Naim Nac-N272 vs Cambridge 851E, N, D with ATC SCM50ASLT

Huge posted:

Tesilk posted:

BTW what is the difference between XPS 2 and XPS DR?

It's a technical difference in the voltage regulator circuitry.  As HH says, from a sound perspective the DR is just better.

For a technical description there's an article available from Naim:
A technical white paper on the Naim Audio Discrete Regulator technology is available here.

Need a login/password apparently

Ooo, it used to work!  I can't even open it through the Naim website either.

Try this link instead:
https://www.naimaudio.com/site...er_May2012_FINAL.pdf

If i had active speakers i would be tempted by Dave! Same price as 272/xpsdr!

So have a home demo and trust your ears Serge or read some more! 

i just invested in 272/555PS/300DR/Sopra 2 and still wondering how a Dave would be with a nice set of active speakers like yours. Just add a computer or basic streamer microrendu and use it with roon! 

I had a home trial of both Hugo TT and Dave (simultaneously), provided by post because I don't live in mainland UK. I had to pay the full amount of both upfront, to be refunded in full upon return (exceot tgat only happened with TT, as I bought Dave, and retained the demo one until the new replacement was ready to swap out. I had to pay the return postage for them.

I have no idea if the same or another supplier would supply to Russia in the same way, thougb if paying upfront I don't see why not, except that postage (including insurance) would undoubtedly be greater and presumably chargeable to you. You have nothing to lose trying, so it is worth asking! I have no idea if any Naim suppliers would do likewise, but again under the same terms they might consider it.

So guys, finally today the 272 has arrived to my room...

I made all the connections, and it is playing now some Naim Sampler I had on my server...

Woooooooooooooooow!!!!!!!

It has nothing to do with any Cambridge staff I owned before, and I can't imagine what it will be like in one week time...and when I connect later an XPS....

ATCs shine as never before....

Thank you again for your help!

Hi Serge. That's great news. As you say, it will continue to get better. Don't forget to turn off any unused inputs, which you can do via the front panel or the app. Then, when you use the app, you won't see lots of inputs that you never use. 

Hi Serge, Great ! Remember to add an XPSDR as soon as you can. Dramatic difference, more open, wider bandwith, more PRAT. 

Philip. (272/XPSDR/Biamped NAP250DR/250DR/PROAC 30d)

Thank you guys, well noted. Lets see how it sounds by the end of the week. Will work on the XPS issue also.  DR is a must? 

Not a must, but a very good idea. It makes a very significant difference - but there's no rush. Give the 272 a couple of months to run in.

Good to hear you are enjoying the 272 into the active ATC's,for a while I ran my 272 into my active Dynaudio xd 600's,which also sounded superb.Can anyone tell me if adding an xpsdr or 555dr would improve the digital output of the 272(which I use with Xd 600's) at the same level that it improves the analog output that TESILK uses with the ATC's?I am just not sure if adding a power supply benefits both outputs equally or not?

Intuitively one would say yes, as the XPS takes over the whole of the 272, but it would be best to check with Naim, or even better to try it out. 

Will it be possible to add the DR option to XPS later if it is simple XPS? 

Yes, but it would need to go back to the factory, unless there is a local distributor that can do it. It's not a simple job. 

Tesilk posted:

Will it be possible to add the DR option to XPS later if it is simple XPS? 

Only if it's an XPS2.  The original XPS cannot be DR upgraded as it's completely different inside to the later XPS2.  As HH says above, the DR upgrade is undertaken by the factory and by some distributors.  If you rare outside the UK then check with your distributor for details.

I believe Serge lives in Russia. 

Yes I am in Moscow.

Well, today was the day - Leonard Cohen "Old Ideas" 16/44.1 for example tonight.

Incredible sound, details all over the room, every single note is separated, every single instrument also. The voice is behind and in front...

I have an impression, that I was using only 40% of my speakers before...

Fantastic. I don't understand how they do it. 

JE M'INCLINE...

One more question. Is it possible to play SACD.iso files directly, or I have to convert them to DSD first? It seems that 272 doesn't see them on the network. Thx

The SACD needs to have its DSD converted to DFF or DSF format for the Naim to see or play it. The DFF (DSD interchange File Format) however contains no meta data, so the DSF (DSD Storage Format) is the preferred format as that allows meta data to be contained in the file,

Simon

I use ISO2DSD to extract DSF files from SACD ISOs. You should be able to find a free download of this program on the ComputerAudiophile website. Metadata can be added/edited in DSF files using mp3tag.

What about XLD for the conversion? 

It is my mistake, I used to read ISO images with Mac and Audirvana, not the streamer.

Well, for the DSD conversion, after some tests, XLD doesn't work anymore, TASCAM Hi-Res Editor works fine.

I believe that JRiver can play DSF files direct from a DSD ISO file and also allows metadata editing so it might be worthwhile investigating this option now that JRiver is available for the Mac.

So guys, I was this week in Paris and Munchen, had a opportunity to get a used but just like new XPS2 from Munchen, serial 328..., and now it is connected to 272 and ATCs. (Didn't have time to visit other stores and to have an audition though, so one more blind step)

it is another level. More space, more layers all over, more bass, it is well defined and controlled, you feel the instruments in the room and the singer in front...Very impressive!

All is new, so after 2 week of running in it will be clear I think.

Really nice addition to the system as was mentioned by everyone here.

And as  I understand, with XPS2 I have the option to upgrade to DR later.

Serge 

One more question.

I bought Din 4 connectors, in order to prepare the XLR-DIN wire from 272 to ATC 50s. 

But my friend who was going to do it, told me that the correct connection is from 2 XLR (left and right speaker) to ONE DIN on 272.

I was going to use a Wireworld Eclipse (2x3m) that I already have, it is thick more than 8mm.

Is it correct? Not two DINs? If so, then how I can fit large speaker cables from 2 xlr to one relatively small DIN connector? 

Seems difficult.

So please can you tell me what is the right way and if DIN is really better than RCA (now it is connected with Mogami 2354 2XLR to 2RCA).

Thanks

If you read the N272 manual you will realise that both DIN outputs carry both channels:

If connected to NAP 250 - use only one 4-DIN to XLR

If connected to NAP 300 - use two 4-DIN to XLR cables.

In your case I'd use two DIN outputs - make sure you capture the CH1 and CH2 correctly.