NDX 2: which preamp?

What is your kit at the moment?

nothing for streaming - which is where i'm moving too.  Kit coming out of storage.  72pre/160 amp and hicap, not sure what to do with that yet.  IncaTek CD player (CDs now ripped to FLAC on a NAS).  250 DR a certain buy. 272 the current favourite, but maybe the streamer/pre is an option if it'll be a long-term solution....

speakers are Ruark Crusaders

At the show I heard the NDX2 with the 202, a good sounding combi. The 282 is of course in a different league, perhaps good to look at pre-loved...

I would recommend the maim statement.

yes, a statement s1 would be a good choice, with nap 100 of course.

When I bought my NDX, I spent quite a bit of time listening to various systems, and I could happily have gone for NDX/Supernait, NDX/202/200 or NDX/282/200. In the end, I decided to push the boat out and get the NDX/282/200DR, but they all sounded good. How much better the NDX2 will sound, we can only guess.

 I also considered 272/XPS/250DR, but despite the better power amp, I still preferred the NDX/282/200, so that’s what I bought. 

Why not buy the ndx2 and see what it does to your setup? Nac 72 is pretty ok. I would rather cut off a leg than sell my 72 so I'm biased though.

Nac72 also reacts well on a hicap Dr.

Hasn’t this all been covered in your virtually identical thread in the hifi corner? Maybe asking the same question twice will elicit different responses. 

Didn’t Einstein say that doing the same thing twice and expecting a different result is a sign of madness?

jonnaim posted:

Didn’t Einstein say that doing the same thing twice and expecting a different result is a sign of madness?

Well considering we are talking about an Internet forum... madness all round is likely :-)

I actually missed your other thread so no harm done there.  I would stay away from Naim streamers or network players especially the all in one's or pre amp streamers because they don't allow full integration with all internet streaming services and are also confined when it comes to adding new technological advances.  

If you do some research you will find there are network players out there that are open to all streaming services Tidal, Spotify, Quboz, Apple Music, Deezer and SoundCloud  to name a few and also allow full access to all internet radio services, these network players do not have on board dacs and so can also be upgraded as technologies improve.

The great thing is that other more expansive non Naim streaming options are usually cheaper  and will leave you more money to spend on your amp upgrades 282/250 is a fantastic amp as is 282/300 I have heard both of these amps both with and without DR and have owned both without DR and both options are great amps to own and very enjoyable.

Good luck with your search.

Xcentric or Concentric?

sorry to those of you who feel it's duplication.  One was a general q about system, the other - this one - was a q about preamps given a streamer.  But maybe the subtlety - that it's 2 different but related questions -  was lost on some :-)

thanks to others who actually addressed the question.  Will do some more exploring and listening, and happy to hear more opinions.  And feel free to answer both threads, if you wish.....

ndx2/ 282 hicap or supercap / 250dr is very well balanced system, a lot use this trio ( ndx for now, cdx2 before ).  You can’t go wrong with that.   272 will not be upgradable, and ndx2 will be better and recent too.

If money is an issue, I would suggest you look at a SuperNait2 integrated amp to go with the NDX 2 as a start. In the future trade it in for your pre/power amps that you desire when the cash is available.

Have fun and good luck with your decision.

Only the best will suffice - S1

No surprise. You will get what you pay for. A 272 (excellent thought it is)  is not as good as the seperates. The better separates sound better. However, it used to be the wisdom on these pages that the pre-amp is the most important part of your system. I agree. So fund the pre as best you can. Works for me! (NDX/XPSDR/252/250DR)

In advance of the new streamers I did a demo at my dealer a couple of weeks ago to determine what preamp to purchase. Currently Nova/Nap 300. I really did want to like he 282/super cap, but the extra detail and realism of the 252 won the day. So now I know what I will be buying as a preamp to go with a new streamer.

Gazza posted:

In advance of the new streamers I did a demo at my dealer a couple of weeks ago to determine what preamp to purchase. Currently Nova/Nap 300. I really did want to like he 282/super cap, but the extra detail and realism of the 252 won the day. So now I know what I will be buying as a preamp to go with a new streamer.

Excellent choices. I’m very happy with my nDAC+555/252/300. Get your racks sorted as the 252 needs everything spot on.

Phil

I plan to rebuild the fraims as I need more room behind for the extra cabling

xcentric posted:

Am currently trying to refresh my old Naim kit with newer stuff.  Love the new style of the newly released streamers, and may even leap in early to these - but which preamp would be good with an NDX 2 - a 282?

As with all things Naim, get the best NAC you can afford. The heart of a Naim system is its NAC and it will bring everything along with it.

Gazza posted:

In advance of the new streamers I did a demo at my dealer a couple of weeks ago to determine what preamp to purchase. Currently Nova/Nap 300. I really did want to like he 282/super cap, but the extra detail and realism of the 252 won the day. So now I know what I will be buying as a preamp to go with a new streamer.

Gaza, I came to the same conclusion a couple of years ago when doing a back to back demo of a 282 against a 252 this was with a 250dr since changed to a 300dr and this combination is simply stunning. 

xcentric posted:

Am currently trying to refresh my old Naim kit with newer stuff.  Love the new style of the newly released streamers, and may even leap in early to these - but which preamp would be good with an NDX 2 - a 282?

That price combination is quite high tho, so if there's another good option I'd like to hear it.   Going into 250 DR and easy to drive speakers.  My other option is the 272 which is a lot cheaper - and maybe upgrade later..... (but that always costs more!)

Your question is a bit strange: first, the NDX 2 has not already been released. Thus, answering which preamp would be a good for it in a qualified manner is impossible. Second, what does it mean for a preamp to be good for a streamer or DAC? A good preamp will always profit from a better source, I would expect. If you want to improve your amplification, I would start from there: demo a few alternatives and select the preamp + amp or integrated that best fits your taste and budget. Then you can demo different sources included the NDX 2 when it will be available. Until then you will know the sound of your amplification and be able to make an informed choice.