upgrading - new Naim system

The new streamers will be here this summer, prices of older equipment will fall. I would wait and listen to the new streamers, then make a decision. 

Your ears must decide but I think you’ll find the NDX/282/250 combo will comfortably see off the 272/250.  

xcentric posted:

So am returning to the hifi fold as children have moved on from poking in domes of speakers and are now exploring music, and hadn't realised it didn't have to sound tinny coming from their phones.....

Have a chrome bumper 160 and hicap and old 72 in storage, but have moved to streaming or networked music, so time for an upgrade.  My only sources will be FLAC encoded CDs, and Spotify and/or Tidal.

Room is 5 x 5, open into another 5x5 room - a kitchen diner - and people will be listening from quite a few positions around the room so good off-axis sound useful too.  Runningmy older Ruark Crusaders, which are low impedance floor standers, and will leave these as is at least for now.

Am trialling a Uniti Nova, and I love the styling and the display.  The music convenience is great, and sound quality is excellent, but it's slightly harsh in the treble and the bass lacks depth - there's not quite the foot-tapping swing I'd expect.  Much better now used constantly for a week, but not quite there. In a shop demo, I couldn't really hear the difference: I then spent a while listening to a 272/200DR combination (into b&w floorstanders, to be fair) and when at home the Nova seemed to have something taken away.  Don't get me wrong, it's great for an all in one, but I have found I do want the better sound quality over the single box convenience.  And I think if I use it as the streamer/pre-amp only, and add the 250 DR, whilst it will improve it, there's a lot of electronics in there that I'm then not using but am paying (new price) for.

So after a lot of thought am looking at either 272 into 250 DR, with upgrade path as power supply or new streamer (NDX 2) and preamp later, or current model NDX which I can get at a good price (about half price) and a 282 into a 250 DR.  My thinking is that the 250 DR will give me all the control and bass I need, even at low volumes, at least over the 200 DR, whilst the 300 DR is quite a price hike on.  The new streamer is nice, but expensive, and the 272 has good reviews.

The question is, which might sound better, and/or which offers the more cost effective upgrade path in the future, should I wish to go that way (it's not certain I won't be happy with this setup).  Am happy to upgrade via the pre-loved route, too.

Multiple boxes are fine, and can be hidden through a wall, so even looking identical isn't such a key issue. 

Views from the naim experts here are welcomed!

thanks in advance.

the 272 is not upgradable, you will stay at max with the 272/555dr combo.  I would go for second hand ndx and 282/supercap, personally, with 250 dr.  well balanced and very musical system in the naim range, the sweet pot.  After, you can sell the second hand ndx and buy later the ndx2.

agree I need to listen - am doing so as we speak - but I probably can't wait for the end of the summer without something to tide me over at least: I need something in the meantime.  Have bought a mu-so for another room and enjoying decent music for the first time in ages.....

You have a nice amp sitting unused, why not use that again and add a streamer shch as NDX? Worry about upgrades later. 

ChrisSU posted:

You have a nice amp sitting unused, why not use that again and add a streamer shch as NDX? Worry about upgrades later. 

I’d do this. 

Wait and try out the NDX2 with the amps you already have. 

How about servicing the NAP160 and purchase a 272. I run a 272 into a serviced CB250 (olive fascia) sounds fantastic.

Later upgrades XPS or 555 for the 272, rack etc

The Strat (Fender) posted:

Your ears must decide but I think you’ll find the NDX/282/250 combo will comfortably see off the 272/250.  

For a fair comparison, the 272/250 really needs to include the XPSDR, and don’t forget that the 282 option needs a hicap as well. Both options are excellent and you won’t go far wrong with either. The NDX/282 is more flexible, but how important that is depends on how far up the tree you plan to go. 

Lots of good advice above. Personally I would use your current excellent amplifier through the summer and see what Naim release. If you really must splash the cash the options including a 282 gives the best flexibility  for the future. A great pre that could easily last a lifetime.

Stu

I’d be wary of legacy streaming products -NDX and 272. You have a chance to embrace the future (for me -Roon). Whereas there are no such things as Legacy amps. 

So my advice, set up your old system and get an Auralic Aeries mini to front it to get you through the summer. Then look at the new Naim options. The Auralic will be an easy sell on and when you go to get your main streamer you’ll have an excellent idea of what to expect software wise. 

.sjb

Sloop John B posted:

I’d be wary of legacy streaming products -NDX and 272. You have a chance to embrace the future (for me -Roon). Whereas there are no such things as Legacy amps. 

 

For anyone who wants to use web streaming services, I would agree. If you just want to stream your own CD rips and downloads, plus a bit of iRadio, a 'legacy' streamer could be a good bargain as the new models start to hit the shops.

some interesting advice that is certainly food for thought. Re the 282 pre-amp, given I don't need all the other inputs - my listening really is all streaming/UPnP - is there a more appropriate pre I should look at? From what I gather the 282 is sonically improved over the 202.....

what a fun choice.....

with the 250dr,the 282 is the right partner.  As said before, the 272 would give you preamp and streamer in one component, but not upgradable after.  The same for auralnic vega, with streamer and preamp in one box.  If you like naim sound, you have to partner naim pre with naim amp.  So, for me, the 282 is essential in your case.

Or you can choose linn streamers, with volume control, to go with nap 250.    Other sound, but some prefer it to naim....

xcentric posted:

some interesting advice that is certainly food for thought. Re the 282 pre-amp, given I don't need all the other inputs - my listening really is all streaming/UPnP - is there a more appropriate pre I should look at? From what I gather the 282 is sonically improved over the 202.....

what a fun choice.....

I chose a 282 despite only using a single digital source. Yes, there is a lot of redundancy, and I do wonder if Naim could produce a similar sounding preamp with just one or two inputs for a lot less money. I did consider a 272 as well, but my ears told me to get the 282.