Mac mini or a new cd player
Posted by: Lee Henley on 18 February 2010
Hi
My old (12 years) CD3.5 has never been serviced, although it plays quite fine, occasionally tracks might skip but overall its been quite a loyal friend to me.
I was looking at the new price of a CD5XS (£1700)to partner my Naim Nait XS which still may be my choice but not to overlook the computer route I was contemplating a mini mac and a decent DAC. With the arrival of the new Naim DAC there is quite a few secondhand decent DAC's on the market to consider.
The mini mac would be fed via the optical out to the DAC and I would not be streaming as our internet connection is not that great and cannot be upgraded with the current supplier, I already have an Imac upstairs in the office combined with an ipod touch so I am quite conversant with Apple.
After all that my question to mac users direct into a DAC then amp is whats the overall consensus of the sound quality compared to a cd player? Also whats the quality like when played through the transport of the mac as opposed to ripping to the hard drive and playing back in lossless format?
Apologies for a long winded post and thanks as always in advance to any responses
Cheers
Lee
My old (12 years) CD3.5 has never been serviced, although it plays quite fine, occasionally tracks might skip but overall its been quite a loyal friend to me.
I was looking at the new price of a CD5XS (£1700)to partner my Naim Nait XS which still may be my choice but not to overlook the computer route I was contemplating a mini mac and a decent DAC. With the arrival of the new Naim DAC there is quite a few secondhand decent DAC's on the market to consider.
The mini mac would be fed via the optical out to the DAC and I would not be streaming as our internet connection is not that great and cannot be upgraded with the current supplier, I already have an Imac upstairs in the office combined with an ipod touch so I am quite conversant with Apple.
After all that my question to mac users direct into a DAC then amp is whats the overall consensus of the sound quality compared to a cd player? Also whats the quality like when played through the transport of the mac as opposed to ripping to the hard drive and playing back in lossless format?
Apologies for a long winded post and thanks as always in advance to any responses
Cheers
Lee
Jame n=
I would like to ask your help and email you directly if possible, but I have been doing a ton of research on line as to how to use a DAC and a Hard Drive/computer to direct music to my 552/500/NBL's. One could read for DAYYYYSSSS about amarra/monkeymedia/jukebox this or that...but my question is even more sophomoric.
You have a Mac Mini
It is connected to the DAC
1. What software stores the music on the HD?
2. An NAS I understand is a Network Attached Storage device...What is your Storage Device?
3. How does your Mac Mini access your stored files?
4. How do you manage the library of music stored on the Hard Drive?
5. What does a Naimnet Server do that a Hard Drive attached to a Mac Mini does not do?
6. What software do you use to PLAY the music and how do you see that software...soley on
the Iphone?
7. Has anyone taken a long optical cable from a laptop or Hard Drive and put that to the
DAC?
8. What MAC programs play WAV files?
I have been emailing some trade members here in the states, and there is not much information...for example...what software browses the hard drive of a naimnet server?
Any answers are greatly appreciated, and by all means, if you feel charitable..
Fred
I would like to ask your help and email you directly if possible, but I have been doing a ton of research on line as to how to use a DAC and a Hard Drive/computer to direct music to my 552/500/NBL's. One could read for DAYYYYSSSS about amarra/monkeymedia/jukebox this or that...but my question is even more sophomoric.
You have a Mac Mini
It is connected to the DAC
1. What software stores the music on the HD?
2. An NAS I understand is a Network Attached Storage device...What is your Storage Device?
3. How does your Mac Mini access your stored files?
4. How do you manage the library of music stored on the Hard Drive?
5. What does a Naimnet Server do that a Hard Drive attached to a Mac Mini does not do?
6. What software do you use to PLAY the music and how do you see that software...soley on
the Iphone?
7. Has anyone taken a long optical cable from a laptop or Hard Drive and put that to the
DAC?
8. What MAC programs play WAV files?
I have been emailing some trade members here in the states, and there is not much information...for example...what software browses the hard drive of a naimnet server?
Any answers are greatly appreciated, and by all means, if you feel charitable..
Fred
Fred,
You need to start messing around with iTunes. Most answers can be found on the web. I'm surprised you cannot get answers from "trade members". See below for my quick answers.
Keith
You need to start messing around with iTunes. Most answers can be found on the web. I'm surprised you cannot get answers from "trade members". See below for my quick answers.
