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
Posted on: 22 February 2010 by Richard Dane
OK, I think this thread has reached the point where the many questions may be best answered in the Distributed Audio Room.
Posted on: 22 February 2010 by js
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. Winker
Would you rather have Keano or Alex?
I know where i would go.
It's relative. I prefer it to a configuration that was all the rage here a year or so ago.
Posted on: 22 February 2010 by scottyhammer
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. Roll Eyes

Scotty
Posted on: 22 February 2010 by js
And then how would we resolve our differences in a listen/comparison. Smile 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.
Posted on: 22 February 2010 by scottyhammer
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. Roll Eyes
Posted on: 22 February 2010 by js
I sell lots of brands but I am a Naim owner. Big Grin
Posted on: 22 February 2010 by scottyhammer
Good for you but shouldnt you be selling something.
Posted on: 22 February 2010 by scottyhammer
Like insurance ?
Posted on: 22 February 2010 by js
Day off. Care to now comment on my boring life. Big Grin It's 10 AM here and I've just finished shoveling snow. What's that your shoveling?
Posted on: 22 February 2010 by js
Scotty's here
Posted on: 22 February 2010 by scottyhammer
Not bothered about your life one dot what i am bothered about is trades taking over here.... perhaps you should consider removing your status from "trade member" to just member.
Posted on: 22 February 2010 by js
Your comments would suggest otherwise. Remove the trade moniker? Winker Ya, that would go over great.
Posted on: 22 February 2010 by js
Have I given enough rope yet? Big Grin
Posted on: 22 February 2010 by scottyhammer
You say its your day off so how come your here every day when you should be trying to sell stuff. nothing better to do ?
Anyway im going back to the music and you can get back on the shovel.
Posted on: 22 February 2010 by js
Thought you weren't bothered about my life one dot.
Posted on: 22 February 2010 by David Dever
quote:
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


Any web browser capable of running a Flash movie (Internet Explorer, Opera, Safari, Firefox) will do, on Mac, PC or Linux–i.e., no special software is required.

You may also navigate the unit using the supplied IR remote and the VGA TV interface on the rear of the unit, connected up to a suitable flat-panel TV, etc.

Files may be accessed via common Windows sharing (SMB/CIFS), which are organized by file quality (MQ for 44.1kHz WAV rips, for example). Albums are organized hierarchically by artist.

If you wish to do "deep edits" to metadata or modify other system settings, then the Naim Desktop Client (Windows application) can be used. Note that this application also works fine if you are using VMware Fusion on the Mac, with Windows XP, Vista or 7.

This application is tied to the specific version of server software used (i.e., the 1.5a Naim Desktop Client must be used with HDX or NS0x machines running 1.5a software).
Posted on: 22 February 2010 by winkyincanada
quote:
Originally posted by David Dever:
Any web browser capable of running a Flash movie

Not the one on an iPad (hate that name), then?
Posted on: 22 February 2010 by js
Might be able to get around that if there's an NS-01 in the system. Should use the same Itouch/phone app as the HDX. May work with the server system anyway but I'm not familiar enough with the server setups to know.
Posted on: 23 February 2010 by Richard Dane
quote:
Originally posted by scottyhammer:
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. Roll Eyes


The forum is open to all, whether you own Naim or not, whether you're in the trade or not, a journalist, or not... You get the picture. So long as you have a love of music, an interest in Naim, a tolerance of another points of view, and leave any agendas at the door, you're welcome here.

I think the trade members on here bring a great deal to the forum. After all, they are listening to stuff day-in, day-out, and their collective "hands-on" knowledge is invaluable. The fact that they post here is indicative that they are interested in the opinions of the Naim community and their enthusiasm is heartening.
Posted on: 23 February 2010 by scottyhammer
Fair enough Richard - I apologise.
Posted on: 23 February 2010 by pcstockton
quote:
Originally posted by scottyhammer:
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. Roll Eyes


Wish some members would pick fights, in person, with people they know.
Posted on: 23 February 2010 by winkyincanada
quote:
Originally posted by Richard Dane:
quote:
Originally posted by scottyhammer:
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. Roll Eyes


The forum is open to all, whether you own Naim or not, whether you're in the trade or not, a journalist, or not... You get the picture. So long as you have a love of music, an interest in Naim, a tolerance of another points of view, and leave any agendas at the door, you're welcome here.

I think the trade members on here bring a great deal to the forum. After all, they are listening to stuff day-in, day-out, and their collective "hands-on" knowledge is invaluable. The fact that they post here is indicative that they are interested in the opinions of the Naim community and their enthusiasm is heartening.


Wouldn't be the same place without the trades members. They're welcome here as far as I am concerned. I find their views interesting and informative. This is great way for them to see how some of the customers think, too; that can can only be a good thing.
Posted on: 23 February 2010 by DHT
I would be nice if they/he didn't always suggest the most expensive option which requires the most number of new boxes though wouldn't it?
Posted on: 23 February 2010 by js
All's good. There's nothing wrong with getting what you pay for and value is in the eye of the beholder. There's always happy exceptions but you'd expect this to be the norm.

To the OP, I'd recondition your clamp and see if the occasional skip ceases. If so, sit tight and save up. Smile Goodness is still source driven
Posted on: 23 February 2010 by pcstockton
quote:
Originally posted by AllenB:
And why do some always have to add a footnote. Roll Eyes

Move on, Scotty has apologised, get back to the OP.


You mean like your comment above??? I dont know why people do that... Roll Eyes x2