What now for 272 owners?

If you went for a NDX2, you’d probably be better selling the 272 and XPS and getting a 282 and Hicap.

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Considered ‘upgrading’ my 272/250 to an NDX2/Supernait3, but, after a long lie down in a darkened room with a couple of aspirin, decided against it and ordered an XPS DR instead.

Cost is about the same, but preserves the (relatively recent) original investment and by all accounts should be an excellent 3 box system……

KR, J

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Yes that’s my worry and not a route I want to go down. Even my initial musing was purely theoretical. I do not want more than 4 boxes. I’m still very happy with my current system that delivers magnificent sound after all, but eventually I’d like to be on a more modern streaming platform, allowing DSD 128 playback, Roon, etc. If this level of sound quality is no longer possible with 4 boxes or fewer within the Naim “ecosystem“, then I’ll go look elsewhere. Like many are already doing. I like Naim, but they’re not the only high end hifi brand available.

Ideally it should not need a hulking external box like a XPS-DR and be able to be fitted with a suitable power supply in a single box to be honest. The technology is there, the outboard PSU thing just bucks industry trend and is a pain in the ass.

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At the same time it is always easy to be an armchair designer … but fun :slight_smile:

The power supplies has been an important part of the Naim sound. Early on they used a commonly available integrated regulator but the homebuilt copies never sounded anywhere near as good as Naims because Naim heavily selected those regulators foe certain characteristics as they did with transformers and so on. The price to pay are those big expensive, ugly boxes with humming transformers. And even the new DR supplies doesn’t sound right with CB/Olives.

So there would be much to gain if they could get rid of those humming transformers, those expensive burndy connectors and cables. I’d guess its a high priority project.

But you never know. They just released a new record player to enter a market that use environmentally expensive vinyl media.

I’m certainly looking at alternatives. I almost bought a valve preamp last week until the woman in my life reminded me of an old promise never to use valves again after an unfortunate encounter I had with a modified high voltage supply in the 80’s.

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What is the valve amp you have on mind? I am curious.
I am glad to see you enjoy like me the Ear 912/ 250 dr. You wrote earlier that the 300 dr didn’t worked as good with the Ear 912. It wasn’t a good match for me too, but I thought it was due to a room/ speakers interacting.

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One look at this forum and it’s clear that the 272 Mark 11 is THE great desire of this forum (ahead, even of a CD transport) (hint , Naim, hint) but as Clare says there is a problem with supplies - and I understand a global chip shortage .

Naim are ultra perfectionists - so it won’t reach the market until Naim are happy with it and it is as modern as they can make it.

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Dr_J I’m sure you’ll love the uplift an XPSDR gives on 272. 272/XPSDR/250DR is fantastic. We added XPSDR and are now looking for ex-demo SuperLumina cabling having finished our Powerline Lite to Powerline full fat transition.

Still intend to move to 282/NDX2 at some point but at the moment there’s nothing we need which the 272 can’t do and it sounds excellent, so in absolutely no rush. And of course XPSDR will be useful for NDX2 when we move.

I dont think you need to hint…I think they know. There is a growing 4 box Naimee Brigade out there who are turning to vinyl to complete their 6 Fraim stacks, who dont want multiple Fraim stacks and want to free up the space from black boxes…

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I’m in a 272/555PSDR/300DR system using a Lumin U1 Mini as a streamer replacing the streamer in the 272. Sounds great. However I’ve been leaning towards a 252/SC replacing the 272, keeping the 555PSDR and adding that onto a NDX2… As always, how much better would that be than the current system :man_shrugging: It would be adding around 7000 EUR getting seconhanded (selling 272+Lumin).

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I was (still am) a big fan of the 272 but there was a marked improvement moving to the 252/SC/NDX2/XPS DR.

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I am trying not to scratch the same itch… :grinning:

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Trying to forget this stupid idea :see_no_evil:

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It should be, isn’t it?

I agree that an NDX2 + PSU is a rather expensive source to run with a Supernait, and is more than capable of holding its own with a separate pre/power amp, and I guess the pricing reflects that. However, NDX2/Supernait as a simple 2-box setup makes total sense to me as a wall balanced system and a good distribution of funds. I would have taken the original NDX/Supernait in preference to a 272/250DR as similar cost because to my ears it sounded better. I found that the 272 absolutely needs a PSU upgrade in order to have any chance of competing with a comparably priced 3-box system fronted by an NDX, never mind an NDX2.
How all this pans out when any new product arrives is another matter. I suspect its position in the heirarchy will be much the same, but only time will tell.

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I was the 912. With the 912 I thought the slightly more forward presentation of the 250dr was a great combination. Very much Naim-sound if you get what I mean. But it was with very easy Devore speakers as load.

The 912 is just such a very well-made product in both quality and sound. Especially if you have a record player.

I had some trouble with over-enthusiastic DIY custmisation in the 80’s. I used parts from a discontinued industrial robot. The valve power amps caught fire 3 times before I gave up and I cought a scary hit from the power supply myself before I made a promise not to modify but buy, and buy solid state, onwards! That was the point Naim-amps started showing up here in Stockholm.

Right now I have a good offer on my renovated LP12 and with retirement coming up I’m thinking single source, streaming. Either servicing the 252 and try to reach a ND555 which looks pretty compact if you go with the ATC 19/20 actives which I like. Or see what Naim replace the 272 with if they ever manage it. I also like Lejonklou but just his amp is 4 boxes even if the boxes are small and light (dual mono preamps, dual mono amps).

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Ah ok, so you had the ear 912 on mind but will not keep it.
I have it since 10 years now and not a single problem of reliability.
I stay interested by your final choice then.

I took that as a challenge so, here goes!

I reckon an entry level streamer: ND5si is really needed. A Nait 5si purchaser needs to move up to ND5XS2 at a much higher price level or go outside Naim to add streaming to their amp. And how about a new version of the excellent nDAC? Of course, some will say it doesn’t need updating, in which case put it back in production! And many are having to go outside Naim for a pure network player (bridge). Wouldn’t that make a great combination with the nDAC 2? And, of course, we really need a higher level CD player particularly at XS or classic level. I could go on … :yum:

Roger

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I really like the 272/xps dr sound and as per everyone else here i am awaiting the 272 upgrade - but it may not happen. There is noway i can go to an NDX2 /282 quickly (cost + more boxes) - my issue is purely the upgrade of the streaming software. So has anyone tried an ND5 XS2 as a digital source of a 272? I know you cant add a PS - but not sure how much that is an issue - could try a 555psu to the 272 if thought it would be the next good option.

For a more cost effective solution and probably without compromising SQ, have a look at Allo’s Digione Signature with good power supply. Great piece of kit and very good value for money. Admittedly, it’s ugly (IMO), but it’s small enough to be hidden… :grinning: