Nait XS + HiCap + NAP 200DR

Posted by: p. on 15 October 2016

This combination plays surprisingly joyful for me right now, while I type these lines.

I moved into a new flat some weeks ago with a slightly bigger living room (25 square meter now) and the sound felt thinner as before, no real surprise.

As the Nait XS is the weakest part of my system I decided to look into possible upgrades. 

From my dealer I have a 272+200DR on loan at home and listen to the different combinations now - a really joyful part of the upgrade journey.

I had really high expectations for the 272 and liked the idea of upgrading and reducing box count at the same time (swap nDac + Nait XS + HiCap for 272 + 200DR was the plan, use 555ps on 272 then) but neither did I feel this was an improvement on the digital side of my system nor on the vinyl side.

Now this was a surprise for me: vinyl into 272+555ps+200DR has more details, more soundstage and better separation of instruments compared to Nait XS+HiCap+200DR - yet the 272 made the music feel distant and cold - I did not all expect this.

Nait XS+HiCap+200DR has less details, less soundstage and separation, yet the music seems more lively, more present, gives me more fun listening to music.

NAP 200 DR seems to be a nice upgrade for the Nait XS in my room - and future proof as well, as it allows for a NAC in the future.

Happy to read about your thoughts and experiences - cheers, p.

Posted on: 15 October 2016 by ChrisSU

Perhaps you were underestimating the contribution of the NDAC in your system?

Posted on: 15 October 2016 by Christopher_M

Pleased it's good. When I owned a Nait XS, Naim showed your configuration in the manual, so I always thought they rated it.

Chris

Posted on: 15 October 2016 by p.
ChrisSU posted:

Perhaps you were underestimating the contribution of the NDAC in your system?

absolutely!

Posted on: 15 October 2016 by p.
Christopher_M posted:

Pleased it's good. When I owned a Nait XS, Naim showed your configuration in the manual, so I always thought they rated it.

Chris

Thanks Chris. Yes this was my thought as well when I searched the manual for the right connection and found this configuration shown there. 

Posted on: 15 October 2016 by joe9407

hi P.,

i've heard the 272 with 555PS and XPS (both DR) and i can't say it really grabbed me, either. like you, i expected to be blown away and wasn't, so maybe my expectations were too high.

i have a 282 now, and no such problems. might be worth a demo when the time's right.

--joe

Posted on: 16 October 2016 by p.

Hello Joe, 282 is also my thought, maybe give a used one a try, there seem to be some around recently.

cheers, p.

Posted on: 16 October 2016 by Huge

An NDX + NAC 282 will clearly beat a 272, but then it should for the price!

An ND5 XS + NAC 202 vs a 272 is a different matter though (and even that's a somewhat higher price).

I also rather suspect a bit of mismatch of between the sonic characteristics of your speakers and the 272 in respect of your musical tastes.

Posted on: 16 October 2016 by ryder.

P.

Are you running the Nait XS and NAP 200 in biamp configuration, or you are using the Nait XS as a preamp?

Posted on: 16 October 2016 by Christopher_M
p. posted:
Christopher_M posted:

Pleased it's good. When I owned a Nait XS, Naim showed your configuration in the manual, so I always thought they rated it.

Chris

Thanks Chris. Yes this was my thought as well when I searched the manual for the right connection and found this configuration shown there. 

Trouble is p., we get greedy don't we. I mean Naim give us the most wonderfully complete integrated... and then we want more!

C.

Posted on: 16 October 2016 by p.
Huge posted:

 

I also rather suspect a bit of mismatch of between the sonic characteristics of your speakers and the 272 in respect of your musical tastes.

This might well be true - very well spotted. Yet I wonder how are you able to tell? And which speakers / music would better be suited for the 272? Just wondering...

Posted on: 16 October 2016 by Chag...
p. posted:
ChrisSU posted:

Perhaps you were underestimating the contribution of the NDAC in your system?

absolutely!

Indeed, nothing beats nDAC, except for NDS.. 

Chag -

Posted on: 16 October 2016 by p.
ryder. posted:

P.

Are you running the Nait XS and NAP 200 in biamp configuration, or you are using the Nait XS as a preamp?

Nait XS as preamp

Posted on: 16 October 2016 by p.
Christopher_M posted:
p. posted:
Christopher_M posted:

Pleased it's good. When I owned a Nait XS, Naim showed your configuration in the manual, so I always thought they rated it.

Chris

Thanks Chris. Yes this was my thought as well when I searched the manual for the right connection and found this configuration shown there. 

Trouble is p., we get greedy don't we. I mean Naim give us the most wonderfully complete integrated... and then we want more!

C.

so true! Yet I assume the new room plays a role here, as had no urge to change the Nait XS before I moved into my new flat

Posted on: 16 October 2016 by Christopher_M

Good point about room size, which I'd not considered. I've been in 15m2 for all of my 'Naim life' and I can vouch for NAP200 and SBLs in such a space. Doesn't stop me dreaming of a lottery win and consequent NAC252 and SCDR though  :-)

C.