Well, after 3 years of owning a 272 I just learned this. Very cool thank ya!
Blimey! Never knew that!
It’s on pp7, 8 & 9 of the manual! Perhaps the reason Naim no longer supply manuals is no one reads them any more. 🥸
Roger
I’ve been reading this stream with interest as I listen to the great sound coming from my n-272, like many I added the extra XPSDR and it just sounds fantastic. We appear to be very close now to Spotify releasing their HiFI CD quality streaming service. Does any one know or has there been any confirmation from Naim if the Spotify Connect feature will offer the higher resolution service. If so problem over and I will keep my 272 for ever! Any info greatly appreciated
After much prevarication, my 272 replacement arrived today. At first glance it looks almost identical to the original, lacking only a volume knob. Sticker on the back says ‘NDS’
It’s sounding pretty sweet already, with the disgruntled 272 relegated to simple pre-amp duties – and even having to use its own power supply (XPS DR now on the NDS).
Meanwhile, another recent acquisition, a well cared-for 252, sits idly on my coffee table. Expect the real party to get underway soon when a newly serviced SuperCap joins the crew.
Out of interest, is there a known comparison to the 272 in separates?
E.g. 202/nd5xs2?
I’d love to hear more in detail how both NDS and 252 affect the different parts in 272.
Sure. Initial impressions: adding an NDS to XPSDR / 272 / 250 is a major leap forward (as we’d all expect). Complex musical passages much easier to follow; instruments more realistic; vocals more nuanced etc.
I’d say the improvements thus far are more grin-on-face as opposed to blown away / rendered speechless, but note that I’ve downgraded the pre-amp by reassigning the XPS. And a self-powered 272 pre-amp stage almost certainly represents a bottleneck in the new lineup.
I fully expect to be blown away when the 252 goes live in a few weeks. If not, questions will be asked…
I’ll also be able to test a 272/252 front end if that’s of any interest.
I compared 202/272 several times, we were several to prefer 272 to 202 on two different systems (with nap200).
I think it is better the nd5xs (if it is better than that of 272) on the 272 than on the 202.
I’d like to compare 272/XPSDR to 282 or 252…
Interested!
Much has been written about this. Quite a while back I attended a demo where the 272/250 was compared with the NDX/SN into Focal Sopra 2. Consent in the room was that the NDX/SN was the best listen. Further a dealer I very much respect tells me that a ND5XS/202/200 sees off a 272/250 but it’s really down to the ear of the listener, regardless the 272 is a great listen.
Regards,
Lindsay
I once had a 102 with h/c, a 200 and a ndx5xs and IMO the 272/XPSDR/250DR was a much better combo.
This certainly makes sense to me. Given the advantage of separate boxes and all that.
I’m in a similar, self-imposed, situation running an ND555 into the 272 pre-amp and out to the 250DR. That necessitated re-allocation of the 555DR PS from the 272 to the ND555 which, of course, has no power of its own. As such I have no way of of telling precisely what benefits truly flow from the ND555 given the stepping down of the N272. But it just all sounds great - the streamer does unlock more detail and presents it in a really balanced kind of way - I can wait for a year or two for a better pre…
Yes, agree with your summary. I don’t sense the 272 pre-amp is struggling and I could easily live with this current setup.
But as I saved ££ on a used NDS vs. the new NDX2 I’d initially planned, I thought I’d pass the savings onto a major pre-amp upgrade. Lockdown logic!
To have had 202/200/HC and 272/250 (now XPSDR) the 272/250 is really better than the 202/200/HC on all the criteria… the 250 is better than the 200 (bass better hold and deeper , more aerial image, better treble) in any case with my Focal 1028be.
What streamer did you have with the 202/200. I suppose the benefit of the 202/200 is that you can improve performance with the streamer. The 272 is fixed at what it is. Also it will date and then the pre amp becomes redundant when your streamer does. I have come to the conclusion that it is kind of a waste of money to get a streamer/pre. 272 is not that old and many want a replacement. It’s a shame but a reality.
We used the 272 streamer. The 272 is a very good machine, SQ very good today will be very good SQ tomorrow… we want to change often to change…
So it feels like the 272 DAC and streamer is it’s weak spot in terms of performance if one would consider keeping it as a pre amp or DAC?
The 300 is in a different league.