272/555 v 282/Supercap has anyone tried both?

Hungryhalibut posted:

It’s something of a can of worms I suspect. I once owned an 82/Supercap, but that was many moons ago. I know that you said box count wasn’t an issue, but if you want a streaming source up to the standard of a 282/300 you are looking at NDX/XPS. So that’s NDX, XPS, 282, Supercap, napsc. Or 272/555. 

I don’t think it really matters which is best, whatever best really means, as both will be superb systems. The 20 pages of forum debate that are likely to follow probably won’t make you any the wiser. 

If it’s of any help you are welcome to pop over and listen to my 272 setup to hear what it’s capable of, albeit with SL wires and probably unfamiliar speakers, and only partly run in of course. If you then think that your 282/300 already sounds better, then you will have your answer. 

The question was which would sound better a  282/SC/300 or a 272/555/300 not wether my 282/300 non DR  with Chord Crimson IC's and TQ Black speaker cables into Royd Edens sounded better than your 272/555DR/300DR with SL full loom into SL2's.

Chris Dolan posted:

ChrisSU posted:

Jay posted:

I don’t understand the issue? A Supercap sounds better than 2 HC’s, and it costs more. Of course the 282 isn’t a 252? What am I missing here...

A few forum members have gone on record saying that they didn’t like a Supercap powered 282, and stuck with a single Hicap. 

Who?  When?  Names should be named.  No seriously, who?

From memory, I can think of two, but I’ll let them speak for themselves if they wish to. 

Bob the Builder posted:

The question was which would sound better a  282/SC/300 or a 272/555/300 not wether my 282/300 non DR  with Chord Crimson IC's and TQ Black speaker cables into Royd Edens sounded better than your 272/555DR/300DR with SL full loom into SL2's.

I think the problem with the comparison is the 275/555 is already settled with a FIXED source and DAC whereas the 282/Supercap can be combined with a myriad of sources and DAC and not exclusively to Naim alone. Not too sure how good is the Chord 2Qute but I suspect the front end can be improved.

It would be interesting to compare the 275/555 to the 2Qute/282/Supercap although the 2Qute may be the achilles heel.

Claus-Thoegersen posted:

I do not think so. Not because I have compared the systems, but because of the status of the 272. The 282 with supercap should be better, but more importantly it will hold it's second hand value when an updted 272 or hopefully a 372 comes out from Name.

Claus

 

I would subscribe to this notion although it's an unpopular one. In my view the 282 and the rest of the analogue preamps  202, 252 and 552 are classics. There have been no updates to the preamps for 15 years since they were introduced in 2002, one of the longest period for a hifi equipment. They have really stood the test of time. I have read about people suggesting not to purchase the 202 or 282 back in 2012 as they warned about an imminent update soon. Five years later they are still being sold as current products. The streaming products would usually have a shorter life span as they would get updates more frequently when compared to old school gear. Have a look at the product history and noticed how quickly the all-in-one players go obsolete and the 172 being discontinued in just 5 years. 

The 272 is still quite new but I would expect an updated model to come up in say 3 to 4 years time. Not that it will affect how the 272 will sound but it's a consideration for someone who might be critical to having something that will stand the test of time.

It may not be popular Ryder, but even as a 272 owner I have to say there is some solid reasoning behind your analysis.

I have considered the idea of getting a 282 and then I can separate the streaming piece and take up or down as my budget and tastes allow. I think an interesting test would be an ND5 XS + 282 vs. the 272, and of course, an NDX+282 also could be thrown into the mix.

But then, I am in pretty good shape where I am, and I enjoy the music (when streaming isn't providing unwanted pain).

ryder. posted:

Bob the Builder posted:

The question was which would sound better a  282/SC/300 or a 272/555/300 not wether my 282/300 non DR  with Chord Crimson IC's and TQ Black speaker cables into Royd Edens sounded better than your 272/555DR/300DR with SL full loom into SL2's.

I think the problem with the comparison is the 275/555 is already settled with a FIXED source and DAC whereas the 282/Supercap can be combined with a myriad of sources and DAC and not exclusively to Naim alone. Not too sure how good is the Chord 2Qute but I suspect the front end can be improved.

It would be interesting to compare the 275/555 to the 2Qute/282/Supercap although the 2Qute may be the achilles heel.

Yes there are many combo's to compare but I think if I take the cash difference between a 272/555 used and a 282/ Olive SC used and add that to the sale of my 2Qute I'm looking at an £1,800 streaming/dac solution.  

Although I think at the end of the day it would boil down to how my LP12 sounded connected to 272/555 and 282/SC rather than what the streaming solution sounded like and whichever sounded better would be my choice and I would live with a better or worse sounding Tidal stream.  

Bob the Builder posted:

 

 

 

Yes there are many combo's to compare but I think if I take the cash difference between a 272/555 used and a 282/ Olive SC used and add that to the sale of my 2Qute I'm looking at an £1,800 streaming/dac solution.  

If you shop around you'd get a used NDX for that 

ChrisSU posted:

From memory, I can think of two, but I’ll let them speak for themselves if they wish to. 

Haven't they already spoken for themselves if they have already "gone on record"? 

DrMark posted:

It may not be popular Ryder, but even as a 272 owner I have to say there is some solid reasoning behind your analysis.

I have considered the idea of getting a 282 and then I can separate the streaming piece and take up or down as my budget and tastes allow. I think an interesting test would be an ND5 XS + 282 vs. the 272, and of course, an NDX+282 also could be thrown into the mix.

