Is the 272 a mullet?

I think this is brilliant.. Perhaps this haircut represents your system when you apply DSP room optimisation to it 

Analogue.. I was only poking a bit of fun at you by taking some of your arguments further.. but I knew what you meant.. 

So yesterday was round 2 of my listening session with a view to making a decision re. which 3-box system would win the day. My dealer had all the contenders turned on the day before, nicely warmed up and ready. First we had another listen to the 272/300, then the 272/XPS/250, and this time I had to concede that the latter combination won on refinement and detail. What the 300 added in shear muscle might appeal if you want to crank up the volume at a party, but without the space to fit in an XPS, I now concede that it's not going to work for me....

All of which is now irrelevant, as the next listen was NDX/282/200. This was simply a more musical, engaging setup. Better, more emotive vocals, and more convincing piano notes - to my mind these are  real tests of a systems capabilities, and the NDX really delivered the goods. The down side of this, of course, is that I'd have to slum it with a mere NAP200, as the meatier 250 can't power a 282, but with a smallish room and easy to drive speakers, I can live with that. Plus the 200DR is designed to supply better power to the preamp than it's predecessor, so the absence of a Hicap should be less of an issue.

Anyway, there's no going back now. I have a shiny new 200DR warming up on the rack, hooked up to my Superuniti for the time being. Sorry 272, it was lovely to meet you, but I'm not going to take you home!    

What are you going to change your forum name to when the NDX/282/200 combo is eventually in place Chris?

Interesting write up, thanks for sharing.

Thanks for sharing. It backs up what my dealer said when I made a 272 v NDX enquiry.

Yes, I suppose it's pretty much what you'd expect really. Source first, best preamp you can afford, and you're on the right track - some things never change, eh? 

Obviously it'll have to be ChrisNDX282NAPSC200Powerlines! Hmmmm, might have to think about that one...

Nice write up Chris,  it confirms my recent listen-in on a friends 272 v NDX/282 audition. 

His first audition was 270/200 vs (ND5 & NDX) on 202/200 & left him undecided other than discounting ND5. 

The 272 has a good pre-amp,  & as I said before,  its around 282 level according to Naim.

He arranged another demo with 272/200 & NDX/282/200 & that confirmed the NDX.

Sorry but I'm just following this thread as I have just got a 272 and have a 250DR on loan. I'm a little confused as to how a Hugo fits in here as I thought that the 272 had a biult in DAC. 

Am I missing something?

The 272 and NDX both have built-in DACs. The difference is that with an NDX, you can add an external DAC (NDAC, Hugo or whatever) between it and the preamp as an upgrade. With a 272, that's not possible.

Hmmm, so I could save myself £1000 by getting a 272 as a preamp for my NDX! It's a crazy world we live in 

I had a 272 (with 250) and NDX on home demo at the same time and played with a variety of combinations with my own supernait.

At one point I had the 272 and 250 plumbed in and put the NDX into the 272 (using a hiline) - I felt the bass felt a little deeper and defined on the NDX but the sound stage was wider streaming through the 272. I also felt the 272 had a slightly more natural / analogue sound over the NDX - in the variety of combinations I was able to test. Appreciating that I did not have the ability to try the NDX through a 282.

Ultimately I went for the 272 (with 250DR) for convenience and also as I wanted to get my hands on a 250DR and funds would not allow for an NDX and swap out my supernait for 282 & 250.

At the end of the day, both options are really excellent. I've just added an XPS DR to my 272 and it's moved to a whole new level. One of the nicest things about the 272, and one of the reasons I did not consider the NDX/SN2 combination is that you can max it out with just one power supply and still have only two mains leads. If that's important to you of course.....

Yup,  it don't add up,  a 272 might (questionable) beat a NDX/202,  but when the pre-amps sections are matched, then for me the NDX beats 272.  But its all revolves around quite subtle differences & what value you put on those differences.  I personally would be well pleased with a 272 at home.  That said I do find it hard to come to terms with SQ -v- VFM & as in most things its all about the users perception and/or desire for quality, why do I own a BMW when a Kia does the same job, 

But yes I see your point - crazy world

Out of interest Mike,  where do Naim say the 272 pre-amp is " around 282 level ?"

I've been living with the 272 and 250DR and I'm absolutely delighted with the results and it seems to get better each day. I had a lot of soul searching to do before I committed. I wanted to keep the box count down and improve the sound quality and I've achieved both with this combination.

Now you throw in a curved ball disguised as a XPS! Are you trying to bankrupt me?  

I thought that the 'DR' bit was an improved power supply - why would you want to add another? 

Steve

The XPS DR powers the 272 instead of using its internal power supply. 

I'd be interested in hearing what differences you have found with this upgrade.  

The immediate impact is a greater sense of scale and composure, and instruments sound more real. It's weird, as it was already sounding excellent and you ask yourself, how can this be better? Then you add the XPS, and it is. And it fills the empty shelf and looks neat and tidy.  

What about the sound of SU vs SU+200DR vs 272+200DR? Can you try?

For me the 4.3 FW made a big positive difference in the sound. I believe that when first 272's came out they were fitted with the new FW. For SU it was not available.

BR

it would be interesting to know if the XPS does provide power to the analog preamp section of the 272 or just to the analog output section of the DAC?

or both?