Should I replace the Tidal streaming function of NAC N272 with Wiim mini?

I have a MK1

1 Like

Sent them an email and they confirmed it was compared against ND5XS streaming board in this case :+1:

1 Like

272 works great with tidal has so since hard wired great but if kit have mine with 555ps and hard to get better for price range for me anyway

1 Like

I had the Wiim Pro wired to my SuperUniti for the exact same purpose. And Tidal was worse. Not day and night, but the SU-streamed Tidal sounded better. Same for locally stored music btw.

It takes a really good streaming transport to consistently beat even the 1st gen Naim streaming board.

The Primare NP5 is definitely better than the WiiM, but even still isn’t definitively better than Naim’s 1st gen streaming board: in some ways better, in some ways not as good (and these results are consistent from other reviews describing the characteristics of the NP5). Whether you consider the Naim board or the NP5 to be better will be a matter of preference.

1 Like

I used an NP5 into an NDX Gen 1 (as a DAC).

Sounded really good - smoother and a little more detail than the bare NDX, but perhaps lost some rhythmic drive (comparing like for like UPnP).

I also had an MCRU power supply on the NP5. Great bit of kit that can be hidden away out of sight!

1 Like

I’m really unclear as to why streamers used as transports into Naim DACs (or Naim streamer digital inputs). I may have got this completely wrong but doesn’t the streamer bit just provide the DAC with a stream of bits and clock data? Doesnt the DAC then apply DSP before converting to analogue? Surely the only parts of the process that can affect SQ are the DSP and analogue output stage. If that’s the case then different streaming transports should all sound the same and the Naim effect is just in the DAC. I’m probably completely wrong so feel free to give me a slap.:wave:

Edit: Maybe if the streamer and DAC share the same clock, that’s what makes the difference?

If only it were that simple…

2 Likes

It’s at least partly streaming functionality - the gen 1 Naim streamers don’t support all the streaming platforms there are nowadays so using a Primare NP5, for example, gives an early Naim streamer a new lease of life.

I might not have understood your question though. If it’s SQ related, rather than functionality, then it’s a can of worms and might be worth a search for old threads on the topic. Please apply a preventative cold flannel to your forehead beforehand.

1 Like

:rofl:

2 Likes

While the 272 suffers from a lack of functionality with today’s streaming platforms it is still, IMO, an excellent sounding streaming preamp. Particularly with an external power supply (and I am using a Teddy xps - not even close to a 555ps) . For half the cost of the upgrade to a 222, there are many more options for adding a streamer. For example the Lumen U2 mini with the linear power supply upgrade. It also has a bnc digital out that connects nicely to the 272. There are others too that I haven’t listened to. I am leaning towards an Innuos Zen mini mk 3 so I can have the added benefit of ripping and streaming my cd collection (but I haven’t listened to it yet). But I won’t base my decision on how the 272 sounds with the Wiim pro. We are still discussing the 272 because it punches well above its price point. I am not sure if the 222 does.

2 Likes

I have had my 272 for a couple of years now and I absoloutly love it, it has never had an issue playing Tidal.

All I can tell you is that I did not use the Wiim’s DAC, I had it wired via Toslink into the SU. So what I compared is the Wiim streaming “signal” going into the SU’s DAC vs. the SU’s streaming “signal” into the very same DAC. And the result was convincing - for the SU (which I think has the same streaming board as the 272).

I have my Unitilite in a box for this reason.

I do not have a 272. However, I am one of many here who has tried ( in blind tests with 2 or 3 sets of disbelieving ears) to compare differently sourced streams of bits into the same DAC and amplification.

We satisfied ourselves that there was a consistent, easily audible and consistent difference between different sources. Thus, a stream of bits from my Mac sounded a lot less good than that from a Core into my NDX2, but that still lost out to my old CDS2 - until we put the external PS on the NDX2, at which point none of us could pick consistently between stream, rip and CD.

As with the claims when I was young that CD (irrespective of the details) offered ‘Perfect Sound Forever’, it turns out that ears are quite discerning and reality is a bit more complicated than some suggest.

Given all that, and the 272 ‘s reputation as a jolly good pre-amp (esp if it has a good PS), I’d suggest giving 1 or 2 streaming-source options a listen and seeing what your ears say. Don’t be surprised if nothing cheaper than a Naim ND5XS2 or equivalent can maintain your interest after the 272.

same here the Wiim Mini Pro through toslink into my Chord Mscaler/Dave sounds really good. I am not going to spend more on a streamer.

I have the Wiim volume set on fixed, not variable, that may account for some folks not enjoying the wiim digital output maybe?

1 Like

Comparative conclusions (relative to 272), from an informal ‘meta study’ of some available streamers:

Allo one (inc ‘Signature’)
Overall: not as good - general agreement
Detail: less detail, less focus, less good timing.
Notably good VFM

Wiim Pro
Overall: Not that far off, but still not as good - strong majority opinion
Detail: less detail, less good timing.
Notably good VFM

IFi Zen stream
Overall: Not that far off, but still not as good - general majority opinion
Detail: less detail, less good timing.

Primare NP5
Overall: Similar performance overall, but different characteristics - general agreement
Detail: more detail, better focus, less good timing.
Notably good VFM

Auralic Aeries G1
Overall: general improvement in several areas - majority opinion
Detail: Opinions are more varied here

IFi Zen neo
Overall: general improvement in most areas - majority opinion
Detail: Opinions are more varied here

Auralic Aeries G2 & G3
Overall: general improvement in most areas - majority opinion
Detail: Opinions are more varied here

2 Likes

Nice, when you say “meta study” do you basically mean a literature review/collation of others’ thoughts about the listed options?

Exactly so (hence the ‘informal’ descriptor!)

2 Likes

Can’t understand people saying they have a problem with Tidal and their 272 using Ethernet! I have had one with 555 PS and love it, never had a Tidal problem but i do have a 3rd part streamer which I use for its other functions and that sounds the best through the 272 DAC Via copper rather than optical against its internal DAC
If meeting a tight budget a 272 plus 3rd part streamer ( Blue sound Node 2i is my current) is a great option particularly if you can get a 555 PS later on.
Still thinking about upgrading 272