Keith
quote:Originally posted by frotter16:
Jame n=
I would like to ask your help and email you directly if possible, but I have been doing a ton of research on line as to how to use a DAC and a Hard Drive/computer to direct music to my 552/500/NBL's. One could read for DAYYYYSSSS about amarra/monkeymedia/jukebox this or that...but my question is even more sophomoric.
You have a Mac Mini
It is connected to the DAC
1. What software stores the music on the HD? Ripped with iTunes or XLD
2. An NAS I understand is a Network Attached Storage device...What is your Storage Device? Drobo (NAS).
3. How does your Mac Mini access your stored files? Amarra playing iTunes.
4. How do you manage the library of music stored on the Hard Drive? iTunes.
5. What does a Naimnet Server do that a Hard Drive attached to a Mac Mini does not do? Don't know
6. What software do you use to PLAY the music and how do you see that software...soley on
the Iphone? Amarra / iTunes. iPhone or iTouch or Laptop or monitor & keyboard.
7. Has anyone taken a long optical cable from a laptop or Hard Drive and put that to the
DAC? Yes, but it is better to keep cables to about a metre.
8. What MAC programs play WAV files? iTunes and many many more.
I have been emailing some trade members here in the states, and there is not much information...for example...what software browses the hard drive of a naimnet server?
Any answers are greatly appreciated, and by all means, if you feel charitable..
email me and I would be forever indebted
Fred
fredbartlett@me.com
I have 3m/1m/2m/half m/ optical cable's between my Mac and DAC.
I cant hear any diff between the lengths of them.
Stu
I cant hear any diff between the lengths of them.
Stu
It's relative. I prefer it to a configuration that was all the rage here a year or so ago.quote:Originally posted by munch:
There are options and the iPOD into the Naim Dac is a shite one imo.
Its handy for the kids to use.
Would you rather have Keano or Alex?
I know where i would go.
js,
Im just glad theres an ocean between us because even if you were my local dealer id jump on a plane to go to a sensible dealer elsewhere.
You talk utter crap at times.
Scotty
Im just glad theres an ocean between us because even if you were my local dealer id jump on a plane to go to a sensible dealer elsewhere.
You talk utter crap at times.
Scotty
And then how would we resolve our differences in a listen/comparison. At least I acknowledge other views. You obviously have a message board mentality where whatever you like is the only correct way. Glad you enjoy your kit.
Have you heard a Touch stream digitally into the DAC? It's not as good as the best sources but I do stand by that statement due to the DAC's compatibility with this method. I was careful to not name names to avoid this sort of response. Your love for one specific piece that I feel differently about is telling. Others that have been as zealous have switched and taken on my 'crap' views regarding interfaces, play programs and rips. To each his own and there's a reason beyond price that we all own different things but I've been proven anything but wrong. It's not about wrong or right anyway and there's room for opinion on any particular piece unless someone doesn't think yours fell from heaven apparently. The OP can choose for himself after investigating his options. If he must have a cheap DAC and can't use a CDP any longer, I think yours is a great option but a qualified one.
At least I acknowledge other views. You obviously have a message board mentality where whatever you like is the only correct way. Glad you enjoy your kit. Have you heard a Touch stream digitally into the DAC? It's not as good as the best sources but I do stand by that statement due to the DAC's compatibility with this method. I was careful to not name names to avoid this sort of response. Your love for one specific piece that I feel differently about is telling. Others that have been as zealous have switched and taken on my 'crap' views regarding interfaces, play programs and rips. To each his own and there's a reason beyond price that we all own different things but I've been proven anything but wrong. It's not about wrong or right anyway and there's room for opinion on any particular piece unless someone doesn't think yours fell from heaven apparently. The OP can choose for himself after investigating his options. If he must have a cheap DAC and can't use a CDP any longer, I think yours is a great option but a qualified one.
Wish some traders would stick to selling hi-fi and leave the forum to naim owners. business cant be too good for you as you seem to post on here so much there cant be time to sell hi-fi.
I sell lots of brands but I am a Naim owner. 
Day off. Care to now comment on my boring life. It's 10 AM here and I've just finished shoveling snow. What's that your shoveling?
It's 10 AM here and I've just finished shoveling snow. What's that your shoveling?Scotty's here
Your comments would suggest otherwise. Remove the trade moniker? 
Ya, that would go over great.
Ya, that would go over great.Have I given enough rope yet?