Naim DAC

http://forums.naim-audio.com/eve/forums/a/tpc/f/48019385/m/5532989327

http://www.signals.uk.com/Resources/Naim DAC_White Paper_Aug 2009.pdf


The first new interesting product from Naim this century? I'd like Paul Ranson to comment on the white paper, please!

 

I think so. But I guess it depends how good it's allowed to be in competition with their own CD players. If it's a genuine attempt to be the best it can be - they would have to accept the effect on sales elsewhere.

Steve

 

Wouldn't really interest me as a prospective purchaser though the paper contains a lot of well written information. Interesting to compare it to the Cambridge Audio papers on their CD players and dacs - lots of similar issues tackled and some shared thinking. Use of the Blackfin DSP chip is interesting as CA have been using this for a few years now.

As for jitter, there are plenty of dacs that get this exceptionally low already. The little MF V-DAC for example is technically comparable to the best out there at any price according to a recent Hi-Fi Critic test.

For owners of Naim systems wanting to get music from various streamed sources I'm sure it will hit the spot and perform to the usual high Naim standard for electronics.

 

Why not?

 

I don't need the Apple friendly bits.
Plus there are plenty of good dacs around for a lot less cash (eg the MF). I will make a point to hear it though, and I'm sure it will sound excellent as Naim electronics usually do. Just cannot see any new dawn....

 

I'm a bit cynical about the 'white paper' stuff. The stuff about the RAM buffer is completely spurious. The description of the IV is the description of a discrete power amp, or a simplified op-amp. I'm not sure what it proves.

I can see the attraction of the product, it's even sensibly priced, but it's got some stuff I don't need, and has the whiff of oil over it. And no balanced output.

I use a DAC constructed from Twisted Pear boards featuring the ESS Sabre chip. It has four inputs and I could add a volume control. Connected up at the moment are Sky, a DVD player and a Squeezebox. If I want to play any arbitrary file I just put it on the NAS and browse to it with the Squeezebox. About 10% of the Naim's cost, albeit with some elbow grease.

Paul

 

OK, so where is the whiff of oil? And why is a balanced output important?

(Sky, you say! The shame.)

 

"The stuff about the RAM buffer is completely spurious"

- Why? Any explanation?

 

...Which sounds a lot more interesting IMO !

http://www.twistedpearaudio.com/digital/buffalo.aspx


Still would like to tag a listen at some point to this beastie at some point Paul if that's still ok?

I use a s/box too, so would be interested in how it sounds with / without..

You're welcome to my gaff in M/K if you fancy a visit also. I will be moving in about 6 weeks though.

Cheers
Chris

 

Well, I quite fancy one. But it would seriously p*** off my friend & neighbour Gilad Tiefenbrun, who has been subtly trying to sell me a Linn DS for ages now.

It looks to be reasonable vfm, and, I guess, future-proof?

 

James, how do you plan to use the dac?
The choice will probably be influenced by how you intend to stream into the unit - via mac/pc, Squeezebox, CD transport, ipod etc.

 

The honest answer is I don't yet know.

I guess I would sell or trade-in my CDS2 head unit, retaining the XPS to power the DAC. Then I suppose I would rip my CDs to a hard drive, and then connect that to the DAC in some mysterious way!

I could also connect my DVD player & freeview box. I guess.

 

Might be worth trying one of the DACs that could feed your ATCs directly from balanced outputs. It would have all the connections you need and introduces the possibility of further box & wire reduction.

 

That would be great, but I also have a TT & tuner, so I think I need a preamp.

 

Ah sorry, I know the DAC1 Pre has at least one set of RCA analogue inputs, probably not two. I guess if it sounded as good or better, it might be worth swapping the input between the two if you like the idea of downsizing the boxes.

 

I'm very fond of the NAC 52, not sure I want to ditch it.

 

For example the descriptions of the analogue circuitry.

My speakers have a balanced input. My preamp is balanced all the way through. It's nice to start off with a balanced signal. My DAC is intrinsically balanced, it has some extra circuitry to produce an unbalanced signal.

Spongebob Squarepants helps maintain family harmony. And I quite like Sky Arts. I think the best broadcast audio goes alongside HD transmissions. Stuff like that.

Paul

 

The digital filter stores a number of samples and generates 16 outputs for every input. This is clocked at the accurate clock. This is intrinsically a 'RAM buffer' and every 'oversampling' DAC has one. It might not have a very accurate clock though.

Paul

 

Your speakers are about the same as mine, and I find that rather flattering & sweet. Why is it "nice" to start with a balanced signal?

Why does your DAC have extra circuitry to produce an unbalanced signal?

How will I connect a computer to the Naim DAC?

Sorry for all the questions.

P.S. A little bit of foo is common to most of the premium brand equipment. Spongebob is quite funny.

 

I believe it has USB and spdif, you might need a new soundcard for that option though.