272 or 282 that is the question?
Posted by: Mikie711 on 11 September 2017
Recently bought my first Naim set up and as yet haven't found the sound I am looking for. It's all a bit muddy for want of a better word and doesn't seem to be working very well with my front end. After posting a picture in the system pics thread and receiving a number of suggestions on improving my set up although better it still falls short of my expectation. I find it hard to describe sound in words but there doesn't seem to be much separation, the top end is very loose and it gets worse if you turn up the volume. Now I am going to have my NAP200 serviced as it's an '08 model which should improve things hopefully but rather than service my NAC202 I am considering swapping it out for either an N-272 or a 282.
The N-272 appeals as it has a built in streamer but on the downside (there always seems to be a catch with Naim) there is no powered Din for my stageline. Also I would have to sell my 202, HICAP -2 and HICAP DR to fund either of them.
The 282 obviously means at some point I would have to buy an NDX/S but it can power the Stageline and I could keep at least one of the HICAPS for the 282.
My system as it stands is 202/200, NAPSC, HiCAP DR, Stageline (currently powered by 202) Linn LP12, Ekos SE, Kore, Lingo 3, Dynavector 10X5 all feeding a pair of Dynaudio X38's
I am auditioning an N-272 later this week while also listening to their 202/200 system and hopefully get a home dem to try it in my system but my dealer doesn't have a 282 to compare.
Thoughts on the above much appreciated and any suggestions as to why I can't get the system to sound half decent would also be appreciated
Mikie711 posted:In the past I was an early adopter of many new technologies, hell, i am typing this reply on a Mac Pro which I have had since launch, probably one of the first in the UK as I had it up and running before my local Apple store even had stock. Had many of Lotus Cars incarnations over the years when the launched etc etc.
Being an early adopter is great if you like having the latest and shiniest, however, especially with new tech, you are running the risk of first paying to be a product tester for the company and second you might be left with something that doesn't mature the way you thought it would and hence end up with an obsolete product after a comparatively short period of time. This can be an extremely expensive exercise when it comes to high end products such as Naim, Apple et al.
Now a days, I wait at least a year after the launch of anything, except phones
, to see if it first has legs in the market place and second to let some other poor sap work the bugs out.
Just my 2p
The all-in-one players and streaming preamps have a relatively short life span before they are refreshed or discontinued, replaced by something new altogether. The analog preamps have proven to stand the test of time as they have not been updated for 15 years now since their introduction back in 2002 (NAC 202, NAC 282, NAC 252 and NAC 552). That's a testament to the matured technology in these preamps. There isn't any need for an update to improve sound quality with all these preamps as they may have been developed to possess a distinct sound. My belief is Naim have deliberately voiced all these preamps to have a distinct house sound to maintain the hierarchy.
If you look at the product history, the all-in-one players get discontinued fairly quickly. The SuperUniti was only around for 6 years before it was discontinued. The NaimUniti2 and UnitiLite were around for 5 years before they were discontinued, and the Unitiqute2 was discontinued after 4 years it was launched.
The NAC 172 was also discontinued just recently 5 years after it was launched. As for the NAC 272, being the best sounding streaming preamp at the moment and launched not too long ago (2015), I presume it will be staying for a while though I would expect a refresh or an update in 3 to 4 years time.
It does not matter too much if a product gets updated or discontinued quickly if it sounds stellar. Nevertheless, if one has the infatuation of wanting to own the latest product which is usually regarded as improved and better, it is best to buy (a Naim) once it is launched especially on the digital/streaming front as these things get updated fairly quickly, 5 to 6 years if looking at the pattern.
I bought the NAC 282 new last year, together with the NAP 250 DR and Hicap DR even though the 282 is 15 years old and may be replaced anytime by now. Nonetheless, my decision was mainly based on owning something that has been proven to stand the test of time, something of a classic - the 282. Having said that, the 272 will be the clear choice for folks who want streaming capabilities and a neat (minimalist) 2 or 3 box solution.
Chaps - it was a joke
Allante93 posted:Hungryhalibut posted:I suspect it will be sooner rather than later, and hopefully Naim have learned from the launch of the new boxes not to announce things until they are ready. The 272 is a big seller for Naim and as soon as a replacement is announced the sales of the existing one will die.
{Whether the new streaming engine makes much of a sonic difference to a recent box with latest Naim build is anyone's guess.}
I tend to agree, with the Bracketed text!
Furthermore, when its all said and done,the Bean counters are in Control!
"Join us on Saturday 14th October at The AudioBarn to experience the legendary Naim Sound. We will be demonstrating our ever popular NAC N-272 paired with the 555PS, Supercap DR, Snaxo 242 and NAP 250 DR. There will also be a Naim expert on hand to answer any questions you may have."
The 272 is the Sweet Spot!
The Golden Middle!
All in one units ~ 2 Millennials
{Digital Pre-Amp} ~ NAC 272 ~ Streaming Pre
Marque Separates ~ Baby Boomers
JMHO!
Allante93!
PS. Focal/Naim
Ovators, 555 CD, XS Series
Nice job of Streamlining!
But Naim's Snaxo coupled with Kudos!
I don't get!
I thought Focal was a Speaker Manufacture!
Redundant????????