Has anyone heard a 272 based system in active configuration?
I have a 272, XPS DR and 250DR into SL2s so if I was to go down this route the simplest option (on paper) would be to add another 250DR, a Snaxo 242 and Hicap DR.
However I'm not sure if the 272 would be a capable enough source in that set up and, if not, it would then mean also adding something like a 282 with PS and NDX / NDS which then makes the whole thing ridiculously expensive!
So I'd be Interested to hear any experiences of an active 272 system.
Thanks
David
Just a thought - how would your proposed active configuration stack up against a single 300DR. Could be a simpler route to (passive) audio nirvana 
james n posted:Just a thought - how would your proposed active configuration stack up against a single 300DR. Could be a simpler route to (passive) audio nirvana
A fair point, perhaps, but it wouldn't cure his itch?!!
It's a good thought James and I've no doubt a 300 in my existing set up would sound fabulous. It's really more about the SL2s. They sound incredible passive. However on occasion I do wonder what they would be capable of in an active system hence my query. When Jason set them up for me he commented that although they are superb in passive configuration they really were designed to shine to their ultimate potential as active speakers. I've not heard or read of anyone using a 272 based system actively with or without SL2s so I was just curious if anyone had.
Kind regards
David
You need to stop wondering and just enjoy your new speakers David. On the other hand, the grass could be greener and i'm sure the 272 could hold its own in an active setup. If not an NDS and 552 would work very nicely... 
Spending someone else's money is so easy !
Ha! Indeed James. Don't get me wrong; I am thoroughly enjoying the SL2s passive. Was just wondering that's all......
One of the reasons I bought my setup was because I didn't want lots of boxes and wires. Since getting the SL2s I've thought about the active option a couple of times. But it would mean three more boxes, at least two - and ideally three - more shelves, two more mains leads, which would entail a mains block as I only have two sockets, and because I use Super Lumina wires I'd need another din to XLR and a pair of longer speaker cables, as my 3m set wouldn't reach the sockets with the crossover removed. So that's at least £10,000. The other issue of course is that because I'm not working I have no money...... Should I ever have a windfall and wanted to improve the system, I'd more likely go the 300 and 555PS route, which would not require more sockets and speaker leads, though I'd need a pair of SL din to XLR leads.
Being an old fart I've always believed that you should only go active once you've got the very best passive setup, and with a 272 there may be a light whiff of mullet in the air. One could argue of course that SL2s on a 272 does have a slight whiff already. I was listening to Andräs Schiff playing Beethoven piano sonatas earlier today and the sound was just fantastic and the systems we are so fortunate to own really are extraordinarily good. One thing I do have though is the SL cables and AQ Vodka Ethernet wires, both of which really added to the incredible sense of rightness I get when I listen to music. It could be something to think about.
Your not old, HH!
My not old what?
S3 posted:Ha! Indeed James. Don't get me wrong; I am thoroughly enjoying the SL2s passive. Was just wondering that's all......
Bingo, you Got it!
Naim's Claim to Faim, was it's meticulously built A/B Amps, not Speakers!
Who can Forget the Linn/Naim Divorce!
Linn~Front End
Naim~Middle
Linn~Back End
It took a while, but Naim Finally got it right, the SL2s, only Bettered by the iconic DBLs.
And if you're enjoying them now, just think of how they will sound, when you trash the internal crossover!
But don't take my word, ask the 500 Club!
Snaxo 242, 250 DR, SCDR, Framlite
And check back with us later!
JMHO.
Allante93!
Of course you are right Nigel. I'm struggling to see how this could sound any better and I'm certainly in no rush to do anything. I feel incredibly lucky to have possession of this fabulous system. I've also spent enough money in the last 12 months or so getting this thing from a one box Uniti2 solution to where it is today. I'm afraid this is the nature of this hobby of ours. We are always wondering where we can go next. That is not a bad thing and is human nature to a certain extent. For now I'll relax and enjoy the music but if anyone has heard an active 272 set up I'm sure we'd all be keen to learn how it was.
""One thing I do have though is the SL cables and AQ Vodka Ethernet wires, both of which really added to the incredible sense of rightness I get when I listen to music. It could be something to think about. ""
And once you trash the XO!
In those beautiful SL2s!
Wawa
—used to call attention, to express satisfaction or approval, or to suggest an appearance as if by magic
I use active speakers with my 272/Xps dr,a little different than what you describe,but fantastic sounding,none the less.My speakers are Dynaudio XD 600's,they are fed with the digital out of the 272,and have four 150 watt amps per speaker,one per driver...thus,the "600" label on them.
Allante93 posted:""One thing I do have though is the SL cables and AQ Vodka Ethernet wires, both of which really added to the incredible sense of rightness I get when I listen to music. It could be something to think about. ""
And once you trash the XO!
In those beautiful SL2s!
Wawa
Definition of voilà
—used to call attention, to express satisfaction or approval, or to suggest an appearance as if by magic
We know exactly what violà means, not being entirely ignorant. As to wawa I've no idea.
'Wawa': What a co-incidence. My 10 months old - who has kept me busy today - has said this word many times. Do you know what it means? It would help me understanding the baby.
Hungryhalibut posted:Allante93 posted:""One thing I do have though is the SL cables and AQ Vodka Ethernet wires, both of which really added to the incredible sense of rightness I get when I listen to music. It could be something to think about. ""
And once you trash the XO!
In those beautiful SL2s!
