Naim DAC advice for Mac / Supernait

Posted by: novak on 16 January 2012

I have a Supernait/Hicap and some Harbeth C7s, and my Mac Mini is my source, using the optical out. It's the latest mini on the market, so apparently low jitter. Overall the system sounds good, even with Mp3, but anyone serious about hifi would say I'm not getting the most out of it, and that's because of my source. 

 

Using my Mac Mini, I normally play Spotify 320kbs, but sometimes play FLAC files using Songbird, but my library is not anywhere near that of my Spotify account. I realise FLAC is better but I can't move away from Spotify completely. I plan to build the FLAC collection however. 

 

I have been told that a Naim DAC would be most suitable (Instead of a streamer), and I can play via my Mac Mini still. 

 

My questions are:

- Does the NDAC play FLAC files that are stored on the Mini? If so, how? Do you need the Naim app to select them?

- Is the NDAC much better than the SN DAC?

- Is the NDAC even the right solution? Should I opt for something else? 

 

Thanks!

 

Posted on: 16 January 2012 by garyi

The NDAC would only replace the supernaits internal DAC in this instance it offers not further features above that other than the ability to stick a USB stick in the front.

 

So interms of progressing forward, yes the sound might be better, but you will be plugging into the dac via optical just like you are now.

 

I dont have a terrifc amount of experience but something like a USB interface might be a way forward.

 

Otherwise I would consider the long game and get say a nas or something.

Or better still NDX.

Posted on: 16 January 2012 by hego99

I have neither used NDAC nor SNait, but I'll attempt some answers:

A) No, the Mini's media-player (Songbird?) plays the FLAC files on the Mini,

     and the Mini outputs digitally via optical/toslink (or USB, but here optical is preferred)

B) The NDAC is known as superior to SNait's internal DAC (Naim's first DAC attempt?)

C) Hard to say. I'm also considering a MacMini + NDAC!

Posted on: 16 January 2012 by James L

Novak.

 

If you are streaming 320k off the net I wouldn't rush to the nDAC.

 

Have you got a good quality optical cable? Chord or Wireworld are good choices.

 

I'd also try a USB to SPDIF interface such as "The Bridge" by Halide as an alternative to optical.

 

I'd also try and keep the Mac and SN as far away as possible from each other and ideally have separate mains feeds for the Mac and the rest of the audio gear.

Posted on: 16 January 2012 by winkyincanada

James is right. The SN DAC is more than adequate for streamed MP3s from the net.

 

I wouldn't rush into a USB/SPDIF solution either, especially if you have the latest low-jitter Mac. the difference will be minimal.

Posted on: 17 January 2012 by novak
Originally Posted by James L:

Novak.

 

If you are streaming 320k off the net I wouldn't rush to the nDAC.

 

Have you got a good quality optical cable? Chord or Wireworld are good choices.

 

I'd also try a USB to SPDIF interface such as "The Bridge" by Halide as an alternative to optical.

 

I'd also try and keep the Mac and SN as far away as possible from each other and ideally have separate mains feeds for the Mac and the rest of the audio gear.

Thanks for the advice re the nDAC, I heard similar outside of the forum today. 

 

No special optical cable as yet, I wasn't sure whether you could really improve on this type of cable. Fine re the distance between units. 

Posted on: 17 January 2012 by novak
Originally Posted by winkyincanada:

James is right. The SN DAC is more than adequate for streamed MP3s from the net.

 

I wouldn't rush into a USB/SPDIF solution either, especially if you have the latest low-jitter Mac. the difference will be minimal.

Thanks for the advice!

Posted on: 17 January 2012 by Guido Fawkes

Provided it is a new Mac Mini (the one with no CD drive that comes with Lion pre-installed) then just use a Wireworld Supernova 6 cable between it your Naim or SN DAC. If it is an older one then go for the Halide or something similar (V-Link or hiFace). I have a Chord and a Wireworld optical cable and the latter sounds a lot better to me (I usually like Chord cables best so quite a surprise)


However with 320k, as James says, the Naim DAC may be overkill. Your SN DAC should sound fine. It will like being given a nice low jitter feed. 

Posted on: 21 January 2012 by novak

As planned, I tried a few different components today. I had to try them with B&W PM1s, which I have tried before and didin't really like initially, but on second listen they sounded very nice indeed. The upper frequencies are excellent. They did a little funny about positioning though, I could move around in my seat and get a very different sound, unlike my Harbeths which seem to be less fussy. 

 

Thoughts are: 

- Superuniti

Obviously similar to the Supernait, but for some reason, it just sounded less exciting. Vocals sounded thinner and 'wispy'. It was hard to describe, but my gut feeling was that it wasn't as 'involving.'

 

-I added the nDAC to the Supernait (using the optical from apple) I agree, it's not a 'night and day difference' but it sounded more engaging. Really subtle, but it had a sound that I wanted to return to after hearing other components. 

 

- Powerline into the DAC. Hmm, not sure I was hearing a difference here, it was difficult to tell. I think I was still in DAC land when this component was on demo. 

 

- I then played tracks through the usb input on the DAC and it did sound very nice indeed. 

 

- Final change was to try some Tellerium Q Black speaker cable. This added a touch of detail, but retained that smooth NacA5 sound. really good actually, I brought some home for an extended demo.

 

I'm still undecided on a Naim addition to the Supernait. I know I don't fancy the Superuniti route, and I don't think I will use the features on a streamer. It's down to whether I add the DAC or not. 

Posted on: 08 February 2012 by novak
Originally Posted by Guido Fawkes:

Provided it is a new Mac Mini (the one with no CD drive that comes with Lion pre-installed) then just use a Wireworld Supernova 6 cable between it your Naim or SN DAC. If it is an older one then go for the Halide or something similar (V-Link or hiFace). I have a Chord and a Wireworld optical cable and the latter sounds a lot better to me (I usually like Chord cables best so quite a surprise)


However with 320k, as James says, the Naim DAC may be overkill. Your SN DAC should sound fine. It will like being given a nice low jitter feed. 

I bought a Supernova optical cable, it's fantastic. Of course it's expensive, but a nice positive upgrade from the basic optical before. That's coming from a cable sceptic. The Tellurium Q cable has stayed also, very nice indeed. 

 

Next stop is to try the nDac for home demo as I'm playing more and more Flac files. 

Posted on: 08 February 2012 by NickSeattle

My new Mac Mini sounds much better through a SPDIF converter than through a $40 optical cable.  My dealer has a Supernova 6 on order for me.

 

Nick