Blimey, the 272 is even better than I thought it was...
Posted by: hungryhalibut on 19 October 2017
I’ve been using my beloved 272 since June 2015, with the addition of an XPSDR in autumn that year. Yesterday I installed a brand new 555 PS DR, with a new S-XPS Burndy. Rather like when I bought the XPS two years ago I didn’t try the 555 first, and when I picked it up from the shop Dan from Naim was there for a Uniti open day. All Dan said was ‘you’ll love it, even straight out of the box’. And he was right, and then some. I thought the system was sounding great before, but the 555 has moved it to a different level. The music is so much more real, leaping out of the speakers in a much more lifelike way. Everything is clearer, so you get more into the music. The speakers sound a lot bigger too, which I imagine is the impact of the power supply on the preamp. Five hours later to was sounding better still, and of course things will improve further over the coming weeks.
It’s bloody expensive, it weighs a ton, but blimey it’s good. The idea of a £6,500 power supply on a £3,500 streaming preamp is perhaps bit odd, but the combination is just incredible. I know there are a few others using this combination, and that they have said how much better the 555 makes the 272, and perhaps I underestimated how much difference it would make: now I have one at home I am very much over rather than underwhelmed, which is always good.
The Strat (Fender) posted:For the record I don't live at J10 on the M40 rather in the very pleasant market town of Buckingham some 7 miles east.
Regards,
Lindsay
Oh I thought living on the M40 junction was a good way of saving money on the lighting bill Lindsay!
best
David
The Strat (Fender) posted:I'll arrange a small do - up to 4 first come first served - at my place in the NY.
I'm okay for a trip to HH's pad. Bristol I don't do any more, Too crowded, rooms too small etc.
Regards,
Lindsay
Hi Lindsay - I'm in MK so a visit to Buckingham would be very practical if there's a space - and am happy for a return visit here (Calverton - outside Stony Stratford) at some point.
Clive
It would be great if Naim Audio were to arrange a factory visit with an appropriate system demonstration exclusively for seasoned forumites. It would be an opportunity perhaps to wear name tags to identify each other. I realise the system demo would not necessarily be right for everyone, but it could be a good opportunity for us to hear the new Uniti range and maybe the 272 and/or Statement. I'm sure a properly controlled demo in Salisbury would be way better than at any hotel based show. The benefit for Naim would be that it would potentially create a large group of people advocating the benefits of the entry level systems who would be speaking from experience.
I've had the pleasure of a demo in Naim's room. It was a little while ago now - pre Statement/272 but a full active 500 with 802s.
IT would be interesting go to Salisbury and hear a demo of Atom, then Atom + 200, then 272 +200, then 272/XPSDR + 250DR.
That would allow us to talk knowledgeably and give advice about a serious and sensible upgrade path from a basic system to one just starting to touch at the high end.
Last time I heard a demo at Salisbury was just after the DBLs were introduced!
David Hendon posted:The Strat (Fender) posted:For the record I don't live at J10 on the M40 rather in the very pleasant market town of Buckingham some 7 miles east.
Regards,
Lindsay
Oh I thought living on the M40 junction was a good way of saving money on the lighting bill Lindsay!
best
David
You are going to have to consider these options once you are retired you know!
Huge posted:IT would be interesting go to Salisbury and hear a demo of Atom, then Atom + 200, then 272 +200, then 272/XPSDR + 250DR.
That would allow us to talk knowledgeably and give advice about a serious and sensible upgrade path from a basic system to one just starting to touch at the high end.
Last time I heard a demo at Salisbury was just after the DBLs were introduced!
I agree, and also the comparison of Nova to Atom/200, 272/200, and seeing what the 250 does for a Nova.
David Hendon posted:David Hendon posted:The Strat (Fender) posted:For the record I don't live at J10 on the M40 rather in the very pleasant market town of Buckingham some 7 miles east.
Regards,
Lindsay
Oh I thought living on the M40 junction was a good way of saving money on the lighting bill Lindsay!
best
David
You are going to have to consider these options once you are retired you know!
When I were a lad we were poor........used to live in hole in Motorway......
When I were a lad, we didn't have motorways!
best
David
The Strat (Fender) posted:David Hendon posted:David Hendon posted:The Strat (Fender) posted:For the record I don't live at J10 on the M40 rather in the very pleasant market town of Buckingham some 7 miles east.
Regards,
Lindsay
Oh I thought living on the M40 junction was a good way of saving money on the lighting bill Lindsay!
best
David
You are going to have to consider these options once you are retired you know!
When I were a lad we were poor........used to live in hole in Motorway......
'ole int' motorway….luxury!
I love the idea of a bash for forumites at Naim HQ, could be very informative and a great way to meet everyone. I think this was tried before without success so we probably need some 'movers and shakers' on the case. HH?
Hopefully a forumite who lives near the south coast could give HH a lift? Sorry for the impersonal reference to 'HH' but there is one too many Nigels involved here!
I have dropped the guys at Naim an email, let’s see what develops
nigelb posted:Hopefully a forumite who lives near the south coast could give HH a lift? Sorry for the impersonal reference to 'HH' but there is one too many Nigels involved here!
