Merry Christmas to me but which way to go?

Dougie D, I think you have picked the best 2 box options at the given price range.

I moved to an NDX / SN2 when I upgraded from my SuperUniti, but at that time the 272/250DR was not out. Had they have been I would have listened to both options for sure.

Easily upgraded in both cases with an XPS, if you want to go still further.

Those that have the 272/250 seem to love it, there are also those that prefer the NDX/SN2 to the 272/250   

The way I understand it is that they both give a slightly different presentation, whilst still delivering a magic end result.

Sorry to say but the only way for you is to have a listen to both and decide from there. Good luck, and whichever way it turns out, it will be a very merry Christmas for you!

Thanks CHRISH. A friend of mine was going to upgrade from ND5XS to NDX but has gone down the ND5XS Hugo route and yes it sounds good but i feel it doesn't sound like a Naim system anymore. He loves it.

If you're looking for a consensus of opinion, you're in the wrong place here! For me, NDX was a clear winner over 272, but don't just take my word for it. If you can cope with another box, keeping the ND5 and adding an NDAC might be worth a try if the Hugo didn't do it for you. 

There are many on this forum who have happily embedded Hugo into Naim systems, describing it as more musical than the Naim DACs - and with Naim amplification they keep the Naim character which it has been suggested is primarily due to them.

I found Hugo fed by ND5XS as renderer to be a significant improvement in sound quality compared to ND5XS even with XP5XS. If you don't need an analogue input then you can even use Hugo direct into power amp, simplifying the signal path, however if you want remote volume control it would need to be the (even better) Hugo TT.

After making that change I found that there were better renderers than ND5XS, at less cost: I use Mac Mini running AUdirvana (as a 'headless' dedicated hifi component). Also there's Melco, and Innuos Zenith. And very possibly the New Uniti Core, though its sound quality on rendered output direct to DAC is still a bit of an unknown quantity. ALl these have the singular advantage that the music can be stored on the player, somavoiding the problems so many people seem to have streaming files across a network.

And there are those who love Naim's nDAC and how well it works with Naim streamers when they run in a digital-out mode 

Whichever way you go - all systems will sound fantastic.

I would listen to both combinations both are superb, a XPS on either the 272 or NDX makes an incredible difference.

Loving the input this is really helpful.

Hopefully when I listen to the options I can make up my mind as I want to get my order in before the price increase. My thoughts are that the 272 streamer is better than my ND5XS and the pre-amp in the N272 is better than the one in the Supernate 2 and the 250DR is better than my Supernait 2 though I could be completely wrong.

Now realised that currently my Stageline is powered by the Supernait and that I'm probably going to need another power supply. Doh! Another box and more expense. And another Fraim shelf!!!

I could probably save enough for an XPS or Supercap for next christmas.  I'm thinking the Supercar could power my streamer, Headamp and Stageline. 

Tempted but I just can't bring myself to give up on the turntable/vinyl which is a pain now as its adding to the box count and the cost.

Maybe I'm over thinking this.

SuperCap can only power one component at the time - pre-amps or headline or stageline

For powering sources you'd need: HiCap or XP5XS or XSP or 555PS

Dougie Danger posted:

Hi Everyone

Its my first post and wonder what your thoughts are.

I have a demo booked later this week and am looking to upgrade from ND5XS to NDX but for not too much more money I am considering chopping in both the ND5XS and my Supernait 2 for N272 and 250DR. Speakers are Spender D7's. Do you think I'm going to notice a better sound quality or just a different sound?

Maybe there is another option that I should consider?

Looking forward to your feedback.

Dougie D.

Hi Dougie D. 

I'm from across the pond, Not as familiar with Naim Gear as you Guys.

However, I've been following the Forum for a couple of years now!

I will keep this short, I've been known to get long winded! 

But check out some quotes from an interesting post this Fall!

I'm quite sure after reading this you will discover some options that will make your Christmas all the Merrier! 

Why do I need a pre-amp?
ALLAN MILNEMEMBER
8/27/16 10:02 AM

HALLOWEEN MANMEMBER
8/27/16 3:37 PM
yes, the hugo has its own internal preamp\volume\voltage control. it cannot be bypassed. connecting it to a second preamp will degrade transparancy, even if it was the best preamp ever made.
 
Unlike Reply (3 Likes)

The Funny Thing No-one  question the above Statement! 

Enjoy your Holidays and your Music. 

Hugo/250 DR 

Cancel the order on the S1 Pre-Amp

Allante93!

Dougie,

A little while ago I heard both the NDX/SN2 and 272/250 into Focal Sopra 2s.  My vote would be for the former BUT, and it is a big BUT, many would favour the 272/250.  In any event one thing is clear both the NDX and 272 benefit considerably from being powered by an XPS.  Only you can decide through proper demonstrations of course.

Good luck - regards,

Lindsay

All best made plans to listen to various options went out of the window so I just ordered the N272/250.

Dealer can't give me a delivery date as apparently Naim are short on parts for the N272 due to huge demand.

Oh well. All good things come to those who wait.

Dougie Danger posted:

All best made plans to listen to various options went out of the window so I just ordered the N272/250.

Dealer can't give me a delivery date as apparently Naim are short on parts for the N272 due to huge demand.

Oh well. All good things come to those who wait.

Congrats!  I'm sure you'll love your new system.  This is something where you will not have "lost" anything by not auditioning; whether the N272/250 sounds 'different' than NDX/SN2 is of little relevance; what you've selected will sound GOOD!

I would also have a listen to the 272 200 combo. depending on your preferences in sound and your speakers it may be just the ticket and save you some money.