I’m looking at a new Naim pre amp to go with my DIY Mono Blocks.
Ideally I’d like to have a streamer / preamp all in one but being honest, can’t stretch to a N272 budget wise.
The N172Xs is attainable for my budget but I’m a little unsure of its streaming capabilities so was hoping someone here may be able to enlighten me.
My streaming is done via Qobuz and Tidal currently via the Bluesound app (use a Node 2i). both streaming services (as well as radio Paradise etc.) is native within the Bluesound app so would this be the same using the N172XS via the Naim app or do I need to use 3rd party UpNP software etc?
Hi, the streaming tech on the 172 and 272 is quite old, and has native support for Spotify Connect and Tidal, but not for Qobuz or other streaming services, neither does it support AirPlay or Chromecast. So you would need to get stuck into some workarounds such as running a proxy server if you want to use Qobuz etc.
I have had the NAC-N 172XS and I assume you have found a pre-loved good deal. It is a good pre-streamer, not as good as the NAC-N 272, but better respect to the old Unitis.
If you can find a pre-loved 272 it is of course better.
About streaming capabilities with the 172XS, you will have Tidal and Spotify, Internet Radios but not Qobuz. For Qobuz you will be able to stream by UPnP, from your PC/Mac or through MConnect, Linn Kazoo or other mobile apps using a UPnP Server like BubbleUPnP, to create a Media Render for the 172XS.
The main aim of moving to a Streamer / Preamp all in one is to reduce box count so if really the only way of doing it is to keep the Node in the system then use the pre amp as DAC only, it sort of defeats the object.
If you don’t have other sources, can you dispense with a preamp and feed your monoblocks direct from the Bluesound, perhaps using the headphone output?
Naim preamps work best with naim power amps. They can obviously be used with any power amp, but the synergy can be lacking.
Whats the rest of the system?
A 202 would be better but you’d need an extra box to power it.
Thanks - I have tried that previously but over keen on the internal DAC of the Node.
I have also used it with a Chord Mojo as DAC and used the volume control as the Pre amp however I do also have a turntable which obviously I can’t use with that.
Thanks but was hoping to do away with the Node altogether in favour of an all-in-one Streamer / DAC / Pre but guess I’d have to spend more than originally planned on the used N172XS to gain what I’m after
Do you already have a decent NAS on which to store your music? If you had a Qnap, and others can do this as well, you can load Bubble upnp on the NAS and use the Linn Kazoo app to control it. That would allow you to play Qobuz through the 172 without the need for the Node.
Am I right in thinking the N202 needs an external power supply such as FlatCap also? That pushes outlay to more than I can afford at the moment I’m afraid.