Dr upgrade first? Or extra boxes?

My recommendation would be to sell off everything but the 272. Get a UnitiServe and Audioquest Vodka cables, a XPS-DR and a Nap 250DR. This, if the 250DR is a good match with your speakers.

For some context, I'm currently running a 272 with a Nap 100 into Kudos X2s. I'm strangely enough finding the Nap100 more enjoyable than a Nap250DR which is sitting dejectedly in one corner.

Hi, I can't answer your Q but I have a feeling the answer will lie in whether you want to continue with both streaming and very fine CD replay.

Chris

FreezingColdDownHere posted:

Hi Guys

I am currently running 272/555ps+300+CD555/555ps+SL2+Highline+Powerlines.

Need to borrow your wisdom and make a decision. Do I change my 272 to a 252/SC and add NDS? Or do I get DR upgrade to all my boxes first? Which one would give me more SQ improvement? Thanks.

Suggested options are not of the same reach or cost. However, while 272 is the new and very successful kid on the block it still doesn't play on the same ground field of the venerable 555 and 300, without mentioning SL2. I would first consider 252, if not 552, and of course NDS. You could do the latter in two steps: nDAC if for demat only and add ND5 or NDX for streaming - then NDS. Upgrade to DR later.   

Chag -

I would suggest replacing the HiLine with the SuperLumina version. Then DR everything when you have time. Finally decide whether that is what you want or something else (e.g, NDS or 282 or better). I'm guessing that DR and possible recaps will add to resale value. What you have is pretty good, so no rush.

Lots of options available.

If streaming is your goal then why not sell one 555ps and the cd555 for a NDS which could be cost neutral.

That leaves the preamp change to a 252/supercap as the obvious upgrade. Trading and buying used could cost you about 3k. 

ATB

Ray

A good demo with the support of a friendly dealer is the only way to go as there are lots of options with DR, lumina cables and black boxes which give multiple options..... ergo it's more difficult for forum members to advise. 

My dealer was certainly raving about the 300 DR upgrade so I plan to have a listen and that is likely to be my next choice. 

In terms of your system it seems logical to make a decision on what is your digital source of choice - investing in two options could easily mean compromise. 

Gary

It has already been mentioned here. Do you want to continue CD replay or not. Looks to me a bit of an overkill to have and streaming and CD replay. So if you move to streaming the route would be to get yourself a NDS, get rid of the 272 and preferably get a 552 (pre-loved). Depending on your finances and the deal you could get you could go for a two 555PS powered NDS or sell one and DR the other.

The other option would be to stay with the CD555 and which would mean trying also to get a 552 in place. I would care about DR upgrades in a 2nd step.

But demo and get it for yourself in different configurations.

Wow Bert, we're on the same wave length, this new paradigm with multiple digital sources can be rather expensive! 

But here's my two cents! 

Well, from your opening statement, one thing we no for sure, the 272 is leaving.  Another thing we no for sure, you're  in the digital realm, with Naim's top players! 

So here we go, first we will rule out 552, why ? Because you mentioned 252. But deep down inside, whether you know it or not, you're a 552 kind of guy. Hence, there are two paths for you, let's explore the first path, and once you have rejected this path we will explore the second path.

Naim's top player, the 25K CDP!

Now Money is always a factor, so we will precede cautiously!

Sell the new kid on the block, that's right the 272 is gone. Then DR your 555PS, Top source is secure. Ok, we going to save you some money now, forget about the NDS, that's 14K we can play with, and digital world is changing every second! Also we shopping the 2nd hand Market.

Main analog Hub, 552 DR / Top primary digital source, CD555 DR

Next, get your 300 DRed! So far!

555PS DR/CD555/555PS DR/552/300DR

Wow! Dred front and rear end with your choice of Speakers. That's right, you're with the Big Boys!

Relax slow down, experiment with streaming, take Naim's best digital dac and plug it into your 552. I hear it's a cracker, with the updated firmware!

2nd hand Market!

US uniti, naked Ndac, add PS later!

Well, I hope that was helpful, I really enjoyed spending your Money!

The Armchair QB!

JMHO!!!!!

FreezingColdDownHere posted:

Hi Guys

I am currently running 272/555ps+300+CD555/555ps+SL2+Highline+Powerlines.

Need to borrow your wisdom and make a decision. Do I change my 272 to a 252/SC and add NDS? Or do I get DR upgrade to all my boxes first? Which one would give me more SQ improvement? Thanks.

Do you want to retain the CD555?

If not, getting an NDS and a 552 is the neatest way to a top system. 

One has to ask how you got to this state in the first place. The 55x components are excellent as is the 272. But they are geared as the building blocks of very different systems. The 300 can reveal a lot more than the 272 can deliver as a source and pre. By the same token, the 300 and CD555 is preventing the 272 from satisfying the niche it was aimed at: delivering an amazing source/pre for a low box count system.

But that's academic I suppose. If box count is not a huge concern then, swapping out the 272 for an NDS and at least a 252/SC will yield better results than DRing the 300 or anything else I suspect and get onto the path of a balanced system.

But... since you already have a 272 and it is a fabulous performer, unless funds are getting tight, I might be inclined to find one of those second hand pre DR power amps like a 200 or 250.2, a pair of speakers and make an awsome second system out of it. Or even an older Olive era power amp (recapped of course).

A note on the CD555, an NDS may or may not replace it. Since there is still a different sonic character. You may find that the presentation of the CD555 is more to your liking for some material. On the other hand, if yu feel a NDS is all the digital source you will ever need, then maybe flogging the CD555 and going down the 552 route for the preamp instead of a 252/SC is better. If it was me, I would start by auditioning the NDS with a variety of material first and decide whether it can replace the CD555 or not. Then based on that choose a preamp. And I would also find an excuse to keep the 272 and use it somewhere else.

