Possible streamer replacement

Posted by: Johnboy on 30 June 2016

Good morning,

I am considering replacing by Stream Magic streamer with a Naim device and I am exploring options around acquiring a 172xs Streamer/Preamp, thus replacing my olive NAC72.

The rest of my set up is an olive 140/HiCap, together with a Linn CD player an LP12, and Ariva speakers.

All this fits neatly on to a 4 slot HiFi rack (with the LP12 on top), so with ditching the 72 I could do an upgrade to a NAP 200 at a later stage without the need for adding extra levels.

Is this a possible or desirable set up?

All views are appreciated - I could just retain the olive boxes and acquire a ND5SX.

 

Posted on: 30 June 2016 by Bert Schurink

If you can I would suggest to make on step more the 272 it's definitely in another league and can be also greatly upgraded by adding a xps.

Posted on: 30 June 2016 by Johnboy

Thanks for the swift reply, Bert, but funds are unlikely to be available for this at any time soon.

 

Posted on: 30 June 2016 by fernar

I would second that... the N272 even in it's standard form is an excellent device..... if costs are tight, look for a used example - there are now a number in the market... still more expensive than the n172 - but if you can save up to it well worth the increased performance it offers over the n172 - that is not to say that the n172 is a bad product.... 

Posted on: 30 June 2016 by Pcd

I replaced my Stream Magic last year with a ex demo NDX this was used with a Olive 82/Supercap/250 and Spendor A5 Speakers the difference was amazing.

I would suggest that you demo a 172 against a 272 at your dealer particulary as you have suggested you might look at a NAP200 at a later date the dealer would also be able to explain any future upgrade routes etc.

 

Posted on: 30 June 2016 by hungryhalibut

I wouldn't go from a 72 to a172. Bear in mind also that you would need a phono stage, as the 172 does not have one. If you bought a Stageline you'd need the Hicap to power it. 

If the 272 is too much of a stretch I'd look for a pre loved NDX for £2,200 or so. 

Posted on: 30 June 2016 by Pcd
If you do decide on a pre loved NDX take your time as they do pop up. I
purchased mine as an ex demo a shade over six months old for a considerable
saving on new price in fact is wasn't much more expensine than a new ND5 XS.

Regards

Pete
Posted on: 30 June 2016 by Innocent Bystander

Can I suggest looking up Mac Mini running Audirvana with Chord Hugo DAC on this forum, which is an alternative to Naim streamer and NAS, and regarded by most who have heard it as capable of better sound quality than some Naim offerings.

Posted on: 01 July 2016 by nbpf
Innocent Bystander posted:

Can I suggest looking up Mac Mini running Audirvana with Chord Hugo DAC on this forum, which is an alternative to Naim streamer and NAS, and regarded by most who have heard it as capable of better sound quality than some Naim offerings.

+1 This approach (you could also consider a second hand Naim DAC as an alternative to the Chord Hugo) will also require a (relatively unexpensive) USB to SPDIF interface between the Mac Mini and the DAC. But it will allow you to clearcut separate amplification concerns from digital-to-analog signal conversion. You will then be able to upgrade you amplification when funds permit. Another advantage of having a small server directly connected to a DAC via USB is that you would be able to enjoy internet streaming services without drop outs. If you keep your music collection on the Mac Mini, you also would not need to run a NAS in your household and you would not need a wired connection between your LAN and the Mac Mini. It is a different streaming approach than the one actively supported by Naim but one well worth considering, I believe.

Posted on: 01 July 2016 by Chag...

I would consider S/H ND5 followed by S/H nDAC or Hugo. Great VFM paths to enter streaming and HD at this system level.

Chag -