Serious case of upgraditis, what to do

Tom-in-Amsterdam posted:

In a few days I'll be stepping up from NaitXS, hugo + mini to 300 (non-dr). As I have not decided on the pre + streaming yet I thought it would be best to ask for advice.

I'm currently considering secondhand NDX (3000 eur) + 282 (3000 eur) vs 272 (new, 4500 eur).  I have about 5k to spend so 6 would be a bit of a stretch. Would the 282+NDX better the 272 much?

Any recommendations or advice? 

Hmm - 

Here's the deal - you really should listen to the NDX and the 272. I actually prefer the 272's dac section over the NDX. I had the NDX for a couple of years and never really liked it too much. The NDX was better, but the ND5XS was more fun.

With that out of the way - if you tack on a 555DR to the 272, you'd be at the level where you'd not even miss a NDS/555/Nac552 - (I didn't - I had 272/555DR running with a 250DR for several days - and didn't miss the NDS/555/552/300 too much) - different speakers though - and at that point setup makes as much of a difference as the equipment - so be wary of that.

Ok - with out of the way - you also need to consider speaker/amp match. I'm finding that the Nap300 is essential for my Kudos Super20s - while nap 250 vs. Nap 300 in the Totem forests really lead to quite a different presentation and sound etc.

Another bit of advice:

Why not look for a ND5XS + XP5XS and a flatcap. You'll save money and the NaitXS is really swell and fun too. Get the Kudos X2 and you're set.

Mango mate that's all rather confusing!!

Having contemplated my desired end game I decided to take the plunge and go for the 252+300 route.

Today the 300 arrived and after a few hairy moments with the 252, this no-sound-from-252-cd-input thread saved me. Now enjoying the music.. a lot!
Still using my mini and hugo+regen as source, might upgrade to a naim streamer one day but for now I'm good as I finally solved my beef with the JRiver MediaCenter interface. 

I will probably upgrade my speakers too in a year or so but for now I'm quite happy. 

Thanks all for your input.

Wow, you meant it when you said serious! The 252/300 takes a few days to really get up to speed. The 252 is subtlety but the subtlety just takes its time to flesh itself out, almost like it's feeling its way into the system. The combination with the rather more upfront 300 makes for one of those 'sweet spot Naim pre/power combos'. It's a wonderful combination, definitely the heart of your system now!

Frank.

272/555+200 will beat what you're contemplating.

MangoMonkey posted:

272/555+200 will beat what you're contemplating.

And the Grinch just stole Christmas. Way to go MM.