Come on... Dacs, Unity ??

Whilst I see js' point, a major concern for many is that computer related products always depreciate quicker than any other digital. ( well, maybe next to home cinema processors )

One of the attraction for Naim seems to be that their product generally hold their value in a second hand market in that it's easier for buyers when in time for a upgrade.

I am not sure if the same holds for the HD products.

It's true that computer's life cycle seems to be a lot shorter.

A Naim HD product leasing program anyone?

Kuma,

For Naim buyers, we just may be entering a different time period when the value of amps, pre-amps,"naits", and ps hold value in the secondary market, but the "source" products change. This really depends upon how Naim develops it's products going forward. I don't know why such criticism thrown at the HDX either. I understand the concern because of the hard drive, but there is no reason why a drive or "ripping mechanism" (tray) cannot be replaced and supported over a ten year period or longer. Furthermore, if you remove the HDD from the equation, with the ability to store on a NAS or more importantly rip to a NAS, it puts the HDX in the same place as the DAC, but with an ethernet connection for streaming which makes it a more useful product in many ways as it can be programmed to aceess internet radio, etc..., has a defined user interface, and can access your home LAN and anything you have stored. A well done Naim DAC as js says with a PS which can be re-cycled eg, take your XPS2/555ps and put on the DAC could represent an upgrade to an HDX.

I just don't see a company like Naim with the resources to have product cycles that are 12-18 months. It just makes sense that upgrades and improvements as with Linn will come primarily through software/firmware downloads to a base product which will gradually change over time. Remember much of the apple cycle is based on "storage" with the same product being released again and again with more GB. I think we are all aware that these new storage capacities do not represent new development, but are just re-packaging of things already done. They are fortunate that most people are riduculous and need the newest version and buy things they didn't really need.

Not so sure about solid state either. Jury is still out. Perhaps Naim will develop an HDS with SSD. However, from what I've read SSD will be more for business applications and I've seen may articles where it's stated that HDD storage will continue to increase in capacity and decrease in price faster than SSD and they still predict that HDD will be the main storage used for quite some time 5-8 years for consumer storage (music, pictures,DVD).

Perhaps, but clearly Naim wanted a product that the average user needed no extraneous parts except internet connection at least to start with.

My understanding about SSD is that it has its own set of issues which have to be dealt with which effect music playback even though there are no moving part.

quote:

Originally posted by kuma:
Whilst I see js' point, a major concern for many is that computer related products always depreciate quicker than any other digital. ( well, maybe next to home cinema processors )

One of the attraction for Naim seems to be that their product generally hold their value in a second hand market in that it's easier for buyers when in time for a upgrade.

I am not sure if the same holds for the HD products.

It's true that computer's life cycle seems to be a lot shorter.

A Naim HD product leasing program anyone?

My point was that this product can remain the heart of a playback system without comprimise. Instead of worrying about resale value, you keep it and add the DAC if that becomes the thing to do. You're assured a proper interface and dig out that can be further improved with software upgrades if Naim so desires. The DIG out is software driven for instance. Who knows, maybe Naim will make a DAC that can interface directly through a USB port with associated software upgrade to eliminate the the dig out interface. A distinct closed system advantage.
It's already plenty powerful enough for it's purpose and is becoming more universal with every update. You'll be able to enjoy a HDX long enough to where resale value becomes an arbitrary consideration. Here's a product that Naim has given to CD users that are worried about the continuation of that format. They can now properly store and play their libraries and it will work with any computer or drive. It will contunue to do so into the foreseeable future yet we have many picking nits about resale value and future proof. It will more than capably function as a player/interface for a very long time in this environment and can accept upgrades both internal and external.

Is it for everyone? Nothing is but much of this concern about obsolescence seems unfounded to me. I do understand the mind set but if you think it through, this isn't a computer that becomes unable to handle more demanding programs or is limited by it's drive, RAM or even DAC and it can be seemlessly upgraded if that time arrives.

I should imagine that as long as a storage device whether solid state or not can deliver files up in a stable fashion then it matters not a jot what it is. And I also think to suggest otherwise would put Audiophiles even further up the stupid tree.

Nice post Allen. I really don't know how big a problem the drive's vibration is as they can be isolated if required but it is a valid concern. One an outboard DAC would eliminate. I suspect that Naim will continue with rippers to enclosed storage as they know the result will be to their liking and it does take significantly longer to rip ourboard if there is quality checking. Probably easier and no more time consuming to rip internally and transfer at your convenience. If you want to do it yourself, a stand alone DAC will suffice.