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

Hungryhalibut posted:

The existing streamers cannot be upgraded to accommodate the new platform. So it's a matter of waiting for the replacements for the NDS, NDX, ND5 and 272. 

Yep, that's my sense as well. By upgrade I meant a new version of 272, rather than a refurbishment of the existing units. It seems like it would be straightforward for Naim to take a Nova, remove the PA, allow for an external power supply, and release it as the new 272. The big screen from the new Uniti series would be nice to have as well, but I guess that's a personal choice. 

Thus 372! Classic fraim, pairs with 555, matches with 300dr!

Priced same as current mid level streamer around 7500£, my wild guess!

Emre posted:

Thus 372! Classic fraim, pairs with 555, matches with 300dr!

Priced same as current mid level streamer around 7500£, my wild guess!

Naim's not releasing one ..

greekspec2 posted:

Naim's not releasing one ..

 

Maybe, maybe not, I'm certainly not waiting for it! Tickets bought, I'm off to England!

Good luck Perizoqui, I for one would be very interested to hear the differences between the 272 and the Nova with the internal  amp disabled. I am looking for a streaming source and the new uniti range with its new platform and hopefully greater future proofing may have come along at just the right time. 

What about a Chord Dave instead of the 272/XPS?

I blame this all on you and your beautiful system pics... Thing is, a NAC-N 272 + XPS Dr is right around the same price as a Chord Dave, and all I ever do is stream digital. The streaming could be done directly from my Synology NAS into the Dave's USB input or through a microrendu...

1) Naim NAC-N 272 + XPS DR + NAP300DR ((£3,469+£3,820+£4,539+£3,130)/1.2=£12,465)

2) Chord Dave + NAP300DR ((£7,995+£4,539+£3,130)/1.2=£13,053)

Ends up being the same amount of money, and I'm not sure I can afford it, but never mind that for now. Kids don't need to go to college, just fills there heads with ideas.

Thoughts?

---Pedro

If you are not sure you can afford it, wait for the Nova and send the kids to University.

Some people say it does not sound as good without a Naim preamp (my guess is that is depends how significantbthe 'Naim sound' is. I use Dave direct into a powr amp (not Naim), and would be interested to hear the 300 against my amp (or 500 against one above), as I like what I understand of Naim's power amp philosophy. If you have a chnace to try do post your finidngs!

perizoqui posted:

What about a Chord Dave instead of the 272/XPS?

I blame this all on you and your beautiful system pics... Thing is, a NAC-N 272 + XPS Dr is right around the same price as a Chord Dave, and all I ever do is stream digital. The streaming could be done directly from my Synology NAS into the Dave's USB input or through a microrendu...

1) Naim NAC-N 272 + XPS DR + NAP300DR ((£3,469+£3,820+£4,539+£3,130)/1.2=£12,465)

2) Chord Dave + NAP300DR ((£7,995+£4,539+£3,130)/1.2=£13,053)

Ends up being the same amount of money, and I'm not sure I can afford it, but never mind that for now. Kids don't need to go to college, just fills there heads with ideas.

Thoughts?

---Pedro

i really like to listen this two set up head to head..... i own number one but after all the fuss about Dave it makes me wonder...

perizoqui posted:

What about a Chord Dave instead of the 272/XPS?

I blame this all on you and your beautiful system pics... Thing is, a NAC-N 272 + XPS Dr is right around the same price as a Chord Dave, and all I ever do is stream digital. The streaming could be done directly from my Synology NAS into the Dave's USB input or through a microrendu...

1) Naim NAC-N 272 + XPS DR + NAP300DR ((£3,469+£3,820+£4,539+£3,130)/1.2=£12,465)

2) Chord Dave + NAP300DR ((£7,995+£4,539+£3,130)/1.2=£13,053)

Ends up being the same amount of money, and I'm not sure I can afford it, but never mind that for now. Kids don't need to go to college, just fills there heads with ideas.

Thoughts?

---Pedro

If you go the Dave route you won't be controlling the system via the Naim app, so you'll need to find another way. That may or may not matter. You really need to try the alternative and see how it both sounds and feels like to use. The Dave/300 won't be a full Naim amp setup, which again my not matter. Naim preamps' output ensures an ideal operating environment for their power amps. I find it reassuring to know that everything is designed to work together - maybe that's boring. 

Sometimes, the right thing to do is just to make a decision. You can go round the houses for ever. 

Hungryhalibut posted:

Sometimes, the right thing to do is just to make a decision. You can go round the houses for ever. 

Right you are. I've got my listening date at the dealer two weeks from today. Until then, must learn patience.

Emre posted:

i really like to listen this two set up head to head..... i own number one but after all the fuss about Dave it makes me wonder...

