System build suggestions

Posted by: BrianThompson on 15 August 2016

I apologise if this has been posted before but I am looking for some suggestions.

I am looking to build a Naim steaming system and have a budget up to a maximum of £10k. I already have Spendor A6 speakers which I’m happy to keep, but need speaker cable and hopefully a good Hifi rack to house it all.

From some research I have come up with either NAC-N 272 / NAP 250 at around £7300, or ND5 XS / NAC 202 / NAP 250 / HiCap at around £9500.

Would you recommend either of them or suggest any other combination?

I would love a NAC-N 272 and NAP 300 but this would blow my budget.

I listen to a lot of radio so would like the tuner modules ideally, I could cut costs that way and use internet radio but I'd prefer not to.

Thanks for the help,

Posted on: 15 August 2016 by The Strat (Fender)

Do you intend to stop with this investment or carry on further at a later day.

Of course you need to demo. If you wish to upgrade later I'd think about a seperate pre-power say NDX/202/200 but if you're going to stick I'd audition NDX/SN2 vs 272/250. An XPS2 on both the 273 and NDX transforms performance.

Good luck.

Lindsay

Posted on: 15 August 2016 by Belfast Taxman

Agree with the Strat about need to audition, but for me the 272/250 is an excellent combination and will allow sufficient funds for a good rack and cable well within budget. Plenty of scope for the future if you wish , i am currently saving very slowly for the PS but very much enjoying what I have. For speaker cable at a "sensible" price I suggest Naom Nac A5

Posted on: 15 August 2016 by ChrisSU

I spent quite a bit of time with my dealer last year, with the same budget and a limit of 3 boxes. In the end it was a close call between NDX/282/200DR and 272/XPS DR/250DR. I went for the NDX system in the end, but both sounded very good to me. If your speakers are hard to drive, that might swing it in favour of a 250 though.

Posted on: 15 August 2016 by Bart

If it were me, I would pick N272 and NAP 250DR, and probably an external power supply for the N272 (an XPS2DR) if funds permit. I am a fan of 'low box count' systems and prefer something that will sit on a smallish rack. If I were starting anew today, that's what I'd get.

Posted on: 15 August 2016 by hungryhalibut

Either setup would be great, and far better than the ND5, 202, 250 setup, which is unbalanced.

Posted on: 15 August 2016 by Adam Zielinski

Agree with Bart.

also ND5XS is not in the same league as N272.

Posted on: 15 August 2016 by benjy

Yes it can be a pita leaving a system powered up all the time,but I don't think a "steam" naim system is being developed. Although it may become available April 1. Can't really help you with a streaming system,but don't think you can go wrong with either option. Anyway good luck and enjoy whatever you choose.

Posted on: 15 August 2016 by ChrisSU

Adam Zielinski posted:
Agree with Bart.
also ND5XS is not in the same league as N272.

Agreed, with that budget, ND5 would not be on my shortlist.

Posted on: 16 August 2016 by PeterJ

I would have thought the 272/250 combination (along with a Fraim Lite and NAC A5) would be the best bet as you have an upgrade path with an XPS. From what I've read the ND5XS is not as good a streamer as that in the 272. If you go for a separate streamer (NDX) and preamp that will ramp the price up.