But then, I am in pretty good shape where I am, and I enjoy the music (when streaming isn't providing unwanted pain).

Am I right in thinking that your considered idea would necessitate a move to 4 or 5 boxes? That is what pretty much killed any notion of a seperate preamp when planning my upgrade.

Bob

As I said previously, if you’re looking to maximise the LP12 and retain flexibility then the Supercap is the way to go. In my view the 272/XPS2 combo isn’t quite up with the 282/HC2 with analogue, let alone a Supercap. I have no experience with the 555 but I personally am hoping to try that out myself.

Jay

If the streaming solution is generally only for Tidal, I’d be going for the Supercap, and getting a used ND5XS for Tidal. 95% if my listening is upnp streaming so maximising that side is right for me, but with vinyl as the top priority a dedicated top notch preamp seems more appropriate. 

Timmo1341 posted:

DrMark posted:

It may not be popular Ryder, but even as a 272 owner I have to say there is some solid reasoning behind your analysis.

I have considered the idea of getting a 282 and then I can separate the streaming piece and take up or down as my budget and tastes allow. I think an interesting test would be an ND5 XS + 282 vs. the 272, and of course, an NDX+282 also could be thrown into the mix.

But then, I am in pretty good shape where I am, and I enjoy the music (when streaming isn't providing unwanted pain).

Am I right in thinking that your considered idea would necessitate a move to 4 or 5 boxes? That is what pretty much killed any notion of a seperate preamp when planning my upgrade.

Yes if it sounds better.  I have had a stack of black or silver boxes in the corner of my living room for most of my adult life and SQ will dictate how large or small that is not interior design, lifestyle or fashion. 

Hungryhalibut posted:

If the streaming solution is generally only for Tidal, I’d be going for the Supercap, and getting a used ND5XS for Tidal. 95% if my listening is upnp streaming so maximising that side is right for me, but with vinyl as the top priority a dedicated top notch preamp seems more appropriate. 

I just traded in one of those to buy my 300 but I like your thinking I always really loved my UQ2 and have seen those up for around £700 lately that connected up to my 2Qute might well be the ticket and then if I ever need it I have a temporary system. UnitiQute 2 >> Royd Eden.

I think I’m on record as saying the a 282/hi/250 has a nice balance, however, the 300 is asking for a supercap on the 282 but that will drive a source upgrade, probably to both digital and analog.

I don’t know the Dino, I think it was Trichord post Tom Evans, I got the impression it was at the level of a microgroove or lower in which case a superline might be a good choice when the time comes given the supercap can power it via the 282’s aux2 (as it can via a 252) when the time comes, it also gives you something to use the supercap on with superb results  if you no longer need it for a preamp in the long run (you never know). 

The 272 even with a 555ps is a bit of a lesser peak than the one you’re scaling at the moment but if you wan’t to keep the upgrade bug in check might be an idea.

Bob the Builder posted:

Timmo1341 posted:

DrMark posted:

It may not be popular Ryder, but even as a 272 owner I have to say there is some solid reasoning behind your analysis.

I have considered the idea of getting a 282 and then I can separate the streaming piece and take up or down as my budget and tastes allow. I think an interesting test would be an ND5 XS + 282 vs. the 272, and of course, an NDX+282 also could be thrown into the mix.

But then, I am in pretty good shape where I am, and I enjoy the music (when streaming isn't providing unwanted pain).

Am I right in thinking that your considered idea would necessitate a move to 4 or 5 boxes? That is what pretty much killed any notion of a seperate preamp when planning my upgrade.

Yes if it sounds better.  I have had a stack of black or silver boxes in the corner of my living room for most of my adult life and SQ will dictate how large or small that is not interior design, lifestyle or fashion. 

Lucky old you is all I can say! Most of those I know have had to make compromises in most areas which impinge upon family habitat or finances. 

Good balanced advice YETI42 I have just acquired a new cart a Benz Micro Ace SL which is a definite step up from Dyna 10x5 it replaced and although the Dino will eventually probably need an upgrade it is maxed out with a Never Connected PSU and cable upgrade and so will I believe see me through another upgrade to my amp although with used Superlines going for what they do and if I already own a Supercap............

Timmo1341 posted:

Bob the Builder posted:

Timmo1341 posted:

DrMark posted:

It may not be popular Ryder, but even as a 272 owner I have to say there is some solid reasoning behind your analysis.

I have considered the idea of getting a 282 and then I can separate the streaming piece and take up or down as my budget and tastes allow. I think an interesting test would be an ND5 XS + 282 vs. the 272, and of course, an NDX+282 also could be thrown into the mix.

But then, I am in pretty good shape where I am, and I enjoy the music (when streaming isn't providing unwanted pain).

Am I right in thinking that your considered idea would necessitate a move to 4 or 5 boxes? That is what pretty much killed any notion of a seperate preamp when planning my upgrade.

Yes if it sounds better.  I have had a stack of black or silver boxes in the corner of my living room for most of my adult life and SQ will dictate how large or small that is not interior design, lifestyle or fashion. 

Lucky old you is all I can say! Most of those I know have had to make compromises in most areas which impinge upon family habitat or finances. 

No kids, no grand kids, no pets just me and the Mrs and a couple of nieces and nephews who have from time to time found a home with us but of course are not the financial burden that many face.  However of course finances will always be a limiting factor but within those finances things like how many boxes are not an issue with my other half although she does have her own ideas about how a speaker should look.