Thank you for your recommendation. It is substantially more expensive than a SN2 though!

Input from me on this topic... I have a N272 driving a non- Naim power amp and it works very well... 

With the latest software update, the N272 sounds even better.. 

If you decide to go with the N272, then the sound cabbie further improveed with the addition of a XPS or if you feel even richer then a 555PS.

If and when Naim do come out with a replacement for the N272 no doubt it will sound better, but that won't mean that the N272 will start to sound bad over night...

But do try the N272 before you buy it...

The Strat (Fender) posted:

Oh - why am I responding to do this? - but how many times do we have to make the point that when a new product emerges what went before is neither broken or indeed redundant?

Oh come on ! we all know it's a figure of speech, intended to emphasise that the new product will sound at least twice as enjoyable for no more than 10% of the extra cost .

............or is that 10% more enjoyable for at least twice the cost

jorgjean posted:

Thank you for your recommendation. It is substantially more expensive than a SN2 though!

I would consider NDX/Supernait as a potential alternative to 272/250. The NDX is about to be replaced by NDX2, so it could be a good time to look for a deal on a used or ex-demo model.

jorgjean posted:

Thank you for your recommendation. It is substantially more expensive than a SN2 though!

My dad used to say "If you pay peanuts, you'll hear monkeys"   (or something like that).

...not that I'm suggesting the SN2 is not a substantial sounding product, you understand.

redalphabet posted:

The nac 272 is a fantastic bit of kit sound wise 

+1 

David - At first I didn't have a Dave.  I used the Core into the 272 over Ethernet musing UPnP.  Sounded okay.  Then I went from the digital out on the Core to digital in on nthe 272 using ba

Whoops - Then I went from the digital out on the Core to digital in on the 272 using a Siltech digital cable.  It sounded even better than using UPnP.  Then I got a Dave, into which I run all of my digital sources.  I connect it to the 272 with a SL RCA-RCA cable.  It sounds phenomenal.

If money is no object this is a nice solution. 

I am listening very often to source material from the 50ties to the 80ties and wonder if it is at all possible to extract more information from it than i do with my Rega Dac. 

docmark posted:

Whoops - Then I went from the digital out on the Core to digital in on the 272 using a Siltech digital cable.  It sounded even better than using UPnP.
...

In that case you hadn't optimised your UPnP setup properly.  With a bit more attention the the UPnP (as you did to the S/Pdif connection) the two could have sounded just as good as each other (actually UPnP has a slight advantage when both are optimised well).

I went from Audiolab 8000S kit to a NAC-N272, and the 272 is a huge improvement in sound quality over the Audiolab 8000 or 8200 series of amps.

I actually went Audiolab 8000S to Naim XS series (ND5 XS) and that was a big step up in SQ
Then I went from that to the 272 and that was another considerable increases in SQ.

272 is a very good product that is about to be replaced...... so wait a little and get a color screen) 

if you find a very good deal on used thats another subject..

Dave is a very good dac but i dont see it with a 272..... Dave is a preamp as well isn't it? So why pay for two dac and two pre...

off course this is only my non expert ,almost deaf opinion...

I much prefer black and green screens - mine if off most of the time anyhow.....colour is so last year.

Ravenswood10 posted:

I much prefer black and green screens - mine if off most of the time anyhow.....colour is so last year.

Various drops in Tidal, Unstable Network Connection are part of the green as well

Using Tidal with AK sp1000 not a single drop, network is faster so a dap is a better streamer than 272 ( 272 wired - sp1000 WiFi) not very important things but still something..is ilke a iPhone 7vs8 difference, i would not sell Mine to get it but i will wait  for the new for a little 

dont get me wrong it is very good kit but why not get a better, faster one with Roon ? İ just sold mine...  i miss it dearly while my new pre arrives 

rjstaines posted:

My dad used to say "If you pay peanuts, you'll hear monkeys"   (or something like that).

Surely that should be “if you pLay with peanuts, you’ll hear monkeys (coming)”?

Hi Huge - so how would I optimize my UPnP setup?  Better Ethernet cables?  UPnP from my Core into my network sounds reasonable.  My Core S/Pdif output to the digital in of the 272 sounds better.  It sounds much better when I run the S/Pdif from the Core into the Dave DAC, then into my 272.  I'd have to say that the Dave DAC is superior to the DAC in the 272.  But it should sound better given the price.

Hifi sanity only when I gave up mixing up manufacturers within the same system and went all Naim with all Naim cables.

I'd suggest that this is a lot of money to spend on a piece of equipment that just may not work well together and will only lead to pain or a lot more expense. 

I'd suggest there would be far more joy from buying a streamer/dac/preamp  from the same manufacturer that matches the power amp.

INSPIRATION SD 2.2

Preamplifier with HiFi Streaming & DAC

Thank you for the link.

