Nac 272 vs. Dac v1 , pre section only......feedback

Probably not much difference in the pre amp section or the dac  between the two but the 272 does have the streamer.

Comparisons by others (to my memory, Solid Air) have said that the 172 and V1 were similar-but-different, rather than miles apart in quality.

It's almost universally recognised that the 272 is better than the 172 was.

Those two things together indicate that the 272 should be better in all respects than a V1.

YMMV, but if the 272 which is available really is a bargain, I suspect that few would advise against the move.

The question is fundamentally unanswerable as you can't access only the pre-amp section of a DAC V1 - it doesn't have any analogue inputs!  There are a few pointers however:-

The DAC chip in the 272 is better than the one in the DAC-V1 (but that means very little as the implementation of the circuit has more effect on the sound than the DAC chip itself).

The 272 is also a more recent implementation of a DAC circuit, so one would expect there to have been improvements there.

The (digitally controlled) analogue resistor ladder volume control of the 272 is certainly superior to the DAC-V1 which uses CMOS transmission gates.

What sources do you use? The V1 is primarily a DAC intended for use via USB from a computer, and the 272 is a streamer. Surely these differences should influence your choice as much as the quality of the preamp, or any other component part, of either device.

ok .....I'll try to change the question :   is the 272 streamer better than a    Sotm-200  / usb  +  V1  ? 

I would look at the ultra option. The DAC V1 would be well served. I have the ultraRendu and it is a lovely combo with the DAC-V1, considerably better than the mighty mRendu, for only a little more expense! I imagine the same would apply to the sMs product.

Whilst I haven't directly compared them:

The 272 is a more recent product, can be upgraded with better power supplies, has a better DAC chip, and has much more sophisticated analogue circuitry.  For these reasons, it's likely to sound better and have considerably more potential.

The DAC V1 is designed to match with the NAP100, the 272 is designed to match with the NAP250DR.

272 certainly seems well received here.

I certainly would not pick V1 if I was to use it as a preamp in a main system. I would recommend it in fixed output mode though, and  when paired with the likes of the Sonore uR it is quite satisfying as a USB DAC.

Thank you everyone ..............The nac 272 is very , very......close  to me

I’ve made comparisons with a V1, bare 272,  272 with all PSU combos when I was deciding on a 282.

The bare 272 sounded more open with a better sound stage compared to the V1 (I still have V1 in my system).

The question, the same as in your other thread, is where do you see your system ending up.

If you are just itching to spend on your system (possibly with a bargain, the 272 will not dissapont at first ( you can use many sources such as Bluetooth) but it will never be flexible or as good sounding as a pre-power set up.

Is the 272 an ex demo or someone upgrading to something ‘better’?

The 272 is an ex demo with 24 months of warranty .............and the V1  will be sold

1) I'm   looking for a better pre for my Nap 200

2) The system ending up ?  Perhaps an xps  for the  272

My only source is a Nas via Minimserver and I'm looking for a definitive streamer..........and to be honest I don't believe  in usb connection  , in these days I tried a Lumin d1 via coax to the V1 ....no doubt , the  combo sms-200 + Audiophilleo  lost in SQ

I hope that the 272  streaming section is comparable to the Lumin d1

t@rmac posted:

The 272 is an ex demo with 24 months of warranty .............and the V1  will be sold

1) I'm   looking for a better pre for my Nap 200

2) The system ending up ?  Perhaps an xps  for the  272

My only source is a Nas via Minimserver and I'm looking for a definitive streamer..........and to be honest I don't believe  in usb connection  , in these days I tried a Lumin d1 via coax to the V1 ....no doubt , the  combo sms-200 + Audiophilleo  lost in SQ

I hope that the 272  streaming section is comparable to the Lumin d1

 

If your end destination is the 272 and you are all set with minimserver, the 272 will serve you well.

Better pre - the 272 pre is better specified with greater potential than the V1.  How much of this potential is unlocked by onboard vs. external PSUs? - only your ears can wallet can be sure.

On USB-  there’s some ideology about their suitability for audio, but even the much haloed Chord DACs continue to perfect USB.  

Audiphilleo - not sure what you mean? 

........Audiophilleo  is the dac V1 usb trasport 

t@rmac posted:

........Audiophilleo  is the dac V1 usb trasport 

 

Aha ok.

Great that you have found the presentation of the 272 better suits your ears.  

Enjoy.