Which way to go?

I can imagine reasons why one might want to get rid of a UnitiServe and I can imagine reasons why one might want to buy one. But without knowing exactly what are your specific reasons for wanting to replace the US, it is a bit difficult to make suggestions.

If you are fine with OS X and streaming via USB (plus USB to S/PDIF converter) or optical, then a mac mini is certainly a viable approach. A mac mini would be a minimal intervention on your current system hardware wise. And one that you could easily try with minimal investments. But also one that would likely imply a significant change in your control software.

If you are considering moving to a 272, this suggests that you are open to streaming from NAS via ethernet. This would likely imply that you will use the new Naim app as a control which would be a comparatively little change if you are now using n-Serve. And you could take advantage of the integration of LAN and internet streaming services  implemented with the most recent firmware upgrade. But you would give up a nice separation of concerns between amplification and digital to analog conversion. 

I have no experience with Chord devices. They are probably very good from the viewpoint of sound quality but their design is very different from the Naim design. I can hardly imagine moving from Naim to Chord (and the other way round) design wise but, again, maybe design is not important to you.

As a general remark it seems to me that it might be easier to first ask yourself what you want to achieve (or to avoid) in terms of sound quality, functionalities, operability, etc. and then consider which hardware options will more likely get you there.

Your a bit all over the map here.

First and foremost, do you want to stream within your home (using for example the Synology nas as a UPnP server connected by ethernet to a player such as an NDX or N272)?  Or do you want to play music locally, such as from the Mac via optical cable to a dac such as the Naim DAC or a Chord dac?

You need to solve this first, as some of the hardware is really meant to be used only one of these ways. 

Thank you NBPF and Bart for your replies...

My problems with the US are from a reliability/usability pov - Just burnt way to many hours and trips back to Naim (not to mention having to re burn zillions of CD's!

Anyway, I have my main listening room/den. This is where the vinyl is played and where I'd like to stream HD audio. However, I also want to stream al la party mode to two or three other rooms - For simplicity, the iTunes/airplay route seems from what I'v experienced with US/UQute to be the way to go.

I was thinking of the Mac mini for burning new CD's and for iTunes Airplay (party mode to all rooms). I'd use Sinology as the home for iTunes rips and everything else. Ive the UnityQute and will get either a couple of B&W airplay boxes or  two Muso's depending on what PX route/deal I go for...

I'm defo connecting everything by ethernet, not wifi!

I do understand what you mean about the aesthetics - Chord are very different to Naim! My first proper set up being ATC amp and speakers so I don't mind change!

My new partner would like things tidier - hence the 272/200 and Chord 2800 mk II options... and if I'm honest, and don't blame her, I really NEED the streaming and party mode to be a 'turn on and work - first time, everytime'!

I really liked the idea of the Naim route - being able to upgrade a bit at a time, however, more than ever, it has to be about the music, not the pursuit of brand/kit... I loved listening to HD audio via US and nDAC, however, the tech issues have wasted what seems like years of my life. 

I guess what I'm looking for is a similar quality/simplicity/enjoyment I get with my vinyl set up. So will Mac mini to nDAC/282/200 give me my current  Ayre P5xe enjoyment, or for simplicity and enjoyment, a 272/200 setup... Would 272 negatively affect my current vinyl enjoyment???

If you have everything on the Synology and want multi room it's an easy decision. Get a 272 and a couple of musos and you are done. Rip on a laptop using DBpoweramp, make sure you set the nas to backup and that's it. Ditch the 282 and the DAC, use the money for an XPS dr or a 250 dr and enjoy the simplicity. This three box system really is very good. You can even add FM for £300. 

Now that's clear thinking... Thank you Hungryhalibut... 

If you want simple no fuss multi room, go the sonos route. Its rock solid, easier to use and will sound better in party mode.

+1 I was reluctant to let my CDX 2 go but took the plunge with a 272 and have to say that now I've digitised my entire library (using BD Poweramp on my Mac and a Qnap NAS) I have enjoyed music I'd forgotten I owned!! Further to that, I have a Qobuz sublime account and have bought some fantastic music in higer res flac files that sound amazing on the system. In the last week I have used Tidal seriously for the first time (having had free trials before in a half hearted way) and have to say I have discovered  more new music (That I love) in this last week than I have done for a couple of years.

i have a muso in the office so multi room works very nicely for me. However, if you go with the Tidal account, you could use that via your iOS device to stream to various airplay devices around the home - for casual listening / party time (Just remember to invite the neighbours!!) 

So before I ring dealer to order the 272 a couple more questions:

Can you confirm that the way in which the 272 software is update is childs play (unlike US or my UQ1)?

Any small speaker recommendations to go with the 272/200? - Need to be thin/smallish floor standers. Having sold my Rega RS7's I've been using a pair of RS1 on the wall in the corners and is way to bass-boomy... and have a greenish light on some small floor standers as I'm significantly reducing box count - lol :-)

Many thanks

You still need to update the 272 by connecting a wire to your laptop, but once done a few times it becomes second nature. It's without doubt far easier than burning ISO discs for the US updates. 

