Hello all! Atom HE or Nac 202 + ND5XS 2 (or even a third party streamer with digital out, like Wiim + a sh Naim Dac) to replace my Nac N 172XS into Nap200 DR? I am currently driving a pair of Piega Premium 5.2, but plan to change to Spendor 4/5, room is pretty small at 16 sqm. I don’t necessarily dislike the 172XS, but I keep getting bothersome software issues, and I would like an upgrade. I like the sound I’m currently getting, and don’t necessarily want to move to a non-naim type of sound (as in that clean, “hi-fi”-ey shtick). The main reason I’m fearing the Atom HE is that I also have a Rega P6 with Nagaoka MP 150, and I know the Atom digitises the analogue input, but being able to integrate a sub further down the road is a big plus (besides the small box count and footprint).
And yes, ideally I’d love a 282, had one on home dem a few years ago and it blew my mind against a 202, but even SH it’s still too steep for me.
I’m very fond of the Uniti Atom HE so that would be my choice …I have a Rega P8 which I use with my Nova without any issues … and yes, the analogue inputs are digitised but do not worry about that.
I agree about the phono input. It sounds absolutely fine - digitisation is irrelevant if you are more concerned about sound quality than ideological purity. My guess is that the nDac would sound better but that would be hard to dem. In your situation I would go for the Atom HE.
I auditioned the Atom HE and the ND5XS2 when looking for a streamer, opting for the latter if only for the aesthetic harmony with other components. Not disappointed but then there’s plenty of other options out there.
282s can be surprisingly good value, there’s an early one for sale for £1250 at a retailer (with napsc), although most on eBay seem to be around the £1600 mark.
A 282 and a wiim initially, with the potential for a ND5XS2 later when prices drop a bit further , could be another route
Thanks a lot for the replies, as always, it’s so hard to make a decision without auditioning. I can’t get that 282 audition from years ago out of my head, but on the other hand, I know all the boxes required so much pampering - take care of the cable routing etcetc, and with two kids and a pretty cramped apartment, a honest 172 replacement sounds very enticing - something like the Atom HE, Eversolo A8 or Atoll MS120.
A 282 is more fiddly, you can get minor balance issues at low volume, it’s way more sensitive to radio interference (when I had the 282 on home dem I could just hear a random radio station on the tweeter when it was just idling - it was almost inaudible but it was there), and I’d end up having all those boxes - 282, hicap, ndac, PSU for the ndac, streamer transport… Gorgeous as that may sound. (and I remember it did).
Another vote for an Atom HE. I use one in a second system with 2 x Naim 135s into B&W 800s and sounds great.
If you buy a Wiim you’ll need a DAC, since the built-in converter within the Wiim is nowhere near as good as a Naim DAC.
You’ll need a phono stage too of course.
The Atom HE is a lovely little thing, and a delight to use. I use mine with active PMC speakers. If you are thinking of changing speakers then this might be an option worth considering.
Treated myself to the Atom HE last year for the bedroom… I think it’s excellent value for money and a brilliant bit of kit… I also own a 282 but can honestly say if you went for the Atom, you’d not be disappointed in the slightest…