Next upgrade path for 272 and dr250

The OP hasn't actually said he's unhappy with his existing system, so I'm not sure we can just assume that it sounds off. Maybe he's just wondering, as I suspect pretty much everyone on this forum does, what might make it even better. In my opinion, adding an XPS to a 272/250 is a no brainier upgrade that really brings everything together, and I don't see it as chasing tails, rainbows or whatever.

Of course, correct system setup is important at any stage, won't cost nearly as much. But when you buy a new rack, make sure there's a spare shelf on it!

Hi,

Adding NAC A5 cable with properly soldered Naim speaker plugs on both ends (dealer?) may give you all the energy and fun that Naim are famous for than that you may not be experiencing with the QED cable even though all seems well.

Cheapest upgrade and probably most effective at this stage would be a quality burn in and frequency sweep disc or copy/file. Make sure your burning in properly and speakers positioned to get best neutral response.

Very good advice guys

i do like the sound and yes I am chasing the rainbow of getting the most out of it

i have just downloaded a frequency sweep file playing this on loop instead of radio. I understand the speakers take 500 hours to break in.

after this its speaker cable then stand then next year the xps

thanks again all

ricto

Just a further question can I play sweep on low volume?

Buy a second-hand XPS, whilst it isn't quite as good as a XPS DR, it is a substantial upgrade on the NAC272 and can be had for reasonable prices. Worth looking out for second-hand cabling too... you could look outside of Naim from a cabling perspective, there are lots of companies out there that produce good cabling for reasonable prices.

Huge posted:

QED Silver Anniversary is definitely the weak link in that chain (I know, used to use it); and to suit the 250DR, I suggest NAC A5, and solder the connections properly.

I wouldn't necessarily agree with this, I have both NAC A5 and QED Silver Anniversary cable and the QED more than holds it's own against the Naim.

I would have to agree with Paul. I have also used both cables in Naim and non-Naim configurations. The QED Silver Anniversary XT indeed is an excellent cable with great VFM. Fast, detailed, transparent, three dimensional and nicely timbered. It has been well appreciated and recognized over the years.

Chag -

Does it give a slightly wooden sound?

Yes indeeed HH.

Chag -

Chag... posted:

I would have to agree with Paul. I have also used both cables in Naim and non-Naim configurations. The QED Silver Anniversary XT indeed is an excellent cable with great VFM. Fast, detailed, transparent, three dimensional and nicely timbered. It has been well appreciated and recognized over the years.

Chag -

But the OP said he had QED Silver Anniversary, not QED Silver Anniversary XT.

It's a different cable, a lot less detailed, less transparent and more coloured.

Huge posted:

Chag... posted:

I would have to agree with Paul. I have also used both cables in Naim and non-Naim configurations. The QED Silver Anniversary XT indeed is an excellent cable with great VFM. Fast, detailed, transparent, three dimensional and nicely timbered. It has been well appreciated and recognized over the years.

Chag -

But the OP said he had QED Silver Anniversary, not QED Silver Anniversary XT.

It's a different cable, a lot less detailed, less transparent and more coloured.

I wasn't talking about the XT, I was talking about the standard Silver Anniversary which gives the Naim cable a serious run for its money for a darn site less outlay.

Ricto posted:

Just a further question can I play sweep on low volume?

Better to try this at high volume..

http://www.steamsounds.org.uk/

It'll confuse the neighbours !

Naca 5 and a few cases of Malbec (or similar) Job done.

Just an up date

I have to say after only 20 hoursish of running in the sound is the best i have ever heard. What is most notable is the silence between the words/music when the song intends there to be, something I have never noticed before.

Ricto

That's without any upgrades so far

Ricto

That'll be the infamous inky blackness. Oft scorned but in practice really nice. 

Just got my 250 back after being DR'd plus a spanking new 272 which takes over from a NAC72 plus Hi cap. I have also hooked up the XP5XS which I had left over from the traded in ND5 XS so I guess I am overdosing on improvements but so far I am hearing stuff on streamed music from my unitiserve which I hadn't heard before even on very well known tracks.

