supernait 2 + ndx or nac 272 +250dr

You answer the question for yourself!!!  I recently heard NDX(XPS)/SN2 vs 272(XPS)/250 DR both into Focal Sopra 1s and to these ears the former was the more fluid performer the latter perhaps had more vitality.   Both however were excellent - I could have lived with either.  However, in my view both the NDX and 272 both really need an XPS to give anything like their best.

I chose the 272/250 over the NDX/SN2. I chose it because it can be maxed out with one power supply and therefore can only ever be three boxes and have two mains leads, cannot use a hiline, has a much nicer volume control, and has no superfluous buttons. I didn't bother comparing the two options. It's not the 'proper' way to choose, but it's worked out for me. 

I had a NDX/SN1+HC And a 272/250 on home dem, side by side for a few weeks, running into a set of spendor A9s.

I decided to go for the 272 and 250DR for same reasons as HH and also because I felt there was little difference in SQ apart from the 272 had a better sound stage in my room.

And my choice was for SN2, with NDX into nDAC, supercharged with an XPS.

Thank you guys for sharing your experience.

On a related note, has anyone tried both 2 box combo (ie without XPS) and preferred the NDX/SN2 over the 272/250DR?

Quite a few people have stated a preference for the NDX/SN2. As this is what you own, I wouldn't get distracted by other potential options. Both setups are excellent. 

in you shoes I'd ditch the dac and get a NAP 200 now.

Later , once you've accustomed ,to balance everything you could consider:

selling the XS and get a NAC 202/NAPSC and an XPS for your ND5XS-or better the NDX (this is a great system) .

or try the new 272 (this is said to be great too)

I would get 272/250dr

the 250dr is a regulated amp and is part of the hi end of naim

the SN2 as good as it is can't compare to a 250dr !

analogmusic posted:

I would get 272/250dr

the 250dr is a regulated amp and is part of the hi end of naim

the SN2 as good as it is can't compare to a 250dr !

Then again, 272 shouldn't be able to compete against NDX. Source or amp first, that's the question here. 

engjoo posted:

On a related note, has anyone tried both 2 box combo (ie without XPS) and preferred the NDX/SN2 over the 272/250DR?

I'd put a Hugo in between the NDX and SN2

analogmusic posted:

I would get 272/250dr

the 250dr is a regulated amp and is part of the hi end of naim

the SN2 as good as it is can't compare to a 250dr !

How does the pre in the 272 compare wth the SN2?

I once compared my XS to a SN and heard not a huge amount of difference, and quite liked the XS (sounded more musical than the SN1 which had more grunt, but something wasn't as musical to me), but soon ithe XS was back to the dealer after a few weeks, and I got a 202/200 system which I still have, and am still very happy with.

the 250 DR has this very musical trait of dramatically lowering the noise floor which makes the most of the source and preamp.

The preamp may be the more important part of the amp, but the actual work of driving the speaker is done by the transistors in the power amp.

and separating the power amp from the preamp - which the 272 / 250 DR does, is always better in the long term.

272/XPSDR/250DR can easily be an end game system

I haven't compared the 272 against SN2 directly, but after hearing virtually all the Naim systems, for me it is a no brainer, 272/250DR. add XPSDR when funds allow.

Before I settled on the 272/250 DR combo, I did a back to back demo (at a dealers) of this and a NDS/555, 282/250. I have to say, especially given the box count and price differential, the 272/250 combo held its own. I'm not saying the NDS didn't have the edge but it was difficult to justify that edge (To my ears and current hifi funds). The back to back demo was done with a bare 272, I currently have a non dr XPS on my 272 as a home dem. The NDS had a very natural / analogue sound to me (Which I liked very much) but I felt the 272 also had this characteristic and adding the XPS has increased this.

analogmusic posted:

I once compared my XS to a SN and heard not a huge amount of difference, and quite liked the XS (sounded more musical than the SN1 which had more grunt, but something wasn't as musical to me), but soon ithe XS was back to the dealer after a few weeks, and I got a 202/200 system which I still have, and am still very happy with.

the 250 DR has this very musical trait of dramatically lowering the noise floor which makes the most of the source and preamp.

The preamp may be the more important part of the amp, but the actual work of driving the speaker is done by the transistors in the power amp.

and separating the power amp from the preamp - which the 272 / 250 DR does, is always better in the long term.

272/XPSDR/250DR can easily be an end game system

I haven't compared the 272 against SN2 directly, but after hearing virtually all the Naim systems, for me it is a no brainer, 272/250DR. add XPSDR when funds allow.

 

 

You seem very positive about the 272, which is very refreshing as it's not something that you own. Have you thought of trying the 272/XPSDR against your Hugo and 282? It would be an interesting comparison. 

I may get the chance to do that soon, I already had the HCDR and I got my 282 used at 50 % of retail price, they don't come up often at all.

It was more of a impulse purchase but I am quite sure I would have been equally happy with a 272/250DR

Yes the Hugo is a great DAC, but when my Dac V1/202/200 plays music, I do like it, and in the end if it is engaging and musical, that is all that matters (to me anyway)