272 + 200DR, or NDX + 202 + 200DR?

Matt,

As you say requires an audition.  In my opinion the NDX/202 out performs the 272 BUT indeed the box count increases.  Further and again in my opinion both the 272 and NDX really need a XPS to give of their best, and less so but all the same the 202 really benefits from a hicap.  So if streaming is your preference the 272 looks pretty attractive and make no doubt sounds really really good.

Good luck.

Lindsay

Matt - depends where you want to end up. If you want to get off the upgrade treadmill then the 272 would be my choice. It'll pair nicely with the 200 and you can lose the Flatcap and NAPSC and probably be a very happy chap. Add an XPS or 555PS later on to get the best out of the 272. 

If you go the NDX route then you'll probably want to replace the 202 with something like a 282.  Then you'll want to add a Hi-Cap or Supercap, XPS or DAC for the NDX etc etc...

I heard a 272 with 250DR at the end of last year and was very impressed with what they achieved with this streaming pre-amp. if i ever wanted to return to Naim then the 272 would be where i'd start (and this is from an ex NDX owner)

You'll find the best route when you go for an audition 

My conclusions were that I most definitely preferred NDX/202/200DR to 272/200DR by quite a margin. I also thought the NDX system was just a little better than 272/XPSDR/200DR, but it was close. Between those options, you might also consider the versatility of the NDX system in adding, for example, an external DAC, against the simplicity of the 272, with no NAPSC, only two power leads, and a better volume control. 

As a 272/200DR owner I confess bias. Until yesterday I thought I had a really good system. With the XPS DR I have an awesome system and looking other threads, HungryHalibut has just replaced the XPS with a 555DR and has gone to another level so maybe you need to be satisfied that you feel happy with your upgrade options as well as current sound.

I am not sure if the NAP 200 DR is an equivalent to the Hicap DR. If you don't have the Hicap DR with your 202/200DR, I would recommend sticking the Hicap DR to the 202/200DR and compare the setup with the 272/200DR to see which system sounds better to you. The Hicap DR provided an uplift in sound quality to my 202/200, a very nice improvement.

ryder. posted:

I am not sure if the NAP 200 DR is an equivalent to the Hicap DR. If you don't have the Hicap DR with your 202/200DR, I would recommend sticking the Hicap DR to the 202/200DR and compare the setup with the 272/200DR to see which system sounds better to you. The Hicap DR provided an uplift in sound quality to my 202/200, a very nice improvement.

A 200 supplies a single 24V supply to the preamp, whereas a Hicap provides two, so it really should sound better.

Please test 272 headphone out with 650 before selling headline....you might dissapoint 

272 is a better value option in the upgrade path, you Will want to add a Ps to NDX at Some point 

I’d add an Ndx and keep the 202

I just can’t hear anything wrong with a 202 after owning it for almost 8 years now. If the 202 has been accused of being a bit 2d well so is the bare 272 to my ears.

the 3D image aspect comes from the source anyway, not so much the preamp.

It’s more of a source first game and the 202/200 has been used even with mighty sources like CDS3 and LP12

NDX/202/200DR 100% the box count argument doesn't really hold up 3 boxes or 4 I don't really understand the difference and neither does the 'getting off the upgrade path' argument when people are spending £6,000 on a PSU for the 272.

So it is all down to preference of sound I have heard both a 272 and an NDX albeit with a 250DR and preferred the NDX whilst others prefer the 272.

Another option of course is a Chord dac and a 282/200DR lots of people on the forum run different streaming options apart from Naim an Aurilic mini and a Chord 2Qute comes in at about 1,500 you could spend the reminder upgrading the 202 to a 282 and with a 200 you don't need a psu for the 282.

You probably answer the question in your fourth paragraph with the words ‘yet separates somehow seem more attractive’. You’ve got to get what you want, not what others advise you to get. It’s the heart/head thing - it’s got to feel right for you to enjoy it. Some here will advise one way, others the other way, and you’ll be no further forward. 

Isn't the main point of this discussion the 'difference' between the combined streamer and preamp of the 272 and the seperates of NDX + 202? Upgraditis will always be an issue for those amongst us forever searching for that which we don't (and will probably never will) have. HH has demonstrated that very thing remarkably clearly in the last 48 hours! The box count issue is meaningful to some, but I get where B the B is coming from - most of us could squeeze an extra one in if we tried. 

One factor not yet mentioned is cost. Forgetting power supply and interconnect 'add ons', the 272 is currently £3,469, the NDX £3,699 and 202 £2,100  a total of £5,799. That's a not inconsiderable difference of £2,330. Almost enough to fund the XPSDR. Ah yes, say some, but then you'll want a 555PS, and maybe a 250DR (or 300!). Indeed, but taking the other path, if you're disposed toward upgrades, you'll surely find yourself hankering after a Supercap for the 202 and a 555PS for the NDX, as well as the 'superior' power amplification. Ever onwards and upwards, eh?

Bottom line, to me, is demo the options thoroughly, at home with your speakers. Buy that combination which best suits your ears, your home and your circumstances (both financial and domestic). No silver bullet, but it's fun talking about it!

I've heard both and (much) prefer the ndx 202 200dr - the 200dr power supply for the 202 is really beneficial and is redundant in the 272 setup. However, as others have said you need to listen and decide for yourself along with your personal view on box count

similar choice for me a few years ago, either NDX/202 or 272 - box count was not an issue

I went down the NDX route with 202, not because I think the NDX is better than 272 - but i did give me some room to upgrade later as I do play at lot of vinyl through LP12 so the best solution for me then was NDX/202 - added a NAPSC & HCDR - loved the set up and the music

Hi guys only my second post so be gentle. But you haven’t mentioned weather your Sonos is the modified version or not. But if it were me I’d probably find an nDac and plumb the Sonos into that. From what I’ve read a modified Sonos and nDac combo is pretty much as good as the NDX with a much better end user experience.

Another option would be a dac v1 and Sonos with the added benefit of adding a headphone amp to system and being able to stream straight from a Mac min or other. An all together more future proof set up in my eyes and certainly easier on the wallet  .

Personally I wouldn’t go with an all in one unit again. And I’m currently in the middle moving away from a uniti 2 with next step being a dac v1 then 202 if I feel I need it.

but I could suggest things all day but you have to live it. 

yes that's what I would do too. Nice ideas.