Upgrade upgrade?

Posted by: hyberjeff on 02 April 2017

M y living room music playing is mostly Naim indigenous Tidal or server based FLAC. I'm also employing a Windows tablet to access mqa Masters through a Meridian explorer 2.

All this through a unitilite, NAP 200 & Orator S400s. Thinking about relocating the unitilite to elsewhere, and I mproving this system. 

I've been thinking that the nac n172xsb would be a goodish match, but going for a nac n272 would be better, and better long term..

Anyone to venture an opinion, please?

 

Posted on: 03 April 2017 by David Hendon

I'm not sure you would notice much improvement with a NAC N172 over a Unitilite, but the 272 has the higher-end DSP/DAC that the NDX has and would match well to a later upgrade from NAP 200 if you ever wanted to do that. But everyone will tell you that you should listen for yourself and decide. A dealer ought to be able to do a demo of 172 and 272 into a NAP200.

best

David

Posted on: 03 April 2017 by Solid Air

IMHO a 172 is considerably superior to a Unitilite. I have a 172/200 combo and they're a fine match. In 'level' I would compare them favourably with a SuperUniti (although they're very different). I might even say they're a glimpse of the high end at a moderate price. 

And having said all that … a 272 will sound better, as it should, given the price differential. Naim includes the 272/200 as a good match on the website, although many people will tell the 272/250 is far better, plus a power supply, and then, of course, you're on a nice cruise to destitution island. 

Basically, you get what you pay for. But either option works very well at its price point.

Posted on: 03 April 2017 by David Hendon

The SuperUniti also has the higher end DSP/DAC unlike the Unitilite or the 172 but as I say you should listen and decide for yourself.

best

David

Posted on: 16 April 2017 by hyberjeff

Thanks for all your ideas. Thinking I'll save for a bit towards a 272 $$

Posted on: 19 April 2017 by quickben

Did the move from the 172 to 272 yesterday, into the 200 DR. No XPS DR. On first blush, sound is certainly richer and better defined - definitely feel the upgrade was worth the expense for me. As ever, it is all down to personal preferences of course.

Posted on: 19 April 2017 by nigelb

If you want a real jump in SQ I think you are right to wait and save for a 272 (or NDX/202).

In the meantime just enjoy the music and don't think about upgrades. Why not spend a bit of time in the Music Room and expand your collection. You might just get a real thrill of discovery at a fraction of the price of new black boxes.

Just a thought.

Posted on: 19 April 2017 by Kevin Richardson

I started with a Unitilite... It is what I consider the audio equivalent of a "gateway drug."  Do you need the CD player?

Posted on: 19 April 2017 by Kevin Richardson

Has the SN2 fallen out of favor with forum members?

Posted on: 19 April 2017 by MangoMonkey

Well, 272/250 > NDX/SN2 for roughly the same price. The 250 beats the amp section of the SN2. 272 might or might not be at par with the NDX/SN2Preamp. Having said that, add a XPS-DR to both systems, and again, 272/XPS-DR/250 >>> NDX/XPS-DR/SN2/HicapDR.

And the 272 is good enough that folks are even adding a 300 to it.

Posted on: 20 April 2017 by hyberjeff
Kevin Richardson posted:

I started with a Unitilite... It is what I consider the audio equivalent of a "gateway drug."  Do you need the CD player?

I understand what you're saying! CD player very rarely used. I stream from server and internet.

(I do have a rarely used NAD M55, mainly used for DVDs in a heritage listed Kuro based AV system).