272/250DR vs SN2 + HICAPDR

Seems like a fair bit of redundancy there. Would it not be better to get 250DR and wait for a 282 instead? 

Mayor West posted:

Seems like a fair bit of redundancy there. Would it not be better to get 250DR and wait for a 282 instead? 

Im not understanding keeping the NDX either. Trade it for XPS DR and be done. 

I wouldn't do it myself, although I might consider getting the 250 and using the SN2 (with or without Hicap?) as a preamp. Then, I guess it would make sense to look for a separate preamp to replace the SN2.

Does not make much sense to keep the NDX in this setup. Better to sell it and invest in an XPS for N272.

I have to trade in my SN2+HICAP otherwise it doesn't make financial sense. The 272 is deeply discounted. I'm just curious how the preamp in 272 sans XPS compares to My HICAPed SN2. I'm interested for two reasons: 250 probably better for my room and if I go the Linn route, the newer 272/250 might be an easier resell.

I would keep the NDX for 2 reasons: I like my external Alpha DAC, if I stick with Naim, I can resell the 272 at no loss and still have my NDX.

spurrier sucks posted:

Mayor West posted:

Seems like a fair bit of redundancy there. Would it not be better to get 250DR and wait for a 282 instead? 

Im not understanding keeping the NDX either. Trade it for XPS DR and be done. 

I live in a location with no access to demos of any sort. I'm not sure I'd be comfortable paying XPS $ when I already enjoy the sound of my Alpha. 

Kevin Richardson posted:

spurrier sucks posted:

Mayor West posted:

Seems like a fair bit of redundancy there. Would it not be better to get 250DR and wait for a 282 instead? 

Im not understanding keeping the NDX either. Trade it for XPS DR and be done. 

I live in a location with no access to demos of any sort. I'm not sure I'd be comfortable paying XPS $ when I already enjoy the sound of my Alpha. 

In that case I would stay with NDX/SN2. Trading for 272/250 and keeping NDX seems odd at best. NDX/282/250 sure but the other is just a waste of money IMO. 

I have a 272 on demo. It's box fresh and I have no idea how long it will take to burn in. My current system is SN/HCDR into 250DR with CDX2 as source. After swapping the SN for 272 my initial thoughts are that the sound is less powerful. Less meaty. That's not to say it isn't as good. Now I'm in a smaller room and so this may be a good thing. I'm enjoying the sound of the bare 272. This evening I shall compare my bare CDX2 into bare 272, to streaming lossless files from my laptop to bare 272. Depending on the results of this my SN, HCDR, CDX2 and TQ black diamond din may be p/x for this 272 with XPSDR. Yes....the 272 sounds good enough at the moment for me to be having these thoughts! 

I can't comment on the Alpha DAC but having heard the NDX/SN2 vs 272/250 I'd stick with the former and wait until you can afford particularly as you have a HC 

Regards,

Lindsay

The future decision as to whether to switch to Linn is hanging over proceedings here. Perhaps you should resolve that before swapping boxes for the sake of it. The idea of using an NDX and external DAC into a 272 seems totally pointless. 

????   'seems' pointless !!!!  it is simply pointless.    Its either NDX or 272,  not both

I was trying really hard to be super polite. It might not be totally pointless if, for example, one likes a big pile of boxes to impress one's friends, or one likes dusting and/or wasting electricity. 

Hungryhalibut posted:

I was trying really hard to be super polite. It might not be totally pointless if, for example, one likes a big pile of boxes to impress one's friends, or one likes dusting and/or wasting electricity. 

The NDX/272 route does allow 2 XPS2's to be added.

Then later an NDAC (and a ps) can be used to upgrade the system.

trickydickie posted:

Hungryhalibut posted:

I was trying really hard to be super polite. It might not be totally pointless if, for example, one likes a big pile of boxes to impress one's friends, or one likes dusting and/or wasting electricity. 

The NDX/272 route does allow 2 XPS2's to be added.

Then later an NDAC (and a ps) can be used to upgrade the system.

Nahhh... why do things in halves.... 555PSDR for each box....

What you need is the NDS/555DR to pair with your SN2. 

hi Kevin -- i found separates (282/250.2 in my case) to be a big jump over my previous SN1/HC2 setup. not quite an apples to apples comparison, but close enough.

like the others, i wouldn't keep the NDX. just get a dedicated streamer (microRendu, Auralic Aries mini, etc., etc.) and run that into your DAC. if you sell your NDX and SN2, but hang on to your Hicap DR, you would be able to fund your dealer's ex-dem 250 DR and get a secondhand 282. 

this system might last you a good long while and will be a valid comparator for the Linn stuff -- and you can sell it on for no loss if you decide to go the Linn route.

mmm ..and what's wrong with a big pile of boxes if they keep one happy? I think that some here had big boxes once so there must have been something driving that I have a large number of boxes but never indulge to impress others - just my own ears and those of my family who are music lovers...

Hungryhalibut posted:

I was trying really hard to be super polite. It might not be totally pointless if, for example, one likes a big pile of boxes to impress one's friends, or one likes dusting and/or wasting electricity. 

It's not pointless. Even if I go the Linn route I might keep the NDX since I greatly prefer the Naim app vs Linn's app.

As far as box counts go, I have 4 now and would still  have 4 with the NDX->Alpha->272->250. I'm in the US and I can't easily demo a 282 or XPS. 

I guess I'll just try to get an in home demo of the 272/250 and hear for myself.

Finkfan posted:

I have a 272 on demo. It's box fresh and I have no idea how long it will take to burn in. My current system is SN/HCDR into 250DR with CDX2 as source. After swapping the SN for 272 my initial thoughts are that the sound is less powerful. Less meaty. That's not to say it isn't as good. Now I'm in a smaller room and so this may be a good thing. I'm enjoying the sound of the bare 272. This evening I shall compare my bare CDX2 into bare 272, to streaming lossless files from my laptop to bare 272. Depending on the results of this my SN, HCDR, CDX2 and TQ black diamond din may be p/x for this 272 with XPSDR. Yes....the 272 sounds good enough at the moment for me to be having these thoughts! 

Let me know how the CDX2 sounds via 272 vs SN if you get a chance.

Kevin Richardson posted:

Let me know how the CDX2 sounds via 272 vs SN if you get a chance.

Hi Kevin 

I've compared CDX2 into SN/HCDR/250DR vs 272. I'd say the SN/HCDR edges it very slightly for me. Slightly more weight to the music and again slightly more detail. I'll have to try again tomorrow bare 272 vs bare SN/250DR. I'm sure that will be a different story. I'm currently comparing CDX2 vs Tidal vs lossless CD rip and it's very interesting! 

Kevin Richardson posted:

Even if I go the Linn route I might keep the NDX since I greatly prefer the Naim app vs Linn's app.

 

If you want to keep the NDX, 282/250 is the way to go. 282/HCDR is a stunning pre combo and most definitely better than a stand alone 272. I'd keep the SN2/HCDR and call it a day but if you've got an upgrade itch to scratch, best to go for big improvements rather than sideways steps. 272/250 makes sense, though, if box reduction is one of your goals. You could then still sell the NDX at a later stage.