Compatability of Naim NAC - N 172 XS Streamer/Pre-Amp with NAP 250
Posted by: Peter1999 on 24 November 2015
My Naim system presently consists of a NAC82 Preamp into a NAP250 Poweramp with HICAP Power supply all driven by a CD3.5 CdX.
I am considering updating by replacing the NAC 82 Preamp with use of a NAIM NAC - N 172 XS Streaming player/ Preamp coupled with the NAP 250 so that I can access my now (partly) digitised CD collection and, of course, internet radio.
Many of the independent reviews I have read have given very favourable comment based on a combination of the Naim NAC - N 172 XS with non-Naim separates and then followed by a combination using the Naim NAP 155 XS Poweramp.
I am still very much an adherent to the sound of my NAP250 and would not really want to change this. Hence, any advice/comments on using the NAC - N 172 XS and, especially, on my proposed combination of a NAC-N 172 XS with a NAP250 Poweramp would be very much appreciated !
There has been a LOT written here about the N272/ NAP 250 combo; much of it quite favorable! Short of "listen yourself to see if you like it," I would be comfortable assuming that it's a good match. (To be fair, much of the recent posts have been with the updated 250 DR version of the 250 . . . )
My advice would be don't do it. The 250 is far more capable than a 172 and it would be a very unbalanced combination. If you were considering a 272, that would be a different proposition altogether. Either adding an NDX, or swapping the 82/Hicap for a 272, would be my suggestion.
If you are happy with the 82 hicap 250 think about a adding a Naim ND5 xs or NDX this is the route I was advised to take and I added an ex demo NDX with absolutely superb results.
Many thanks Everyone for your swift responses to my request for advice/comment on a proposed combination of 172 with NAP250. You've given me a few thoughts to ponder which will be useful to my decision process.
So no, a 172/250 is not bad at all. But if you already have an 82/250, better to go for a dedicated streamer to sit in front of them. Personally I'd replace the cd player with one.
I love my 172, and it's very happy with a NAP200. It's really lovely. But a 250 might be a step too far . . . I haven't heard that combination though, so can't say for sure.
A 272/250 gets a lot of love. Or get a dedicated streamer to go with your current set up. But a 172/250 combo feels a bit unbalanced to me.
Thanks again to Dave***T and Solid Air and Forum members who kindy contributed .
All good advice from the Forum members (and similar from others in the busines) which eventually led me to opt for, and purchase, an ND5 XS.
But now I have given myself a problem as I don't have a spare equipment shelf to house yet another Naim box. Domestic bliss rules out a change to the system racking; question is, would stacking the lighter Naim 3.5 CdX onto the ND5 XS likely to cause degradation in performance ? As it is a case of either/or being the source at any one time I would presume not as the metal cases of both would surely be earthed and thus spurious electromagnetic emissions eliminated for practical purposes. However, would there likely be a deliterious impact over time on either equipment due to possible effects of exposure to excess heat ?
As before advice, thoughts and comment from Forum members on the matter of such equipment stacking would be much appreciated .
It's the worst possible thing for sound quality, but it won't cause physical damage. The question of how anyone can spend thousands on Naim boxes and then do everything to stop them sounding good is one that sometimes arises. As is the one as to why if someone has a streamer they'd possibly want a CD player too.
I agree with the last reply substitute the cd player with the streamer see how you get on since I've had my NDX I don't think I've used my CD player I think it's still there must do some dusting!
I don't know about the 172 into 250 being unbalanced, but I can attest that the 172 into 300 sounds sublime and truly lets the 172 hit above its weight.. Perhaps the better power amp suits the 172 in this case?
I use a 250 with my 252DR and it also sounds sublime, so I suspect the 172 into 250 might be good.. But as always audition.. However the 202 into 250 is not a happy marriage in my opinion.
Simon
Simon-in-Suffolk posted:I don't know about the 172 into 250 being unbalanced, but I can attest that the 172 into 300 sounds sublime and truly lets the 172 hit above its weight.. Perhaps the better power amp suits the 172 in this case?
I use a 250 with my 252DR and it also sounds sublime, so I suspect the 172 into 250 might be good.. But as always audition.. However the 202 into 250 is not a happy marriage in my opinion.
Simon
I was impressed by how good a 'bare' 272 sounded into a 300DR. Just goes to show that rules are there to be broken......sometimes.
Bit off Naim'y topic but I use the NAC-N172xs (thanks Tony (amazement) ) with a Lavardin IT-15 into Harbeth P3esr's and it sounds excellent. I have tried many, too many, streamers and the 172 ticks my boxes better than any other. Also great praise for the preamp on the 172. Again better than any I have had on any dac.
Peter,
I understand you bought a ND5XS streamer, so you kept the 82. Just to add that I have a very positive experience with the combination 172XS + NAP250. It works perfectly, certainly if you have a well-sized living room, where the 155XS or NAP200 may be too light for the job. At the dealer I compared a SuperUniti, a 172XS+200 and 172XS+250 and the last option was the winner for me.
Earlier this year I had sufficient funds to replace the 172XS by a 272, which has a slightly more natural sound and slightly more body. But that does not disqualify the 172XS at all, it's a great streamer/pre-amp.
I've had a Nait3, Nait5, SN2/V1, after I tried a Devialet 120 (impressive, but no soul, and a lot of streaming "Air" technology problems), and now since a few weeks, a N-172XS/250-DR. The synergy is very good, even, I'm not sure I want to upgrade the 172 for a 272, I can live with this current setup. If you don't need all the feature/inputs of the 272, consider the 172, you will be surprise about it. So don't be afraid of this match.