DAC

@ Gordon McGlade:

What source did you use comparing the CD 555 and the Naim DAC? Was the new CDX 2 or the HDX the source? Thanks!

quote:

Originally posted by John R.:
@ Gordon McGlade:

What source did you use comparing the CD 555 and the Naim DAC? Was the new CDX 2 or the HDX the source? Thanks!

We used a LINN Unidisk 2.1 as a transport.

I have to say that the difference in presentation between the twi is entirely down to opinions and personal taste between the DAC and CD555 but the common thing between is the way they make music.

The DAC reveals more details than the CD555 and that is a technical fact.

I do not think anyone will be disappointed with this DAC and I include non Naim owners as the current feedback from our dealer event is telling us.

Gordon

understood. Not really trying to figure out whats better.

just letting others know our thoughts.

quote:

Originally posted by Patrick F:

the iphone was a real surprise. with AIFF and wav. the music was just there and for being a $300 dollar source was just great.

This then (thankfully) appears to contradict some other comments where people felt that a Mac fronting the DAC sounded the worst of the bunch. I would hope a Mac as "transporter" would be better than the iPhone - although maybe not if there is the "apple certified chip" outputting a pure digital signal.

Gregg

PS as per your request to contact you directly regarding the special pricing question during the roadshow can you email the reply to me at greggatlevethandotcom.
Thanks

I can't comment on the iphone but having heard Macbook/DAC CDX2+DAC and HDX + DAC the order of preference was clearly in that sequence.

The same thing was also obvious when we added the 555ps power supply but imho the HDX made the biggest jump again.

Am really rather looking forward to getting one, was a super source with all combinations

quote:

Originally posted by JB76:
I can't comment on the iphone but having heard Macbook/DAC CDX2+DAC and HDX + DAC the order of preference was clearly in that sequence.

From better to worse or vice-versa?

sorry pat, HDX/DAC/PS was the best (and quite stunning to the degree I'm not sure how you'd improve on as a source)

So order mac/dac upwards.

No apologies needed JB

I kind of assumed that, but wanted to be sure. I wouldn't be overly surprised if you found it to be the other way around. A little, but not shocked.

The HDX is SOOOOOOOOOOO good with the 555ps. I am f-ing scared to think of what it is like with the DAC in the loop.

thanks,
Patrick

e.g mac dac "worst" though that seems unfair as it still sounded good.

The HDX was the suprise, was the best in every config with the DAC.

It also looked like they had a new querty interface on the ouch screen rather than the number abc current style for text input.

quote:

Originally posted by glevethan:

This then (thankfully) appears to contradict some other comments where people felt that a Mac fronting the DAC sounded the worst of the bunch.

Gregg

I dont think there is any contradiction. Although good is it still the "worst" (only relatively) according to all of the recent reviews.

quote:

Originally posted by JB76:
sorry pat, HDX/DAC/PS was the best (and quite stunning to the degree I'm not sure how you'd improve on as a source)

So order mac/dac upwards.

Those of us heavily invested in CD players (ie CDS3) might not have a problem purchasing the DAC to go with power supplies we already own however an additional $9K purchase of a HDX to front the DAC might gather some complaints. I want to transition to playback of computer files however the HDX is not something I want to front the DAC.

Gregg

quote:

I kind of assumed that, but wanted to be sure. I wouldn't be overly surprised if you found it to be the other way around. A little, but not shocked.

The HDX is SOOOOOOOOOOO good with the 555ps. I am f-ing scared to think of what it is like with the DAC in the loop.

thanks,
Patrick

Well I had a HDX/555ps on demo for a week or two and believe me as awesome as that was... I think your going to be blown away by the DAC/555ps, i'm not even quite sure how to articulate it... in a decent set up

How much better do people think a DAC/555PS will be compared to a DAC/XPS?

The XPS made a noticable difference to the DAC when I heard it, but how much better on top of this would you expect a 555PS to be?

How opinions differ, I borrowed an HDX, whilst I still had my Naim cd player and found it's performance moderate, compared to my cdp, whereas a mac with dac ( weiss ) was much better ( than my Naim cd player )to my ears .

quote:

Originally posted by DHT:
How opinions differ, I borrowed an HDX, whilst I still had my Naim cd player and found it's performance moderate, compared to my cdp, whereas a mac with dac ( weiss ) was much better ( than my Naim cd player )to my ears .

You are not alone. I've had an HDX at home for a week and totally agree with your observations.

555ps is a difference maker. Apparently the DAC is a bigger one. Can't wait to get one to play with.

quote:

Originally posted by Graham Russell:

quote:

Originally posted by DHT:
How opinions differ, I borrowed an HDX, whilst I still had my Naim cd player and found it's performance moderate, compared to my cdp, whereas a mac with dac ( weiss ) was much better ( than my Naim cd player )to my ears .

You are not alone. I've had an HDX at home for a week and totally agree with your observations.

Have not had the chance to compare the HDX against a Mac/DAC only against other Naim CDP's - I too was rather underwhelmed. I already own a 555PS (for my CDS3) however if the only way for me to use the Naim DAC (and have it sound on par with my CDS3) is to also have to purchase a $9K HDX to front it than I will be heading in other directions.

Gregg

quote:

Originally posted by glevethan:
Those of us heavily invested in CD players (ie CDS3) might not have a problem purchasing the DAC to go with power supplies we already own however an additional $9K purchase of a HDX to front the DAC might gather some complaints. I want to transition to playback of computer files however the HDX is not something I want to front the DAC.

