Hi all,
Here's my question for the honorable members who have some experience with those gears. For almost 18 months now, I've been running SU ( wired from NAS ) into 250.2. Speakers are Dynaudio C1 or Naim Allaes, depending how I feel. And as a 2nd system, strictly for my headphone listening, I have Mac Mini into Dac V1 and in Grados HF2. Today, for the fun of it, I tried the Mac Mini/Dac V1 combo into the NAP 250.2 and in the C1's. Frankly, at this point, I cannot hear a difference between the Mini/v1 combo or the bare SU as sources. Same room, same speakers, no difference.
What does that mean?
1) Am I becoming deaf and therefore, can't hear the difference?
2) Is the Pre and Dac of the SU of the same quality as the V1 so no differenÇe in sound?
3) Am I missing something somewhere?
Thanks for reading this and for your answers/comments
Posted on: 02 August 2013 by Agricola
I have the MAC Mini [late 2012 version without internal optical drive] -> DAC V1 --> NAP 100 combo driving ESL 57s that themselves were rebuilt by One Thing Audio in Coventry in 2011.
I have been astonished that this not only rivals, but beats, my former:
CDS II -> 52 [Supercap] -> NAP 200 -> SBLs.
The DAC V1 is a splendid DAC when used with the USB connection [asynchronous] with the MAC, but also a superb pre-amplifier that surpasses the old 52, and so your words concerning your real comparison with the SuperUniti is fascinating as a cost wise the SU is too rich for me nowadays.
As it goes I find the NAP 100 to be one those perfectly simple seeming Naim power amplifiers that is beyond any reasonable criticism when driving a speakers set that does not come close to taxing its fairly modest power output rating. Your experience seems to show that the DAC V1 is up to feeding the higher Naim power amplifiers with complete conviction as a DAC/pre-amplifier.
ATB from George
Posted on: 02 August 2013 by Yippedidou
George,
Thanks for your reply. In fact, I don't question the value of the SU. It's a fantastic piece of gear as a one box solution. It now feeds my Allaes in the living room, taking care of everything, only connected to a NAS. Where I am surprised is how well the DAC V1 plays with the 250 feeding the C1's. Right now, I'm listening to Hadouk Trio, "Utopies", an album that I know very well and frankly, i cannot hear a difference with the same album I listened this morning with the SU connected in the same 250.2 in the same room.
I can tell you the V1 is a very good headphone amp and I knew that before I even bought it. Knowing the quality of Naim and the time they took to come in the market with a Async USB Dac, it had to be very good as a HP amp and a DAC. I'm just very very surprised about the quality of the pre-amp.
Now the real test will be when I plug a 282 in there, using the V1 as a dac only from the Mini. That's my next test. I hope to hear a difference because if not, its certainly because I'm going deaf!!!
Louis
Posted on: 05 August 2013 by cvrle
When I was reading some comments here comparing Dac-V1 with CDS2/52 combo, before I got one, I wanted to lough loud. After owning V1/100 for a month or so, all I can say that I'm blown away what this sweet combo is capable of. I used owe CDS1/82/HC/250, and I can easily say that V1/100 presenting the music more enjoyable. than my old system.
Posted on: 02 January 2014 by Janus
Hi, first post ever. I recently sold all my previous (not Naim) hifi equipment, while moving country. Due to the small space in my temporary apartment I replaced everything all with a DAC V1 plus headphones (Grado PS500). Together with my Mac Mini and Audirvana software I enjoy listening to music like I never have before.
So currently I really enjoy thinking of the next step - getting a power amp + speakers for when I will move to a larger place this summer. My thought has always been to sell my current speakers - and replace this with something "enjoyable" like the NAP100 / Guru Junior combination. But after reading this thread I am wondering if I should consider keeping my current speakers - a very nice pair of white Dynaudio C1's II (currently in storage) and combine this maybe with a second hand 250.2. I do not have to make any quick decisions but would be interested to hear people's opinions. I do not think that there are any dealers out there that have Naim, Guru and Dynaudio. The new apartment will have a 29m2 square living room.
Posted on: 02 January 2014 by gary yeowell
Janus, i have no experience of Dynaudio speakers, but would suggest you try any of the Naim power amps. I use the Nap160 with my V1 and have also used a 100/110/250.2 and liked them all, albeit all different. Choose the one that fits your budget and suits the speakers/room, even if it's the cheapest one, trust your ears. As you know, the V1 is very good, and i think you may have even more respect for it after you hear it with a good power amp.
