Impression of Naim DAC Vs Weiss DAC2
Posted by: JYOW on 04 January 2010
Brought my Weiss DAC2 to the local Naim dealer for a shootout. Dealer was using a simple configuration:
CD5XS
Naim DAC (no externa;l PS)
202/200 (also Supernait), both no external PS
ProAc D2
All using bone stock power and interconnect cables. Both DACs used Audioquest Coax cables costing around US$800 acording to dealer.
Initial listening with Jazz and Pop seemed to favor the Weiss DAC2 which to me sounded more energetic with more PRAT. However, the Naim seemed to sounded better with female vocal sounding more intimate. For some reason the Weiss' bass sounded FAT on one particular track.
Sorry my sonic memory is limited to the above. But my overall impression is slightly in favor of the Weiss DAC2. Especially given the fact that the Weiss was using Coax link which to me plays second fiddle to Firewire direct to Macbook and should have sounded even better.
Of course the Naim DAC would've been a completely animal with the addition of the XPS or even a 555PS. But that would place it in another playing field, and would in my opinion be a somewhat lopsided playback system given the price differences of the two.
Bear in mind that I was actually more bias toward the Naim DAC going in since I felt it sould match a Naim setup better, and I would not have hesitated to sell my flimsy Weiss DAC for the macho black box.
Finally, while the iPod sounded quite nice in the Naim setup. That Naim wasted the USB ports and missed the opportunity to provide external ASYNC computer connectivity is beyond comprehension. If Naim expected people ro buy a DAC just to connected the their legacy'ish CD players, or even buy a new CDX2X just to connect to that DAC then they have completely missed the point. They have lost a majority of potential DAC customers who expected a CAS solution.
So close yet so far away!
To my friend who came with me to the audition, please chime in, I know you have different opinion.
CD5XS
Naim DAC (no externa;l PS)
202/200 (also Supernait), both no external PS
ProAc D2
All using bone stock power and interconnect cables. Both DACs used Audioquest Coax cables costing around US$800 acording to dealer.
Initial listening with Jazz and Pop seemed to favor the Weiss DAC2 which to me sounded more energetic with more PRAT. However, the Naim seemed to sounded better with female vocal sounding more intimate. For some reason the Weiss' bass sounded FAT on one particular track.
Sorry my sonic memory is limited to the above. But my overall impression is slightly in favor of the Weiss DAC2. Especially given the fact that the Weiss was using Coax link which to me plays second fiddle to Firewire direct to Macbook and should have sounded even better.
Of course the Naim DAC would've been a completely animal with the addition of the XPS or even a 555PS. But that would place it in another playing field, and would in my opinion be a somewhat lopsided playback system given the price differences of the two.
Bear in mind that I was actually more bias toward the Naim DAC going in since I felt it sould match a Naim setup better, and I would not have hesitated to sell my flimsy Weiss DAC for the macho black box.
Finally, while the iPod sounded quite nice in the Naim setup. That Naim wasted the USB ports and missed the opportunity to provide external ASYNC computer connectivity is beyond comprehension. If Naim expected people ro buy a DAC just to connected the their legacy'ish CD players, or even buy a new CDX2X just to connect to that DAC then they have completely missed the point. They have lost a majority of potential DAC customers who expected a CAS solution.
So close yet so far away!
To my friend who came with me to the audition, please chime in, I know you have different opinion.
ferenc,
Did your friend reach a conclusion?
Rgds
Richard
Did your friend reach a conclusion?
Rgds
Richard
quote:Originally posted by ferenc:quote:Originally posted by paremus:
ferenc,
I think you are right w.r.t. interfaces as long as the DAC can hold its own.
The results I got with the hiFace were excellent - but the solution is a little flimsy - I would have preferred Firewire and I do wonder if Firewire would have been better still.
Interested in Joe's planned tests.
Joe do you have a hiFace? Are you intending to run the Naim DAC using the Weiss as a Firewire to Coax converter for the Naim DAC
Cheers
Richard
I have a friend who is using a Mac with a Metric Halo ULN2 with a very special Paul Hynes 24V power supply as a FireWire-SPDIF converter to the highest - end Meitner DAC. He tried the HiFace and felt as good as the Metric Halo with PH power supply. Now he is looking forward to test the Naim DAC with the HiFace and the Meitner with the MH ULN2, and hopes he will like the HiFace/Naim DAC better
quote:Originally posted by paremus:
ferenc,
Did your friend reach a conclusion?
Rgds
Richardquote:Originally posted by ferenc:quote:Originally posted by paremus:
ferenc,
I think you are right w.r.t. interfaces as long as the DAC can hold its own.
The results I got with the hiFace were excellent - but the solution is a little flimsy - I would have preferred Firewire and I do wonder if Firewire would have been better still.
Interested in Joe's planned tests.
Joe do you have a hiFace? Are you intending to run the Naim DAC using the Weiss as a Firewire to Coax converter for the Naim DAC
Cheers
Richard
I have a friend who is using a Mac with a Metric Halo ULN2 with a very special Paul Hynes 24V power supply as a FireWire-SPDIF converter to the highest - end Meitner DAC. He tried the HiFace and felt as good as the Metric Halo with PH power supply. Now he is looking forward to test the Naim DAC with the HiFace and the Meitner with the MH ULN2, and hopes he will like the HiFace/Naim DAC better
No Naim DAC yet, unfortunately here.