Upgraditis strikes . . .

Posted by: Mike Woodcock on 19 April 2016

A month or two ago, I spent an unplanned afternoon in my local dealer and did an extended comparison of a 272/200 to my exiting UQ2/100. Unfortunately, I haven't been able to move on since. I have deliberated various upgrade routes, but I think, given budget and space (ie no of boxes) where I have landed is a 272/250 ultimate setup, possibly with the addition of power supplies at a point to be determined in the long distant future. I would add the 272 now and the 250 as funds allow.

I briefly considered the merits of a separate streamer/pre/power combination but couldn't see an easy route to get there and I wasn't sure that for the separates costing a reasonably similar amount (NDX/202/200) would give a justifiable improvement.

Am I missing something here and is there any other route I should consider?

(PS I know my speakers will need upgrading also to match the 250 . . . Small steps!)

Posted on: 19 April 2016 by ChrisSU

Hi Mike, I went through a similar decision making process last year and eventually decided on the separate streamer route. For the same price as a 272/XPS/250, I went for NDX/282/200, which to my ears, sounded better, despite the inferior power amp....bearing in mind that my Kudos X2 speakers are not hard to drive.

My upgrade path was: add 200DR to Superuniti, then add NDX, then swap Superuniti for 282. Stage 1 and 2 complete, stage 3 to follow later this year. I guess you could follow a similar path, except that you could keep your 100 and start with the source upgrade. Alternatively NDX/Supernait could be worth considering.

In my opinion, the 272 needs an XPS to compete with these systems, but if you choose this route, you'll still end up with a nice system. Hopefully, you'll enjoy making your dealer earn his money by letting you take your time and listen to some of these options.

Posted on: 19 April 2016 by hungryhalibut

If you wanted to go the NDX route, you could get that, and a preamp - either the 202 or the 282 - to go with your 100. You could get a used NDX and 202 for about the cost of a new 272, though bear in mind that the 272 is better as a preamp than the 202, so the real comparison is a 282 and NDX, which costs a lot more than a 272, even used. But of course the 100 cannot power the preamp, you'd need a Hicap as well.

I upgraded from a SuperUniti last year and considered two options - 272/250 and NDX/SN. I didn't bother listening to them, or indeed seeking opinions from anyone. They are both jolly good and ultimately I don't care which sounds best. I bought the 272/250 because:

it only needs one power supply to upgrade it
it only ever needs two plugs, and my spur has only two sockets
you cannot use a Hiline with it
the 250 has more welly than the power amp in the Supernait
the 272 has the same lovely volume control as the SuperUniti
the 272 isn't covered in buttons I don't need
I just like the idea of a streaming preamp

So that was my logic, based on logistics and instinct. You can fret over these decisions for ages, and each person will have a different opinion; just go with whichever feels right to you.

Posted on: 19 April 2016 by rjstaines

I can recommend the 272 - I have one. I can recommend the 250DR - I've heard one in a comparison dem, but don't have one.

I've had an NDX, but never had a SN. Bottom line would be the power and control the 250DR gives you beats anything I've heard below the NAP300. The 250DR is offered as a serious amplifier to customers wanting a very high quality system, like you.

It's got to be a no-brainer to opt for the 272 /250DR, as far as I can see (and hear).

HH's 7 selection criteria may not all align with yours or mine, but his conclusion cannot be faulted.

That's my opinion... others on this forum will disagree.

Roger

Posted on: 19 April 2016 by Mike Woodcock

Thanks all, the number of boxes is key in the decision making process . . . .

HH - what do you mean by it only needs one power supply to upgrade it? Does one of them not take an external PS?

Also - Why can't you use a Hi-Line with 272/250? how do you connect the 2 units?

Sorry if dumb questions - I'm finding my way here...

Posted on: 19 April 2016 by Mike Woodcock

HH - ignore my post - I have now been to the NAIM website and I see that the 250 has no input for either a PS or Hi-Line! Learning more each day!

Posted on: 19 April 2016 by Bart

Hi Mike I'll answer a little for you. The N272 can be mated to an external power supply, but there is none for the 250 power amp.

The Hi-Line is to connect a digital source to a pre-amp, for example an NDX or cd player to a pre-amp or integrated amp; the N272 has both of those functions within the same unit. The pre-amp part of the N272 is connected to a power amp via a SNAIC type cable.

Posted on: 19 April 2016 by hungryhalibut

Mike Woodcock posted:
HH - ignore my post - I have now been to the NAIM website and I see that the 250 has no input for either a PS or Hi-Line! Learning more each day!

Take action and delete is your friend....

The 272 and 250 link together with a din to xlr lead, which comes with the 250.

Posted on: 19 April 2016 by Adam Zielinski

Mike

N272 + 250DR would make for a very good combo. I would recommend that you start with that, and after some months start thinking about adding a power supply (XPS DR).

N272 + 250DR is definitely not the same as NDX / 202 / 200.

Some may disagree, but N272 purports to be a 282 / NDX in one, but it's not.

Adam

Posted on: 19 April 2016 by Bart

Bart posted:
Hi Mike I'll answer a little for you. The N272 can be mated to an external power supply, but there is none for the 250 power amp.
The Hi-Line is to connect a digital source to a pre-amp, for example an NDX or cd player to a pre-amp or integrated amp; the N272 has both of those functions within the same unit. The pre-amp part of the N272 is connected to a power amp via a SNAIC type cable.

Make that DIN to XLR lead . . . HH corrected. Which makes sense given he actually owns these.