Preamp comparison

If the system in your profile is correct, I would hold out for a used 282 - it will cost less than a 272, and you already have a Hicap to power it. Failing that, I think a 202 would still work well. There are those who would have you believe that it's not as good a preamp as a 272, but personally I'm not so sure. To get the 272 singing that well I think it needs an XPS.

If streaming was a higher priority, a 272 would make more sense as you could rip your CDs to a NAS, sell the CDS3 and Hicap, and put your XPS on the 272.

I haven't heard a 172 with an external source, so can't comment on that.

Good luck!

If you don't wish to stream - and having a CDS3 you would need at least a 272/xps2 and even then the CDS3 would be the far better musical experience - I would get a 202 or (far) better still a 282.

Good luck,

Lindsay

The 202 is highly underrated. I recently substituted the Supernait 2 preamp for a 202 and the 202 was far better even without the napsc. Cant comment on the others but 202 150x is a nice combo and paves the way for a 200 when you are ready to upgrade.

The Strat (Fender) posted:

If you don't wish to stream - and having a CDS3 you would need at least a 272/xps2 and even then the CDS3 would be the far better musical experience - I would get a 202 or (far) better still a 282.

Good luck,

Lindsay

Hi Strat, I knew you show up sooner or later.

Furthermore, I knew you would mention our beloved 282, and why not. Once and while, they pop up on the 2nd hand market. If I had to take a guess, anywhere between 3.2K and 3.8K depending on SN. (USD)

We might be a bit biased, but what swayed me, surfing the internet and ran across the 2007 CES, when Naim debuted their Reference CDP.

USD. Prices in 2007

CD555/555PS--+ $28,300

282--+ $5,600

Snaxo 362

3 x 250.2

DBLs--+$30K /XO out of equation!

You tube video! Google it!

You get the idea.

Oh, I'm an Active fan also!

OP, you get the idea, if a 282 was good enough for the above rig, perhaps 90% of Forum members could live with it today!

Allante93!

Patrick - of the 3 preamps you mention N272 is probably the most 'mature' one - closest to your description.

It has a benefit of a high quality streaming module built in.

It will make for a good upgrade to your existing system and to your CDS3.

Adam

Hi Patrick, I'm with Adam Z - the 272 is the way to go IMHO.

I had a 202 (second system with NAP155XS) for a while and used it in place of my 552 while that was away being DR'd.  The 202 (into a NP500) was good enough to keep me very happy for four weeks.

On return of the 552, I sold the 202 and borrowed a 172 to demo for a couple of weeks... the 172 is a disappointment when compared to the 202.

The 172 went back to my dealer and was replaced with a 272.  Totally different story... a very refined and thoroughly enjoyable preamp (& streamer).  I've kept the 272 and it's now a part of my main system.

If you are wondering why I would wish to have a 272 alongside a 552, you'd be forgiven... the answer is simple: there are not enough inputs on the 552 (I have a number of legacy devices - cassette, reel-to-reel, tuners etc) so the 272 serves as a preamp for these 'extra' units.  The 272 is routed into one of the 'straight through' inputs on the 552, so for these older gems in my collection, the 272 is the preamp.  AND also, I make use of the digital inputs on the 272 to connect some digital 'legacy' bits (DAT, DAB, Kenwood CD transport), leaving my NDS handling only one digital device, a CDX2.

What I can't comment on, is the 272 with XPS power supply... I can only suppose it would be what you might call 'awsome'.  And, similarly, I never owned a 282, so can't offer an opinion on this box, as others have elsewhere.

I wish you good listening, and leave you with the assurance that you wouldn't go wrong if you tread the 272 path 

Roger

rjstaines posted:

Hi Patrick, I'm with Adam Z - the 272 is the way to go IMHO.

I had a 202 (second system with NAP155XS) for a while and used it in place of my 552 while that was away being DR'd.  The 202 (into a NP500) was good enough to keep me very happy for four weeks.

On return of the 552, I sold the 202 and borrowed a 172 to demo for a couple of weeks... the 172 is a disappointment when compared to the 202.

The 172 went back to my dealer and was replaced with a 272.  Totally different story... a very refined and thoroughly enjoyable preamp (& streamer).  I've kept the 272 and it's now a part of my main system.

