N-DAC against Linn Klimax

Posted by: Hans Vereecken on 22 October 2009

This week-end, I heard the N-DAC (with and without 555PS) --> Hi-line --> Supernait.
I also had the opportunity to compare this to a HDX (without PS) (--> Hi-line --> SN).

Results :
* the DAC outperforms the HDX.
* With the 555PS, the DAC sounds MUCH better

I already have a HDX.

My question. Since the HDX + DAC + 555PS costs almost as much as a Linn Klimax DS, has anybody compared the two systems? What are your findings?

Should I sell my HDX and go to the Klimax or should I upgrade my HDX?

Hans
Posted on: 25 October 2009 by james n
AMA,

The (audible) noise spectrum didn't change - at normal levels i dont hear any noise (unless i put my ear to the speaker) - i know some complain of noise from Naim amps. I'm not using Naim Power supplies or the usual earthing scheme so my results may be different to other systems.

James
Posted on: 25 October 2009 by AMA
quote:
The (audible) noise spectrum didn't change

You know James, the origin of computer noise is the common ground. Possibly Mac Firewire has isolated ground from the main bus or Mac PS is not that noisy PS as of regular PC.
I will wait your post on Naim DAC vs PWD and vs Weiss2/Firewire.
Posted on: 25 October 2009 by likesmusic
What a huge mess all this is.

There is a big lump of memory in the NAIM DAC, and a couple of processors. It is a computer. There is a whole load of (music) data on our pcs. No way should there be any need to use S/PDIF to transfer data between two computers. Already people are agonising about which streamer; ds or logitech, or which player; foobar or itunes, or which drivers; or which plugins; or which lead; optical or digital; or which earthing; floating or chassis .. so many imponderable variables yet all you want to do is get some 1s and 0s from memory on a hard drive into some memory in a NAIM DAC. There has to be a more certain way!
Posted on: 25 October 2009 by DHT
If the new dac is better than my Weiss, I will probably sell the DACII and buy the new INT202 firewire interface, plug that into my Mac ( firewire ) I believe it even has an infra red remote.
Perhaps Naim will think about firewire for their next dac?
Posted on: 25 October 2009 by Guido Fawkes
quote:
Already people are agonising about which streamer; ds or logitech, or which player; foobar or itunes, or which drivers; or which plugins; or which lead; optical or digital; or which earthing; floating or chassis
Not me - Naim will convert my CDX2 to a transport and I can use an iPod for music that I have to download - they've got it absolutely right - so well done to them. It'll work with a streamer from Logitech too if you want it to.
Posted on: 25 October 2009 by JYOW
quote:
Originally posted by AMA:
JYOW, to understand if you have an earthing problem between Naim and Weiss/Mac combo switch your Naim preamp to the non-connected input and crank the volume knob at max. Now plug/unplug firewire cable from Weiss and listen if the noise level and spectrum changes. In my case (USB DAC) it rises up substantially and spectrum changes form uniform thermal to the bright with multiple resonant freqs including 50-Hz modes.

If you don't have this problem pls publish the details of your setup and contacts of the Weiss DAC dealer Smile


I tried your test, I could not hear any difference in the noise pattern or level. Although the noise was vanishingly small and sounded like white noise, I had to put my ear against each speaker to hear it.

Configuration:

202 power supplied by a HiCap-2 connected by Powerline.

Weiss+200+NAPSC connected by Grahams Hydra with tricked out Furutech Rhodium plug and Rhodium fuse.

Will post my impression of the Weiss DAC Vs others later. I am no golden ears though.
Posted on: 25 October 2009 by AMA
quote:
202 power supplied by a HiCap-2 connected by Powerline.

Did you have other sources connected to 202 or Weiss DAC was the only source?
Posted on: 25 October 2009 by JYOW
I had other sources but none turned on.

Listening to Weiss + 202 now and the system sounds great today!
Posted on: 25 October 2009 by AMA
quote:
Listening to Weiss + 202 now and the system sounds great today!

Change Weiss to Transporter and the system will sound great every day Smile
Posted on: 26 October 2009 by JYOW
quote:
Originally posted by AMA:
quote:
Listening to Weiss + 202 now and the system sounds great today!

Change Weiss to Transporter and the system will sound great every day Smile


I wish I could Smile

Sometimes I wish I did not sell my Transporter (wife hates many boxes).