How best to set the volume on a 272 when using Tidal via an Ipad

Posted by: Belfast Taxman on 23 January 2016

This is my first post. Today I took possession of a 272/250dr combo. I have an Apple IPad and wondered whether it is better to set the volume higher on the IPad and then adjust the 272 volume control accordingly or vice versa. I am streaming via Tidal hifi which seems to me significantly superior to Spotify Premium. The 250 is driving a pair of Linn Kan's which are old (obviously) and I am looking to replace with another pair of stand mounted speakers. Any suggestions (around £1000) welcome. For me the seemingly obvious choice would be Linn Majik 109's but I will try and audition as widely as possible.

Posted on: 23 January 2016 by ChrisSU

If your iPad volume control for Tidal is independent of the 272 volume control, it sounds like you're using the Tidal app rather than the Naim app's Tidal input? Using the Naim app volume control is exactly the same as using the 272 front panel volume control. 

You're right, Tidal sounds much better than Spotify, as it should being double the price. 

Posted on: 24 January 2016 by Belfast Taxman

Thanks for your reply Chris. Yes on day two of my new sonic adventure with the 272/250, I shall attempt to stop listening to it and do sensible things like setting up the Naim App.

if anyone wants to help with the speaker query, the rest of my system is LP12 (with Kore/Lingo 3/Ekos/Dynavector xx2) which will, very shortly, be going through a Stageline powered by my old Hi-cap (previously I used the old and very wonderful 72/140 combo). I also have a mid-level Marantz CD player.

Another query (apologies if this has come up before) is whether it would be sensible, price wise, to DR the Hicap if all it is doing is powering the Stageline. Am I likely to hear a difference? Perhaps better to invest my very finite funds on new cables/ interconnects?

Posted on: 24 January 2016 by hungryhalibut

Tidal should sound a lot better run directly through the 272, without using the iPad at all. Just enable the Tidal input and set it up to use your account. 

 

Posted on: 24 January 2016 by Belfast Taxman

Thanks Hungry Halibut - yes indeed the direct route through the Naim App sounds better. And it also helped when I put the right antenna in the right place. Well it is only day two��

Posted on: 24 January 2016 by ChrisSU

Glad to hear you got that one sorted. Quite a few of the Naim app features are not particularly obvious (at least to me) so it's worth spending a bit of time looking through the menu and settings. The same applies to the 272 settings accessed through the remote. While listening to some great sounds, of course. 

 

Posted on: 25 January 2016 by fernar

If you can stretch you budget a little bit - I would try a pair of Neat Acoustics Motive SX2 Speakers - my dealer had these running attached to a N272+NAP200 and they sounded very good - alternatively I would suggest Monitor Audio - my friend has a pair of MA Silver floorstanders - but connected to a NAC282+NAP200 and they do sound very good...

BTW - you LP12 setup is very similar to my with the exception that two years ago I had installed a Khan top-plate..... which to my ears made a great improvement.... which I appreciate even more through the N272