New N272/NAP200DR or s/h NAC282, NDX and NAP200

Simon-in-Suffolk posted:

Jeroen20 posted:

Hi,

I am in the market for a new N272 and NAP200DR.
Now I also have the opportunity to buy a second hand NAC282, NDX and NAP200 (non DR). The price is a bit more then a new N272 / NAP200DR set.
I am wondering what the smart thing to do is. The second hand set is 3 years old.

Any thoughts?

Regards,
Jeroen.

Hi it depends where you think you'll go on your journey. If you think you will put in and forget the 272 might be the better and more compact option. If you have an eye to future upgrades and probably leaning more to absolute SQ then the NDX/282 would be what I recommend. The 282 is a superb preamp, and the first of the Naim  greats IMO (282/252/552/Statement). Also at some point not too far away perhaps there will be a NDX2 /NDS2 building on the new Uniti architecture (which is quite different from the current streamers) so my view is perhaps unless my first point is very compelling for you then don't put all your eggs in one basket with the 272

I think despite the 200 being very capable you will itch to get a 250 of one sort .. in my experience it's quite a performance lift with higher spec preamps.

Finally I really don't think you neccessarily need a PSU on the NDX to enjoy it, its very good natively, especially with higher spec preamps.. I can't comment on the 272. 

 

Good post Simon concise and self explanatory.

ref the N272/200 route, I started down this path but I had a constant itch to upgrade to the 250DR based on the fantastic reviews that the 250DR receives. I finally pulled the trigger and upgraded to the 250DR and the decision was worthy as its a big step up in performance from the 200. If you can, go straight to the 250DR and if you cant don't start searching for 200 v 250DR posts! lol

Adam Zielinski posted:

I will throw a curve ball...

NDX can be upgraded with an external DAC, powered by an external PSU - NDX + nDAC + 555 PS make for a formidable source.
N272 cannot be upgraded with an external DAC. 'Only' a PSU can be added.

 

Hmmm -- curve ball? I haven't been around here for a long time, but one would sort of expect you to suggest an NDac and 555PS. 

Simon-in-Suffolk posted:

Also at some point not too far away perhaps there will be a NDX2 /NDS2 building on the new Uniti architecture (which is quite different and a big step forward in my opinion from the current streamers) 

 

Interesting 

Timo posted:

Adam Zielinski posted:

I will throw a curve ball...

NDX can be upgraded with an external DAC, powered by an external PSU - NDX + nDAC + 555 PS make for a formidable source.
N272 cannot be upgraded with an external DAC. 'Only' a PSU can be added.

 

Hmmm -- curve ball? I haven't been around here for a long time, but one would sort of expect you to suggest an NDac and 555PS. 

Timo - that wasn't a recommendation at all.  One is of course free to project anything into what I wrote.

I merely pointed out that N272 cannot really effectively benefit from a DAC upgrade (unless one decides to forego half of the functionality offered). 

Simon-in-Suffolk posted:

...

Also at some point not too far away perhaps there will be a NDX2 /NDS2 building on the new Uniti architecture (which is quite different and a big step forward in my opinion from the current streamers) so my view is perhaps unless my first point is very compelling for you then don't put all your eggs in one basket with the 272

...

 

Simon, probably rather too far off topic for this thread, but I'd be very interested in a comparison of the older microcontroller + SHARC DSP + TI DAC architecture with the new Uniti streamer design, and where you think the advantages and disadvantages lie.

Adam Zielinski posted:

Timo posted:

Adam Zielinski posted:

I will throw a curve ball...

NDX can be upgraded with an external DAC, powered by an external PSU - NDX + nDAC + 555 PS make for a formidable source.
N272 cannot be upgraded with an external DAC. 'Only' a PSU can be added.

 

Hmmm -- curve ball? I haven't been around here for a long time, but one would sort of expect you to suggest an NDac and 555PS. 

Timo - that wasn't a recommendation at all.  One is of course free to project anything into what I wrote.

I merely pointed out that N272 cannot really effectively benefit from a DAC upgrade (unless one decides to forego half of the functionality offered). 

 

Don't shoot the messenger -- just an innocent observation... 

No quarter posted:

alanbass1 posted:

The two elements that led to my decision was firstly the sound from the 272/555/250 combination was truly captivating. The second was that once I settle on my speakers I want to forget about buying hi fi and just enjoy the music.

