Two box endgame, signing off.

Posted by: Dr_J on 27 May 2016

As some of you, HH, Chrissu et al, will recognise,  I have spent a few months pondering what or how to best add to my SU/PMC 23 system, probably getting more rather than less confused by the day!  My original aim was to achieve a one to three (max) box system, the lower the better. I have been fortunate to be able to home audition the NAP 200DR and CD5si as possible extensions, plus following some extensive auditioning at my helpful dealer, I  have arrived at m ideal solution for the foreseeable future.

Two boxes, my SU and a NAP 250DR plus Powerlines and my PMC 23's to be fed from my existing Synology NAS(s) running MinimServer, so slightly more than 'just' two boxes......

My thanks to all who responded to what may have seemed both foolish and repetitive questions and threads, but your replies helped a lot to focus the final auditions and eliminate both the electronic and fiscally foolish.

The decider? Listening to the SU + 250DR, bi-amped(!!) fed through PL's - absolutely jaw dropping - OK then I liked it best of all I'd heard. 

KR, J

Posted on: 27 May 2016 by Drewy

Glad you're enjoying it and haven't felt the instant need to ditch the SU and go 272. The SU is a totally different sounding machine with a decent power amp on it. Ive recently connected mine up to a 300DR and am more than happy to live with it until next year when i upgrade the SU to the 372

Posted on: 27 May 2016 by ChrisSU

Good to hear you're sorted. I'm curious to know what differences you find between bi-amping and just using the 250DR? This may go against the usual mantra of 'don't bi-amp with Naim' but of course, that doesn't matter one bit if it sounds better to you.

Posted on: 27 May 2016 by Adam Zielinski

Well done! 

Enjoy the music.

Adam

Posted on: 27 May 2016 by Kiwi cat

Before I got my 272 I lived very happily for a few months with the SU/250DR combination. The main thing I have noticed with the 272 is slightly more finesse and "air" around the instruments, but the SU/250DR is great and I am sure I could have lived with it long term. So well done DrJ, many happy listening hours ahead.��

Posted on: 27 May 2016 by hungryhalibut

Well, you might think it's good now, but just you wait till you trade in the SU for a 272. Another world is there to be explored. 

Posted on: 27 May 2016 by Dr_J
Hungryhalibut posted:

Well, you might think it's good now, but just you wait till you trade in the SU for a 272. Another world is there to be explored. 

Stoppit! Stoppit now! 

Posted on: 27 May 2016 by Drewy

too late. Its been said now and its bouncing around your head

Posted on: 27 May 2016 by hungryhalibut

Then all you need is an XPSDR and some Super Lumina cables. It really is very good. 

Posted on: 27 May 2016 by Dr_J
ChrisSU posted:

Good to hear you're sorted. I'm curious to know what differences you find between bi-amping and just using the 250DR? This may go against the usual mantra of 'don't bi-amp with Naim' but of course, that doesn't matter one bit if it sounds better to you.

So, having listened to the 250DR on the SU immediately after the 200DR, which I had also home auditioned, the 250 sounded better, perhaps borderline a lot better, but not, as others have also said, earth shatteringly so. So, when I tried by bi-amp config, which again I had also tried with the 200DR, just ho, hum, I was immediately struck by the sheer presence of the music - a serious wow factor moment. But, hey what would I know? I just liked it more that the 250DR alone, a lot more, similarly for the SU/NAP 200DR combo and, most surprisingly of all, more than the NAC-N 272/250DR. Only goes to show, you never can tell without listening first hand.

KR, J

Posted on: 27 May 2016 by Dr_J
Hungryhalibut posted:

Then all you need is an XPSDR and some Super Lumina cables. It really is very good. 

And a printing press with some £50 plates.....

Posted on: 27 May 2016 by ChrisSU
Dr_J posted:
ChrisSU posted:

Good to hear you're sorted. I'm curious to know what differences you find between bi-amping and just using the 250DR? This may go against the usual mantra of 'don't bi-amp with Naim' but of course, that doesn't matter one bit if it sounds better to you.

So, having listened to the 250DR on the SU immediately after the 200DR, which I had also home auditioned, the 250 sounded better, perhaps borderline a lot better, but not, as others have also said, earth shatteringly so. So, when I tried by bi-amp config, which again I had also tried with the 200DR, just ho, hum, I was immediately struck by the sheer presence of the music - a serious wow factor moment. But, hey what would I know? I just liked it more that the 250DR alone, a lot more, similarly for the SU/NAP 200DR combo and, most surprisingly of all, more than the NAC-N 272/250DR. Only goes to show, you never can tell without listening first hand.

KR, J

So a 272 is just a Superuniti with no power amp?

Posted on: 27 May 2016 by hungryhalibut

Indeed, and with one socket fewer on the front. No other difference.

Posted on: 27 May 2016 by Dr_J
Hungryhalibut posted:

Indeed, and with one socket fewer on the front. No other difference.

Although, in my experience, with a noticeably different sound, voice. I felt the 272 focussed on the to 80-90% whilst the SU was similar, but starting from the bottom up rather than the 272's top down, But, hey, only two units and my ears, so the reality could be very different.

KR, J