Hi there,

My existing kit is a CDX2/202/200/PSC2.

Im thinking of ditching the CDX2 and going DAC/streaming route. I'll most likely be keeping the 202/200.

Thing is I have no idea of what it involves. I'm pretty technically minded in terms of IT but have no idea what I need.

I have a toshiba laptop at the moment which has my itunes library on it, I also have an ipod touch. Could I use this for anything?

What do I need to replace my CDX2? I'm assuming a DAC, some kid of NAS and a PC to control it all?

Naim DAC and stream the touch via WiFi while USB connected to the DAC. Gives a DIG stream. Files can be anywhere Itunes can see them. Max res of 16/48. It's an easy way to start as you experiment for better. You'll get a variety of suggestions but you already have all you need to get started.

The Naim DAC is out of my price league, I was thinking about try a lavry and pairing it withthe naim kit for the moment. The naim dac might be something for the future.

I've switched to streaming and use a Squeezebox 3 into a DAC (Beresford then DacMagic and now a Lavry DA10) then into my Nait XS, my music is stored on a computer elsewhere in the house.

With your music on the laptop maybe look at a streaming device to feed the DAC to start with, an airport express will just show up in iTunes and let you stream to the HiFi. Devices like the Sonos or Squeezebox do a similar job with the music sitting on any computer or NAS (with software installed on) and can be controlled via conventional remote controls or fancy apps on iPhone/Touch.

Matt thanks, I was just wondering what the point of the mac mini was. I've got a laptop so I can use that to rip the CDs and copy them over to the NAs.

So is this how it would work?

202 - DAC - Squeezebox - NAS - Ipod touch as remote

Is there any benefit to getting a mac mini or airport express over this?


Also what about sound quality? I don't want to be doing all this if it's a backwards step to the CDX2.

quote:

Originally posted by Spoonboy:
The Naim DAC is out of my price league, I was thinking about try a lavry and pairing it withthe naim kit for the moment. The naim dac might be something for the future.

Well, you might miss the CDX2. There's debate as some prefer your idea but I sure would miss it.

The price difference is smaller than you might think when all is added up. No extra streamer, cables or wiring needed until the HD in your MAC is full. Of course it's still a different price point but will also come a lot closer to the CDX2 IMHO. Better to replace a BMW with a different model of same than with a Golf. Even if it's good, you'll miss the Beemer. If you keep the CDX2 and just get a sonos/SB/AE etc. to use along side for a while, you may be better off. Try it and see. Some here feel very differently than I do so make sure to get a home audition so you can make an informed decision.

quote:

Originally posted by Spoonboy:
Matt thanks, I was just wondering what the point of the mac mini was. I've got a laptop so I can use that to rip the CDs and copy them over to the NAs.

So is this how it would work?

202 - DAC - Squeezebox - NAS - Ipod touch as remote

Is there any benefit to getting a mac mini or airport express over this?

Also what about sound quality? I don't want to be doing all this if it's a backwards step to the CDX2.

If you are expecting the Squeezebox to sound better then your CDX2 then you will need a very good DAC. The Naim DAC is better then the CDX2 (in my view) but anything lesser then that will not be as good as the CDX2. I had the CA DacMagic with Squeezebox Duet and I found the CDX2 to be much better.

I had CDX2 and 555PS and I replaced my CDX2 with the Naim DAC (keeping the 555PS on the DAC). And I use the Squeezebox Duet to feed the DAC. I find that already lot better then the CDX2/555PS. And the DAC is still warming up!

From the quick tests I did I found the bare DAC (without PS) to be better then the bare CDX2. The XPS or 555PS makes it even better.

ASenna04

You could even get away without the NAS to start with if you don’t mind having the laptop on.

( Music on laptop with squeezecentre installed ) <----- network -----> ( Squeezebox -> Dac -> Amp )

I use iPeng on an iPod Touch to control the squeezebox.

quote:

Originally posted by Asenna04:

quote:

Originally posted by Spoonboy:
Matt thanks, I was just wondering what the point of the mac mini was. I've got a laptop so I can use that to rip the CDs and copy them over to the NAs.

So is this how it would work?

202 - DAC - Squeezebox - NAS - Ipod touch as remote

Is there any benefit to getting a mac mini or airport express over this?

Also what about sound quality? I don't want to be doing all this if it's a backwards step to the CDX2.

If you are expecting the Squeezebox to sound better then your CDX2 then you will need a very good DAC. The Naim DAC is better then the CDX2 (in my view) but anything lesser then that will not be as good as the CDX2. I had the CA DacMagic with Squeezebox Duet and I found the CDX2 to be much better.
ASenna04

I was only planning on using the Squeezebox as the streamer, and was thinking about trying out a Benchmark DAC1 or a Lavry DA-10.

quote:

Originally posted by Spoonboy:

I was only planning on using the Squeezebox as the streamer, and was thinking about trying out a Benchmark DAC1 or a Lavry DA-10.

I figured that. But it is commonly believed by many here that even the input digital signal from Squeezebox to DAC can suffer from jitter and affect the sound quality. Different streamers have different jitter problem (the lower the better).

The new Squeezebox Touch us supposed to be lower jitter then Squeezebox 3 or Duet and so better sounding as a digital streamer.

Such on this forum for more details.

ASenna04

quote:

Squeezebox Touch

and i think it is in the beginning the easiest way.
You have to connect the Touch direct to your amp and a small noisless 2,5 ext. HD direct to the Touch.Thats all.
With this basic configuration, you can hear very simple music
and no computer/NAS is needed

Then you can integrate the Touch to the web via wlan and can use all the nice things LastFM, worldwide radio stations usw..

When you will get enough money, buy the Naimdac, switch it between Touch and your amp and you will have a wonderful system

I was thinking about the Naim DAC, but I am upgrading the PS on my CDS2 instead. I hope to get a PS555. I may get the DAC later. The Naim DAC approaches the CDS2, but it needs an external PS to do so.

Unfair comparisons going on here. CDS2 and above all have external PS as obligatory. If the DAC is going to be directly compared to these higher end CDP's , then do so with the optional PS.

The bare DAC sounds excellent without a PS upgrade, but you get similar benefits to what you did with CDP's if you do upgrade.

quote:

Originally posted by Skip:
I was thinking about the Naim DAC, but I am upgrading the PS on my CDS2 instead. I hope to get a PS555. I may get the DAC later. The Naim DAC approaches the CDS2, but it needs an external PS to do so.

Have you tried the DAC with a CDX2 or HDX? Your opinion may be source related.

I think we are agreeing, not disagreeing. With the XPS, the DAC is clearly in CDS2 territory. But it is not a logical upgrade path from the CDS2 in my opinion, unless giving up CD's as a source is a priority. Many have already made this step, but it is not a priority at my house.

Not yet, anyway. I have had my eye on an HDX, and it sounds great at ProMusica in Chicago. But my wife loves our CD player, and let me win on the tube amps in the living room.

quote:

Originally posted by Spoonboy:
I was thinking about try a lavry and pairing it with the naim kit for the moment. ...

Why are you thinking of this downgrade? This will not be anywhere near as good as what you currently have.

Spoonboy

I own both a Lavry DA10 & a CDSII and I'm afraid I do not agree with ROTF's enlightened position.

If you happen to live in the Sussex area - you are welcome to drop by and make up your own mind.

Best Wishes.