Streamer with Naim 122x+150x

Posted by: gaet on 18 January 2010

Hello,

I have the opportunity to acquire the Naim 122x+150x for a good price. However, all my music is currently stored on my NAS so I'm also looking for a good streamer. I went to my local distributor with my squeezebox receiver (duet) but was not convinced by the sound quality. We tried to improve it with the DAC magic but again it was not perfect.

I compared the Naim 122x+150x + SB receiver + dac magic with the Linn DS-I and the Linn was superior in quality. However, I don't like all-in-one system.

As NAIM has no real streamer, has someone any suggestion?

The options that are see are:
- Naim 122x+150x and then wait for a NAIM stream (streamer + DAC in one box)
- Naim 122x+150x + Linn DS ? Is this a good option to mix NAIM & LINN?
- Linn DS-I
- Naim 122x+150x + squeezebox receiver + DAC? I don't think that the squeezebox will be a good source even with an external dac

any other suggestion?

Tx,
Gaetan
Posted on: 18 January 2010 by T38.45
hi Gaetan,
i'm running a linn ds majik with naim 282/250/sbl...it's a great combi, especially with dynamic power.... i would def. go for this again!
regards
ralf
Posted on: 19 January 2010 by adymcd
I have heard the DS-i unit and have to say I was very impressed.

I plan to look at the Majik and Akurate, my big problem is the wife insists the boxes match so this could be the beginning of the end for my relationship with Naim!
Posted on: 19 January 2010 by matt303
I run a Nait XS with a Squeezebox3 -> DAC (CA Dacmagic) as my main source, with a good DAC there's no reason it shouldn't be a great source. I'll soon be having a listen to the Lavry DA10 and Naim DAC as possible partners for the SB3.
Posted on: 19 January 2010 by pcstockton
gaet,

many forum members roll with Linn and Naim systems. Many here have an LP12.

If it floats your boat, get it. Period. Dont do so without demoing the Naim DAC though.

-p
Posted on: 21 January 2010 by mongo
quote:
Originally posted by adymcd:
I have heard the DS-i unit and have to say I was very impressed.

I plan to look at the Majik and Akurate, my big problem is the wife insists the boxes match so this could be the beginning of the end for my relationship with Naim!


Eek Or a new wife?
Posted on: 21 January 2010 by rich46
quote:
Originally posted by matt303:
I run a Nait XS with a Squeezebox3 -> DAC (CA Dacmagic) as my main source, with a good DAC there's no reason it shouldn't be a great source. I'll soon be having a listen to the Lavry DA10 and Naim DAC as possible partners for the SB3.
sonos ripped by ripnas/ feeding naim dac. the cd player is dead in the water. 2010 watch every company go for rip/stream glad cd players have the life,didnt really want them in the first instant.


lets get into hi def music files and the convinence. using the iphone i can access all 2200 cds at great quality instantly. listening to cds that i have forgotten i had.LAST WORD THE NAIM DAC AFTER 6 WEEKS IS GREAT. not sure the link with the iphone/memory stick is a top priority, novel tried it. wont again

after so many years not producing a dac it is a great piece of equipment
Posted on: 23 January 2010 by gaet
Thanks to all for your comments and advices. I went to my local distributor today and compared the 3 following systems:
- Naim 122x/150x + Linn Majik DS
- Nait XS + Linn Majik DS
- Linn Majik DS-i

I was very impressed by the Linn Majik DS and this is indeed a perfect match with naim. The Linn Majik DS-i was inferior in quality.

Now, the 122X/150x and Nait XS are very similar except that the XS seems to be more powerfull and gives better results for voices/high frequency. The choice between the 122x/150x and the NAIT XS will be difficult. I can acquire both for approx the same price (122X/150x are demo units).

Speakers were Neat Motive 1, also a good match with Naim.

Regarding my Squeezebox receiver, it's definitively not a good source. We tried to combine it with several DAC but it was always inferior to the Linn Majik DS.
Posted on: 24 January 2010 by Aleg
quote:
Originally posted by gaet:
Thanks to all for your comments and advices. I went to my local distributor today and compared the 3 following systems:
- Naim 122x/150x + Linn Majik DS
- Nait XS + Linn Majik DS
- Linn Majik DS-i

I was very impressed by the Linn Majik DS and this is indeed a perfect match with naim. The Linn Majik DS-i was inferior in quality.

Now, the 122X/150x and Nait XS are very similar except that the XS seems to be more powerfull and gives better results for voices/high frequency. The choice between the 122x/150x and the NAIT XS will be difficult. I can acquire both for approx the same price (122X/150x are demo units).

Speakers were Neat Motive 1, also a good match with Naim.

Regarding my Squeezebox receiver, it's definitively not a good source. We tried to combine it with several DAC but it was always inferior to the Linn Majik DS.


Why not compare
- Naim 152XS/155XS + Linn Majik DS
- Nait XS + Linn Majik DS

which are of the same generation?

I think you will see even more improvement in the 152XS/155XS compared to the NaitXS

-
aleg
Posted on: 24 January 2010 by gaet
quote:
Originally posted by Aleg:
quote:
Originally posted by gaet:
Thanks to all for your comments and advices. I went to my local distributor today and compared the 3 following systems:
- Naim 122x/150x + Linn Majik DS
- Nait XS + Linn Majik DS
- Linn Majik DS-i

I was very impressed by the Linn Majik DS and this is indeed a perfect match with naim. The Linn Majik DS-i was inferior in quality.

Now, the 122X/150x and Nait XS are very similar except that the XS seems to be more powerfull and gives better results for voices/high frequency. The choice between the 122x/150x and the NAIT XS will be difficult. I can acquire both for approx the same price (122X/150x are demo units).

Speakers were Neat Motive 1, also a good match with Naim.

Regarding my Squeezebox receiver, it's definitively not a good source. We tried to combine it with several DAC but it was always inferior to the Linn Majik DS.


Why not compare
- Naim 152XS/155XS + Linn Majik DS
- Nait XS + Linn Majik DS

which are of the same generation?

I think you will see even more improvement in the 152XS/155XS compared to the NaitXS

-
aleg


Hi Aleg,

Tx for the suggestion but my local distributor does not have the 152XS/155XS and this option will be 1000€ more expensive. I can acquire the 122X/150x or the NaitXS for approx the same price (Nait XS is still 300€ more expensive)
so that's why I'm comparing them.

Gaetan