Adding a Naim DAC to the nVI.....

It sounds like you are upgrading again.

Sorry but constant box changing is not IMHO healthy.

But you did ask, so I hope you take the reply in the spirit of good will that it is offered.

It is a cautionary thought that I offer, and nothing more.

ATB from George

Although the dac will no doubt improve the sound of the NVi one can't help but think this is not the way to go.

The NVi is a great AV product but not the last word in a 2 channel pre amp.

If you are really insistent on spunking money , then I suggest a 282 as a pre amp. You can hook your 250 to this and use it as unity gain for the NVi.

Surely it cannot be worth £2,000 to make the telly, films and computer games sound better. As the CD is part of the nVi, I imagine the DAC will make to difference to the music. If you really want to spend/waste £2,000 I suggest you give it to me - I need to fix the roof!!

Nigel

Thanks for the advice.

I did actually think that, Nigel, with regard to the CD in the nVi being its pinnacle sound - before any items are integrated with it such as a pre-amp and power amp.

The basis behind the Naim DAC is that it's received such positive reviews inside and outside the Naim community and the aesthetics match.

I do find the notion of an external DAC really alluring though, and I don't know at what basis to aim this spend. Obviously the external DAC I get has to be better than the internal DAC inside the nVi, but I don't know at what price point this is. Is it £500? Is it £1000? Even if I could improve the sound from Sky or just the Xbox, it is a bonus.

I therefore thought the logic would be to get the Naim DAC!!!

Thanks again,

Jon

Remember you wont be able to use the n-Vi as a transport (if using the Naim DAC) and then use the n-Vi as a pre at the same time.

James

It's also worth bearing in mind that the DAC is a 2-channel PCM unit and cannot decode a multi-channel bitstream into multiple analog channels.

Whilst the Weiss is way above the n-Vi DAC, i didnt find much difference between the Weiss and n-Vi with TV sources (Virgin Media)and so the n-Vi forms the digital 'hub' in my system. Also TV programme sound varies quite a lot and really wont benefit from an external DAC. The n-Vi does a great job.

James

So in essence I was right. 282 it was then.

The 282 vrs the n-Vi driving a 250 is night and day.

Plus the NVI can be attached as a source and through a dac for a better source.

Oh the money that can be spent!

Thanks for your comments and it's curious how the information has developed.

What I must say is that I have just received an iPod docking station with digital out and have this digital out plugged into the nVi....

I am SO IMPRESSED by the sound quality of the iPod. Within the context on the system I am now using (nVi and nSATs) the sound from the iPod quite clearly is far better than the CDs played directly from the onboard DVD player on the nVi. I also understand iPod music to be more compressed!!

This is a real surprise for me and leads me to suspect that an even better external DAC (such as the Naim DAC) will take this sound to another level again. I understand your point about Sky programmes, James, and note that anything plugged from the DAC will just be stereo - so thanks for that clarification Richard....

Having said this, as my mediums of musical enjoyment have expanded far beyond CD now - due to the versatility of the nVi - technology such as the jitter less Naim DAC really are making me wonder.

It probably is overkill considering what I'm using as my amplification and I note the point about getting a 282, but because I recently stepped down from a 252+300 to a new arena of music enjoyment, it wouldn't psychologically seem right to go down that path. That may seem irrational on my part, but I am enjoying the wider versatility of the nVi and all forms of my audio at home now sound good.

Thanks for your comments.

Jon

Yea but no but yea but, hooking a DAC up to an NVi in reverse order, well its just wrong innit?

If you are enjoying the sound of the ipod why not spend a few quid on an AppleTV to provide an altogether better experience, its only 200 quid.

Hi,

I see the point you're getting at, Gary, but my eyes are lit up having read so many comments on the Naim DAC!!

I still have the long term intention of getting the pinnacle of audio technology, but suffered a substantial set-back just before Xmas last year, for which I won't repeat. I am not bothered that the nVi has ceased production, as for my needs and intentions I can see it lasting the distance and Naim customer support is phenomenal. Not only that, but the technological world is moving and that is where the Naim DAC comes in.........

If I output digitally FROM the nVi into the DAC, would it be just the front stereo? That being the case, the nVi could be used as a transport for CD, I could access ipod music channelled through the Naim DAC, Sky HD would also plug in and I can plug in the Xbox too. The nVi already has DAB, so I could experience 5.1 of medium quality and for all stereo material have the bonus of the Naim DAC converting for me.

I understand for this to be the case, I would need an external 202+200, but the upgrade path I'm thinking on is a horizontal plane and not a vertical one. I use the term 'horizontal' to mean ALL forms of audio media, now we are in digital age (I own no records and never will).

Is there some sense to this (serious please)??

Many thanks,

Jon

Well OK 202 then, I was still right.

In essence to use the naim dac you will need to spend £3k+

More over the NVi is not a great transport and you are on about using it with an iPod.

If you have long term plans thats just fine. Here is how you do it.

For now, get a mac mini or similar and NAS storage and start ripping your music.
The mini can output digitally into the NVI, I remember you had a TV far to large for the room, this can be your control popint, so too could an iPod.

Later Purchase a 202/200 (282 would be more suitable)

Attach the Nvi to it via unity gain.

Purchase Naim dac, feed Nas/Mini through it, NVi does not get involved.

By this stage you will have spent many thousands more pounds on hifi, so in terms of your troubles last year I am not sure where you are headed. But you'll have a great hifi (again)

I see your logic, Gary.

Thanks for the advice... upon which I will research!

Jon

quote:

Originally posted by Richard Dane:
It's also worth bearing in mind that the DAC is a 2-channel PCM unit and cannot decode a multi-channel bitstream into multiple analog channels.

When is the 7-channel cinema version going to be released?