If you are wondering why I would wish to have a 272 alongside a 552, you'd be forgiven... the answer is simple: there are not enough inputs on the 552 (I have a number of legacy devices - cassette, reel-to-reel, tuners etc) so the 272 serves as a preamp for these 'extra' units.  The 272 is routed into one of the 'straight through' inputs on the 552, so for these older gems in my collection, the 272 is the preamp.  AND also, I make use of the digital inputs on the 272 to connect some digital 'legacy' bits (DAT, DAB, Kenwood CD transport), leaving my NDS handling only one digital device, a CDX2.

What I can't comment on, is the 272 with XPS power supply... I can only suppose it would be what you might call 'awsome'.  And, similarly, I never owned a 282, so can't offer an opinion on this box, as others have elsewhere.

I wish you good listening, and leave you with the assurance that you wouldn't go wrong if you tread the 272 path 

Roger

 

Nothing like hands on experience, very informative! 

That 272 appears to be a very nice pre.

BTW rjstaines, did you get the 500 Dred yet?

Allante93!

Hi, i d avoid 172.

between 272 and 202, the latter is definitely the one to get ,much better in dealing with harmonics and purer analogue esperience. That's the key difference.

Hi folks,

Thanks for your sharing and I would choose one out of 272 and 202.  Perhaps, 202 would be my ultimate choice but it depends on listening at the showroom.  By the way, may I seek an advice from all of you about the placement of devices if I hold the following devices namely: CDS3/XPS2/202/200/NAPSC/HC/NDX

I got three blocks of Fraim and each block consists of 1 base and 2 standard levels.  That means it can be placed 9 devices.

Kindly let me have your experience about the placement of the devices.

Thank you very much.

Cheers,

Patrick

Patric,

If I understand correctly, you can build two separate racks. If so:

• Left rack: Sources and components that are not plugged directly into mains: CDS3 needs to be on a top shelf due to its door.
• Right rack: other, directly powered components: XPS, NAP 200, NAPSC, HC

Hope the above helps a bit.

Adam

Patrick

 It's your choice of course but I would make one last pitch for the 282. It's a brilliant preamp and in my view significantly better than the 202 (although that is also a very fine piece of kit).

If you choose the 272 for other reasons then of course that is fine. 

+1

Situation now seems Rather different.

racks,sources are really up to 282.

yes, a significantly better preamp than 202 is in that context.

Allante93 posted:

I might be a bit biased, but what swayed me, surfing the internet and ran across the 2007 CES, when Naim debuted their Reference CDP.

USD. Prices in 2007

CD555/555PS--+ $28,300

282--+ $5,600

Snaxo 362

3 x 250.2

DBLs--+$30K /XO out of equation!

You tube video! Google it!

You get the idea.

Oh, I'm an Active fan also!

OP, you get the idea, if a 282 was good enough for the above rig, perhaps 90% of Forum members could live with it today!

Allante93! 

Three Blocks of Fraim! 

The 272 is a 4 box wonder, especially for those into streaming.

 But five years from now:

CDS3--+Xps2--+282--+SCDR--+250DR

Ndx--+Ndac--+555PS

Napsc on the floor far away from 282... 

3 Block Fraim x 4 = 12 Tiers

You get the picture!

But if you decide 202/HCDR, it's all good.

 Allante93!

ChrisSU posted:

If the system in your profile is correct, I would hold out for a used 282 - it will cost less than a 272, and you already have a Hicap to power it. Failing that, I think a 202 would still work well. There are those who would have you believe that it's not as good a preamp as a 272, but personally I'm not so sure. To get the 272 singing that well I think it needs an XPS.

If streaming was a higher priority, a 272 would make more sense as you could rip your CDs to a NAS, sell the CDS3 and Hicap, and put your XPS on the 272.

I haven't heard a 172 with an external source, so can't comment on that.

 

Good luck!

+2

Patrick Lam posted:

Hi folks,

Kindly let me have your listening comparison of the following preamps namely:

a) NAC N-172XS

b) NAC N-272

c) NAC 202

My listening preference focus on musicality, relaxing, soft and smooth.  I dislike the tone of music flow quickly and without much harmonics.  My existing power amp is NAP150x which I like it very much and don't have any intentions to upgrade or change it.  I am not much focus on the quality of streaming under the first two choices.

Your advice and experience are highly appreciated.

Cheers,

Patrick

None of the above, a 202 is developed from 102 both not my cup TBH, get an old Nac 72 (predessesor to 52) its much more relaxing, soft and smooth than a 202. the 172 is a joke. the 272 need a mega PSU..you see clear now !