LINN VS NAIM streamer

Posted by: richard31000 on 15 January 2013

I would like to buy a Linn streamer Majik or Acurate (second hand). Auditions very difficult where I live ... But I would like to compare it to Naim streamers, with or without Ndac. I don't know what type of sound they have. I had an Uniti+Nap200 and PL but not satisfied of this sound. I switched to an Audio Analogue Grand Maestro amp and an old budget Denon cd player and I am very happy with them.

My amp deserve a very good source and i can begin to spend 2k to 4k in it.

There is also so many comments over the Ndac, some find it wonderfull and others replaced it by the Rega dac...

I mainly listen to soft vocal jazz. 

If any had the chance to compare those streamers and give me some advices ...

Thank you very much.

Posted on: 15 January 2013 by Guido Fawkes

> There is also so many comments over the Ndac, some find it wonderfull and others replaced it by the Rega dac...

 

I never heard of anybody who did that and would expect them to have a visit from the men in white coats if they did .... 

 

A decent transport or old budget Denon CD player in to the Naim DAC is hard to beat ... you'd be looking a KDS in the Linn range to better it in my opinion and NDS in the Naim range ... 

 

Mac Mini + Naim DAC is a winner for sure ... way ahead of the Akurate that I heard 

 

However, I think the UQ is fantastic and yet you are not keen on the Uniti (come to think of it nor was I) ... so tread a little carefully if you cannot hear for yourself. 

 

Posted on: 15 January 2013 by james n

I've had the Akurate (0) and now have the NDX. Both are great players, but the Naim boogies better. Linn still has superior control point software with much more choice.

Posted on: 16 January 2013 by DSA140

I had a fully aktiv Majik dsm system at home last year, not to my liking and now have the NDX which I have been delighted with. 

Posted on: 16 January 2013 by Peter_RN
Originally Posted by james n:

>>Snip

Linn still has superior control point software with much more choice.

Sadly I could not argue with that.

 

It is undoubtedly true IMHO, and is the one area that puts Naim at a disadvantage. Their decision not to allow music to be ‘pushed’ to their streamers means those of us who cannot or choose not to use a device running n-stream have a less than a perfect experience. This could be rectified with a desktop version of n-stream.

 

However, if we want the Naim presentation and sound quality we have to put up with the current control limitations. As good as the opposition is Naim are better, so put up with it we will.

 

A personal opinion of course.

 

Regards

Peter

Posted on: 16 January 2013 by KRM

I agree with James. I auditioned the Akurate and the NDX. Both are superb, but the Naim rocks and boogies. This may not by a priority for you.

 

Keith

Posted on: 17 January 2013 by AMA
Originally Posted by james n:

I've had the Akurate (0) and now have the NDX. Both are great players, but the Naim boogies better. Linn still has superior control point software with much more choice.

I have noticed that /1 upgrade on KDS made its boogie factor substantially higher. It could the same case for ADS 

Posted on: 18 January 2013 by Graham 91

I had an NDX, it was superb. But perhaps more importently you may wish to consider the NDX offers the opportunity for numerous upgrades: Powerline, XSps, XPS, Naim Dac, XPS + Naim Dac, XPS + Naim Dac + XPS, 555ps Naim DAC + XPS, 555ps's etc etc.
For me the law of diminishing returns, sweet spot was around the NDX + XPS and NDX + 555ps.
The DAC inside the NDX is very good, with a separate power supply and a Powerline even better.

Posted on: 18 January 2013 by richard31000

TRUE !

Posted on: 19 January 2013 by rich46

best one box streamer is the linns

Posted on: 19 January 2013 by AMA
Originally Posted by rich46:

best one box streamer is the linns

True.