Comparison between N-272/NAP-250DR with NDX/SN2 ?

There was a thread a while ago on the best three box system for around £10k. If you enter 'three box system' in the search box you will find it.

I'd summarise that both are good, and that ultimately it's (as ever) down to personal preference. 

I preferred NDX/SN2, but both are good. I thought the 272 really needed an XPS to impress, but then there are other 3 box options to consider. You need a patient dealer to help you decide.....

HH, ok I read that all. Was in fact looking for a "two box" solution so that thread is technically overboard... :-) 

Hopefully someone can shed some light on how the NDX/SN2 vs 272/250DR sounds.

Engjoo - not easy to answer and I've never done the comparisons.  But a few observations.  In my opinion neither the NDX or its stablemate CDX2 show anywhere near their true capabilities without a XPS2.  In fact I'm not convinced that the CDX2 bare is a step up on the CD5XS but give either the XPS2 then your away towards the high end.  Now one Naim dealer I know and respect reckons at the price point the ND5XS and SN2 are an almost unstoppable combination. But with the SN there will be some limitation with regard to what speakers you wish to drive.

So if you elect for the 272/250DR - and it's a combination I've heard and it works really well in theory at least it's going to drive more demanding speakers. And as an owner of the 250DR I can only endorse it's qualities.  In fact one reviewer commented that it was the best power amp Naim had ever produced - he hadn't heard a 300!! - and one the best amps period he had heard.

Given your desire to get the best out of 2 boxes my instinct would be 272/250 but i'm afraid there's only one way for you to find out.

Being in Singapore, I imagine Engjoo has fewer opportunities to listen to the two combinations. All I can say is that as an owner of a 272/250 I think it's really excellent. I bought it because you can upgrade it with just one box rather than two,  in which case it still needs only two mains leads, it doesn't have loads of buttons you'll never use and it has a great volume control.

The NDX/SN2 may be a little bit better or a little bit worse, but once you get it home you'll never remember. Either will be super. 

I have a ndx and sn2 and have looked at the 272 before buying the ndx. Below are what made me stick with the ndx.

1. Ndx is supposed to be a better source than the 272. I read somewhere here that naim looked at the 272 as a nd5xs+202 level without the xps. With the xps, its moves to ndx+282.

2. No external dac connection for the 272. If naim were to release a new dac, I will be interested. NDX here will be a better choice for the upgrade.

3. Xps will be bring the ndx to another level.

4. The new firmware upgrade for the ndx either closes the gap between the 272 and itself or move it even further up above the 272.

Okay I have also thought about the 250Dr. Before buying the ndx, I was offered a trade with the dealer with the sn2 for a 272+250Dr. This comes with a substantial top up which I'm willing to pay as I have no doubt the 250Dr will better the sn2 power amp section. But what's holding me back is the 272. The sn2 has DR on the pre while the 272 do not have. I reckon that using my sn2 as a pre with a 250DR will yield a better sound. I believe Andrew everard is having this setup. So I'm set to use the sn2 as a pre when I upgrade the power to 250DR in future.

So with all these considerations, I have no doubt the ndx+sn2 offers a great sound and flexibility.

My 2 cents...

OK STRAT, that is a very valid an important fact regarding's the 250DR being a key component if you need to drive difficult speakers. 

Even if your speakers aren't difficult, the 250DR is going to be a lot better than the power amp in the Supernait, good as the latter is. 

I would buy the 272/250DR. the 250 DR is a paradigm shift and is a lot less demanding of the preamp/source than the previous 250.2 which needed apparently a 282/SC and a matching source to show what it is capable of. That is because the 009 transistors are the DR improved regulation make the 250 DR faster, and also much lower noise floor - notes really do emerge from a totally silent background with no noise at all. It is fantastic !

previously it has been the the 202/250.2 was not a good match - but although I never tried it, I am sure the 202/HCDR can now worth well with 250DR based on how I hear it perform with 282/HCDR (extremely well)

I didn't realise the 272 didn't have a digital output - surprised.   I guess it's where you want to end up. If a 2 box streaming solution - then probably 272/250 ticks all the boxes.