New to Naim: Nova vs 272 vs ND5XS and 250DR vs 300DR

Whatever you do don't get the ND5. It is just not even close to 272 from SQ perspective.

Never heard the Nova but it's new so probably better value.

Hi,

First you can't use a HC with a 272 you'd need a XPS which is highly recommended.   From the options you have listed the 272 will be superior but as I say I would recommend a XPS. Both the 250 and 300 are excellent with the Sopras with the 300 you get more resolution and greater soundstage. 

Regards,

Lindsay

PS: Can I come over and help you set it up in West Lafayette

perizoqui posted:

5) Naim NAC-N 272 + HiCap DR + NAP250DR (£3,469+£1,329+£3,680=£8,478)

 

Cross that one off your list, the 272 can't use a Hicap. If you want a PSU upgrade for it, you'll need an XPS.

I think it's going to be hard to get definitive views, as the Nova is still not on the market. 

• I have heard the Nova into Supras at a show as you have, and I was very impressed. Unlike you, I don't like the Focal presentation, but I was very impressed by what I heard knowing the speakers.
• To set my baseline, I use an NDX into 1980/90s vintage Naim amps into B&W 804s,  which sounds fantastic.
• As suggested above, the ND5XS is good, but below the 272 from what I've heard, so that leaves us 272 or Nova.
• My feeling, and I don't think anyone had done a good sound qualityA/B yet, is that the Nova makes more sense, it has the newer technology, what I've heard was very high quality, and has the future-proofing my NDX and the 272 lack. 
• Either wait for a demo and try Nova with power amps, or get the Nova and see if you are happy enough with what it does and save some money if you decide you don't need the power amp.

For me, I'm sticking with the NDX/82/HICAP/135s for the main system, demoing an Atom/StarNova for the second system.

No wonder nobody buys NAIM in the USA. The prices here are nearly twice what you've quoted in £.

Never again.... I'm done.

perizoqui posted:

 I'll pick up the gear while in Oxford for work, use it there, and eventually bring it back with me on return a few weeks/month later. UK prices are attractive.

 

Pedro - don't forget to factor in the cost of having the Naim kit modified to suit US mains voltage when you take it home.

James

james n posted:

perizoqui posted:

 I'll pick up the gear while in Oxford for work, use it there, and eventually bring it back with me on return a few weeks/month later. UK prices are attractive.

 

Pedro - don't forget to factor in the cost of having the Naim kit modified to suit US mains voltage when you take it home.

James

Also make sure you get the VAT refunded.

I've considered buying a Linn Klimax Exakt system. The US price is nearly 30,000$ more than UK. I can just fly to London, have a nice vacation, ship the system back to US, pay customs and local sales tax and still have >20,000$ savings. Nice thing about Linn is they have auto sensing power supplies so the system in UK is exactly the same as the one they sell in the US.

The answer is 272/555/300, you can always get 555 power supply later but it is a game changer

A fine match with sopras...

Kevin Richardson posted:

I've considered buying a Linn Klimax Exakt system. The US price is nearly 30,000$ more than UK. I can just fly to London, have a nice vacation, ship the system back to US, pay customs and local sales tax and still have >20,000$ savings. 

That is sobering if it's correct,  a new complete system with a (free) vacation & money left over,  what is going on ??  who's controlling (or not controlling) the marketing ??   And I believe Naim is a near match for the same UK/US pricing differentials as Linn.  

Mike-B posted:

Kevin Richardson posted:

I've considered buying a Linn Klimax Exakt system. The US price is nearly 30,000$ more than UK. I can just fly to London, have a nice vacation, ship the system back to US, pay customs and local sales tax and still have >20,000$ savings. 

That is sobering if it's correct,  a new complete system with a (free) vacation & money left over,  what is going on ??  who's controlling (or not controlling) the marketing ??   And I believe Naim is a near match for the same UK/US pricing differentials as Linn.  