Well you are not going to get something for free.... How about you demo the CDX2/DAC against your CDS3? If the CDS3 is better then obviously DA is not yet for you.

quote:

Originally posted by glevethan:
I already own a 555PS (for my CDS3) however if the only way for me to use the Naim DAC (and have it sound on par with my CDS3) is to also have to purchase a $9K HDX to front it than I will be heading in other directions.

Where would you be headed? Seriously?

Is it unreasonable that a HDX/555ps/DAC is better than a CDS3, and a CDX2/555ps/DAC might also be better? And that a Mac/DAC/555ps might be as good, or once again even better than your CDS3?

quote:

Originally posted by js:
555ps is a difference maker. Apparently the DAC is a bigger one. Can't wait to get one to play with.

JS

Similar as I stated in my post above I can see where the 555PS is a difference maker - it has been a tremendous upgrade for my CDS3. My problem is that I am gathering the impression that one also needs a HDX to make this thing sing. I already own the power supply however I will not purchase a $9K front end (whose performance I do not even like) in order to make the DAC work to its best capabilities. For $21K (DAC/HDX/555PS) this thing will have to SMOKE a Klimax DS (which is also several $K cheaper).

For my needs (and I think others) I need to see how the DAC/555PS will do when fronted with a more reasonably priced digital file source/streamer/whatever rather than an expensive $9K box.

Gregg

Gregg,

Maybe it wont "smoke" the DS, but perhaps it will simply be as good yet different. You know, the whole "house sound" thing.

What is "several K" where you are at budget-wise?? Seems like pennies to me if it makes wonderful music.

-p

quote:

Originally posted by pcstockton:

quote:

Originally posted by glevethan:
I already own a 555PS (for my CDS3) however if the only way for me to use the Naim DAC (and have it sound on par with my CDS3) is to also have to purchase a $9K HDX to front it than I will be heading in other directions.

Where would you be headed? Seriously?

Is it unreasonable that a HDX/555ps/DAC is better than a CDS3, and a CDX2/555ps/DAC might also be better? And that a Mac/DAC/555ps might be as good, or once again even better than your CDS3?

PC

I would be heading in the direction of the Linn DS's which I have demoed against CDX2's, CDS3's and against the HDX.

It is not unreasonable to think that a HDX/555PS/DAC could be better than the CDS3 - it should be at $21K! A CDX2/555PS/DAC also might have that possibility - and it too should at $$18K! Perhaps you are misunderstanding what I am saying (or what I want). I would be on cloud 9 if a MAC/DAC/555PS equals or even comes close to my CDS3. I would just keep my 555PS - dump the CD player - and have what I really want - a computer fronted system with a Naim sound (DAC/555PS) that would allow me to use a computer and ANY CONTROL SYSTEM I WANT TO USE - itunes/Amarra - Bootcamp/Parallels running your preferred Foobar etc. etc. etc. My problem is the digital feed - I just don't want to be forced to use a $9K box to get the most out of the DAC - give me a $600 Mac Mini or a Logitech Transporter or any other thing. If one has to factor into the cost a HDX than at $21K there are other alternatives that this combo needs to be compared to.

Gregg

PS if a MAC/DAC/555PS kicks *ss then they will sell a boatload of them. Under $13K and CDS3 like performance !! (CDS3/555PS=$18K). If you need to add an additional $9K for the HDX the game changes.

So we need an HDX ,555ps and naim dac for really good sound! I have serious doubts about the implementaton of the Naim dac with computer sources,and nothing I hear dispels that.

I agree that the CDS3 is better than an HDX and would never have recommended that audition if equal goodness was required. I also don't think the HDX is required for goodness from the DAC. An HDX will give repeatable excellent dig out service for those that don't want to mind all the little things or simply want Naim due to good experiences.

Naim have always said that you can get a good digital result from a computer but that it just wasn't as easy as many make it out to be. They've made the DAC with the intention of giving better than expected results from less than perfect sources while trying not to compromise performance of excellent sources in the process. It's usually one or the other. Much of the objection here comes down to how many feel things 'should' work in the digital relm.

It remains to be seen how it compares to other kit with varying sources but I'm sure I will be able to get a result without an HDX. I won't enjoy another interface as much as I really like the HDX's especially with some of the coming upgrades, but that's me.

quote:

Originally posted by js:
I agree that the CDS3 is better than an HDX. I don't think the HDX is required for goodness from the DAC. An HDX will give repeatable excellent service for those that don't want to mind all the little things or simply want Naim due to good experiences.

Naim have always said that you can get a good digital result from a computer but that it just wasn't as easy as many make it out to be. They've made the DAC with the intention of giving better than expected results from less than perfect sources. Much of the objection comes down to how many feel things 'should' work in the digital relm.

It remains to be seen how it compares to other kit with varying sources but I'm sure I will be able to get a result without an HDX. I won't enjoy another interface as much as I really like the HDX's especially with some of the coming upgrades, but that's me.

I for one will be watching with an eagle eye as to what you come up with as I am sure, if anyone here, it will be you who can find a reasonable solution. I do not think it is unreasonable for people (me ) to ask for alternatives to $9K front ends. As for interfaces lets just say I was not enamored with the HDX's - there are too many other ones out there to try - and it would also be nice to have the option to use others as one desires.

Regards
Gregg