272 with xps or xp5

The XPS is the natural partner for the 272 and makes an incredible difference everything is just better but I see you are using a 250.2 I would also suggest that an upgrade to the dr spec would also make a massive improvement if possible I would listen to both options to see which you think is the best way for you to proceed.

Thanks! Will try the options

Agreed. Definitely the XPS (DR)  and yes the 250 DR as a priority.

The XP5 doesn't get much press here.  If you happen to test it, let us know your findings.  Seems it was made for the ND5XS, but it is advertized as workable with NDS.

Thanks.

Nick

NickSeattle posted:

The XP5 doesn't get much press here.  

Thanks.

Nick

Agreed. I've not heard one on a 272 but I used one for quite some time on my nDAC and was very pleased with it. I later tried an XPS2DR as a potential upgrade but thought the improvement marginal. For me a took a 555PS to oust the XP5XS.  On the nDAC I would say the XP5XS offered about 80% of the XPS2DR's performance at half the price.

BTW I still use a XP5XS to power my CDX2.2, used as a digital transport. I think the XP5XS deserves more press as it delivers great VFM.  

I went for the xps dr - an ex demo - will let you know how I get on..... 250 DR next I do believe..... J

I had a XP5XS on my NP5XS with great results on this unit. I also used it to power my NDS, with good results, while I was sourcing a 2nd hand DR upgraded 555PS. Obviously the NDS really needs the twin Burndy supply provided by the 555PS, but the XP5XS did a good job at a third of the cost.

BTW my XP5XS is available on a 2nd Hand HiFi store, which improves the VFM further!

Simon.

Jonathan posted:

I went for the xps dr - an ex demo - will let you know how I get on..... 250 DR next I do believe..... J

Good move! Yes, do the DR upgrade to the 250 when you get a chance, it's well worth it. 

I use an XP5XS with my NAC272 having traded in my ND5 last month. I haven't used the 272 naked yet but when I added the XP5 to the ND5 it added bass definition and revealed more. The 272 is much more revealing than the ND5 - but I upgraded my 250.2 to DR at the same time so an embarrassment of riches all at once ! ( Thanks to Robbie in Montrose for chasing the DR process for me!)

I'm very happy meantime !

jatr

I have now done a comparison of the 272 naked with 272 with xp5 xs. There is a substantial improvement in detail and bass definition. One of the test tracks used ( all streamed by hard wired ether net from Unitiserve) was the version of Something on The Beatles remastered 1 best of. The extra detail and "oomph" on McCartney's bass was incredible - also showing what an incredible bass player he is. I also listened to the remastered version of Be my Downfall from Del Amitri' s Change Everything album and with the separate power supply I could hear when Justin Currie's voice was double tracked - which I hadn't discerned before.

Finally I listened to Bob Dylan's Mississipi from cd 2 on Tell Tale Signs and the timbre of the voice was fuller; I could hear more bass but still hear all the acoustic guitar/dobro which was clear and coherent.

in summary I think it's fair to say that I am hearing more of the music with the power supply connected.

i haven't heard an XPS DR but the XP5 is a great piece of kit and as has been pointed out before - it's great value! No plans to upgrade at this time !!

jatr

simes_pep posted:

I had a XP5XS on my NP5XS with great results on this unit. I also used it to power my NDS, with good results, while I was sourcing a 2nd hand DR upgraded 555PS. Obviously the NDS really needs the twin Burndy supply provided by the 555PS, but the XP5XS did a good job at a third of the cost.

BTW my XP5XS is available on a 2nd Hand HiFi store, which improves the VFM further!

Simon.

Interesting, taking it that you meant ND5XS, as when I added XP5XS with it the improvement wad only marginal, leading to me to sell it and instead gain marked improvement a different way by adding Hugo, just using ND5XS as renderer.

as the XP5 doesn't get much press I should chime in :-) : I do have an XP5 on top of my NDX and despite it not being the designated PS for the NDX it does  makes quite a (positive) difference vs the bare NDX (which is why I went for it in the first place, I did not have the funds for the XPS at the time).