Like Naim, AVM has a  distinct sound, from my experience. I will describe it as lean, detailed and analytical, a bit lifeless.  This is confirmed by other sources. I struggle with this and would not like to expand my hifi  chain in this direction. The Dynaudio is brutally honest and will not mask. 

I like the Rega sound and the Arcam sound which is more musical, more natural and a bit warmer. I speculate that the Naim sound will be in that direction and had positive indications about compatibility of the 2 brands.

With the Supernait I would have pre and power from 1 brand and the streaming outside. Which i do not expect to be a problem.

With a N-272 paired with the AVM M3ng, which are lovelly and costeffective monoblocks with a lot of punch it would be 1 step into the right direction. 

Pairing the N-272 with the 250DR i would go all the way, but it is an expensive way.  Adding costly cables on top.

How about a Uniti Nova instead? That would incorporate everything and more cost effective than N-272 and 250Dr. The amp seems to have enough drive as the proposed matching amp is the Focal Kanta 2?

In the testing process at the moment within the next 2 weeks to come up with a conclusion. Everything else would be speculation. Will keep you posted about the findings.

You need to go to a really good dealer who will help you sort out what you need. Speculaing will do you no good at all!

Mixing all these products will cause you lots of problems - I've done it myself in the past. Going all Naim was the answer. For 20 years it was all mixed up and never satisfactory. In the end I sold the lot and went all Naim from start to end . Apart from adding a Naim dac and moving from Arivas to Ovator 400 I've had 10 years of joy and I've 

All naim

or all rega

or all arcam

far easier and no pain

I agree that a dealers help is the best way to get the right system for you. Perhaps this is something that we take for granted in the UK. As for the Nova, I would be surprised if you preferred it to  272/250, although you may like the updated range of functions. It will drive the Kantas, but it isn’t a 250!

Agree - auditions is the only way to go. Too much speculation at the moment. Equipment must be bought after auditions, not ‘on paper’.

Well as i mentioned before i will be demoing in the next 2 weeks. No news there. My ears will decide not paper or dealer. Maybe the purse will have say aswell, hence the interest in the Uniti Nova.

I don‘t agree though that only components within the same brand will be compatible. To much of a dogmatic  approach. Consequently I would have change the speakers aswell. And the turntable aswell, which i don‘t think a Naim turntable exists or Arcam. Does Arcam or Rega have a streamer? Too many restrictions within the same brand. 

I have spoken to a few dealers and 99% are biased. They will recommend from their product range or even worse from the stock they have. Never found a dealer who recommended the competition. Also not found a dealer who stocks all the brands and knows all the brands, at least not in Switzerland.

Anyhow, your opinions are appreciated!

While I think there may be merits in having a 'one brand' set up - I disagree that this will always give the best sound or be the best setup...

I did try an NAP250 with my NAC272 and found it didnt tick all the boxes for me.. for my environment and speakers I found combining NAIM with a non-NAIM poweramp gave me what I wanted in terms of the sound 

The Strat (Fender) posted:

Oh - why am I responding to do this? - but how many times do we have to make the point that when a new product emerges what went before is neither broken or indeed redundant?

As the owner of a NAC N 172, a non DR NAP200 and S400's I couldn't agree more.  The NAC N 272 is great. So is the aged NAC 252, and and and...

Yes they will all be replaced, but if you are buying now then you judge on what's best value, (to you at least), now.  

The thing that many people forget is that every manufacture is faced with the same problem when introducing an improved version/replacement of a good selling item. If you hang about too long, someone else will come over the top of you, and if you announce too early you kill your current sales. So EVERYONE plays it quiet and just drops out the new model.

As regards future resale, well show me the list of 5 year old products that have a reasonable market?  Then try the 10 year mark. Then try 20 years out. 

I see 20 year old Naim, Linn, Quad, Krell and a smattering of other brands that you would consider. But the list is small. I am getting close to either going with a NAC N 272 as I'm "in the mood" or trying to hang out for the time I can fund a 252/Supercap/NDX2. The 272 is looking good. If I were to buy a 272 because I can't wait to the time when a 252 combo is possible, and the next day a 272MK2 or fabled 372 appeared, well ces't la vie.

My old kit isn't broken, and in 20 years time if it's still doing duty as my secondary system, well lucky me. Better chance with Naim than most brands

fernar posted:

While I think there may be merits in having a 'one brand' set up - I disagree that this will always give the best sound or be the best setup...

I did try an NAP250 with my NAC272 and found it didnt tick all the boxes for me.. for my environment and speakers I found combining NAIM with a non-NAIM poweramp gave me what I wanted in terms of the sound 

 

Fernar,

which amp did you prefer with the 272? What speakers and cable? I ask becasue I am having lots of issues pairing my new 272 with my Levinson 432 amp with Wilson Duettes and new transparent super cables.