Treading Core-fully...

Mike you didn't not need a DAC because the 272 has a very good one built in. So you can connect the p/dif output from the Core to a digital input of the 272 and then you control the Core from the Core pages of the Naim app rather than the upnp bit of the 272 pages of the app.

I haven't tried this myself but if you read back through the forum you will find lots of people do and some but not all prefer it to the upnp approach.

best

David

Many thanks David.

If I have been reading things correctly I believe a DC1 should connect the Core & 272. I will see if I can loan one and give it a try.

ATB,

Mike

You could pick up a cheapy interconnect on eBay to give it a try and if you like it then you can source a pre-loved Naim interconnect at your leisure.

best

David

I use the DC1 between my Core and 272,I have only had it for a few weeks now,but I really think it has added to my enjoyment of music from the Core.

I also have tried a Hugo 2 and Dave between the Core and 272.This was before I got the DC1,so I used cheaper interconnects with both DACs.The H2 did offer an improvement,but not as much as I was expecting,and the mini connection turned me off even thinking about that DAC.This is when I tried the Dave,it did sound quite a lot better than the Core direct to the 272,but I could not afford one at the time.It got me thinking...maybe swapping the XPSDR for a 555 would be a smarter way to go,but that is not cheap either,so here I sit.

My plan is to try the Mscaler when it is released in the fall,and go from there.I will try it with the Qutest DAC probably,and I may even try it on its own between the Core and 272.I have heard the Blu2/Dave at my dealers house,and it is really really good.

Thanks NQ for relaying your findings.

I'm currently listening to an XPS DR and NAP250DR on home demo. I do not have the funds for both right now. My dealer can get a 555DR for me to demo but it will take a few weeks,

His immediate reaction to my request was it's over the top for my system and perhaps he is quite right, after all he does this for a living and I do not. I cannot fault him for his honesty, as he would love to sell 555's to all his customers.

I'm unsure which way to go now, personally I'm favouring the XPS DR and sticking with my 200 non DR until next year.

The music is all sounding very good to me at present and that's what matters at the end of the day.

Funny that you mention your dealer said the 555 is over the top for the 272,my dealer basically said the same thing...but he has not heard the 555/272.

Looking at your profile,to me it looks like you have a nicely balanced system (with the XPS/250),same as mine really,and it is awfully good.Are you planning on keeping the LS 50s?...because to me,they might need upgrading before I would get a 555,I would think they might hold you back a little,unless you are in a real small room.

It sounds like you have a good dealer,that is willing to let you demo various combos,which is really a good thing.I would still try the 555,if he is willing to get you one,I would be real interested in your thoughts,since I have not heard one yet.Not only do I love music,but I really do enjoy the gear too,and trying out various products,to find what suits my taste best.

good luck.

The mancave is not quite 3 metres squared. It's meant to be the 3rd of 4 bedrooms.

Funnily enough my brother told me last Christmas that I needed floor standing speakers instead of the KEF's. It has been playing on my mind ever since. The KEF's were purchased almost 3 years ago to pair with a Unitilite. At the time I had no ambitions to go any further up the ladder.

I'm returning the 250 and XPS to the dealer on Saturday and will discuss my thoughts and further options with him then.

ATB,

Mike

I would take a hard look at the new Kudos 505, that will be released soon,you don’t necessarily have to go to floorstanders.

Using a dac with a 272 seems a bit weird, as the 272 includes a very good one already. If going down the dac route it’s probably more sensible to be looking at a 282. 

I love this dealer advice that a 555 is OTT with a 272, especially when they have not even heard it. When I picked my 555 up from the dealer, one of the Naim reps was there and he was full of enthusiasm for it. Owning one, I’d say it most definitely isn’t OTT so long as the rest of the system is up to it. I tend to agree that it would be a bit wasted with the LS50s. 

Fair point HH in relation to the DAC, I will not be spending any money on one as I definitely do not want a 282.

I'm probably in need of a speaker upgrade next although I can't stretch to a pair of Titan 505's.

I know that the Titan was mentioned above but you really don’t need to spend that sort of money, especially if you buy secondhand. One smallish floorstander you could try is Naim’s SBL. They are brilliant speakers and while they will work fine with your 272/200 they will work even better should you go to an XPS and a 300. You can get a good late pair in a wood finish for under £1,000, even less if you don’t mind black ash. Being sealed, they go hard against the wall, which is ideal in a small room. It needs to be solid though. Tom Tom Audio is a good place to look.