Wawa
Definition of voilà
—used to call attention, to express satisfaction or approval, or to suggest an appearance as if by magic
We know exactly what violà means, not being entirely ignorant. As to wawa I've no idea.
We know what a viola is, also what voilà means.....sorry HH but somebody had to.......
It's that bloomin' autocorrect; it's got me as well as Allante.
Ardbeg10y posted:'Wawa': What a co-incidence. My 10 months old - who has kept me busy today - has said this word many times. Do you know what it means? It would help me understanding the baby.
You use it with musical instruments, typically a guitar, a sweeping filter usually controlled by a foot pedal although there are 'autowah' implementations these days.
The subjective nature of the sound was captured in the name given to one famous model of pedal, possibly the first, originally I believe made by WEM: 'crybaby'
Maybe phonericlly not dissimilar to the French for 'there'.
No quarter posted:I use active speakers with my 272/Xps dr,a little different than what you describe,but fantastic sounding,none the less.My speakers are Dynaudio XD 600's,they are fed with the digital out of the 272,and have four 150 watt amps per speaker,one per driver...thus,the "600" label on them.
Do you control volume via the 272 or the 600's?
No quarter posted:I use active speakers with my 272/Xps dr,a little different than what you describe,but fantastic sounding,none the less.My speakers are Dynaudio XD 600's,they are fed with the digital out of the 272,and have four 150 watt amps per speaker,one per driver...thus,the "600" label on them.
Excuse my ignorance if I'm missing something here, but that seems to indicate that you're using the 272 only as a renderer, in which case most of the benefit other people seem to ascribe to the 272 is out of the equation, so might not another renderer be better? (SOunds like a good case for the Core?)
Whilst limiting the resolution to 96kHz, I like the idea of wireless connection to the speakers, no cables to worry about other than a mains connection to each speaker. (Do you do that, or are yours wired to the 172 digital out?) But I've no idea how those speakers sound, nor indeed how good the DACs are...
Allante93 posted:Kevin Richardson posted:No quarter posted:I use active speakers with my 272/Xps dr,a little different than what you describe,but fantastic sounding,none the less.My speakers are Dynaudio XD 600's,they are fed with the digital out of the 272,and have four 150 watt amps per speaker,one per driver...thus,the "600" label on them.
Do you control volume via the 272 or the 600's?
System Details
Naim Core>N272>XPSDR>Dynaudio XD 600's on Full Fraim,2 powerlines.A System. for the ages!All on a beautiful Fraim,I bet it does sound sweet!A Balanced System, Components & Dollars!Nice job, No Quarter!Allante93!PS.No Amps on Fraim,excellent Cable Management,and no Speaker Wire !
Innocent Bystander posted:No quarter posted:I use active speakers with my 272/Xps dr,a little different than what you describe,but fantastic sounding,none the less.My speakers are Dynaudio XD 600's,they are fed with the digital out of the 272,and have four 150 watt amps per speaker,one per driver...thus,the "600" label on them.
Excuse my ignorance if I'm missing something here, but that seems to indicate that you're using the 272 only as a renderer, in which case most of the benefit other people seem to ascribe to the 272 is out of the equation, so might not another renderer be better?
(SOunds like a good case for the Core?)
Point on Innocent!
Kevin Richardson posted:No quarter posted:I use active speakers with my 272/Xps dr,a little different than what you describe,but fantastic sounding,none the less.My speakers are Dynaudio XD 600's,they are fed with the digital out of the 272,and have four 150 watt amps per speaker,one per driver...thus,the "600" label on them.
Do you control volume via the 272 or the 600's?
The 600's control the volume,they have a remote.Turning up the volume on the 272 does nothing,I just leave it at zero.
Innocent Bystander posted:No quarter posted:I use active speakers with my 272/Xps dr,a little different than what you describe,but fantastic sounding,none the less.My speakers are Dynaudio XD 600's,they are fed with the digital out of the 272,and have four 150 watt amps per speaker,one per driver...thus,the "600" label on them.
Excuse my ignorance if I'm missing something here, but that seems to indicate that you're using the 272 only as a renderer, in which case most of the benefit other people seem to ascribe to the 272 is out of the equation, so might not another renderer be better? (SOunds like a good case for the Core?)
Whilst limiting the resolution to 96kHz, I like the idea of wireless connection to the speakers, no cables to worry about other than a mains connection to each speaker. (Do you do that, or are yours wired to the 172 digital out?) But I've no idea how those speakers sound, nor indeed how good the DACs are...
I have ordered a Core,and will be trying several different connection options to see what sounds best.The Core SPDIF out can feed the 600's directly.The thing is,there is no internet radio on the Core,which I use a lot.I do not use wireless with my XD's,they are hard wired to the 272,and to each other.Believe me,if the Core to the XD's directly is equal to the sound I get using the 272 digital out,I will sell the 272/xpsdr combo.I was using the 272 only in to the XD's for several months,and did notice a big improvement when I added the XPS DR to it.I would also consider a micro rendu,or SMS 200 as another option to get internet radio,and sell the 272/Xpsdr...it seems silly to have that much cash tied up in the front end,if it sounds no better than the Core direct to the XD's.
Sorry for the slight diversion but I heard the Dynaudio XD 600's year before last at the Bristol show, hooked up to just a UnitiServe if memory serves (sorry!). I was rather impressed.
On the plus side, active operation, no passive crossover, no interconnects, no speaker cables and arguably a purer, simpler signal path.
On the negative side, DACs and amps all crammed into the speaker enclosure.