It would be interesting to pitch the new DAC up against a 555 - both powered with a 555PS to keep the PSU playing field level. The DAC has a more sophisticated digital filter with higher precision maths so the interpolated samples introduced by upsampling are more 'accurate'. The 555 has better accoustic isolation through the boards being mounted on brass plates so should suffer less from microphony. If the I2V circuit and analogue filters are similar - no reason why they would not be unless the DAC has been deliberately 'hobbled' - then the digital filter vs isolation should be the distinguishing features. But which sounds best...???

quote:

The 555 has better accoustic isolation through the boards being mounted on brass plates so should suffer less from microphony.

But its also got a lot more going on inside - the spinning disc and noise from the servos. I would think a computer with a good rip and decent output with the new DAC would give it a very good run for its money.

James

Not sure if it has been hobbled but somewhere on this site I seem to remember speculation / rumour / fact that this is the first of three DACs to be released by Naim. If true I would expect the other two will be built to different specifications and price points, so perhaps not hobbled but the first rung on the stairway to heaven?

But I could be wrong.

I think it will give it a good run for its money, but as there's still talk of a reference DAC in the pipeline, Naim must still have a few tricks up their sleeve.

Roy T, this DAC was to be the entry level model, but it sounded much better than they originally expected forcing a bit of a rethink.

I think if there is demand there will be a reference DAC, but can't see a lower model especially as they've now launched the Uniti.

Stick in a reference case - add some brass plates and put the PSU in another box. Reference DAC sorted

quote:

Originally posted by james n:
Stick in a reference case - add some brass plates and put the PSU in another box. Reference DAC sorted

You're probably not a million miles from the truth!

quote:

Originally posted by DaveBk:
but can't see a lower model especially as they've now launched the Uniti.

How does the Uniti fit in to the DAC discussion? That is like saying they wont have a lower end DAC because of the Supernait.

The Uniti has a radio, a CDP, amps, preamp, etc... No one is going to buy this to use simply as a DAC.

-p

quote:

Originally posted by DaveBk:
Roy T, this DAC was to be the entry level model, but it sounded much better than they originally expected forcing a bit of a rethink.

I was under the impression that this was the middle of three price points.

5i level and reference level to come.

I feel that the area that a DAC might have a greater advantage is that its ability to play back hifg res files.

Nevermind comaring it to a CD555.

I would love to compare it to a turntable rip.
It's an uncharted territory for me as I haven't played around with enough AD, nonetheless, the idea of using a turntable just to create high res. files appeal to me more than replacing CDs. ( save on a cartridge wear, for instance ) Given that we are starting from a higher resolution source, I'd think it'll have a better chance sounding better than from CD rips.

quote:

Originally posted by Naijeru:

quote:

Originally posted by Aleg:
If I understand the white paper correctly, you can use a second iPod Touch or iPhone to control the streamer iPod, if you don't want to use the attached device.

Psst! That's what the new Apple Tablet (Newton?) is for.

I knew there would be a decent reason to buy an Apple Tablet.

Nice to read all of the comments.

I heard the Naim DAC at the end of July and thought it sounded pretty amazing.

Now I've looked at Naim page, the DAC does everything I want it to except stream.

Mind you, I can always add a streamer to it.

Jack

quote:

Originally posted by glevethan:
[QUOTE]Originally posted by rackkit:
Yes - how important is the transport?
How does a transport through the DAC compare with, say, a Mac through the DAC?
Gregg

Yeah, that is what I'd like to find out. There was no Mac at the demo I went to.

Jack

Apple tablet.... hilarious.

It seems like something you would read in The Onion.

A huge iPhone? why????

For old foggy like me who can't read anything small.

Just put in an order for the Naim DAC without home audition. Knowing Naim, whatever the Naim DAC is, it must be better than what I have now.

quote:

Originally posted by kuma:


I would love to compare it to a turntable rip.
It's an uncharted territory for me as I haven't played around with enough AD, nonetheless, the idea of using a turntable just to create high res. files appeal to me more than replacing CDs. ( save on a cartridge wear, for instance ) Given that we are starting from a higher resolution source, I'd think it'll have a better chance sounding better than from CD rips.

Kuma, if this is what you are interested in then definitely you should be speaking to JS and his partner Ken on doing top quality A2D files of vinyl. They are superb.

Only drawback is that he's using the new mini-Nagra which also functions as a DAC. Now how that compares with playback to the same file through the Naim DAC remains to be seen.

As I've said elsewhere to get the kind of quality files from your LP12 into the NAS you need a quality A2D recorder ($). I think that Nagra is in the $2-3K range and he's also using a HC power supply on it. I've also heard the files recorded through a K8 ($325) and there is a big difference.

There are on net quite few rips of LPs in Flac 24/96 format. They sound differently but generally speaking not very well. But it depends highly on the quality of AD conversion - as already mentioned.

Naim has though started edition of Flac 24/96 recordings that are available on Naim Music store. That seems to me to be more viable way for getting high res. music.

Yes but if you have a whole stack of vinyl that you cant get on cd??
And Kens rips are meant to be very good.

This might be a silly question but I just have to ask:

Isn't PCM1704 limited to 24b/96kHz input?

http://www.stereophile.com/news/10221/

This info can also be found in the datasheet... Does this mean that the 32b/768k data is downsampled by the CPU before it's handed over to the DAC? The DAC can oversample to 768k internally, but it can't input more than 96k if I understand correctly.

Front end is as important as anywhere else. SL, 24/96, nagra dub can offer more than a CD of the same material but there are so many variables. What TT package vs which CD playback system will determine the hierarchy and the Superline is what really made doing same music dubs worthwhile. Obviously, first generation 24/96 files like those in the Naim music store are best. We only use a PSC with a LB so price is fine and record directly to it, transfer files after recording. I think with more work, we could have gotten more out of a K8 but there wasn't much point once these Nagras showed up as they're doing a better job than some costly studio kit that our customers have compared to. Seems the biggest differences in an LB and VI are in playback and input versatility so if you're critical, I suspect using an LB with a Naim DAC would offer the best of everything without breaking the bank. I haven't heard a better DAC than the VI used as such but I'm hoping to in the near future.