wait little longer and buy 272 and 250 DR together

enjoy the music

save up for XPS DR then you have 272/XPSDR/250DR

next -

SL cables

Fraim

Powerline

I second holding out for the 272/250DR option - I do not have experience of the SU - but I had a SN1 (with Hicap-non DR) prior to owning the 272/250DR and the difference in sound quality (in every aspect) is considerable - without an XPS or 555. I considered similar options to you (albeit with the SN) but I decided to also sell my SN, HC & CDX2 and embrace streaming with the 272+250DR. I've subsequently added a 555DR and having upgraded the XPS Burndy to SXPS Burndy - the system is sounding absolutely sublime.

Harty601 posted:

I second holding out for the 272/250DR option - I do not have experience of the SU - but I had a SN1 (with Hicap-non DR) prior to owning the 272/250DR and the difference in sound quality (in every aspect) is considerable - without an XPS or 555. 

 

 

The Sn1 was probably better sounding

Jack - are you aware of what the different boxes do? If you are aiming for a 252 there seems little point in getting a 272. 

Hold out for the 272 /250

Forget the 252 if you're getting a 272 - pointless getting two pre-amps...

Hungryhalibut posted:

Jack - are you aware of what the different boxes do? If you are aiming for a 252 there seems little point in getting a 272. 

That's a good point - a large factor in my decision to go for 272/250 rather than (for e.g.) 282/250/NDX or NDS was box count with associated power supplies for the pre and source.

Jack - a bit confusing...

Question 1: Do you have any limit on a number of boxes you can accomodate in your place? The main reason behind that quesion is that separates will sound better most of the time and give you more upgrade flexibility. Uniti range is not really meant for upgrades - they were constructed to just 'add speakers' and sound best that way. Part of the Naim's philosophy is upgrading via power supplies - you cannot do that with any of the Uniti range.

Question 2: Do you want to stream only, or connect other line-level devices as well e.g. Turntable, CD player, tuner, laptop, etc, etc.?

Adam

JackRyan posted:

Which unit sounds better?

If I buy the SU its a stand alone unit until I can afford the NAP250-DR

Or should I wait a little longer and  buy the Nac-N272 / NAP250-DR together?

Speakers in mind are pre-owned SBL's or new Neat's

My end game would be to settle eventually for Nac282 / HiCap

Or if the SU and Nac-N272 can take the Nap300 I will go eventually for Nac252 / SC.

I can't decide which to go for. Help

Naim website upgrade for the SU is up to Nap250, not higher. Any reason? 

By the way, Neat fans, according to their website, new Iota's are coming out soon at around £1,200. They haven't named them yet. I call them 'the mother of all Iota's' 

 

 

 

 

 

Jack, it seems to me you quite know nothing about what you want

You mention some very different Naim boxes but recommendations can't be created before we know what you want.

Have you considered going to a dealer, talking and listening ?

272/250DR is a fine combo which sound way better than SuperUniti, but if you intend listening to vinyl it makes little sence, why the 282 endgame ?

Are you aware the Naim SBL is entirely different performance to any Neat speaker ? - beside it cannot be called easy to setup, gasket kit involved. 

Since your a Neat fan I thought you might listen to the floorstand Iota before decision

b_lund posted:

272/250DR is a fine combo which sound way better than SuperUniti, but if you intend listening to vinyl it makes little sence, why the 282 endgame ?

 

I agree as much info as possible is useful - but FWIW, I run a Gyrodec into my 272/250 and it sounds stunning. I don't think the 272 has any limitations in terms of accepting sources - however, I can understand how some may not want their streamer and pre in one box.

analogmusic posted:

wait little longer and buy 272 and 250 DR together

enjoy the music

save up for XPS DR then you have 272/XPSDR/250DR

next -

SL cables

Fraim

Powerline

 

Pure brilliance 

One of the main reasons for keeping a streamer separate (e.g. NDX) is that it can be upgraded to NDS
N272 is of course a fine pre-streamer combo as well, which has a power supply upgrade option + a decent headphone amp.

Hi Jack,

Shortly before the 272 was launched I got very close to going for a SU with a view to upgrading it with a 250 when funds allowed. 

At the time I was using UnitQute2.

Thankfully I held off as the prospect of significant redundancy in the SU bothered me.

The launch of the 272 was exactly what I needed and now I'm exstreamly happy with the 272/250DR combination. 

The 272/250DR is significantly better than SU/250DR in my view and boy am I pleased I held off!

Having said all of that you need to go have a listen for yourself. Interestingly there was a thread recently when 2 forum members stated they made similar purchases to those discussed here without listening 1st. Completely beyond me when taking about spending such considerable sums of money, but each to their own I guess. 

Good luck and trust you own ears.

Hi everyone,

Thank you for your replies. It seems the Nac-N272 / NAP250 route is unanimous and with an XPS or PS555 over sound quality. I could use an old and serviced LP12 later to play my old record collection but streaming in Hi-Def is my way forward. Upgrading after this becomes very expensive and may deter me actually. NDS (wishful thinking) and Nac282 / HiCap and losing the N272.

Upgrade-itis; Source first, Pre second, Amp third, I know.

I am just looking for a good starting point on the naim upgrade ladder. I miss naim PRaT.

I demo'ed Qute / Iota's - very nice without the NAP100 but recommended.

I demo'ed Naim Uniti 2 / B&W B3 - not impressed. Speakers too Hifi'ish. No PRaT

I demo'ed bare SU with some Neat's (not sure which ones) - impressed, excellent PRaT.

Then I remembered the Nac-N272

Thanks for your input 

Hi Jack,

I also looked at the SU with a view to upgrading with a 250 but held off due to the redundancy involved.

My timing was fortunate as the 272 was announced shortly after and I've ended up with a 272 and 250DR which is far superior in my view.

I now have the XPS DR upgrade open to me which is really worthwhile. Just need to convince   "The Management" 

Good luck 

Robiwan posted:

Harty601 posted:

I second holding out for the 272/250DR option - I do not have experience of the SU - but I had a SN1 (with Hicap-non DR) prior to owning the 272/250DR and the difference in sound quality (in every aspect) is considerable - without an XPS or 555. 

 

 

The Sn1 was probably better sounding

I doubt about it; this statement does not justify the efforts made by Naim's engineers in development and research to improve the quality of the latest generation of product

I took Robiwan's point to be that the SN probably sounds better than the SU - but I may have musunderstood.

In fact, I find it hard to believe that 

If true I wonder what Naim's engineers have done all these years and how to justify the high cost of a SU

Thanks . 

I will be patient a little longer and buy the N272 / Nap250 followed by the PS555. 

I demo'ed the SN2 once. Great but add a source becomes expensive to get on the naim ladder. 

Which speakers are you going to use? 

JackRyan posted:

 

I demo'ed the SN2 once. Great but add a source becomes expensive to get on the naim ladder. 

NDX/SN2 similar price to 272/250 and some prefer it

AndyL posted:

JackRyan posted:

 

I demo'ed the SN2 once. Great but add a source becomes expensive to get on the naim ladder. 

NDX/SN2 similar price to 272/250 and some prefer it

Agree with Andy, Defnately worth a listen and drawing your own conclusion. I tried an NDX with my SN1 and it sounded great - I preferred the 272/250 but that was with my ears, speakers, room etc.

Just read an interesting review of an a NAC N272 and ATC SCM40 active loudspeakers on HiFi Plus. Around GBP9,600 for the set-up which is perhaps comparable with your 272/250DR/Speaker combo, depending on what sort of deal you can get on the speakers. Of course it would be an "all-or-nothing" spend, rather than progressive.