ND5XS or NAIM DAC+squeezebox or olive 03HD

Posted by: Twilight on 31 October 2011

I can buy a demo model of the Naim DAC at two thirds of the normal price. I was saving for the ND5XS with FM/DAB module but this made me doubt.

I have the NAP/NAC 155/152XS, the CD5i and JMR bliss speakers, quite a nice and musical combination.

I want a good a equally musically sounding streamer and internet/FM/DAB radio.

I wonder what to do:

Naim ND5XS (simpliest solution)

Naim DAC + streamer but then which streamer to make it sound better overall (and still be practical) taking into acount that the budget stays the same (squezebox touch or maybe the cheapest olive 3Hd, or if you have another idea, something else).

I would prefer a device that not only streams but has also FM capability.

The NAIM DAC is apparently superb but I will only be able to use it for the streamer (the CD5i is not upgradable by an external DAC) and I wonder if I will hear the difference within my setup.

I need to decide within the next 24 hours otherwise the DAC will be sold to someone else...

Posted on: 02 November 2011 by frankster_666

@twilight I was not happy with the performance of ATV2 for a longer period. And I've tried different optical cables. There are differences but I still was not satisfied. That was the reason to grab an ND5 soon as it arrived at my dealer for a listening session. The reason for not buying it in a second was the nStream-app. After two days of back and forth I ordered a modified Sonos as source for the nDAC. There is a guy in Germany who does the mod and gets raving reviews. So I'll give it a try until nStream is getting mature. I will report if it is better than ATV2. Regards Frank

Posted on: 02 November 2011 by Iver van de Zand

Dear Twilight,

It is a "well-known secret" that bot Apple's Airport Express as Apple TV produce quite some jitter to their optical out's. You will find that the SQ (especially with additional power supply upgrade) produce a way better quality. Another reason to opt for SqueezeBox is that the Apple products do not support High Res.

Iver

Posted on: 02 November 2011 by pcstockton

I always forget about the hi-res issue with ATV and AE.

Start with your SB and when you can afford it, or a dealer demo becomes available on loan, see what they bring.

-Patrick

Posted on: 07 November 2011 by Twilight

Well I think I will start with the squeezebox touch. I have some residual questions tough and I would be happy if one would give his opinion on it:

1. what is the best way to connect the SBT to the Naim DAC? (My dealer sold me an

AudioQuest Optilink-3 (2m) but I think I can cancel or change the order yet.) I would like to retain 24/192 transmission to the DAC.Is Hiface EVO an (better) option?

2.what is the best external power supply to the SBT?

3. I will have a mac mini server in the other room, which normally I will have it connected with ethernetcable, and a MB air which will be on the WIFI. What is the best way to stream towards the SBT? Is there a huge difference between wired and WIFI? Which programs on the MACs are prefered to have optimal SQ? Are the prefered online music services that work better with the SBT?. I do like to hear my traditional FM radio stations. In iTunes it is possible to play them, Will it be possible to hear them through the SBT (do I need Itunes for that)

4. an the SBT operate on itself (through the ethernet cable) as an internetradio (without my mac mini server being on in the other room)

5. what are the options to and what is the best way to remotely control the SBT

Thanks a lot

Posted on: 07 November 2011 by Guido Fawkes

The AQ Optilink 3 looks very expense for an optical cable that uses POF (plastic optical fibre); I've not heard it, but I'd be surprised if outperformed the Wireworld Supernova which is real Glass - do you need 2m or can you use a shorter cable - 0.5m or 1m would be my choice. I don't think TCI still produces its TCI Kukri Optical Cable cable, which is a shame. Pleae note my experience is the context of Sonos, not SBT.

Will the HiFace work? It is meant for a computer and used to need special drivers (not sure if still does of it this is now overcome).

Sorry no experience of SBT power supplies - suspect a Never Connected (try google) would be one to try, but no idea if SBT benefits from such.

Posted on: 07 November 2011 by Alco

The SBT benefits from a better PSU I used a Best of Both Worlds PSU. (Google for more info)

It's absolutely an improvement, but the effect is negligible when the SBT is connected to a DAC.

I sold my dedicated SBT PSU shortly after I got my current dac.

The SBT can be controlled with an Ipod/pad, with the perfect and free app, especially designed for the SB.

(I prefered it to Ipeng, which is not free and has too much bells and whistles imho)

Downside of controlling a SBT (or any streamer for that matter) is the fact that the battery runs out very, very quickly. (in my case about 4,5 to 5 hours compared to appr. 2years with a normal remote)

Posted on: 07 November 2011 by Twilight

Originally Posted by mipi:

Originally Posted by Twilight:

Is it possible to use a mac mini as a streamer for the nDAC? How is it done? Can it be used headless without a screen?

What about an Olive 3HDO as a streamer for the nDAC?

What power supply did you suggest for the SB touch?

Yes, that's possible. I am using a 2010 Mac Mini server and an nDac that way. You need a USB/SPDIF converter (I am using Hiface Evo). In addition you need software to play the music. I am using Pure Music (which works together with iTunes). The signal flow is as follows:

Mac Mini (with Pure Music / iTunes) --USB--> Hiface Evo --SPDIF--> nDac --> Nait XS

You can control the Mac Mini headless. Therefore I am using an iPod touch and Apples Remote app. Works perfectly.

Is there a diffrence between the cheapest Core i5 mac mini and an ssd based mac mini in sound quality and is a USB/SPDIF converter over a high quality optical cable?

Peter