Regarding speakers, that's a whole minefield, and I can only recommend what I've got good experience with, and that would be PMC twenty.23s, which sound great and are thin. You need to listen to options for yourself of course. 

It's the same as the UQ1, but it is easy.

Well, it is with a heavy heart that I have the following update....

On Friday I bought a Naim Fraim (base + 4 layers), however, on Saturday I auditioned the 272/250 DR and a Chord 2800 mk2.... (fully expecting to slim my boxes down and go for the 272/250 DR)  I noticed a big difference between 272/250 and my 282/200/nDac - the separation of instruments was at first amazing, but then it became distracting...  I was listening to instruments, and not the music landscape - clever, but.....    The Chord on the other hand had to me a much more cohesive sound and less flappy bass... After several hours of swapping between the two (thank you Trevor and Gary at Analogue Seduction for your patience and coffee) I went for the Chord... Ive not had a chance to listen at home until now - Tidal and the 2800 is simply amazing - Ive just heard Tubular bells like never before, and Ive heard it a zillion times... sorry Naim, and especially Phil Harris who has to be Naim's best/greatest employee/advocate/ asset, its bye for now...

If anyone is looking for a black/black Naim Fraim (base + four levels) in VVGC, then let me know.

All the best, and above all, find that place where you are listening to the music not the hifi...

Andy

It's great that you have found a solution that works for you. Shame about the Fraim though - can you not send it back?

Forgot to say... I'm listening to the Chord through two Rega RS1's high and close to the corners - and the sound is bloody amazing!  Honestly better to me than the 282/200/ndac/US and Rega RS7's... Ive got a pair of ex demo PMC Fact 8's coming tomorrow - Cant wait! Go listen and judge for yourself....

Have to caveat that with the fact I'm now just past 50 so hearing past its best - lol :-)

The DAC in the 272 is not as good as the nDAC. My findings were similar to yours, the focus was on details at expense of the music.

Enjoy the Chord.

I could do that - I've not even unboxed it, but paid £100 for next day delivery on a Saturday! oops! I don't want to be a pain to the shop - but will ask in the morning if they'd mind restocking. I'd happily still use the NaimFraim but the Chord does not fit lengthwise :-(

On to a bit of Jarre at the mo and its simply a stunning landscape - stunning... Not analytical and oft tiring as my old ATC set up was...

Loving Tidal btw - a whole new music experience! pinch me - I'm listening via bluetooth from my phone - this sound cannot be - impossible! wtf!

I guess the backlash has to start somewhere..... But saying that the focus is on details rather than music, or that you are listening to hifi rather than music, is totally the opposite of what I'm hearing here, having put my money where my mouth is rather than simply reviewing items. 

If only it were simple Nigel. I had the 272, XPSDR and 250 DR for two months, trying out all possible permutations, to come to consistent impressions of each component, including the pre and the DAC sections of the 272. I was certain that one of the boxes would easily trounce something in my 82/HiCap/250 setup and felt pretty sure that it would be the 250DR. In the end all the boxes went back and it was a relief to return to the olive gear.

The 272 is a wonderful preamp, but let down by its DAC, IMO. The 272's DAC takes the Naim sound on a different path to the one that I have always associated with the brand. Up to this point, everything that I have heard from Naim has never sacrificed on rhythmicity (boogie factor, if you will). To my ears, the 272 gives up some of this for better detail. The same was heard with the 250DR when comparing to my olive 250. In many areas it was clearly better than the olive 250, but in rhythmicity, it took a step back. Same story again with the SuperLumina speaker cables, which I am currently evaluating. The SuperLumina interconnect on the other hand manages to increase detail without sacrifices elsewhere.

Naim know their markets very well, and the style of presentation seen in the 272 is obviously finding its mark, judging by effusive comments on this forum. No-one is denying what you hear, but as ever, we all hear things differently and seek different things in music replay.

So, not so much a backlash as an alternative point of view.

Best regards,

Jan

Hmmm... music vs Hifi. Have heard this used many times and not sure i understand it at all. in my simple mind, if a system doesnt play music, then there is something wrong, period. but this could all be just semantics mixed up with personal preferences.

enjoy

ken

Maybe it is just that Jan is simply an Olive guy and Nigel is a modern Naim guy.  Nothing wrong with either philosophy.

ATB Ray

It's very easy to use lazy descriptions, such as Hifi rather than music, or detail at the expense of music. Now that Jan has clarified his earlier comments, and explained that that he feels that the 272/250DR is less of a boogie machine than the 82/250 I'd have to agree. Having owned an 82/250 and knowing it well, I feel that the new stuff presents a more balanced and therefore more enjoyable package; maybe it is slightly less focussed on boogie, but the overall musical performance is absolutely to the fore. And it absolutely does not prioritise Hifi pyrotechnics over the music - in fact I've never known a Naim product that does. 

Andy.

sorry to tell you but unfortunately I completely agree with you.

having the one item that does so much on all levels must be a relief, especially when considerable investment has been made.    

 Nothing lacking in mental ( and listening ) facility if you think you have found what is right for you . People are always going on about how important having a thorough audition is and you have proved that the "first" choice isn't always the right choice. ;-)

cheers