272/XPSDR vs CDS3/282

If you compare the preamp sections of the 282 and the 272, using external sources, it makes complete sense that the former is better. It’s when the 272 is used as an integrated streamer and preamp that it really comes into its own, and where it sounds better than it has any right to for the price. Speaking to Naim, it’s clear that it, with the 250, is a big seller. You need to spend a lot more to comprehensively beat it. 

Would depend on definition of comprehensive Nigel.  The first time I heard the 272 was I think its first public demonstration and paired with a 250 it was compared directly with  the NDX-SN2 and for the majority in the room the latter was preferable.  Howe er,later on the 250 was substituted with a 300 and then of course the flexibility of the 272 became apparent. But put a 300 on a 282........horses for course....more than one way to skin a cat......

My demos at a dealer in July 2015 to decide between the 272 or 282 resulted in the 282 outperforming the 272 as the respective power supplies were added.

The  difference in performance was pretty much the same  when the 282 was powered by an non DR 200 and 272 was powered by its internal PSU.

A big selling product is not the necessarily the best product, it just happens to fulfill a need ( I doubt the Statement or 500 series sell high volume).

The other point is whether the equivalent new Uniti series product , effectively replaces the 272 (unless an update on the 272 is somewhere on Naim’s roadmap).

Jude