N272 upgrade path?

Whilst I am a huge fan of the 272 you do need to be realistic and I would say at best a 272 with an XPS2 will be a sideways step and bare won't be up to what you currently have.  This assumes that your current setup is in good fettle, i.e. serviced and working as it should do.

If I were you I would pop an NDX into your system to replace the CDX.  If you are happy to obtain a used model you should be able to fund one for around £2k which is also probably the cheaper option overall.

Richard

AlanD posted:

As a long time lurker but virgin poster, please be gentle!

Currently CDX/82/Hicap/250, all olive. LP12 vinyl source. Have a streaming itch which may need scratching but would appreciate some thoughts from the hive mind on options. 

My current thinking is to go n272 as a first step and either add an XPSDR or opt for 272/250DR, with a PS at a later date, poss s/h. How does the  272 preamp stack up against my old 82/Hicap. Does it need the PS to outperform it, as I'm concerned it could conceivably be a step backwards in terms of the main vinyl sources performance. 

Thereafter I'd be looking to rip all CDs and dispensing with the CDX. As a side issue, I appreciate I will likely have to look at a phono stage. Currently Dynavector 17D3 which I am enjoying immensely. What's  worth shortlisting, with the Aria probably as costly as I could go?

Any thoughts before I head to my dealer? Thanks.

Alan. I was running a similar system (With a Supercap) sold the LP12 many years ago I added an NDX several years go and it worked superbly well with the Olive set up.

The 82 is still a excellent preamp when I asked Naim the best upgrade route at the Bristol show a couple of years ago the advice was to change the 250 to a 250dr the 82 would have been one of the last components to change. 

I’d agree with PCD.  An NDX with your CDs on a NAS is the way to go.    If. You went for a 272 as said you’d need a XPS really and for a phono stage the Aria would be good or if not a Tri-Chord Dino. 

Good luck.  

Lindsay

i moved from CDX2 to NDX 4 years ago don't regret the move at all, I to have LP12 60/40 NAS/Vinyl - as with others I would keep the 82 and go NDX

Really interesting responses so far, keep em coming!

NDX was an initial thought, but was swayed somewhat by the 272 love on other threads.

Seems to point towards another strong option: NDX, service the 82 and retain, with a subsequent XPSDR or 250DR, depending on how taken I am with the new kid on the rack.

Thanks to all who have taken time to share their thoughts.

Don't overlook a nice pair of 135's with the 82, they sound rather fine, especially if you add an olive Supercap to the 82.

I too changed CDX2 to NDX & never looked back, but I miss the DX2 boogie factor. 

NDX does have a better SQ than 272 when I last heard them both 'bare' in a dealers   I would love to hear the same side by side test again with them both XPS loaded,  did anyone mention 555PS ???            But NDX means a preamp is needed & is another change to consider in the future,  a sensible head says that going with 272 removes that. 

One thing to consider is that if you go with the 272, then add a 250DR and then a power supply, you have everything you need in three boxes and two mains leads. The 272 with XPS and 250DR is as good as the CDS2, 82, hicap and 250 I owned previously, in terms of musical enjoyment. Alternatively slotting in the NDX would be good, though would you then want a 282, 250DR, new hicap, power supply for the NDX..... You really won’t lose with either approach as both are good. One nice thing about the 272 is that you can control volume from the app, whereas with the NDX you will still need the 82’s remote. And the 272 has a great volume control that doesn’t go really loud by the time you turn it to 9 o’clock. 

I had a similar system to you (nDac/XPS2/282/HC2/250.2) and went the 272 route.

The main driver was box reduction but I’ve been really pleased with where I’ve ended up (272/XPS2/250.2). It’s very similar in performance to what I had before and in some ways better. 

The Naim app is excellent and the volume and overall control system is hugely improved. I run a Rega P9/Delos/Dynavector P75 on the analogue side and couldn’t be happier. Am desperately avoided reading anything to do with a 555PS!

Enjoy!

Jay

Having lived with it for a few days, I have to say that the 272 with the 555 is just amazing. It’s thought the jump from bare to XPS was big, but in terms of musical realism and engagement the jump from XPS to 555 is bigger. 

Ultimately it's down to what my ears tell me, but your kind comments have given me 2 clear avenues to explore. Sorry HH, the 555PS is too rich for me!

I wasn’t suggesting it for you, merely winding up Jay! It’s also good to know that there is a lot of potential in the 272 should you wish to explore it. I was more than happy with the XPS and never felt anything was lacking, but decided to go for the 555 without audition to celebrate some stuff. 

It's my 60th in 3 years time. Might be a suitable celebratory gift to myself if I end up with 272?

If you are anywhere near me you’d be most welcome to pop round for a listen. 

I run an NDX into 82/Hicap/2*135s driving B&W 804s, and am very happy with it. Take a careful listen before moving away from the olives, excellent though the 272 is, be sure you are getting a step up. (If you’re waiting 3 years, there is a strong possibility that there will be a 372 or similar which will be very interesting.)

Echoing HH’s offer, if you’re near West Yorkshire, you’re very welcome to pop in and listen to the NDX in a similarish system, and also have a listen to a Nova driving PMC 25.23 in a smaller room. 

Alan your existing olive 250 will will sound great on the end of a 272, I run a 250 from 1985 with my 272 sounds superb.

Maybe look out for a used 272 and stageline and use your HiCap to power a stageline for your LP12.

Also if you are near East Yorkshire you are welcome to pop round for a listen.

Hungryhalibut posted:

I wasn’t suggesting it for you, merely winding up Jay! It’s also good to know that there is a lot of potential in the 272 should you wish to explore it. I was more than happy with the XPS and never felt anything was lacking, but decided to go for the 555 without audition to celebrate some stuff. 

I'm not listening to you! Nah nah nah nah nah nah...

Jay posted:

Hungryhalibut posted:

I wasn’t suggesting it for you, merely winding up Jay! It’s also good to know that there is a lot of potential in the 272 should you wish to explore it. I was more than happy with the XPS and never felt anything was lacking, but decided to go for the 555 without audition to celebrate some stuff. 

I'm not listening to you! Nah nah nah nah nah nah...

Jay - I notice you use an XPS2 with the 272. Do you think it improves it?

Thanks

G

Hi G

Absolutely and a bit of a bargain at second hand prices if you have access to the market.

I had the XPS2 on my nDac and I let the 272 run for a few days bare before putting it on. Even over the break in stage there was an immediate and obvious improvement. Coming from the 282 the XPS2 puts the 272 within touching distance, in some ways not quite as good but in others better. An improvement for me overall. 

Hope that helps

J

Thanks J

G

Thanks to all who have offered comment. Lots to think about.

Also, seems to still be a lot of love for olive power amps even in comparison to current DRs, which is interesting! Final question -  Stageline gives me a phono stage option if I go with 272, but can the current Stageline be powered from an olive HIcap?

Nowhere near Yorkshire, l'm afraid!