NAC-N272 streamer/DAC vs ND5Xs

272 streamer / DAC is in between the ND5 XS and the NDX in performance.

The 272 preamp is a lot better than the Nait XS and even quite noticeably better than the 202.

Add an XPS DR, and then the streamer is better than a naked NDX, and the preamp is surprisingly close to 282 territory.

What Huge said. The 272 (and 172 as well) hit WAY above their weight, especially in their preamp sections. 

Adding the 202/200DR wouldn't add a lot IMO.

Good to know. Thanks

One last question,  about connecting a NAC-N 272 to a NAP250DR. The diagram in Naim's connection guide looks like a 3pin to a 4pin is required. Does any one know what interconnects are supplied with the 2 components? Thanks again

Morning Robert. The 250DR comes with the din to xlr cable to connect the 2 together. 

Recently I added a Chord 2Qute to my ND5XS with excellent results I suppose it boils down to future upgrades yes you can add an XPS or even an XPS DR to the 272 but that is it, no digital out on the 272 so no separate dac.  With the NDX5S you already have a very capable streamer that can be upgraded every few years as technology or funds permit add a 282 and non DR 200 or 250/250 DR if funds allow and you have a very capable system that can also be upgraded as and when. If however you are happy with sticking with 272 and do not want upgrade path then 272 is no doubt a fantastic option and can be had for bargain at the moment.

Bob the Builder posted:

Recently I added a Chord 2Qute to my ND5XS with excellent results I suppose it boils down to future upgrades yes you can add an XPS or even an XPS DR to the 272 but that is it, no digital out on the 272 so no separate dac.  With the NDX5S you already have a very capable streamer that can be upgraded every few years as technology or funds permit add a 282 and non DR 200 or 250/250 DR if funds allow and you have a very capable system that can also be upgraded as and when. If however you are happy with sticking with 272 and do not want upgrade path then 272 is no doubt a fantastic option and can be had for bargain at the moment.

Bob,the N272 DOES have a digital out,and a very good one...I use it directly into my Dynaudio XD 600's(active).I also have an XPS DR on the 272,and a Core on the way,all digital,all the way to the driver's.

What my ears tell me is that the 272 is being over-egged a little here. That isn't to say it sounds bad, but I would take an NDX/202 in preference. A possible alternative to the NDX being to keep your ND5 and add an external DAC of your choice. 

My advice would be to get to a dealer and let your own ears decide. 

The 202 is about 15yrs old at this point - I wouldn't get a naim preamp that doesn't have something from the statement trickled down into it..

DR tech doesn't count.

there should be a new range of preamps out / that have the statement volume control...

I think you've been saying that for about the last 14, Mango!

Maybe the next range of Pre amps shouldn't bother with a volume control on the box at all. Who uses it anyway? Maybe it could be remote only or via the app. After all the 272s balance control is on the app and it works perfectly. 

Finkfan posted:

Maybe the next range of Pre amps shouldn't bother with a volume control on the box at all. Who uses it anyway? Maybe it could be remote only or via the app. After all the 272s balance control is on the app and it works perfectly. 

The volume control controller on the 272 is just a quadrature step encoder, there's no potentiometer behind it.
That's how turning the knob on the 272 also adjusts the control point of the bar in the app.

Finkfan posted:

Maybe the next range of Pre amps shouldn't bother with a volume control on the box at all. Who uses it anyway? Maybe it could be remote only or via the app. After all the 272s balance control is on the app and it works perfectly. 

Good point - I have never used the physical volume control on my SuperUniti or 272, don't feel the need for one on the Unitiqute, and only use the Muso's control when the phone (landline) rings as they happen to be next to each other!! 

Finkfan posted:

Maybe the next range of Pre amps shouldn't bother with a volume control on the box at all. Who uses it anyway? Maybe it could be remote only or via the app. After all the 272s balance control is on the app and it works perfectly. 

Hilary uses it a lot. Its use usually follows her saying 'turn that bloody music down'. 

So can you use a separate DAC with the 272 digital out or not?

I'd assumed not as I haven't heard of anyone trying it....

Yes you can use a separate DAC, but you can't take the output from the streamer to a DAC then back into the 272's analogue inputs, as selecting the analogue inputs turns off the streamer (to reduce system noise).

Got it. Thanks Huge.

Huge posted:

Yes you can use a separate DAC, but you can't take the output from the streamer to a DAC then back into the 272's analogue inputs, as selecting the analogue inputs turns off the streamer (to reduce system noise).

So not much point in buying the 272, if you're not going to use its streaming or DAC capabilities!!

Timmo1341 posted:

Huge posted:

Yes you can use a separate DAC, but you can't take the output from the streamer to a DAC then back into the 272's analogue inputs, as selecting the analogue inputs turns off the streamer (to reduce system noise).

So not much point in buying the 272, if you're not going to use its streaming or DAC capabilities!!

But a lot of point in buying it if you are going to!  

No quarter posted:

Bob the Builder posted:

Recently I added a Chord 2Qute to my ND5XS with excellent results I suppose it boils down to future upgrades yes you can add an XPS or even an XPS DR to the 272 but that is it, no digital out on the 272 so no separate dac.  With the NDX5S you already have a very capable streamer that can be upgraded every few years as technology or funds permit add a 282 and non DR 200 or 250/250 DR if funds allow and you have a very capable system that can also be upgraded as and when. If however you are happy with sticking with 272 and do not want upgrade path then 272 is no doubt a fantastic option and can be had for bargain at the moment.

Bob,the N272 DOES have a digital out,and a very good one...I use it directly into my Dynaudio XD 600's(active).I also have an XPS DR on the 272,and a Core on the way,all digital,all the way to the driver's.

Yes it does have a digital out but my point is it cannot be used to take a digital signal out and into a seperate dac and then back  into the 272's analogue input therefore bypassing the 272's internal dac, or have I got it completely wrong.

Bob the Builder posted:

No quarter posted:

Bob the Builder posted:

Recently I added a Chord 2Qute to my ND5XS with excellent results I suppose it boils down to future upgrades yes you can add an XPS or even an XPS DR to the 272 but that is it, no digital out on the 272 so no separate dac.  With the NDX5S you already have a very capable streamer that can be upgraded every few years as technology or funds permit add a 282 and non DR 200 or 250/250 DR if funds allow and you have a very capable system that can also be upgraded as and when. If however you are happy with sticking with 272 and do not want upgrade path then 272 is no doubt a fantastic option and can be had for bargain at the moment.

Bob,the N272 DOES have a digital out,and a very good one...I use it directly into my Dynaudio XD 600's(active).I also have an XPS DR on the 272,and a Core on the way,all digital,all the way to the driver's.

Yes it does have a digital out but my point is it cannot be used to take a digital signal out and into a seperate dac and then back  into the 272's analogue input therefore bypassing the 272's internal dac, or have I got it completely wrong.

Just read earlier posts thank you Huge for clearing that up.