Me too, if I get my chance to do a side-by-side I'll report back.

perizoqui posted:

Hungryhalibut posted:

Sometimes, the right thing to do is just to make a decision. You can go round the houses for ever. 

Right you are. I've got my listening date at the dealer two weeks from today. Until then, must learn patience.

You can't go wrong, that's the good thing. It will all be fine.

Many fond memories of Oxford, especially fish and chips in 'The Eagle and Child' and the marvelous choir of St. Magdalen.

i also think that Chord Dave + NAP 300DR sounds v interesting and looking forward to report. If staying with Naim i would certainly be looking at a N272 into NAP 300DR as my first option as plenty of future scope to build your system around the 300 in the future. 

Are you going to audition the 272 with and without the XPS?

dvshannow posted:

Are you going to audition the 272 with and without the XPS?

Absolutely. Part of my concern relates to my own ears, and my ability to tell the difference between various degrees of sophistication. I'm virtually sold on the 300, but I'm unsure as a purely digital source whether I'll hear and/or prefer the difference between the 272, Hugo 2, and Dave. If I like all three equally, I'll definitely go for the 272 for the ease of integration question. Same with XPS vs no XPS. If I can't hear a £3,820 difference I'll pass, or maybe get a 272 and a Dave later (using the 272 as streamer and preamp with Dave in the middle), or maybe just wait. Praying for tin ears 

perizoqui posted:

using the 272 as streamer and preamp with Dave in the middle

Not possible, unfortunately - you can't run from 272 streamer to offboard DAC then back into 272 analogue input.

perizoqui posted:

Emre posted:

i really like to listen this two set up head to head..... i own number one but after all the fuss about Dave it makes me wonder...

Me too, if I get my chance to do a side-by-side I'll report back.

Add new blu2 mscaler to the formula if you can

Both 16/44 and 24/192!

Dave***t posted:

perizoqui posted:

using the 272 as streamer and preamp with Dave in the middle

Not possible, unfortunately - you can't run from 272 streamer to offboard DAC then back into 272 analogue input.

Yes, that's the way it works. An NDX would make more sense.

Dave***t posted:

perizoqui posted:

using the 272 as streamer and preamp with Dave in the middle

Not possible, unfortunately - you can't run from 272 streamer to offboard DAC then back into 272 analogue input.

Why's that? There's a digital S/PDIF output on the 272 and lots of analog inputs...

Emre posted:

perizoqui posted:

Add new blu2 mscaler to the formula if you can

Both 16/44 and 24/192!

Got rid of all my CDs ages ago, all my music is on the server now. So no CD transports for me!

Having read through this thread i see you've got a lot of options !

With 10k or so to play with i'd get Oxford Audio to play you the various options (not just Naim) in that price range and decide from there 

perizoqui posted:

Dave***t posted:

perizoqui posted:

using the 272 as streamer and preamp with Dave in the middle

Not possible, unfortunately - you can't run from 272 streamer to offboard DAC then back into 272 analogue input.

Why's that? There's a digital S/PDIF output on the 272 and lots of analog inputs...

When you selected the relevant analogue input on the app, you would no longer be within the UPnP input for control. If you want separates, you need to buy separates, not all-in-ones like the 272 or Unitis. Thus my suggestion to do it with an NDX, then you can try it either with a Naim preamp, or direct into a power amp with less redundancy than the 272.

ChrisSU posted:

perizoqui posted:

Dave***t posted:

perizoqui posted:

using the 272 as streamer and preamp with Dave in the middle

Not possible, unfortunately - you can't run from 272 streamer to offboard DAC then back into 272 analogue input.

Why's that? There's a digital S/PDIF output on the 272 and lots of analog inputs...

When you selected the relevant analogue input on the app, you would no longer be within the UPnP input for control. If you want separates, you need to buy separates, not all-in-ones like the 272 or Unitis. Thus my suggestion to do it with an NDX, then you can try it either with a Naim preamp, or direct into a power amp with less redundancy than the 272.

Or microrendu but 272 is just fine as it is....

If you need a headphone amp then maybe then just with hugo/Dave to see the difference with speakers vs. 272 dac with a small investment, otherwise one half of the 272 is wasted

One thing to consider, as mentioned Naim are changing their streaming platform, steps taken with the new Uniti range will trickle upwards into their ND streamer range and NAC-N series. The NAC-N 172 has already been discontinued. I wouldn't invest in a 272 at this stage.

totemphile posted:

One thing to consider, as mentioned Naim are changing their streaming platform, steps taken with the new Uniti range will trickle upwards into their ND streamer range and NAC-N series. The NAC-N 172 has already been discontinued. I wouldn't invest in a 272 at this stage.

The grass in always greener later in the year?