Previously the benefit of the power supply on the ND5 was a primarily better bass separation. I still have that but there is more detail and more subtle timbre - the push of the forum is for 272 plus XPSDR - which I haven't heard but when the ND5 came out the reviewers seemed to think that with XPS5xs it was equivalent to a naked NDX. In due course I will need to try out the 272 with its own transformer!

So far very happy!

jatr

Hi have same system but with pmc 20.21 ...... I bought a second hand 555ps and it made a staggering difference ..... best upgrade.... This is not a dr555 ..... so I have an upgrade path in the future....

I have had to change my speaker cables .... and these have now gone over to sl. This improved things but no where near the ps.

Get a 555 and enjoy!!!

To the OP I feel the next upgrade is free ... just let the system burn in over the next few months and enjoy that process.... I would suggest getting hold of some hi-res files to play.

Maybe try / borrow some NAC5 to see if it helps the presentation.

if the stand is a worry and you can' afford want you really want yet, try some isolators

Absolutely start saving for a PS for the 272

My recent history.
I also bought a 272/250DR in April 2016 ... upgrade bug hit me early too, probably as I had time on my hands in May.
I already had some nice power leads (JPS labs Kapavator), so they went in within a week.
Like Richieroo I added a some 555 magic from a man near Leeds.... it really did make a huge difference, but again it also improved over the next 4 to 6 weeks.

The kit is sitting on a bog standard TV stand with two glass shelves ... not ideal but some cheap isolating cones from eBay has cleaned up & focused the sound. 

The nice Man from Leeds also supplied a silver interconnect for less than 20% of the SL, which to my ears was very nearly as good when compared.  That money saved will go towards a fraim.

About a month ago I wondered about the speaker cabling, with the external crossovers on my Living voice Avatar OBXR I have 3 runs per side to think about.  two stereo and one bi-wire.
I bought two pair of lengths of NAC5 off eBay at a price I could flip if required.  That gave a change in presentation which has really helped the PRaT factor and musical enjoyment.  the NAC5 replaced some electrofluidics Monolith 20/20
... 250DR to crossover is still on bi-wired Hitachi SSX-102k LC-OFC.      

Parlee-Queen would prefer not to have the external cross-overs and would like a black floor stander.... to my surprise she likes the look of the Focal Sopra 2s.

 I'm really enjoying music again very nearly typed system but its the music that's important

My next step is waiting a redecoration of the living room, then I can move the TV and get the Fraim, maybe ought to plan a dedicated mains, and ethernet.
i have the approval on the Sopra 2, but i've only heard them at a show, so would need a home dem.
after that well suppose depends on Naim offering something above the 272.   372/300 ??

Just a note the focal 1028be are big in fact very big, speaker positioning is becoming a problem so they do not look like they are taking over the room. Room size is 20ft by 16 ft with a fireplace at the thinner end. Im going to try either side of the fire, they weigh about 5 stone so don't really want to keep moving them.

Ive downloaded some hi res files 24/96 from hd tracks and tried them on a NAS drive and usb stick, all the rock songs (Boston - More than a feeling ect.. Foreigner 4 )don't sound  much better even to the older system, although Justin Beiber Dire Straits all sound very good, this might be the mid range not run in yet on the speakers or the original songs reproduction has peaked.

I know Im answering my own questions but please feel free to comment or chip in with your opinions

Ricto

If Justin Beiber sounds good, may i suggest a hearing test....��

Lol To behonest thats what I thought but I do think he has some good songs now. But will check hearing just in case.

Does any one know whether you can sell livestock on eBay just checking out my options if wife offers ultimatum on speakers?

Ricto posted:

 

Does any one know whether you can sell livestock on eBay just checking out my options if wife offers ultimatum on speakers?

 

No, I think the nearest you'll get is an electric fence.

Be careful you might not  able to sell livestock on E BAY but Gonads are a different matter entirely.��