Choices.

Why would you invest a lot of money based upon the subjective viewpoint of someone else, when the only thing that matters is how your ears and brain process the sound?

Because.   I am in no doubt that they are both fine streamers and both have a built in dac but are the dacs any better then my supernaits ..   And because I would like to hear other people's views if that's ok with you.   

My view.. If you want a system with out much of an eye to future upgrades, external DACs  or requiring the benefits of and the inputs of a analogue NAC the 272 seems an ideal product to audition.

if you require flexibility, and perhaps use those inputs on your SuperNait, or think you might want to upgrade / swap out at some point DACs, NACs etc then the NDX is a good product to audition.

Simon

The 272 is more than a streamer. The NDX isn't. Does that maybe suggest something about their pricing and what you might expect?

The only way to know is to listen. If you really want other people to spend your money for you I'm sure it could be arranged. I'd like some cables, if you wouldn't mind.

Thanks Simon and Harry, I will audition the NDX 

I wouldn't be surprised if you liked the NDX very much. Trust your ears and you'll be fine.

This is a dilemma that I'm sure many potential users are facing. I'm getting a 272/250 to avoid the use of of a hiline and to be able to optimise the system with just one power supply and no more mains leads. 

It it certainly would not make sense to add a 272 to a Supernait, but it would make sense to get a 272 and then a 200 or 250. 

As to whether a 272/250 is better or worse than an NDX/Supernait I don't know as I've not heard either. I'm sure both are jolly good. 

It's not just about SQ in the short term, it's also about what you might want to do in the future. The NDX offers more flexibility than the 272 and there's no redundancy.

If it were me, and all other things being equal, I'd probably get the NDX to go with the SN. If I wanted the 272 I'd sell the SN and get a NAP200.

I'm sure the 272 is excellent but my concern would be that I'd be buying a preamp that includes a dac that could well be outdated within a relatively short period of time.  With the NDX you have a high end streamer now and the facility to upgrade it in the future with a seperate dac should you feel the need to do so.  The statement above on the relative pricing of the NDX and 272 seems sensible to me too

+1, had a SN1 with a SB then move to the NDX.......then swapped my SN1 to 282/250 as no need of the "obsolete" SN1 internal Dac.

For an long term view (assuming that you will do some upgrade), an all-in-one solution will always be limited to the planned obsolescence of some component, and the dac is definitly an important one. 

As time goes on, I am becoming less and less concerned with the ability to 'upgrade in the future' by bolting on something else.

There is one school of thought that one should have each function carried out by a separate piece of hardware, so that if an 'upgrade' to one is available, only it need be replaced.  Such results in a system comprised of a large number of boxes, and can introduce issues with interconnects and inter-connectivity.

My current philosophy is that if I like what I have, it will not get worse over time (other than service-related issues).  I concede that I cannot 'future-proof' my system.  If I were to buy an N272, I would be buying a VERY recent release from Naim.  If Naim better it in X years, I would be OK with dealing with that eventuality then -- which may include a trade-in.  Or may not.  Again, an upgrade will not make my current system sound worse.  But I would not let that possibility, or eventuality, keep me from getting what I want, NOW.  (At the old age of 56, how many more upgrade cycles do I have anyway??)

If you are satisfied with the SN into your SBLs, I would also suggest to just add the NDX. Can be upgraded with a power supply later on. 

If you are planning to move on from your SN anyway, I would get the 272 and add a 200DR or 250DR later.

It seems to be not as simple as owning the world's best DAC etc. A good musically engaging sound is produced from a synergistic design/system. It's possible to shoehorn a V8 engine into a Mini, but it doesn't go round corners very well.

Naim kit such as the DAC V1, the NDX and the 272 seem to have hit the magic bullet. They just work.

It's not just about the latest tech and super specs. My CD555 has a 'several generations old' DAC, but I've yet to hear a digital source which betters it - for pure and simple musical engagement. This is of course pertinent in the context of synergy with Naim amplification, and possibly loudspeakers too.

Similarly; digital recording/mastering quality hit a peak around the early 1990's for me, and has been going downhill ever since.

Illogical, Captain.

John.

I wouldn't argue with any of that Bart, what you have now will be just as good in years to come, but my view is that DAC technology is moving so quickly why compromise on a key component like a pre when I could buy the best pre my money will buy and a seperate dac that I can always change in the future.  I'm very rapidly approaching my 50th year but I think both you and I will see a number of strides forward in the dac world before we skid sideways into the grave! 

The 272 has many more digital inputs than the NDX. 

mac mini and a Dac v1 does me well 

One factor in my purchase was that i could change either bit as time and technology changes - I couldn't face spending £2000+++ on something that may be too obsolete for updates in 10 years time or before!

Does dac technology move that fast?

Claus

+1 except for digital mastering as a whole. Depends on the disc or file download and genre. Much of so called popular music (which I don't partake of) as I hear from others sucks out loud.. Pun intended.

<flame retardant suite at the ready>

I've recently auditioned the NAC272 (using it plainly as a streamer so line-out into an Arcam AVR600), alongside an ND5 and also an NDX. Neither me nor my wife could pick a difference between the ND5 or the NAC272 - nada.

The NDX did sound different to the other two through the AVR600 > PMC 24's but not necessarily better to our ears. More open, yes. More airy & detailed, possibly but just a tad lean compared to the fun and toe-tapping presentation of the ND5.

I've read a lot of comments on this and other forums when comparing the ND5 & the NDX and whereas a lot of people talk about how accomplished the NDX is and how it does this or that really well, owners of ND5's talk about how much they 'love' the streamer and wouldn't want to change it (including those that have auditioned the NDX). This for me, speaks volumes.

So as far as the OP is concerned, should the question be NAC272 vs NDX? Or should it actually be NAC272 vs ND5...?

From my personal experience, you're getting a pre-amp for £1k extra with the NAC272 but ultimately as a streamer, it's identical to the ND5. Which as you'll have gleaned from above, is no bad thing at all...

(If I may just lend that suit for a second)

Couldn't agree with you more 'garysan'

I mentioned such in an earlier post but appeared to be ignored. I didn't require the use of a pre amp when I went to my dealer to buy into hi end streaming, the answer was pretty much the 272 is a ND5 and a pre amp combined ? So went for the ND5 as it suited my needs. Later went and added a 2Qute which raises the bar in sonic terms a little higher still.

If I'm brutally honest since joining the NAIM camp and taking part in this wonderful community there appears to be one or two pockets of 'kit' snobbery where it's not the done thing suggesting an 'entry level' option as a solution? Why I'm not sure ..... Ok the OP in this case opened the discussion with the mention of an NDX but surely sharing views up and down of the price point are worth considering?

love and peace all