If I got the NDX / 282 / Hicap option to go with my 250 I would have been wanting to get a power supply for the NDX and be wondering what a supercap would do for the 282. So something else to consider, outside of the box count, is whether you want to continue to invest in your hi fi over time to get to a higher level of performance - which could be a better path if hi fi is your hobby.

I am with you Alan,I was going to get an xpsdr for my 272/250dr,but decided to hold off until I can afford the 555dr...just to be sure I was getting the absolute most out of my set up.I started with a UQ 2 and the Iota's myself,and here I am,almost done with upgrades.I still have the Iota's,is that all you use with your gear?Are you going to upgrade the speakers at some point,or do you also use a sub?I tried my Iota's with the 272/250dr and JL 112 sub,quite excellent.The point is,at some point you have to shut down this upgrade bug,and the 282 combo leaves that door wiiiiide open.

I still have the Iota's although I'm looking to upgrade as the last piece in my particular jigsaw ��

What I was trying to say in my post is that I have found a sound that really captivated me and that my purchase will put me in good stead for many years to come. Hopefully people did not misinterpret what I meant by the hi fi as a hobby reference as it is a valid consideration. By this I mean if hi fi is someone's main hobby it might be a better route to go with an option that can be incrementally improved one box at a time in pursuit of this hobby. There is nothing wrong with this as my hobby is playing bass and guitar and I plough countless £s into this, whereas others iI know (often more talented than me ��) and are happy owning just one guitar and one amplifier.

It's unfortunate that some of us find any element of this hobby negative some of the posts describe the need to upgrade as some other worldly evil force compelling them to spend their money yes a lot of it is tongue in cheek but some is not. Every Naim system/component I've owned has been excellent and sounded great, yes occasionally I get curious and when I have money to spare I spend it and each time I have been happy to do so. I will never own a full SL Loom or a Chord Dave but the system I own is better than I ever thought I would own. 

Just pulled the trigger to upgrade the 172XS to the 272, to feed my 200DR/Focal 906 setup. Not going all out to the XPSDR (yet) but will look to enjoy the uplift in SQ that the 272 brings. In a relatively small room, I am constrained to an extent by SWMBO and her view that there are already too many boy's toys in her lounge so this is something of a 1 for 1 box swap of the oldest/weakest link in the chain as well as the nice chaps at Accoustica in Chester being quite helpful with the part ex arrangement as well as taking some other gear off my hands that I would otherwise struggle to dispose of.  

The good thing about the journey is that I have found that there are no inherently bad options along the way, but rather choices that cost money but which convert good into better. As to where you choose to step off "The Road That Goes Over On" that is purely down to the size of wallet and also whether you have a gene that is constantly being dissatisfied.... If you tick both boxes, Naim will love you forever!

Thanks guys for all the replies. You have given me a lot of food for thought.

I'm with the Builder I "could" upgrade to a 555 PSU or SC or SL or Chord Music.   I "could" seek out a 552.......but for now I'll stick��

I "couldn't" upgrade to a 555PSU or Chord Music, as my pay has stopped and we're living on lentils! Luckily for me I have a great stereo and nearly 3,000 albums on my NAS, as well as the radio.

All I'd add to the OP is don't overthink things - you can get in such a muddle that you end up doing nothing. And don't spend more than you planned. There's always something better - the key is not to care about it.

And now it's time to cook a dal with courgettes. We may even have some pancakes afterwards. 

Well I'm joining the ranks of the retired Dec this year.  I won't be able to claim poverty but I like lentils

Nothing wrong with lentils great upgrade path you can start with some Garlic, onions, careful though after a while you'll be wandering what lentil and truffles taste like.

We were in Amsterdam last week and had a rather wonderful tagliatelle with Umbrian black truffles, at the Italian just round the corner from the hotel. I'm not sure about lenticchie con tartufi though.

Hope the OP is finding this informative

Let's hope so! 

Maybe a few weeks of lentils to have the beans for a 250DR?!  

i am on lentils from the age of 3, soup, red, black, cold, hot.... but i agree with HH, we need to stop enjoy what we have, i have so many classical CD boxes that i have not even opened, i will listen them all when i retire...