ND5 XS vs N-272
Posted by: PopularHiFi on 16 October 2015
If im strictly playing streaming audio, wont it be better to just get an ND5 XS instead of an N-272?
Posted on: 16 October 2015 by ChrisSU
That depends if you already have a preamp?
Posted on: 16 October 2015 by Dave***t
Better is a pretty big term. Outright SQ will probably depend on the preamp you presumably already have, given the question. A 202 or lower with an ND5XS might well lose out to a 272, while a 282 or higher might fare better. That's basically a guess, though - there's no substitute for auditioning.
But there are other senses of better. You're on the forum, which points to some level of upgraditis setting in eventually. So it's worth considering whether an ND5XS would eventually, inevitably, be followed by an NDX, preamp upgrade etc. A 272 could be better in that sense, since you can only add a power supply to it.
Then there's box count/WAF, which points to a 272 if you want to keep it low, or the ND5XS if you like the idea of looking proudly at a big stack of green lights (I'm somewhere in between, but lack of space/funds/tolerance for wearing anoraks dictates in my case).
If it were me, I'd prefer a 272, but then I don't already have a normal preamp.
But there are other senses of better. You're on the forum, which points to some level of upgraditis setting in eventually. So it's worth considering whether an ND5XS would eventually, inevitably, be followed by an NDX, preamp upgrade etc. A 272 could be better in that sense, since you can only add a power supply to it.
Then there's box count/WAF, which points to a 272 if you want to keep it low, or the ND5XS if you like the idea of looking proudly at a big stack of green lights (I'm somewhere in between, but lack of space/funds/tolerance for wearing anoraks dictates in my case).
If it were me, I'd prefer a 272, but then I don't already have a normal preamp.
Posted on: 16 October 2015 by Solid Air
272 is a streamer and preamp, ND5xs is 'just' a streamer. So the ND5xs needs a preamp (eg NAC152xs) to function. So if you have a preamp you're happy with, the ND5xs is a sensible option. If not, the 272 is a sensible option.
The total cost (272 versus ND5xs/152xs) isn't ll that different. In pure sound quality terms, of course you're ears are the best judge, but certainly the 272 has many fans.