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................?
Posted on: 18 September 2015 by MarkMcK79
Originally Posted by wirbeltier:
Do you have any thoughts about the pairing with Ovator 400s? I am afraid that a SN2 will not deliver enough grunt to drive them effortlessly...
Thanks
Klaus
In my ~420 sqft room with 10ft ceilings the 272/XPS/250DR far outclassed the NDX/XPS/SN2/HC in scale and control of the S400. It wasn't even a close comparison below ~100Hz. And I feel the 250DR added an extra half octave to the bottom of the Ovators.
I've talked about the comparison several times before (see my past posts). I went the way of the 272, as I thought the gains in the bass region were the optimal tradeoff in losing anything in the source (though I feel the 272 and the NDX are very, very close in comparison).
Posted on: 18 September 2015 by ChrisDH
I had a SN1, Hicap DR, NDX & XPS DR for about 3 years and briefly changed the SN1 over to an SN2 for a couple of months before deciding to 'upgrade' my system further while I had the chance (home improvements on the horizon).
The initial plan was to replace the the SN2 with a 282/250 DR, it sounded great with the NDX & XPS DR, HiCap DR. I then listened to to the 272/250DR/XPSDR and immediately decided to go with the 272. It was close enough for me and less boxes, 6 down to 3, in the back of my mind I was concerned about the ever increasing box count. I finally settled on the the 272/250DR and 555DR (which I already owned but wasn't using) and couldn't be happier. No more temptation to add additional boxes and very happy with sound.
Posted on: 18 September 2015 by Mr Fjeld
Originally Posted by Olek_K:
So Mr Fjeld you are saying that nac n272 with xp5 xs sounded rather good? I could (maybe) afford xp5 unlike xps... This is the most interesting question of the month for me.
Sorry for the late reply Olek_K, but work got in the way...
Yes, it's the second time I've listened to the 272 with XP5 XS; once with the 200 and yesterday with a 250 DR. There is a noticeable difference but I think I'd rather wait and save up to the XPS - or maybe spend the money on the much talked about cables we've heard about here lately. The 272/250 DR combination is just marvellous!
Posted on: 18 September 2015 by Simon-in-Suffolk
Very good Graeme, well actually it's a log burner, so the cracking is a little subdued, so yes quite vinyl like with a good cartridge.. And I am listening to 50s and 60s blue and Rock'n'roll so very much vinyl territory.. or should I say shellac 
HH well here on the East Anglian coast it's a blowy wet night, and the log fire just takes the edge off.. and oil rose 25 % over the last couple of days.....
Posted on: 18 September 2015 by MDS
Originally Posted by Hungryhalibut:
With a 272, I wouldn't even think about the XP5xs. It's designed for the 5 series, whereas the XPSDR is designed for the Classic Series. Besides, the XP5 doesn't benefit from the significant advances in the DR versions of the power supplies. If you get everything matching, you won't go wrong.
Hmm. I feel obliged to speak up for the humble XP5XS as I found that an XPS2(DR) gave only a modest performance improvement over my XP5XS when used to power my nDAC. I'd say the XP5XS gave me about 70-80% of the XPS2(DR)'s performance but at half the cost. It took a 555PS to really put the XP5XS in the shade. So I think the XP5XS is one of Naim unsung heroes and represents great VFM.
That said, I have no idea what it is like on a 272 and, as always, a thorough listening test would be required.
Mike
Posted on: 18 September 2015 by ChrisSU
Originally Posted by Igor Švab:
Originally Posted by Harry:
It's not fair IMO throwing a 300 in against a 250. No contest. Completely different amps - as you would hope for the price difference.
Different amps? Electronic wise 250 and 300 look very much the same.
Both are dual mono design.
Both use same size of PS capacitors.
The only difference to my eyes/not ears is that:
- 300 stays dual mono with using 2 XLR cables, one per channel.
- 250 uses one XLR cable, one for 2 channels.
This means that signal ground is not split in the pre-amplifier or inside the power supply (if used) but only inside the 250 amp. I do believe that this must contribute the biggest difference to the sound. Did anybody try to modify the 250.2 or 250DR to use two XLR cables, one per channel?
Where I live direct comparison between the 250.2 and 300 is not possible.
I've only listened to a 300 twice, but however similar it might be to the 250 in design, it has astonished me with its abilities on both occasions. One of those was the dem I mentioned above, where it performed spectacularly with the 272. The 250, even with the XPS on the 272, couldn't match it.
Posted on: 18 September 2015 by ChrisSU
Originally Posted by The Strat (Fender):
Simon is correct neither the 272/300 or 282/300 is a mullet - just depends on how you want to allocate your funds and speakers you intend to drive.
Surely these systems are, by definition, mullets (speakers aside, of course.) Not that it would stop me buying them, I couldn't care less as long as they sound good.
I have no idea how to decide between xp5 and xps dr. There's no way I would be able to do any home demo here in Wrocław.