I'm OK for collecting HH, a minor deviation, might bring Lyn & leave her at her friends in Pompey. But if it's better for A.N.Other, no probs. Lets agree were & when first.
northpole posted:My 300 didn't have quite the grunt demanded by my nbl's - it wasn't far off and I loved the mids and highs. I suspect given the physical dimensions/ drivers, that the 300 will be a perfect match for the sl2's. May it exceed expectations second time around!
Hope the upgrades all gel together nicely for end of year time (too early to mention!) and that your recovery is well progressed following a bit of a pig of a time you and yours must have endured.
Peter
Hi north pole I've got 3 active 250.2s on my NBLs , a fitted out LP12, cdx2 , NDX both with ps XPS one dr also Supercap ( newly recapped not dr, system is quite good but feel I can get more, any ideas, it sounds like you also are active?
I would welcome a visit to Naim HQ but I seem to remember that such visits can only be organised via dealers.
Well I have sent an email, if Naim cannot organise a day for their forum members so be it, let’s wait and see.
Gazza posted:Well I have sent an email, if Naim cannot organise a day for their forum members so be it, let’s wait and see.
'Whoooeugh! Manners!', as John Shuttleworth might say ;-)
zoot posted:northpole posted:My 300 didn't have quite the grunt demanded by my nbl's - it wasn't far off and I loved the mids and highs. I suspect given the physical dimensions/ drivers, that the 300 will be a perfect match for the sl2's. May it exceed expectations second time around!
Hope the upgrades all gel together nicely for end of year time (too early to mention!) and that your recovery is well progressed following a bit of a pig of a time you and yours must have endured.
Peter
Hi north pole I've got 3 active 250.2s on my NBLs , a fitted out LP12, cdx2 , NDX both with ps XPS one dr also Supercap ( newly recapped not dr, system is quite good but feel I can get more, any ideas, it sounds like you also are active?
zoot
I have remained passive. I swapped out the 300 for a 500 which made quite a difference. The 500 definitely grabbed hold of the nbl's with more grunt evident. I couldn't quite decide if the more grunt came at some expense of a delicacy I heard from the nbl's powered by the 300. My room is square and I suspect far from ideal for the isobaric nbl design - I have always felt that the bass was not quite making its presence felt proportionately to the rest of the sound spectrum. I still have the nbl's parked in my spare room and I now have B+W 802's hooked up to the system. I really can't comment on 300 or 500 passive vs 3 x 250's active but I would expect your set up to out perform certainly a 300 passive.
Peter
Cdb posted:I would welcome a visit to Naim HQ but I seem to remember that such visits can only be organised via dealers.
Me too - perhaps Richard could clarify when he next tunes in.
Peter
Normally that's how it works but Naim does occasionally organise a visit on its initiative as several of us here can testify from personal experience.
best
David
David Hendon posted:Normally that's how it works but Naim does occasionally organise a visit on its initiative as several of us here can testify from personal experience.
best
David
That's good news - let's hope something comes of Gazza's initiative.
northpole posted:Cdb posted:I would welcome a visit to Naim HQ but I seem to remember that such visits can only be organised via dealers.
Me too - perhaps Richard could clarify when he next tunes in.
Peter
Peter, full factory visits are best arranged through your Naim dealer - this is best way to do it and you get the full experience. Otherwise get in touch with Steve Hopkins to see whether a "short tour" can be arranged.
Of course, a forum day is something else. It's always worth asking,..
Well - is there someway in which we could arrange a Forum meet say in a nice pub in Salisbury and then call on the good people of Naim for a visit to their demo room in the PM?
Regards,
Lindsay
Lindsay, I'm sure something is possible. Best to try to arrange with Steve Hopkins.
I’ll make contact with Naim, and see what can be arranged.
More importantly, back to the ever improving upgraded system. It’s been a really busy today - painting all morning, a run at lunchtime, the obligatory 30 minute power nap, then off to Chichester for food and some more Diesel jeans. Got home, sat down with a cup of fennel tea and put on one of my favourite albums - Strangeways, Here We Come. Hilary’s at the gym so it can be a little louder than usual.
Well, bloody hell, it’s like the speakers were sleeping with the 250DR. It’s just so alive, with brilliantly tight, deep bass and an incredible drive. It sounds faster than before, and I’m hearing little things in the mix that I’d not heard before. Of course, the 300 can only reveal what it’s fed, and the 555 is clearly doing something magical with the 272. It really is very good indeed.
Hungryhalibut posted:I’ll make contact with Naim, and see what can be arranged.
More importantly, back to the ever improving upgraded system. It’s been a really busy today - painting all morning, a run at lunchtime, the obligatory 30 minute power nap, then off to Chichester for food and some more Diesel jeans. Got home, sat down with a cup of fennel tea and put on one of my favourite albums - Strangeways, Here We Come. Hilary’s at the gym so it can be a little louder than usual.
Well, bloody hell, it’s like the speakers were sleeping with the 250DR. It’s just so alive, with brilliantly tight, deep bass and an incredible drive. It sounds faster than before, and I’m hearing little things in the mix that I’d not heard before. Of course, the 300 can only reveal what it’s fed, and the 555 is clearly doing something magical with the 272. It really is very good indeed.
It is always nice to hear when someone is happy.....