Please help: Getting back into naim and need advice on upgrade path ...

The system you mention is excellent and will give you plenty of enjoyment. The 300 dr is a big step up from the 250 dr in both price and sound quality, it really depends on how they both sound in a demo. I have had both amps, and both are excellent.

Those SF Strads are high end speakers and I’m not convinced that a 272 is really up to the task -  something like an NDS, 552 and 500 seems rather more appropriate. But then, a Supernait 2 isn’t up to the task either. 

I'm planning on keeping the system I assemble for years with the intention of upgrading Naim components as funds allow. I don't have a problem spending a little more now to get something with legs that can serve as a foundation for the future.

I have a PS Audio Directstream dac now that I plan on selling once I get something from Naim. The funds from that sale can help go towards a Naim upgrade or into the initial system purchase.

of course if you can afford buy the 300 DR. It is a LOT better than the 250 DR.

The SF strads are very demanding, the 300 DR drives them better than a 250DR, due to better thermal stability. Having the extra space the 300 has much superior heat sinking.

the 250 also doesn't have a cooling fan, and can get quite hot (and unable to cool itself) when facing a demanding load. Not nice to have it shut down when playing high volumes (but it has NEVER happened to me - not at high volumes at my parties for hours and hours, not even with demanding dynaudio 4 ohm loads).

I’ve got a 272 with 555 power supply and a 300, and it’s very good. It’s just that I wouldn’t use it with $40,000 speakers. If you want flexibility to upgrade, you would be better with a separate source and preamp. You could keep the PS Audio dac and get a 252/Supercap and a 300. A 552 would be even better of course. It’s a matter of working out how you want to play your music and how much you want to spend. The new top streamer is just around the corner and you could consider swapping the PS for either that or an NDS. 

Well whilst I don’t see the 272 as the saviour of the universe paired with a 555/300 it will be very good even with the most demanding of speakers.  Go for it

Anything 252/300, 552/500

Really depends on your budget and listening demos

As for source, perhaps await new range possible soon in pipeline

Thank you all very much so far. Please keep the posts coming.

Is it true that I can use my own preamp with the NAP300? I have a Luxman C900u that I really like but will sell to fund more Naim. Maybe I can get an amp now, wait until I can get a NAC252/Supercap and when the new dac/streamer comes out, get that.

I aspire to the 500 series, but honestly, not sure I can reach that high. Certainly not now but maybe in the future.

Thoughts?

What is your power amp at the moment? Get the best Naim pre you can and use it with your existing power amp until a companion power amp is within reach. Naim can supply a couple of DIN to RCA cables to do this. The pre is the place to start and big steps will save in the long run.

I've been cleaning house at the moment and sold most of my gear (McIntosh, Accuphase, and too many more. I confess to being a serial gear swapper who's trying to reform).

I am left with the Luxman C900u preamp and a Job INTegrated. I had plans on demoing a Luxman M900u amp to go with my preamp but have been thinking about Naim for a long, long time. I thought now that most of my gear is gone, it might be time to get back into Naim.

Hi Joe

Good to see you getting back into Naim,I follow Audioshark regularly,though not a member.

I had the SN2/High cap DR myself a couple of years back,and now have the 272/250DR/Xpsdr,and to my ears,it is a big improvement.Someone mentioned the Strads are a tough load,but what I read they are 92 DBs,and I use Dynaudio special 40s which are 86 DBs/6 ohm which the 250 has no trouble with.The comments already posted are right though,I would get the best gear you can afford right away,that way you are not left wondering...what if...

Thank you so much.

I have a few questions for my dealer and may need to do this in stages (if possible).

The Strads, while efficient, benefit from power. I do not blast my music and listen at low to medium volume. Only on very few occasions do I turn it up.

There’s a Stereophile review where they use a 70W transformerless valve amp to drive them, they can’t be that hard. The impedence and phase curves don’t look bad either. What they will be crying out for is quality but I think auditioning a few combinations is the way to find out where you want to go. 

When I went to the superline launch having just had a CD5x for a yearand decided to give Naim amps a go I talked to someone from Naim who seemed to think I’d get away with feeding a 250 from a Rega Cursa as I did the changeover, in the end I played safe and ran a 282 into a Maia but you may be able to use the Luxman as a stepping stone, give Naim a ring to check. You will get most of the Naim character from the pre though.

I'd like to consider the NAP300DR or NAP500DR. The 500 will take longer to acquire and will need to be the first and only piece for a while until everything else falls into place.

I've been searching and researching like crazy. I trust my dealer and need his opinion but at least I'm getting more fluent in Naim-speak.

Start with a Nait 2 - it’s magical 

The Naim preamp defines the operating conditions for the Naim power amp, so using something else may or may not work well. One way forward could be the 272/555/300. If it’s ‘good enough’ then that’s great. If not you can swap the 272 for an NDS or ND555, which will match with the 555PS, and add a preamp at the same time. The only thing you’d have to sell is the 272, so if you can get one secondhand you’d minimise your potential loss. It’s easy to get carried away and spend more than you need to and at least this way you get an idea of how far you want to go. 

Hi Chris,

 I agree. Actually a friend and I were each going to order the SN2 with Hicap. He ordered his already and will hopefully have it by the end of next week. 

I started to over think this but I want the best bang for the dollar. 

Almost 4 years ago, another friend and I both purchased SN2/Hicap combos. He being a little smarter and less impulsive still has his set. He still absolutely loves it. I thought I knew better and moved on, only to regret that decision.

I’m trying to make up for lost time.  

HH,

Great advice. Thank you for that. I like that idea. Chances are that I’d be very happy with your recommendation. Having had the SN2 and going up a little is all I’d ever need. 

I was hooked on Naim by the lowest integrated they make. Now I’m coming full circle.

I’m pleased you find that helpful. The 300 is hugely capable and it works well with the 272/555. If you were to go the 500 route with the Luxman you’d be on a path to 552 and a source to match, which is an awful lot of money. You may still end up there but at least you’ll know why you want to go there, and in the meantime you’ll have a really nice system to enjoy. 

I am sure that NAP300 is more than capable and I'd hate to spend a fortune on a preamp for a single source.

The goal is to just enjoy my system and get away from the constant upgrades and gear swapping.

Maybe a Nova would be enough? There’s nowhere to go from there.

I remember a discussion of Tannoy Westminster Royals and the comment that a Nait was an OK way to get them going while you saved for something with a bit less noise,  A Nova into Strads?

Auditioning a few options would seem the best course.

Wow! The Nova looks cool! That could be awesome. I'll have to find some reviews.

They have their Nova reviews on the Naim site at the bottom of the Nova page

The Nova won’t hold a candle to a 272/555/300 but I agree it’s a great idea to listen to it, to know whether it’s worth paying nearly five times as much. Some would say yes, and some would say no. It depends what the dealer has in stock. A ND555/552/500 costs fifteen times as much. It would be really interesting to hear all three systems side by side. 

Agree with HH...but you do not seem to know what you really want...you do need to get out and listen. We do not know your listening room and what you really will be happy with, and if you have aspirations to build on your initial hifi purchase.