Nac-N 272 review

Thanks, Singh - interesting review

Where do we find this any cunning clues....

Although they do appear to have used a Bluetooth phone as a music source to test it!

Richieroo posted:

Where do we find this any cunning clues....

...seriously?

Try their website for starters.

idp_1 posted:

Although they do appear to have used a Bluetooth phone as a music source to test it!

To be fair to WHF, it would appear that the phone was only used to test the ability of the Bluetooth function onboard the NAC-N272.  They are quick to point out that this is not a recommended way to listen if best quality replay is desired.

idp_1 posted:

Although they do appear to have used a Bluetooth phone as a music source to test it!

The talk about Bluetooth, and then talk about the streamer section tough don't mention what UPnP server they use...

Over all the review is as expected ... its pretty brilliant!

Does anything get a bad review in WHF ?

Arent they little bit late also!

Emre posted:

Arent they little bit late also!

Naim won't mind :-)

Stopped reading WHF years ago. Just cosy fluff that doesn't have anything rigorous to say about anything.

Great if your on the nursery slopes and want to find the product that ticks all the boxes on a budget, not so good if you want a clean subjective and objective review of something and clever ideas on system matching - although that's not something that troubles Naimites too much - just buy more Naim.  ( although I did giggle at one review once titled " almighty din")

Having read the review in question, I did wonder whether what is written on this Forum is subject to copyright. I suspect it is not but if it was then the magazine would certainly be in breach as every phrase of praise heaped on the 272 has been seen here before.

Still, nice.

"We would happily put the Naim’s preamp section up against any stand-alone rival in the £1000 to £1500 price range without fear. The DAC section would be one of the better performers below the grand mark." WHF

i read it but there is something i don't get it.... if i get it right with my broken english....

They said amp section to compare to 1000£-1500£ Pre and DAC with under grand so 999£ 

that makes 2499£ separates vs Naim 272 3300£, so i would say it is a poor performer per £!! 

So if where is the bargain ? yes it is a "hi-end terms at least" sort of bargain.... 

Am i not getting something? or is there is something wrong here?

GraemeH posted:

"We would happily put the Naim’s preamp section up against any stand-alone rival in the £1000 to £1500 price range without fear. The DAC section would be one of the better performers below the grand mark."

 

Seems a bit underwhelming to me...Have they got that wrong I wonder?

 

G

I think it's about right - pre-amp broadly = 202 and DAC below NDAC?  Of course adding a XPS or 555 changes things very considerably - no absolutes.

Lindsay

Nope, at all.

As I ve always stated here it's way below any 202 and separate Naim streamer.

Also,it has nothing to do with nDac performance when matched to Naim streamers.

On the other hand It' s a good product sounding much better  than whathifi figures would Imply.

Below a 202 and around ND5XS sounds about right to me on the few occasions i've heard it.

james n posted:

Does anything get a bad review in WHF ?

Yes, the Oppo 105 (or maybe the 103) blurry player did ... you can guess how that went down!

Similar to the Chord Hugo but better looking  then 

Taken from the HiFiNews review of the Nac-N 272, as referenced on the Naim website...

Jon Green, Naim’s Principal Electronics Engineer, has been with the company for three years, following spells with Philips, Cyrus and IAG. Asked where the NAC-N 272 sits in the Naim preamp hierarchy, he explained that ‘the model number should indicate where it’s positioned, but with the addition of an external PSU it’s seriously good.’

Emre posted:

Am i not getting something? or is there is something wrong here?

Both phrases could be true, therefore the word 'or' is misplaced.

Possibly. Logically.

:-)

But it makes more sense than many WHF articles. I quit when the Project Debut Carbon turntable was getting 5 stars again. This device is having so much problems ...

I'd rate the DAC section in the N272 w/555PS DR below the one in my CDX2.2.  The CD player is more organic.  I wish I had kept my nDAC.

Leatherneck posted:

I'd rate the DAC section in the N272 w/555PS DR below the one in my CDX2.2.  The CD player is more organic.  I wish I had kept my nDAC.

Why did you buy it if it wasn't as good / better ?

Leatherneck posted:

I'd rate the DAC section in the N272 w/555PS DR below the one in my CDX2.2.  The CD player is more organic.  I wish I had kept my nDAC.

I did a direct comparison using Chord Super Serum TA's.  The CDX2.2's analog out sounded better than the digital out into the N272.  The problem is that if what I hear is accurate, UPnP input won't be as good as it could be with a better DAC.

I do like the preamp section along with the headphone output of the N272.  I also like it's versatility.  The fix is an nDAC but I've been hoping to see a new DAC from Naim.

A new cdx2.2 is a very expensive source, costs same as 272+hugo i guess

i kept mine cd2x, i luv the sound with some cds for sure

The CDX2 is a source only, the 272 is a source and preamp, so not a valid comparison; and even then it's more expensive.

A CDX2 + NAC 202 is almost twice the cost of a 272 and Jon Green (from Naim) clearly believes the 272 is better than the NAC 202 (even if some other people disagree).

The cost of a CDX2 + NAC 282 & HiCap (a more logical match for the CDX2) is almost three times the cost, so I'd expect it to be substantially better.