Nac-n 272/XPS DR/300 DR or 252/Supercap DR/250 DR

>>How about Harbeth Super HL5 plus?

They will be fine - the 252DR 300DR or 250DR will work well with most speakers and will shine through subject to the limitations of the speaker. I have really enjoyed the Statement NAC and Statement Power driving a pair of Neat IOTA Alpha speakers - quite a modest pair of speakers - and they really shone. I currently use the 252DR and 250 driving a pair of AT SCM 19 mk 2 speakers ...

Well it's not simple is it.   I have no knowledge of your source but with a top CDP or streamer then the 252/sc will show the 272 a clean pair of heals.  

But as ever you need to demo. 

Regards,

Lindsay

The Strat (Fender) posted:

Well it's not simple is it.   I have no knowledge of your source but with a top CDP or streamer then the 252/sc will show the 272 a clean pair of heals.  

But as ever you need to demo. 

Regards,

Lindsay

I've had CDS3/555PS 252/300 and now 272/250DR. Ime the difference is not so great and often overstated.

G

Wattsee posted:

Still a very odd reply.  You clearly haven't spent any time listening to MQA which to my ears provides a significant upgrade to all the material.  Perhaps you should take a listen.

The DAC I'm thinking of is the Mytek Brooklyn.

I know a guy that uses that DAC with an Auralic Aries Mini. He's a box swapper too and sweats by this combo. Has been the most constant pieces in his system for about a year or so. He also likes the Masters via Tidal. Seems to be a very nice DAC. 

spurrier sucks posted:

Wattsee posted:

Still a very odd reply.  You clearly haven't spent any time listening to MQA which to my ears provides a significant upgrade to all the material.  Perhaps you should take a listen.

The DAC I'm thinking of is the Mytek Brooklyn.

I know a guy that uses that DAC with an Auralic Aries Mini. He's a box swapper too and sweats by this combo. Has been the most constant pieces in his system for about a year or so. He also likes the Masters via Tidal. Seems to be a very nice DAC. 

Yes, the heat from these valves can be a bit much.

G

At least I could leave the heating off?

Of course  MQA is very much dependable on the original recording.  A turd is a turd!

Madonna on tidal masters is Ok, she still can't sing though.

I prefer the 272, I can't get on with the 252 and that's with 300dr NDS/555dr. You really need to try it at home. 

Why no mention of the 282 here? Maybe you should try one.

Tony2011 posted:

Of course  MQA is very much dependable on the original recording.  A turd is a turd!

That of course applies to all recordings/formats!!!

The difference with MQA is that it is altered in the process and not an accurate representation of the original -  however that is not to say the change is necessarily unpleasant, and for anyone who likes the effect (as seems does the OP), then nothing wrong with that. But it could beg the question as to whether the different sound will sound better or worse in, for example, a more revealing system, so as with so many things, hearing the intended combination (and preferably all options to compare) is desirable.

GraemeH posted:

spurrier sucks posted:

Wattsee posted:

Still a very odd reply.  You clearly haven't spent any time listening to MQA which to my ears provides a significant upgrade to all the material.  Perhaps you should take a listen.

The DAC I'm thinking of is the Mytek Brooklyn.

I know a guy that uses that DAC with an Auralic Aries Mini. He's a box swapper too and sweats by this combo. Has been the most constant pieces in his system for about a year or so. He also likes the Masters via Tidal. Seems to be a very nice DAC. 

Yes, the heat from these valves can be a bit much.

G

Lol. Swears not sweats. At least I don't think he sweats while listening. 

Innocent Bystander posted:

Tony2011 posted:

Of course  MQA is very much dependable on the original recording.  A turd is a turd!

That of course applies to all recordings/formats!!!

The difference with MQA is that it is altered in the process and not an accurate representation of the original -  however that is not to say the change is necessarily unpleasant, and for anyone who likes the effect (as seems does the OP), then nothing wrong with that. But it could beg the question as to whether the different sound will sound better or worse in, for example, a more revealing system, so as with so many things, hearing the intended combination (and preferably all options to compare) is desirable.

Absolutely. But if the original material is already of inferior SQ no amount  of software tweaking will be able to improve on the original master aberrations. 

Wattsee posted:

My base is 272/XPS DR/250DR.  I’m planning on using an MQA capable dac and Roon to stream local music and Tidal (given Naim’s apathy to MQA) and a Rega RP10.  Hence feels like upgrading the pre-amp is the best short term option but requires me selling two boxes rather than the power amp only one (I know the 300 is two boxes).

I know it is not what you asked,but I have the same combo as you,but I recently added a Core to the chain.I also recently tried adding a Hugo in between the Core and 272,I did not find it any better than using the Core SPDIF directly into the 272.I suppose that if all you want to listen to is Tidal (which I also use),then what you plan with the Brooklyn might work.But adding a Core has been a very nice upgrade for me,I can't see getting much better with MQA,but I have not heard it myself.To me Tidal can sound decent on good recordings,but I hardly ever use it for any serious listening.