Love the 272 please update - 1 click like post

In the old days we all had a lot of sources like FM, tape deck, cd-player, vinyl-player … having a control-center in the form of a preamp with various inputs made sense.

Today not even Naim makes more than one type of source - the streamer/dac - and the iPad is the control-center. Ok, many people have a vinyl-player but then again Naims preamps doesnt include interface for this type of device, it has to be purchased as extra boxes.

I’d say the 272 is the most modern device in their lineup. Shame the software in it seem to be abandonware.

It sounds every bit as good as it was the day Naim introduced it, isn’t it?

I’m pretty confident that Naim will announce a successor in 2020; not based on any knowledge by the way …

For what it’s worth I love mine. 272/250dr/xpsdr/606s full SL loon, on Fraim. Waiting on new full fat Fraim and maybe 555PS for Christmas if I have enough money left.

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well they don’t have much choice but to be open minded and appreciate non Naim matches. They don’t make speakers anymore so an all Naim system and the whole concept of Naim as a “system builder, not a seperates maker” is long dead in my view. You want an all Naim system and you have to go with legacy products.

Thanks guys for all your likes … let’s keep it going and show Naim how loved this hifi gem is…

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Bumperoo!

All I want for Christmas is …

A nice jumper and some cosy walking socks.

Could someone please explain to me what improvements in SQ would result from giving the 272 the streaming hard/software from the new generation of streamers, and removing the power supply (given virtually no one seems to make use of it and disables the onboard one)? I get the benefits (perhaps) of online upgrades to the operating system, and I appreciate there are many users want the ability to easily connect to Tidal, Qobuz etc. However, I’ve read nothing that convinces me we would hear a quantum leap in SQ that would persuade me to part with (I estimate) my old 272 plus £3-5k. Am I wrong?

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Well that an unknown isn’t it? We assume the newer platform would improve the SQ, less noise etc. More connectivity options will be welcomed by some. Tidal sounds just fine on my 272. Removing the internal toroidal transformer would certainly make it lighter. As you get older things seem to get heavier…

  • removing psu saves space in the case to allow more space between components, so less noise pollution
  • removing psu saves design and build budget for improving other parts
  • could use 2 Burndies from 555DR for digital and analogue circuits
  • new streaming board has better vibration and noise reduction, IIRC

The NDX2 is very close to the old NDS, so one would hope for a significant lift in performance from an 272.2, and even more so if there was a 372 that could fully utilise the 555PS. That said, the 272 itself is very very fine. I’ve had mine four and a half years now and it’s given many, many hours of musical enjoyment.

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Removing internal PSU would make it dependent on a separate PSU and lift it out of the budget of many who would otherwise get on the Naim ladder with a bare 272 then upgrade later…
Not to mention those who want a one box solution…

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Build two versions with the NDX2 streaming boards, one almost the same as the current 272 the other without internal PSU and can utilize both outputs from the 555DR

Exactly. 272.2 and 372. An alternative upgrade path: 272, 272/555, 372/555.

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Instead of 272.2 or 372, it should be 572 with an external psu :sunglasses:

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SInce we are asking for a nova without power (and If I can throw my wish in for a phono stage in it’s place) I’m also wondering if the aesthetics of the nova line will com into the classics line.

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I hope not.

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I also hope not.

But Timmo I recall you saying on another thread that you hope to use your 272 for a decade to come.

And I agree - the 272 is a joy to use and listen to every day.

I’d be happy to stick with it for many years to come.

My first all Naim hifi that I bought in 2004 sorted me out without change until 2018 - and half of it is still in my system…