Clearly, the Naim DAC was designed specifically for me...
Posted by: Naijeru on 14 February 2010
Unbelievable!
I could not be happier with the DAC and how it has transformed my system; I damn near danced a hole in my floor this thing is GOOOOOOOOD! I just got it so it will be interesting to see how its sound develops over the next few months.
I was a little concerned what with all the mediocre reviews concerning Toslink and computer sources, in my case an Apple TV. The way some people around here talk, you'd think you'd need no less than a CDX2, and a 555PS or HDX in order to hear anything acceptable out of the DAC. Nonsense. It only took a moment of hearing the MUSIC coming out of my system to put such concerns to rest. I am under no illusions, I'm not writing this to say that an Apple TV plus DAC will spank a CDS3 or anything like that, just that the performance with a computer source over optical is spectacular.
The DAC has also transformed my AV experience, where my previous DAC (DacMagic) just fell to pieces. Action movies have always been a pain to watch on my PS3 because I had to constantly adjust the volume in order to hear voices or explosions at adequate volume. No more. With the DAC the volume of the sound mix is now homogenized and I can set one comfortable volume that works for both voices and exploding starships, whispers and IEDs. And all with a kind of silky smooth presentation that just gets out of the way and lets me enjoy the movie.
With the DAC my system now envelops the listener in music. I can no longer tell where my speakers are, there's just music in the room. I can listen at much higher volumes too. The grating edge that increased fatigue at high volume with my previous DAC is gone. The Naim DAC has really rounded out the bass, which is the greatest improvement over what my system did before. Bass is now much more full *and* tuneful, the sound has a solidity and power which is simply... delicious. It's like great chocolate. The overall effect is akin to being immersed in music, it is no longer in front of me but surrounding me with incredible clarity, presence and rhythm. Bravo Naim, well done. Well freakin' done!
I could not be happier with the DAC and how it has transformed my system; I damn near danced a hole in my floor this thing is GOOOOOOOOD! I just got it so it will be interesting to see how its sound develops over the next few months.
I was a little concerned what with all the mediocre reviews concerning Toslink and computer sources, in my case an Apple TV. The way some people around here talk, you'd think you'd need no less than a CDX2, and a 555PS or HDX in order to hear anything acceptable out of the DAC. Nonsense. It only took a moment of hearing the MUSIC coming out of my system to put such concerns to rest. I am under no illusions, I'm not writing this to say that an Apple TV plus DAC will spank a CDS3 or anything like that, just that the performance with a computer source over optical is spectacular.
The DAC has also transformed my AV experience, where my previous DAC (DacMagic) just fell to pieces. Action movies have always been a pain to watch on my PS3 because I had to constantly adjust the volume in order to hear voices or explosions at adequate volume. No more. With the DAC the volume of the sound mix is now homogenized and I can set one comfortable volume that works for both voices and exploding starships, whispers and IEDs. And all with a kind of silky smooth presentation that just gets out of the way and lets me enjoy the movie.
With the DAC my system now envelops the listener in music. I can no longer tell where my speakers are, there's just music in the room. I can listen at much higher volumes too. The grating edge that increased fatigue at high volume with my previous DAC is gone. The Naim DAC has really rounded out the bass, which is the greatest improvement over what my system did before. Bass is now much more full *and* tuneful, the sound has a solidity and power which is simply... delicious. It's like great chocolate. The overall effect is akin to being immersed in music, it is no longer in front of me but surrounding me with incredible clarity, presence and rhythm. Bravo Naim, well done. Well freakin' done!
Excellent perspective and far from the polarized dichotomy of views here. Generally little middle ground to be found. It can be very good while still allowing for even better. 