202/NDX vs 272/NDX

i did! still think the 202 has the edge over 272... evidently, the difference will be larger with 172... but the 272 is a special product, nonetheless, and so neutral.

but 272 as pre is superior to SN2 preamp section... as 172 is superior to Nait XS2 preamp section. the main difference between the 272/SN2 pre and 172/Xs2 pre, is that the x72's are more neutral, in the way of the new Naim sound, with large soundstage, richer in timbre, and more luminous in tone.

SN2 and XS2 have the traditional Naim sound, with a darker tone, slight lack of resolution, a bit of midbass coloration, and a very good flow.

For me the 272 as preamp is much better than the 202, nearly as good as the 282. I chanched from NDX, nDAC with XP5XS, 202, HiCap DR, napsc to 272, 555 PS because it sounds so much better. 

Reinibert, did you mean that 272/555PS/200 as analog amp is much better for you than 202/HC/200, and nearly as good as 282/200?

The system details in your profile seem out of date - did you at some point also change from Linn Majik/NDAC to NDX/NDAC? Would you care to comment on that comparison as well? Thanks

Yes, for me the 272 alone is as analog preamp better than the 202. I compared it whith a XP5XS to a 282 whith HiCap DR. In this point the 282 sounded a little better. I didn't compare 272/555PS with the 282. But I don't think to go back to a seperated preamp. I'm waiting for the next step for the 572;-).

Yes I have to change the profile. The linn majik ds was my first step into streaming. It sounded so much better than my CD5. At this time Naim-streamer wasn't an alternate. Then I bought the nDAC and the sound changes to some more Naim. And also the NDX made a differenz to the better. At last I got a XP5XS for the nDAC. This compared to the streamer inside the 272 I have changed to the 272. 

Just what I wanted to hear! I have also compared 282/HiCapDR with the 272-as-preamp/XPSDR, and I used a dedicated switchbox where I could switch their outputs to my 250 directly: we could not make out a reliable difference. Hence my move to the 272.

S.

Can't comment on the 202 vs 272 but have compared NDX/XPS/282/HC/250 with 272/XPS/250 and can only say that the former has a considerably larger soundstage, was more resolving, bass went deeper and treble more refined. 

But the latter is of course only 3 boxes and less £s.  

You'd expect £5,000 to buy you some improvement.... The fact that a three box system is being spoken about in the same breath as a six box alternative is surely saying something. 

I would be surprised if the 272 were better than the 282... good to know some (the strat) thinks the hierarchy is still maintained 

analogmusic posted:

I would be surprised if the 272 were better than the 282... good to know some (the strat) thinks the hierarchy is still maintained 

Why not ? I thought my old 282 to be a great pre-amp, but the game moves with new developments. I would have thought the difference between them would be down more to individual preference than night and day differences. If i was looking at this level in the Naim world, i think the 272 would be a very elegant solution.

The Strat (Fender) posted:

Can't comment on the 202 vs 272 but have compared NDX/XPS/282/HC/250 with 272/XPS/250 and can only say that the former has a considerably larger soundstage, was more resolving, bass went deeper and treble more refined. 

But the latter is of course only 3 boxes and less £s.  

Hungryhalibut posted:

You'd expect £5,000 to buy you some improvement.... The fact that a three box system is being spoken about in the same breath as a six box alternative is surely saying something. 

Be interesting to see what the SL interconnect does to this hierarchy. At 'only' £1750 it might bridge the gap?

Just a thought.

G

If it doesn't make dollars, it don't make sense!

It's no coincidence, the better products, usually cost more.

S1/552/252/282/?

202/Hi Cap DR vs 272

272/Xps2 DR  vs 202/Hi Cap DR

Nice thread, the above is the real comparison!

JMHO!!!!

Hungryhalibut posted:

You'd expect £5,000 to buy you some improvement.... The fact that a three box system is being spoken about in the same breath as a six box alternative is surely saying something. 

Absolutely.   Part of the challenge for Naim must be how good the entry level components are.  A former work colleague acquaintance runs a Rega P5, CD5XS/NaittXS/Neat system and it's sweet!!

Out of interest, which neat speakers are they running the strat?

I've owned a 202 and a 252 but never a 282, though I have owned an 82. Although memories fade, I can say that my 272 with XPS DR is way better than the 202/Hicap, and also better than an 82/Hicap. At the end of the day I'm not sure it matters that much. Once you get the system home and stop comparing, and just listen to music, it's academic whether X is a smidge better than Y. I chose my setup because I didn't want loads of boxes and loads of wires, rather than for absolute sound quality, and I didn't bother to listen to alternatives for that very reason. 

Now it's all run in, and maxed out with Powerlines and SL cabling, all I can say is that it's bloody brilliant. And if a six box setup with NDX and 282 is a little bit better, it matters not a jot. 

All this ordering into lists reminds me of Nick Hornby's wonderful book High Fidelity. It seems to be something that men just can't resist. 

So your a woman then ?

(meant nothing negative in beeing woman)

GraemeH posted:

The Strat (Fender) posted:

Can't comment on the 202 vs 272 but have compared NDX/XPS/282/HC/250 with 272/XPS/250 and can only say that the former has a considerably larger soundstage, was more resolving, bass went deeper and treble more refined. 

But the latter is of course only 3 boxes and less £s.  

Hungryhalibut posted:

You'd expect £5,000 to buy you some improvement.... The fact that a three box system is being spoken about in the same breath as a six box alternative is surely saying something. 

Be interesting to see what the SL interconnect does to this hierarchy. At 'only' £1750 it might bridge the gap?

Just a thought.

G

"only £1750 for a i/c"

I agree 100% HH, but you must Remember the purpose of the Forum.

1st 

A great marketing device

2nd

The pecking order, which supports the Marketing of the products

3rd

Queries

And of the 3, I think the 3rd is of the greatest importance!

And HH, I commend you, for doing a fine job!

BTW

I Never heard any 500 series, nor a 252, but  that simple 3 Tier rig sure did sound nice!

2 x 555PS DR / NDS

Statement/Full Loom/*PL Avid GT3 40K

The Armchair QB!!!!

Okay I'm not saying the 272 isn't good - it's excellent - and I recognise the price difference and of course the performance gap is a  matter of personal judgement but in my opinion the gap was considerable not marginal.  

Okay I'm not saying the 272 isn't good - it's excellent - and I recognise the price difference and of course the performance gap is a  matter of personal judgement but in my opinion the gap was considerable not marginal.  

GraemeH posted:

The Strat (Fender) posted:

Can't comment on the 202 vs 272 but have compared NDX/XPS/282/HC/250 with 272/XPS/250 and can only say that the former has a considerably larger soundstage, was more resolving, bass went deeper and treble more refined. 

But the latter is of course only 3 boxes and less £s.  

Hungryhalibut posted:

You'd expect £5,000 to buy you some improvement.... The fact that a three box system is being spoken about in the same breath as a six box alternative is surely saying something. 

Be interesting to see what the SL interconnect does to this hierarchy. At 'only' £1750 it might bridge the gap?

Just a thought.

G

But then you can put a SL interconnect on a source into a 282, too.  I've the result very pleasing indeed.