Sideways move

Posted by: rainsoothe on 31 December 2017

Hello, and happy new ear's eve, everyone

So I was contemplating the idea of switching from my 172 xs to a 202 + napsc (on nap200) and using some cheap streamer in the meantime, until i can budget for a sh Naim Dac. Would it be worth it? I can't demo the Naim Dac, so I was wondering how it compared to the 172, which I am currently running through a 202 I have on home dem. I'ts only been 2 days. and I like some of the things the 202 does, but on some stuff I think I prefer the 172. I won't budget for a 282, so the question is how would the dac + 202 sound compared to 172, or say a 272, which I would only be able to budget for at a much later date. 

How does the napsc improve on the 202? 

My findings so far are that the 202 sounds more mature than the 172, but sometimes I think it's too "matter of fact", even if it's more open and airy. Also makes my small B&W PM1 sound closer to floorstanders.

Thanks

Posted on: 04 January 2018 by longmanjon

you could just swap it all for a superuniti as a stop gap, it gives you the power and streaming capability in one box then save up for a 272/250

Posted on: 04 January 2018 by PG

I have a Yamaha WXAD10 little box, about £150. It works fine. The only issues are limited amount of random playlist tracks can be added, and for me, and not sure why, dependant on which bit of the sytsme I am in, when I move on a track, something different ends up being played to that which is shown. Otherwise sounds good.

Posted on: 04 January 2018 by ryder.

 

rainsoothe posted:

Those are all valid points, and the major concern, besides the sound itself, is the silly box count. But if the 272 has too little weight or grunt, i know it would leave me unsatisfied. I know it's great with the hi-fi stuff  (details) and flow, but from reading around, I'm just worried it might lack the proper weight. Maybe I should look into the NDX as well... Gonna have to have a chat with my dealer when the shop opens up again. And yes, I have to try to listen to the 272 as well. 

I mean my suspicion is that when people say the 272 is a better pre than the 202, they base that on it having better separation between instruments, bigger soundstage etc, but those aren't the only things that are important to me. I guess I wanna be convinced that something like ndx+202 is better, but after all, the 272 might be the right choice in the end.

It is a slippery slope. The 272 bare may not have too much weight or grunt but the XPS may bring some of those elements into the mix, not forgetting the mighty 555PS which may very well turn the 272 into a different/superior beast altogether. 

As always, best to compare all options and decide for yourself which will sound better, the 272 or 202. The 202 will present more flexibility(or headache) with regards to DAC matching. 

Posted on: 08 January 2018 by rainsoothe

Thanks for the extra input, everyone. I'm still mulling everything over, but I have to hear the 272 before deciding on anything. That being said, I auditioned the NDX at my dealer's today, into the 202 200 combo, and I didn't like it very much, to be honest. It was too "matter of fact" imo, dry and a bit cold. Yes, the Revel speakers and Naca5 might've had something to do with it, but when I heard the 202 the first time, it still used Naca5 (using a sky-high priced MSB Dac and JBL 4312SE) I liked it way better. I even prefered it when it was fronted by my 172xs. So perhaps a Hugo + streamer should be on the table if I end up going for a 202.

On the subject of 272 I doubt I'll ever be able to slap an XPS on it, but the low box and cable count, as long as not having to find a sweetspot by swapping a lot of stuff around, make for a very attractive proposition. As long as the sound is right for me.

Also, thanks for the tip on the little Yamaha, but I need at least 1 optical input on my streamer - to run the TV through.

Posted on: 08 January 2018 by ChrisSU
rainsoothe posted:

Also, thanks for the tip on the little Yamaha, but I need at least 1 optical input on my streamer - to run the TV through.

In that case, you would need their WXC-50, which has an optical input.