Moving forward advice needed

I was wondering if your dealer was the same as mine but not with all that Nordost, however apart from selling you that he might be right. Stick with a single hicap on the 282.

DrPo posted:

Althought the subject of 272 vs classic streamers/preamps has been exhaustively debated I would still like to ask for advice regarding amplification in my set up moving forward. The key difference (and the reason for creating a new post) is the "constraint" of already owing an ND level source.

My current system comprises of NDX + XP5 PS plus an analog source driven by an integrated amp into 89db / 4Ohm speakers. Room is L-shaped with about 60m^2 area. Budget- wise I have two possibilities right now:

1. follow the "orthodox" route of 282+HCDR + NAP250DR. I have heard the non DR versions at home and liked the presentation a lot. As I have a 282 on demo from my dealer I might even be able to stretch to SC DR rather than HC DR in this scenario.

2. an initially very unorthodox-sounding option in a similar financial ballpark is the swap the NDX for NAC 272, keeping the XP5 PS on the 272 and adding a NAP300 DR rather than 250R.

My dealer is rather vehemently rejecting #2 on the basis of allegedly seriously downgrading the source (NDX to 272). However some posts on this forum indicate that this option can lead to a very good end game set up with a future upgrade of XP5 PS to 555 PS. The box count and single point control are additional pluses for option #2.

Any thoughts before I start arguing with my dealer about setting up a demo for option 2 ???

thanks in advance,

Greg

 

 

 

 

 

 

Ask your dealer to set up a demo in order he can prove the reason for him to reject option 2.

I would also demo a XPS dr on the NDX if you were to adopt the 282 route. 

You risk making things a bit too complicated, by looking at the 250 with the 282 and the 300 with the 272. The important thing is to decide whether you want to go the NDX/282, or the 272 route. The first route, with power supplies and a 250 has five boxes and a napsc, with four mains leads. The second route has three boxes and two mains leads. The second route has Naim's wonderful volume control, while the first has the insensitive volume control than deafens you by 10 o'clock on the dial. The first is more flexible and you can impress your friends with lots of boxes and wires. The first needs more shelves. The second is cheaper to kit out with Super Lumina interconnects, if that floats your boat. Both systems are very good and very enjoyable. Just take your pick based on box count and logistics. Neither will disappoint you.

I think that you should listen and decided between NDX/282 and the 272. I would be more inclined to suggest that you choose on quality of performance rather than the number of boxes, but the choice is of course yours. 

Seems like my dealer agrees with your dealer! To be fair, he did keep this opinion to himself until after I'd taken up quite a bit of his time making my own mind up. In my case, I was comparing NDX/282/200DR with 272/XPSDR/250DR, as they are more or less the same price and box count. The good news is that there is no bad option here, and although I had a clear preference, I'd have been happy with either option. 

ChrisSU posted:

Seems like my dealer agrees with your dealer! To be fair, he did keep this opinion to himself until after I'd taken up quite a bit of his time making my own mind up. In my case, I was comparing NDX/282/200DR with 272/XPSDR/250DR, as they are more or less the same price and box count. The good news is that there is no bad option here, and although I had a clear preference, I'd have been happy with either option. 

Was wandering if you dont mind what kind of music are you listening to.

ChrisSU posted:

Seems like my dealer agrees with your dealer...

...as he eyes the monthly sales targets...

ChrisSU posted:

Seems like my dealer agrees with your dealer! To be fair, he did keep this opinion to himself until after I'd taken up quite a bit of his time making my own mind up.  

...... so was this view re-inforcing your disclosed choice Chris, or had you not made a final decision at that point?

Hungryhalibut posted:

You risk making things a bit too complicated, by looking at the 250 with the 282 and the 300 with the 272. The important thing is to decide whether you want to go the NDX/282, or the 272 route. The first route, with power supplies and a 250 has five boxes and a napsc, with four mains leads. The second route has three boxes and two mains leads. The second route has Naim's wonderful volume control, while the first has the insensitive volume control than deafens you by 10 o'clock on the dial. The first is more flexible and you can impress your friends with lots of boxes and wires. The first needs more shelves. The second is cheaper to kit out with Super Lumina interconnects, if that floats your boat. Both systems are very good and very enjoyable. Just take your pick based on box count and logistics. Neither will disappoint you.

ever thought about a career in sales? 

enjoy...

ken

I've had the NDX 282/250.2 and now have 272/250DR which I find I prefer considerably...to my surprise.

G

Many thanks for all replies. Basically the 2nd option does not sound totally absurd to you - which means there are two interesting options to chose from. By the way, music wise (not sure the question was addressed to me) I listen to 70% classical, 15% jazz, 15% rock. 

All good responses. It is true that neither will disappoint, though when you make the comparison one will usually come out as the "winner". If you do not have intention to compare the two setups side-by-side, it will be down to priorities rather than ultimate sound quality outright. Most of the pros and cons between both configurations have been covered by Hungryhalibut, as usual. Good job.

Chris Dolan posted:

ChrisSU posted:

Seems like my dealer agrees with your dealer! To be fair, he did keep this opinion to himself until after I'd taken up quite a bit of his time making my own mind up.  

...... so was this view re-inforcing your disclosed choice Chris, or had you not made a final decision at that point?

After I had made my decision, on my final visit for a listening session, I bought a 200DR from him, as he had one in stock. I made a casual comment that maybe I would regret not buying a 250DR due to my self-imposed 3 box limit. Only then did he let on that he thought the NDX based system was a much better option. We had previously discussed at length the fact that I absolutely did not want a living room full of boxes, so I am quite sure that he was not thinking that he could steer me towards a separates system in order to get me hooked on the upgrade ladder. Besides, I really don't but into this idea that some Naim systems 'tempt' you to upgrade just because there are plenty of options to go for - there is no system on earth the cannot have more money spent on it if you get the itch.