Sn2 with NAC N 172xs

If I were to get a NAC N 272 attach Chromecast and run the bubbleupnp app from Android mobile for streaming sites such as Amazon apple and qobuz , would this be a work around ?

:slight_smile: I think the advice from Hungry Halibut here: Sn2 with NAC N 172xs - #19 by hungryhalibut is sound.

If you add the Chromecast dongle to the N272 then no need to use BubbleUPnP, you can cast to the dongle direct. BubbleUPnP just adds a device on your network to send to from apps if you do not already have one, you already have a device to cast to though. Sorry for any confusion I caused earlier in the thread.

The best Naim all in one box to do what you want and simplify things is the ND5 XS2. Second hand they go for £1600 upwards (similar money I suspect to a N272?), from what I’ve seen on auction sites. I’d listen to one, decide if it beats your Chord combo, then look out for one second hand and if necessary put your other kit for sale to offset any shortfall.

[edited to add: I’m in a very similar situation, and plan to grab an audition for a ND5 XS2 as a first step, and decide from there.]

The problem I found with a Chromecast dongle is that it sounded absolutely dreadful attached to my then 272. As you have pointed out the 272 has similar issues to the 172: huge redundancy and limited functionality. It sounds great however, so long as it does what one needs, and is coupled with a power amp rather than an integrated.

@lmac What is your budget? I think the bulk of what needs to be said has been already by others further up the thread. If your budget allows and you’re happy with your current NAIT then either the ND5 XS2 or NDX2 from the current Naim network player range are a sensible match. Investing in discontinued products like the N172 could also prove both limiting and costly over the duration of ownership, their monochrome displays for example fade eventually and aren’t cheap to replace, eventually you won’t be able to at all inevitably.
You do see ex demo or even second user ND5 XS2 units now and I’d be inclined to focus there and spend more if you like what you find, the step up to the NDX2 opens up more options like adding an additional power supply like the XPS DR as well as more refinement in performance.
I’d also add that even if you plan to at some stage change the amplifier for something similar or move to a separate pre and power type setup, an ND5 XS2 is going to suit that system evolution well (within a Naim based system), the NDX2 is quite a step up in cost financially but if I had a choice between a better source and making changes to your Supernait 2, I’d spend the money on the better source first, it’ll start off sounding great and only get better as you make improvements elsewhere in the system.
I’ve owned a system based on a Supernait 2 used with both the original ND5 XS and later an ND5 XS2, adding an ND5 XS2 to your system is sure to give a lot of services flexibility and enjoyment.

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We’ll after some extensive reading research and all the comments on here and my limited budget I decided that the Naim streamers that suited my requirements were just out of my budget. I purchased a bluesound vault 2i added it to my chord dac then onto the sn2. All I can say is wow! For the price this thing ticks all the boxes. 2 TB of storage to either rip CDs or download hi-res files from the site of your choice , airplay 2, Bluetooth aptx hd and support for nearly every streaming service out there including radio paradise and several other radio stations in glorious hi-res . This cover all bases and when Hooked upto the chord dac sound fantastic. It would have been nice to stretch the budget to the nd5xs2 but given the SQ I’m now getting which to be honest was better than the CA cxn v1 via chord dac I’m not complaining . Thanks everyone for the help which really helped make the decision to take this route.

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That’s great news! Get a photo of it on system pics!? :slight_smile:

At work ATM so will upload pics this evening .

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Was only gently asking - sorry :slight_smile:

(I should also be concentrating on a call X) )

Haha no worries , I’m at work and should be doing my job lol . Yeah I’ll sort some shots later :+1:t3:

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With ripping and storage, that’s better functionality than you’d get from the ND5 XS2. Sounds like a great choice!

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Thankyou , yeah really happy with the bluesound vault , great little unit

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