DAC-V1 + NAP 100 vs ND5 XS £2K Budget

Posted by: bigsplice on 03 November 2013

Hi, I have £2k to spend and have shortlisted a few naim products. I fully realise and dont need reminding that all possible purchases need to be auditioned. Below is the options, what you think in principle??

 

option one

 

source: win 8 pc (already owned)

amp: dac-v1 + nap 100

 

option two

 

source: nas drive/ nd5 xs

amp: rega brio -r (already owned)

 

i have not put speakers in equation just now as i plan to review these later.

i am after opinions based purely on SQ. I will be using ripped cd's and hd 

downloads. 

 

Posted on: 03 November 2013 by hungryhalibut

How to you want to control the system? Do you want to use nStream, or to use the computer? If the system is elsewhere from the computer, nStream makes more sense. But if it's not, the choice is less clear. 

Posted on: 03 November 2013 by Kevin Richardson

I have both the Dac V1 and ND5 and the V1 wins in terms of SQ.  I don't know anything about the rega amp but you can use the V1 as a source and save money if you like your current amp.  [An added bonus with the V1 is ther very good headphone amp]

Posted on: 04 November 2013 by bigsplice
With Windows i can control via an ios app and i have no great desire to use nstream. My preference was to use the win 8 laptop into the dac- v1 and possibly retain the rega brio-r and then trial a naim power amp to see if this improves things. I guess i would be looking to migrate to apple mac in time as this can be controlled via apple remote/itunes etc. im not at all familiar with the nd5 but it comes within budget and is an alternative to the dac-v1 approach. Any more input would be most welcome.
Posted on: 04 November 2013 by bigsplice
With Windows i can control via an ios app and i have no great desire to use nstream. My preference was to use the win 8 laptop into the dac- v1 and possibly retain the rega brio-r and then trial a naim power amp to see if this improves things. I guess i would be looking to migrate to apple mac in time as this can be controlled via apple remote/itunes etc. im not at all familiar with the nd5 but it comes within budget and is an alternative to the dac-v1 approach. Any more input would be most welcome.
Posted on: 13 November 2013 by Cap1

I was using Windows 7 (pc) with a Rega Dac and Rega Brio combo whilst running a pair of KEF R300's. The Rega combo sounded a little 'rough' to my ears so I bit the bullet, sold the pair of Rega's and  purchased the Naim Dac-V1 and Nap 100. Different class! A much smoother more revealing sound which seems hard to believe emanates from 2 small boxes, but it just does!