172xs/250DR or 272/200?

Well I've never done the test but I imagine the 272 will be a bigger step up.

Regards,

Lindsay

FOrget any 250 and ditch that 172.

It s nowhere up to make a 200 justice. I d definitely go 272 if you find confortable with pre/streamer.

Hy Solid Air,

also have a 172/200 and thinking about first get an used (and burned in) 250DR for a good price and later (maybe as a ex-demo) the 272.

But for my opinion, the 272 must be the "bigger" step...

I would say that if you intend staying with what you buy then get the 272.  If you are working your way through the system I would get the 250DR personally which would then give me of a number of different pre and streaming options further down the line when I had the funds.  I would guess that for an immediate improvement though the 272 will provide more.

Lots of people are very keen on matching the 272 with an external power supply, and I'm sure it sounds fab, but of course it's another wodge of money. Does the 272 still sound really good without that?

The 272 on its own is very good the XPS takes it to another level.

The 172 with the 300 sounds superb, I have not heard with the 250DR however. Still surprises what a gem in the portfolio the 172 is. I think with ATC speakers they will appreciate the higher drive from the 250DR or 300 for best punch and subtle dynamics. 

Solid Air posted:

Lots of people are very keen on matching the 272 with an external power supply, and I'm sure it sounds fab, but of course it's another wodge of money. Does the 272 still sound really good without that?

I thought the bare 272 sounded fine for the money - as usual with Naim, relative price reflects relative sound quality, more or less. The idea that it competes with the likes of NDX/282 is, to my ears, complete tosh. Add an XPS, and the gap closes considerably. As you'd expect for the price.

I'm sure Allante will be along soon enough to do the maths for us:-)

I actually had a 172 playing into a 200 and then replaced it with a 272 and then eventually replaced the 200 with a 250DR so based on experience I'd most definitely go with the 272 first.  I only traded up to the 250DR because I switched from an easy to drive speaker, DeVore 3XL, to a significantly tougher load with a Dynaudio Confidence C1 Platinum.

The 172 is a good value for the money, I think, but never really satisfied me, whereas if I hadn't changed speaks the 200 would still be in place.  Compared to the 272 the 172 struck me as somewhat thin and constrained and absent the delicious depth, liquid clarity, and expanded soundstage of the 272.

As ever your mileage may vary but even fresh out of the box without an XPS I thought the 272 worth every penny over the 172 as an upgrade.

i suppose it depends on where you want to (or think you might) end up.

Whichever of the two suggested routes you take, you may end up wanting a 272/250 combination, which seems to be a well-balanced and highly regarded setup.

If so, logically I would suggest 272 as a first step. You'll either be happy where you are, or the upgrade to 250 at that stage makes complete sense. Doing it the other way round makes less sense to my humble brain.

On paper, I would say 272/200. Never heard both combo. Get 172/250 if you have plans to change out the 172 later.

For a warmer punchier and more 3D sound with those SCM 11 speakers I would defo go 250 first.. I have been there with various sources. The 200 is a great amp, but could sound a little thin and flat on the revealing and relatively neutral ATCs compared to the 250.

if you want refinement and added detail first however, then go 172 to 272 first. To my ears however such attributes don't always give increased enjoyment, where as I usually find, punch, warmth, dynamics, and staging often do.. I guess it depends what you are after first.

if you weren't using ATC speakers, and perhaps using a ported speaker with a subtle bass boost,  I guess my suggestion could be different.

You re right saying 250 will drive atc better.

but 172/250 would definitely give a much thinner sound than ,say 272/200 or any Classic preamp separate plus good source. Tried UQ on mine plus 200 ,not good, 172 XS better But not a good preamp source at all with 200. I'd say a temporary match.

dealer has newer 19s ,performance starts with SN2 ,soundin good ,to eccellent with 250.2 and very good with 200.

I'd go further saying that superb results are when a very good preamp is matched to expose a great source thag  means I'd never do 250  with 272/202 ,but once 282 and either a great analog  and digital source have settled in.

Ears may differer, so audition.

The streaming side of the 172 is very good ..... so if this is used with say a second hand 250.2 it would be an excellent cost effective combo. Gutsy and explicit.

The 272 is better and is much better with the other pre inputs and headphone....... this will sound more open even with the 200...with more finesse...

Depends on you speakers. If hey're hard to drive you'll wish you got the 250.