Second the advice to stick with your 72 and add a separate dac/ streamer. I have been experimenting this weekend with a number of options back to back with surprising results. I have used Qobuz & Tidal as streaming sources, also files streamed from a computer in our study using asset upnp. I have a 272.
I started to experiment due to a number of reasons:
Reason 1
The assertion by a number of regular forum posters that Qobuz sounds better than Tidal. This intrigued me. I use Tidal through the Naim app -- a really good easy to use integration.
To play Qobuz I have to use a third-party app in-between (Bubble) and rely on a computer left on to act as a server (I’m aware that I could install a NAS – but not keen just yet). Using Bubble as a controller on my phone I switched back and forth between Tidal & Qobuz – hardly any difference noticed. So, for sound Q – all ok. Where we are struggling is material – we very much prefer Qobuz to Tidal for how material is presented esp. new artists/genres and make new discoveries. I’m sure searching Tidal will produce equal access to artists – but find we do not use it in the same way. Qobuz is still convoluted compared to Tidal using the Naim app though.
Sorry for the ramble – bear with me for context before we get back to the OP’s question ………
Reason 2
Replaced my ageing office pc with a Mac (2018 – no digital out). This meant feeding my office system with a 3.5 mm wire – not great. Looked online for a low-cost USB solution and bought a Topping D10 for £65 online. Also picked up an old Marantz 7004 streamer from eBay for £200. The Topping sounded good when plugged in, what I was not expecting was the far meatier sound provided by the Marantz when swapped over. Worth bearing in mind that this is a mac mini, old receiver and B&W bookshelf speakers and only used for casual listening.
If you have stuck with me so far you may have guessed what this leads to?
A number of comparisons for a quiet Saturday:
Starting Point -- NAC272, Tidal via App and local PC upnp stream (asset)
Change 1
Add Qobuz (via Bubble), compare against Tidal and stream (all 44.1). No major differences slight preference for upnp stream, so no major discovery for me – does not help me decide between ease of use (Tidal) & user experience (Qobuz).
Change 2
Take the mac mini to the HiFi using the Topping D10 as the USB dac into the 272. Cloned USB drive with the same music files as previously streamed by asset as in change 1.
Compared RCA stereo from the D10 to digital outs into the 272. Clear preference for digital from the D10 into the 272. In terms of user experience this is a game changer – we can now use native Tidal & Qobuz apps on the mac (with our tv as a screen) and use any playback software (Inc. iTunes) into the 272. Qobuz/Tidal dilemma solved!
Sound?
Quite different – TBH, this is where I’m expecting a drop having lived happily with the 272 for some time. What surprises me is that yes, the D10 loses on subtlety and finer detail (air around voices, fret/string sounds and cymbals) – what delights me is the energy and drive it brings. With some tracks it makes the 272 sound laid back (AC DC). Not at all what I was expecting.
Change 3
Add the Marantz 7004 streamer in place of the Topping D10 and initially use it as a USB dac from mac to 272.
First off – check for any preference between RCA analogue out (using the 7004’s internal dac) against co-ax SPDIF out (using the 272’s dac). Complete opposite to my expectations – we both prefer the Marantz analogue out. More space better stereo and brighter top end (Lorde, Elbow). The 272 when fed with co-ax out from the 7004 sounds bassier and heavier with a softer top end. Weird.
To the music, the 7004 falling fairly neatly between the Topping D10 & the 272. Good drive and energy from the 7004 but losing out to the 272 on some of my wife’s favourite vocal pieces in finesse and finer detail (chess, moulin rouge). What surprises us most is the presentation, music is much further forward in the mix with the 7004, the 272 being more even across the sound stage. Left and right stereo effects are more prominent via the 7004. Complex arrangements (moulin rouge , elbow} can sound slightly harder at high volumes when compared to the 272. Music played from the HDD is the clear winner here overall in terms of dynamics and drive.
Qobuz from mac to 7004 sounds much better than tidal – faster with better bass definition.
Conclusion
Is there a simple one? As with most things – my findings are my own, sanity checked by my wife. I’m the HiFi hobbyist, she a cellist with an interest in a good sound – but no interest in box swapping …….
What next?
The swapping and listening tests have shown us that for us there are plenty of options instead of the 272. It also highlights the lack of flexibility when the streamer and preamp are combined (OP - we finally got around to your question).
The quality and subtlety of the Naim stands out as expected but loses out on fun factor for rock & pop (AC DC, Lenny K). What is useful is a re-examination of how we access music at home and ease of use. Qobuz is a clear winner, and the ability to select Qobuz as our streaming choice means that the mac will be our front-end choice from now on. A trial of Audirvana control software re-in forces this option for us, allowing the mac to be controlled from an iPad with the main screen off – we like this.
We are not in doubt that the Naim is the quality streamer. For us the flexibility of a mac and separate Dac/Streamer options win out without taking the huge quality hit that I expected. This will allow us to move the 272 on and be flexible on future options.
Got me thinking now about finding an S/H 82 or Exposure pre and some other dac ……… Never ends, does it?
As always, our opinions are individual – hope my ramblings help or inform. Posting helps me to think about yesterday’s experience.
The fine print, music and system:
Lenny Kravitz Are you gonna go my way?
Led Zeppelin IV
Elbow The take-off and landing of everything
Chess OST
Moulin Rouge OST
Lou Reed Transformer
AC DC Back in Black
Lorde Pure Heroine
Ashley Henry Beautiful Vinyl hunter
Public Service Broadcasting The war room
Standard analogue interconnects used Naim, flashback
Digital interconnects Qed, Audioquest
LS cable NAC A5
Standard Cat6 network cables Netgear router/switch
Active Isobariks Dedicated mains spur
