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.
Don,t be so mean, perhaps just one box opened.......
Hungryhalibut posted:No quarter posted:I have not heard the 110 A Speakers,they are an older technology than mine (XD) and are analog inputs only,the XD models use what they call power DACs,made by Texas Instruments,and are excellent.Enough highjacking HH s thread though,the 272/555 is of more concern to me right now.
Yes, if we ignore the diversions onto Dynaudio speakers and focus on the 555, it’s pretty astonishing. It’s not an impressive hifi change, but it’s just so musical, just lovely. Going back to where I started, I’m astonished how good the humble 272 can be. It’s still running in of course, and being used with the bog standard din to XLR, do there is a lot more to come. With the 300 and new wires, the SL2s will be fed a much better diet and I’m pretty sure it’s going to step up a whole level. I’m incredibly fortunate to be able to have such a wonderful system, which after the various ups and downs I never expected to have.
HH
When you say it is NOT an impressive hifi change,do you mean it doesn’t add more detail to the sound,it just gets better musically?
i am aware that you used to have a “better” system on paper,but I am not sure what it is,could you tell me?
It will be interesting to hear how close the new set up gets to what you once had,considering now there is DR tech in all the components,and Superlumina cables.
Sorry, I initially missed the question as it’s tagged onto the end of the quote.
By saying it’s not a hifi improvement, I mean that it not something that makes you focus on bass improvement or that ‘wow, I can hear where every drum in the kit is’ which some seem to like. What it does is make the music fantastically natural and engaging. The individual musicians and singers do become much more discernible, but without ripping the music apart. It simply sounds more real. That’s probably not a great description, but that’s why I’m not a hifi reviewer.
In the past I had a CDS3, 555PS, 552 and 300. I’ve not heard the 300 in the current system yet, and the previous setup was sold over ten years ago, and memory fades, so I’m not able to really comment on how they compare. The 272 is good, especially with the 555, but I’m not going to even vaguely suggest that the 272 runs the 552 close. What I would say, though, is that the 272/555 costs £10,000 and the NDS/555/552 costs £35,000. It would be interesting to do a direct comparison and to see what one gets soundwise for the £25,000.
Nigel - certainly diminishing returns will have well and truly set in. An interesting comparison would also be with my CDS3/XPS/282/HC which to these ears is sublime - but like you I can’t really say why.
Regards,
Lindsay
"By saying it’s not a hifi improvement, I mean that it not something that makes you focus on bass improvement or that ‘wow, I can hear where every drum in the kit is’ which some seem to like. What it does is make the music fantastically natural and engaging. The individual musicians and singers do become much more discernible, but without ripping the music apart. It simply sounds more real. That’s probably not a great description, but that’s why I’m not a hifi reviewer. "
Interesting description HH - I had a remarkably similar experience recently when I changed over my cds3 interconnect and speaker cable. No sparkly sparkly darker than a black hole etc change but the music just somehow hangs together so much better than before. Not what I had anticipated but very pleased with the outcome.
Peter
Diminishing returns only set in above the level of kit you have at the moment. It’s allied with “don’t audition a system you can’t afford”.
Very true. You think it can’t get better, or the improvement won’t be worth it, but somehow it is. Amplifier wise this should be it for me, with the exception of the mythical 372 that uses both outputs of the 555. We pensioners need to be sensible.
In other fora there is sometimes considerable cynicism with regard to Naim’s focus on PSUs. But this is where of course users are able to exploit well designed components to the full as Nigel has done with the 272. Similarly if Mrs S were to approve a 555 and SC for my own humble configuration I would again be heading for another performance level. The flexibility Naim offer is the big plus as I see it
Nigel - forget the 372 surely it’s full steam ahead for the 572!!!
Regards,
Lindsay
Nigel
I keep meaning to ask, what do you have running upstream of the 272?
J
On other fora there are people who would say, even if the 272 or NDS cost £100, that it was overpriced, Naim don’t know what they are doing, and that their mate could improve it massively by tweaking a few wires and giving it a good shake. To me, even though the 272 costs £3,500 the 555PS costs £6,500, the overall £10,000 package of streamer and preamp represents very good value in terms of sound per pound. As others have said, maybe the 272/555 is already the 372.
Jay posted:Nigel
I keep meaning to ask, what do you have running upstream of the 272?