Either. If you're going top do it all then it won't matter in the long run. Myself, I would get an NDS in fast and a 252 after. But that's just me.

I would upgrade the 300 to 300 DR and stop right there. The DR upgrade on the power amp is so significant that nothing more is needed with your kit. Mango is not hearing what the 250DR is capable as it take a long long time to run it. But when it does, it is a JAW dropping. The previous amps were very demanding of the sources and preamps, but the DR amps make the most of the sources and preamps instead of a big ask. Kind of like the 552 making the most of any source.

I'd buy a turntable.

Not a lot of use if the OP has no records though. 

I'd buy a turntable and some records - ditch the 272, buy a SH 552 and DR the 300s in that order but - to quote Harry - that's just me. 

HH, they are available in shops you may be surprised to learn...... and Chris Dolan's suggested path would be exactly mine thereafter.

I know, but if you haven't got any at all it seems daft to start off with hardly any music for your new and expensive source. Most new music isn't available on vinyl anyway. Anyway, I'm not going to argue about it. 

analogmusic posted:

I would upgrade the 300 to 300 DR and stop right there. The DR upgrade on the power amp is so significant that nothing more is needed with your kit. Mango is not hearing what the 250DR is capable as it take a long long time to run it. But when it does, it is a JAW dropping. The previous amps were very demanding of the sources and preamps, but the DR amps make the most of the sources and preamps instead of a big ask. Kind of like the 552 making the most of any source.

 

Good point Analogmusic, but the OP, has the Cash, and Wants to upgrade  and get more boxes!

""Hi Guys

I am currently running 272/555ps+300+CD555/555ps+SL2+Highline+Powerlines.

Need to borrow your wisdom and make a decision. Do I change my 272 to a 252/SC and add NDS? Or do I get DR upgrade to all my boxes first? Which one would give me more SQ improvement? Thanks.""

But we do Agree get the 300 Dred, but if the OP has the Cash, why not hit the second hand Market! 

Dred front and rear end, with an CD555 Dred Source, heaven! 

Then experiment with Ndac/US uniti/ PS! 

No Analog source, perhaps as HH said, no records! perhaps that why we don't see an TT!

But Wow! a 552 Dred Analog Hub, sporting a CD555, along with a Ndac, beefed up with the new firmware! 

Heaven!!!!!!

Perhaps it's time for the OP to tune in a give us a sense of Direction!

In how we should spend his Money! 

Hungryhalibut posted:

I know, but if you haven't got any at all it seems daft to start off with hardly any music for your new and expensive source. Most new music isn't available on vinyl anyway. Anyway, I'm not going to argue about it. 

I agree.  Starting a vinyl collection these days is a very significant undertaking in both cost and time, the latter to track-down the albums you want.  Advising someone to change formats when they are seeking advice on how to improve their system doesn't seem very helpful to me.

M 

Hungryhalibut posted:

I know, but if you haven't got any at all it seems daft to start off with hardly any music for your new and expensive source. Most new music isn't available on vinyl anyway. Anyway, I'm not going to argue about it. 

That is your opinion, which i don't agree with. Of course i was only offering a suggestion as to what 'I' would do.

Fella's got cash and he's into the hi-fi, why not?

Chris

I guess dropping £20k on the top LP12, to give the same standard as the 555, plus ten albums of music he's already got at £15 each makes sense - a unit cost of just over £2,000 per album. In that context, getting an NDS and a 552 seems rather silly. 

MDS posted:

Hungryhalibut posted:

I know, but if you haven't got any at all it seems daft to start off with hardly any music for your new and expensive source. Most new music isn't available on vinyl anyway. Anyway, I'm not going to argue about it. 

I agree.  Starting a vinyl collection these days is very significant undertaking in both cost and time, the latter to track-down the albums you want.  Advising someone to change formats when they are seeking advice on how to improve their system doesn't seem very helpful to me.

M 

No different than asking any question on the Forum really. I'm sure the OP will do exactly what he wants, after all he's already split his efforts, duplicating a digital source. I really don't get the 'not advising starting a vinyl collection nowadays'. I could go down my local market and buy 1000 albums for less than the price of a secondhand 555PS, which i assume you would have no problem with?

Hungryhalibut posted:

I guess dropping £20k on the top LP12, to give the same standard as the 555, plus ten albums of music he's already got at £15 each makes sense - a unit cost of just over £2,000 per album. In that context, getting an NDS and a 552 seems rather silly. 

I've just bought a used LP12 from a dealer for £700 that takes the piss out of any streamer i have heard. Your argument does not hold water….. and i thought you didn't want to argue about it?

gary yeowell posted:

MDS posted:

Hungryhalibut posted:

I know, but if you haven't got any at all it seems daft to start off with hardly any music for your new and expensive source. Most new music isn't available on vinyl anyway. Anyway, I'm not going to argue about it. 

I agree.  Starting a vinyl collection these days is very significant undertaking in both cost and time, the latter to track-down the albums you want.  Advising someone to change formats when they are seeking advice on how to improve their system doesn't seem very helpful to me.

M 

No different than asking any question on the Forum really. I'm sure the OP will do exactly what he wants, after all he's already split his efforts, duplicating a digital source. I really don't get the 'not advising starting a vinyl collection nowadays'. I could go down my local market and but 1000 albums for less than the price of a secondhand 555PS, which i assume you would have no problem with?

No I wouldn't, Gary, and you would probably be supplementing a painstakingly constructed vinyl collection. But starting from a near zero base? As I'm sure you know, finding the vinyl albums you actually want, and in good condition, isn't just a question of money these days.  Many on here have spend decades building their vinyl collection and I suspect would seriously struggle to replicate it, regardless of available funds.