The US price with local sales tax is 94,000+ $. The U.K. Price with customs, my state sales tax, shipping is 70,000 ish USD.

I think you have underpriced the NAP300DR. This is £7,600 in the UK assuming you are buying new

Hi Pedro, the new Uniti series are something rather special... however the differences are not really all about SQ with Classic series .. it's about approach as well. The Classic series is all about maximum SQ through separation (albeit there are hybrids like the N272) and provides modular options.. perhaps more suited to the audio enthusiast who wants to explore. The new Uniti products have had a break through in integrated product SQ for Naim and a new approach to power supplies and digital streaming architecture and noise management, but are not modular and tend to be one stop solution, albeit you can add an additional poweramp/sub. Of course it's the Nova Star  that is the most integrated one stop shop.... and then there is the reference version the Nova with slightly less integration (no inbuilt ripper)

If you are looking to find a solution to put in and forget the nnew Uniti series may  be compelling, if you are looking at different ways to enjoy and experience recorded music/audio over the years then I would strongly recommend the Classic series. Think of them as parallel evolutions as opposed to being part of a sequential food chain. That is certainly how Naim explained it to me last December at their HQ and I can see why.

Simon

I'd go for option 4) or otherwise - if you can afford the additional outlay - go for option 6).  

Many regrds, Michel

Option 4.

You can always add a separate power supply to your N272 at a later stage.

6 6 6

Adam Zielinski posted:

Option 4.

You can always add a separate power supply to your N272 at a later stage.

I agree. Having been quite far up the Naim ladder I've now settled with 272/250DR S400. I think the 272 is an amazingly player (and not just 'for the money'). It has a transparency & musical coherence other naim combinations struggle to better ime.

You should at least try it. You might be surprised.

G

In that room, which sounds enormous, I'd go for option 6, and add an XPSDR or 555PSDR later. 

You might wanna check the price on 300DR, it is about 7500£ uk list price with vat

Hi Pedro , I tried option 4 at home last week, its a very impressive 2 box solution and I would normally suggest this no question . However with the impending release of the Nova , I'd at the very least compare options 1,2 and 4 . You / We may well be pleasantly surprised . You say you want to buy then enjoy for years so the latest streaming architecture , easier software updates and a maximum 2 box count would really suit you . 

Hungryhalibut posted:

In that room, which sounds enormous, I'd go for option 6, and add an XPSDR or 555PSDR later. 

Exactly what I was going to say, if it's affordable in one hit that is. That way you're not going to be trading in any lesser products along the way which loses you money. 

The Strat (Fender) posted:

Hi,

First you can't use a HC with a 272 you'd need a XPS which is highly recommended.   From the options you have listed the 272 will be superior but as I say I would recommend a XPS. Both the 250 and 300 are excellent with the Sopras with the 300 you get more resolution and greater soundstage. 

Regards,

Lindsay

PS: Can I come over and help you set it up in West Lafayette

Thanks, didn't know about HC. XPS pushes things out of my range, but as you and others say it could be added later. Certainly you can come over, bit far though!

Eoink posted:

the Nova makes more sense, it has the newer technology, what I've heard was very high quality, and has the future-proofing my NDX and the 272 lack. 

I would love to know whether the Nova technology is indeed newer and/or better, or whether it's just a pared down 272 with a pared down 200 stuffed in the same box.

Why do you say the Nova has future-proofing and the 272 doesn't? Because of over-the-internet firmware upgrades?

I would suggest option 6, the Sopra 2's love to be driven and the 300dr will provide just that. 

Worth checking your costings because as has been mentioned the 300dr is £7.5k approx 

Kevin Richardson posted:

No wonder nobody buys NAIM in the USA. The prices here are nearly twice what you've quoted in £.

My thoughts as well. Incidentally, I got my UK prices (including for the 300DR) from: 

http://www.signals.uk.com/wp-c...List-UK-Jan-2017.pdf

I go to the UK regularly for work, so why not just buy there?