And the journey starts

Seems to me, most of your decisions are being based on the relative cost of each component. I wonder if you have ever heard a 282 and certainly compared it to 282 with hi-cap or supercap. It also seems as if each piece must be bought at lowered prices to get proper vfm. Find a good dealer, take some advice and listen, if done properly ,you’ll end up with a better system for less $

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once you have a 282/HicapDR or Supercap you will need a good source to enjoy what you paid your money for

fortunately there’s a lot of very good sources out there that can be matched at reasonable prices nowadays.

I would get things going by starting to look for a used NDAC… or a used NDX (old one)

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You don’t, it’s just that some people believe balance is only about how much you spend. The 300 is not analytical or horribly revealing, it will pair very well and help get the most out of “lesser” sources as much as it won’t be embarrassed by “better” sources. Equally important, it will provide the grip and control your desired speakers deserve.

You can always decide to improve the front end later, knowing the 300 will take it in its stride.

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as for a 282, if the cost is too much I would look for a used 82 with used Hicap or used Supercap.

The 272 is better than Nova pre with Nova streamer, into 300 dr.
But the 272 needs a 555dr to really control easily the 300 dr.

A small piece of paper will be sufficient. I’d probably cut a small square of greaseproof paper just larger than a foot and pop this underneath.

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Hi, yes they are the correct ones, just pick the Naim amp option and you’re good to go.

You’ll find that the Nova is a much better source than people here give it credit, works well with the 300DR and good on a TV HDMI too, far more day to day usable than my 555 on a TV. If a 272 replacement ever comes out then I may change my Nova but only if the new one has HDMI.

Too much can be written about balance of a system and source first, I too find that speakers are the biggest sound difference of the lot. A better source makes things better but different speakers give a different sound and you need to like the sound of your speakers or try different ones.

Phil

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Is it though? Even given that the Nova uses the new streaming platform? Not arguing the case just curious as I have never done a direct comparison. Given the list price(s) of each it should be the other way around. List price is usually a good indicator of hierarchy…

Perhaps, but remember that a large part of the Nova is its power amp, which of course the 272 doesn’t include. So it’s not really a straight comparison.

I see that, but having added a 250DR (which in my case made a big difference), having subtracted the inbuilt power amp from the Nova, are you not then left with a Nova + preamp using the new streaming platform which you would think would at least equal a bare 272? I have no doubt that a 272 + external PS will up the anti (as it should cos’ you are adding a 2nd box). Again, don’t know the answer, just curious. Its also a bit of a mystery to me that some do not find any advantage in adding a 250DR to the Nova other than increase in volume (clearly some do not), maybe its to do with an optimised mains set up in order to wring every ounce of benefit from the 250DR addition??? Furthermore if Naim are recommending a NAP200 addition to the Nova as an upgrade option that brings with it a 10 Watt drop from 80W to 70W, it makes the above even more curious…

Maybe, maybe not. Certainly when I tried a Nova last week it didn’t control my speakers as well as I’d like, so I can see that adding a 250 should improve things. I imagine it depends on the speakers in question. The chap who bought my 250DR found little benefit when added to his Nova. The Nova preamp and steamer will always be the limiting factor when adding a good power amp, just as it will with the 272 but to a lesser extent.

I think flashback cables do a 4 pin din (Nova end) to 2 no. XLR (nap 300 end)

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Does it matter if it is the plain 4 pin DIN or the 4 pin ring locking DIN?

I’m not sure where the links that I posted have disappeared. I must have made some mistake.

Either din plug will be fine.

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Thank you

One thing I have learned this year - is the need to match amp and speakers in terms of balance and synergy.

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If I were you I would get the 272 first. A power supply can be added later. I would then get the speakers I wanted. I would also try Tidal vs Spotify and see which one I prefer. And then perhaps subscribe to both! I use Qobuz, but my girlfriend uses Apple Music. It’s nice to have options.

I started my Naim journey 10 years ago. It took me a few years to understand the “source first” philosophy. But as I gained more experience I eventually also became a “source first” believer. My first Naim source was the lovely CD5XS. I now have the ND555. I have had the nDAC and the NDS, with several different power supply options. Even an old XPS (non-DR) makes a very nice upgrade on an nDAC. A non-DR 555PS is amazing on the NDS.

If I were you I would also think a little on where you want to end and how much money you want to spend. It is easy to get caught up in this. But then again, it can also be a lot of fun to just roll with it and see what happens.

I said that in the context of connecting to 300dr. As a pre, the 272/ ps is better vs the Nova pre.
The streaming dac level of both must be similar.
But it’s more my thinking, I should have added before IMHO.

image

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I thought that the Nova streaming platform was the same as the NDX2 and the 272 streaming platform the same as the NDX (ie a generation behind)…I might be wrong though… :thinking: