272/555ps/300dr vs 252/supercap dr/ndx/xps/300dr

If money was not an issue, or the number of boxes (5 boxes vs 3), then I would go for the 252 based system - more flexible and I suspect a better sound, with more upgrade options for the future....

But saying that the 272+555ps is also a very good system and not likely to be too far behind the 252...

However if you are looking to spend this sort of money - you really owe it to yourself to spend time listening to both options and decide based on what you hear... it's your money and you should buy based on what you actually hear

If there isn't a big difference soundwise, I would like to go with 272/555PS/300 (= 4 boxes) and no expensive interconnects needed! I will be able to demo 272/555PS this week and then I will make my decision if a 555PS on 272 is worth the money or not. Sold my 282/Hicap DR and listen now to 272/300 currently.

Maragoo posted:

If there isn't a big difference soundwise, I would like to go with 272/555PS/300 (= 4 boxes) and no expensive interconnects needed! I will be able to demo 272/555PS this week and then I will make my decision if a 555PS on 272 is worth the money or not. Sold my 282/Hicap DR and listen now to 272/300 currently.

Look forward to seeing what you think of the 555 - I love what it's done in my system - without a doubt it's the best (single) upgrade I've ever made In any system I've ever owned.

Maragoo posted:

If there isn't a big difference soundwise, I would like to go with 272/555PS/300 (= 4 boxes) and no expensive interconnects needed! I will be able to demo 272/555PS this week and then I will make my decision if a 555PS on 272 is worth the money or not. Sold my 282/Hicap DR and listen now to 272/300 currently.

how does 272 compare to 282 HCDR?

Spending that sort of money without taking plenty of time to listen to the options is madness. All the more so if you intend to underinvest in your source to such a large degree.

My system is 282+HCDR+NDS+555PS+250.2 and I think it performs the combination you mentioned with the NAC272+555PS

analogmusic posted:

Maragoo posted:

If there isn't a big difference soundwise, I would like to go with 272/555PS/300 (= 4 boxes) and no expensive interconnects needed! I will be able to demo 272/555PS this week and then I will make my decision if a 555PS on 272 is worth the money or not. Sold my 282/Hicap DR and listen now to 272/300 currently.

how does 272 compare to 282 HCDR?

Singer is more focused/present to the middle with 272. Soundstage is the same, maybe 282/hicapdr a little deeper with more air around the instruments. 282/hicapdr was more fatigue when listening and in my opinion 272 was more musical and enjoyable. On good vinyl, the 282/hicapdr shows the differences clearer over 272. On normal vinyl 272 is more musical to listen and also better than 282/hicapdr.

Main reason to take 272 over 252 was I haven't had to invest money and I've got additional features like Internet Radio, Spotify and UPNP. This money can now be spent of an XPS DR or 555PS

Maragoo I think that rather than spending the money on a 555PS, you might think about an XPS DR and get your NAP 300 DRd. That should leave you with some change to spend on music and a more balanced system.

best

David

No plans to upgrad my 300 (2014) to DR currently as 300 non DR isn't a bad amp because only it's not DR version.

With those ProAc speakers, an NDS, 555PS, 252 (or ideally 552) and 300 system is the sort of thing you should be looking at. 

I'd expect that both the NDX and 272 would be out of their depth. This is the trouble with big hungry speakers - they need feeding. 

Thanks. Hungryhalibut.

How do you think about "272+555ps"with my k6? 

I still think it's too much speaker for a 272. Try it by all means, but those speakers deserve a lot more. I'm in no way criticising the 272, which I think is the most significant product from Naim in years, but system balance is still critical. 

Thanks.^^ 

i think so. Proac k6 is too big.

okay. Halibut. In conclusion "252+supercap dr+nds+555ps+300dr" is more suitable for my proac k6?

I'll respect your valuable opinion. Thanks.^^

Purplerain posted:

If 252/supercap dr/ndx/xps is much better,money is not problem.

my speaker is proac k6.

Given 300DR and K6 and if money is no issue, I would certainly go NDS and 252 if not 552.

Chag -

if money not issue, then just buy NDS/555/552DR/500DR.

At the risk of being shouted down on this forum - another alternative would be to have a Naim front end and a power amp from a different vendor... In my case have my new n272 + XPS DR driving a Bryston 4BSST2 (which I had had for a number of years) and they works very well together.

Indeed or use a Naim pre driving a pair of active speakers.. I think one of the comics had a review of a 272 driving a pair of active ATC SCMs and they said it sounded wonderful... 

Coincidentally, I use the ProAc K6 in a Naim system. Currently, it's an NDX,  Supernait 2 as a preamp, Supercap, 250.2. 

The SN2 will soon be replaced by the 252. 

After that, two upgrade options are available - add another brand new 250.2 (for biamping) at the same price as the first, which was 50% off because everyone now wants the DR version, then add the XPS for the NDX.

Using N272 will take away an upgrade option from you. With NDX you can either add nDAC or move to NDS.

everyone wants the DR version of 250 because it is much better, so think about it.

I own one, and it is very amazing, much better than the 250.2 (which somehow I could not get along with) and the 200 below it.

but if biamping, then both amps need to be the same, as to me the 250 DR sounds faster than the 250.2 and you will end up with a sound that is not coherent

analogmusic posted:

everyone wants the DR version of 250 because it is much better, so think about it.

 

I own one, and it is very amazing, much better than the 250.2 (which somehow I could not get along with) and the 200 below it.

 

but if biamping, then both amps need to be the same, as to me the 250 DR sounds faster than the 250.2 and you will end up with a sound that is not coherent

+1 

I had a 250.2 on a home dem, immediately followed by the 250DR I purchased (both being fed by a 272) and the difference was very dramatic. I had been tempted to save money and go for a 250.2 but very glad i didn't.

analogmusic posted:

everyone wants the DR version of 250 because it is much better, so think about it.

 

I own one, and it is very amazing, much better than the 250.2 (which somehow I could not get along with) and the 200 below it.

 

but if biamping, then both amps need to be the same, as to me the 250 DR sounds faster than the 250.2 and you will end up with a sound that is not coherent

Thanks analogmusic,  but I'll stick to the 250.2s as I didn't hear much difference in sound between it and the DR version.

I'll be using both when biamping.

Cheers!

Singslinger posted:

analogmusic posted:

everyone wants the DR version of 250 because it is much better, so think about it.

 

Thanks analogmusic,  but I'll stick to the 250.2s as I didn't hear much difference in sound between it and the DR version.

I'll be using both when biamping.

Cheers!

Just goes to show, there is no substitute for listening for ourselves when deciding what choices to make.

Hi I own a 272 and was looking at the 555ps option .... I spoke to a dealer and he reconed the 555 was total overkill.... the 555ps has 2 x brundy outputs ... for NDS? ..... so with the 272 (1x Brundy) you would only be using 50% of 555ps....... is this correct???

In his opinion ... and experience the XPS dr was optimal for the 272......

Rochieroo - your dealer knows what he is talking about. If possible get a home demo and listen to both - that's what I've been doing for the last two weeks. 

Conclusion from my systems: NDX + XPS DR is a perfect match. The PSU turns a very good source into a very refined one.