful, though...