J
A Qnap TS-253A, Cisco 2960TC-L and Audioquest Vodka.
Hungryhalibut posted:Jay posted:Nigel
I keep meaning to ask, what do you have running upstream of the 272?
J
A Qnap TS-253A, Cisco 2960TC-L and Audioquest Vodka.
I have a similar set-up with a QNAP and Asus router, did you try the Naim alternatives to that? I am wondering whether I should investigate. The fancy ethernet cable is just between the router and 272 or two cables from NAS to router to 272?
Sorry for the questions. Am I still on topic?!
Jay
The Cisco is a switch. I have AQ Vodka between the Qnap and the switch, and between the switch and the 272. The Cisco connects to an AirPort Extreme with AQ Cinnamon. I had a Unitiserve in the past, but changed to a Synology with Minimserver and the latter sounded better. Then I swapped to the Qnap with Asset. The Qnap is plugged into an APC UPS, as is the AE and the Cisco. I have no desire to try an Atom, which to me does less for more; all fur coat and no knickers.
HH is the president of the "You don't need an HDX, US or Core Association". I'm surprised there is any forum member who doesn't know that!
best
David
It’s probably that people don’t read the mindless drivel I write. And who can blame them?
I think the length of this thread shows that isn't true! Now back to that decorating before your distraction is delivered!
best
David
Hungryhalibut posted:The Cisco is a switch. I have AQ Vodka between the Qnap and the switch, and between the switch and the 272. The Cisco connects to an AirPort Extreme with AQ Cinnamon. I had a Unitiserve in the past, but changed to a Synology with Minimserver and the latter sounded better. Then I swapped to the Qnap with Asset. The Qnap is plugged into an APC UPS, as is the AE and the Cisco. I have no desire to try an Atom, which to me does less for more; all fur coat and no knickers.
Thanks Nigel, very interesting! What's the benefit of Asset over Minimserver on the QNAP?
J
David Hendon posted:I think the length of this thread shows that isn't true! Now back to that decorating before your distraction is delivered!
best
David
Yes we should stop diverting his attention
Hungryhalibut posted:The Cisco is a switch. I have AQ Vodka between the Qnap and the switch, and between the switch and the 272. The Cisco connects to an AirPort Extreme with AQ Cinnamon. I had a Unitiserve in the past, but changed to a Synology with Minimserver and the latter sounded better. Then I swapped to the Qnap with Asset. The Qnap is plugged into an APC UPS, as is the AE and the Cisco. I have no desire to try an Atom, which to me does less for more; all fur coat and no knickers.
In this case, you are indeed writing drivel! I believe you meant the Core.
HH - has anything arrived?
Apart from Trick or Treaters?
MDS posted:Apart from Trick or Treaters?
I blame the Americans for much of the moral degeneracy in the western world, after all they introduced the 'Trick or Treat' custom, thus teaching all children how to use blackmail and, in doing so, sanctioning the behaviour!
MDS posted:Apart from Trick or Treaters?
15 groups already and counting I'm about to run out of sweets!
more exercise than changing over an LP
HiFiman posted:MDS posted:Apart from Trick or Treaters?
15 groups already and counting I'm about to run out of sweets!
more exercise than changing over an LP
Well you'll just have to start playing tricks on them!
Hungryhalibut posted:Sorry, I initially missed the question as it’s tagged onto the end of the quote.
By saying it’s not a hifi improvement, I mean that it not something that makes you focus on bass improvement or that ‘wow, I can hear where every drum in the kit is’ which some seem to like. What it does is make the music fantastically natural and engaging. The individual musicians and singers do become much more discernible, but without ripping the music apart. It simply sounds more real. That’s probably not a great description, but that’s why I’m not a hifi reviewer.
In the past I had a CDS3, 555PS, 552 and 300. I’ve not heard the 300 in the current system yet, and the previous setup was sold over ten years ago, and memory fades, so I’m not able to really comment on how they compare. The 272 is good, especially with the 555, but I’m not going to even vaguely suggest that the 272 runs the 552 close. What I would say, though, is that the 272/555 costs £10,000 and the NDS/555/552 costs £35,000. It would be interesting to do a direct comparison and to see what one gets soundwise for the £25,000.
A very positive read regarding the 272 I best start saving for a 555dr