Would it be silly to pair a 272 with a 150x? I'm thinking about the long-term and from what I've read time and again on this forum the general consensus is to:
a) max out the source as a priority
b) make big jumps up the hierarchy to save money in the long run
Given the price of the 272 (is it really that good?) I would foresee using the 150x for at least a year before I even considered upgrading the NAP. Would this be a year of mismatched and unbalanced frustration or would the 150x be okay?
The other, perhaps more sensible and definitly cheaper, options would be a (all 2nd-hand) 172/200, 172/250, SuperUniti, ND5 XS + Preamp (122x or 152 XS) + 150x, XS2/ND5 XS, and perhaps a few others. I'm not in a rush and I'm exploring all options all whilst keeping point b) above in mind.
Any thoughts would be much appreciated.
Posted on: 24 November 2015 by Richard Dane
Well, source and pre-amp take priority in the hierarchy, so I reckon this could be rather good. Unfortunately I haven't heard this combo so couldn't give you any definite opinion as to what I think but knowing how capable the NAP150x can be when fronted by top sources and top pre-amps, it promises to be a most viable option. Only caveat would be the speakers it's intended to match; if Naim ones then they're a fairly easy load, but others may be less suitable.
Posted on: 24 November 2015 by hungryhalibut
The 272/150x will be really good. If you buy the 150 at the right price you can sell it later at little or no loss.
Posted on: 24 November 2015 by wrc
Thank you for your replies. I already own the 150x and a UnitiLite that I'll sell to part fund the upgrade. Good to hear that the 150x is up to the task of running alongside a 272!
Posted on: 24 November 2015 by hungryhalibut
It's probably worth saying that the 272/150 will be a lot better than a 172/200, assuming that it can drive the speakers of course, which in your case it clearly can, as it's doing so already. You can then save up for a 250DR, which will by then be available ex dem or used. The combination is really superb, but then I'm biased.
Posted on: 24 November 2015 by wrc
The combination I have in mind is indeed the 272/250DR. Such a shame the 272 isn't yet available 2nd hand / ex-demo.
Posted on: 24 November 2015 by nitrous
Originally Posted by wrc:
Such a shame the 272 isn't yet available 2nd hand / ex-demo.
No....and I doubt it will for a while as it is rather good. And as there isn't a direct upgrade from it that situation may remain.
by-the-way, it is worth the money.
Posted on: 24 November 2015 by ChrisSU
Originally Posted by wrc:
Thank you for your replies. I already own the 150x and a UnitiLite that I'll sell to part fund the upgrade. Good to hear that the 150x is up to the task of running alongside a 272!
A 272 would, I'm sure, be a great option. Given that you're looking at second hand options, though, you might well find some other options worth considering - depending on what happens to come up on the used market. For example, an ND5 XS and a NAC 202 would be nice. Not that I'm trying to talk you out of getting a 272, but you won't get a used or ex-dem one for a while yet. (Don't bother with the Superuniti though, unless you want to sell your 150 and go for a 1-box solution.)
