DAC V1 vs ND5 vs NDAC clock

That might be because it doesn't need one.

Tog

That has to be nDAC because that one is the best sounding of all.

I think the analogue stage on the NDAC is a key differentiator to the DAC-V1. More so than the clock would be my guess.

Why then is it necessary to 'moan' about clock jitter jn a DAC if nDAC is sounding better anyway? ;-)

Personally I think DAC chips, clocks and memory buffers are mature technologies that many companies can implement well. Indeed, many DAC chips are generic offerings from the same one or two companies across hi-fi products. I sense the real added value of Naim is in its analogue sections.

That is not to say the clock is not important (and certainly if poorly implemented it can be a disaster) but rather that it is not the only thing. Furthermore, as networks have improved, so has the speed and stabllity of streaming throughput.

The best and most advanced DAC currently sold by Naim is in the NDS.

And it's upgradeable by external PSUs...

I judged from what I read in publications from Naim or interviews from Naim engineers in HiFi press. Looking forward to hear one myself early next year...

Adrian - I think that is arguable  - the NDS is very good but some - me included when auditioning distinctly favoured the NDAC/555PS over the NDS/555PS. It was all in the rhythm and groove - but then I have written about this before - and I have heard the same on different setups and rooms including 500 Series amplification in large rooms - where to me the difference is most acute.

Having said that its horses for courses and I know many prefer the smoother clean digital sound of the NDS, I prefer a less pristine organic sound of the NDAC - for me that is more analogue in nature - but I guess its subjective - its great Naim provide this choice rather than rely on a single house sound for their premium DACs.

Simon

The NDS is a network music player (streamer). DAC-V1 and NDAC are purely DACs, i.e. they required a digital source of some kind. Hence, can they be compared side-by-side or are you just comparing the DAC section of the NDS? Or am I missing something?

@Simon-in-Suffolk: Interesting comparison, I'll put that on my to-do list. I was away from the forum for quite a while, so I have missed a lot of "classification" and opinions of newer naim gear.

Of course, both variants will change a lot (as usual) depending on the power supply you grant them. I recently sold my CDS3/XPS2 and have a bare NS03 at the moment, waiting for some company...

@dave4jazz: Yes, I was only comparing the DAC section.

Dave - I am just comparing the DACs. I think its fair to compare the DAC voicing of the NDS with the NDAC - after all the NDS goes to some lengths to separate the streaming electronics away from the delicate DAC/DSP clocks and analogue stages - which therefore become more similar to that of the NDAC - and the architectural designs of the two in terms of DAC/DSP and analogue filtering and constant current generator stages are very similar.

However the  NDS has mechanical suspension - and that gives a great plus - and as a consequence  I feel the NDAC is more fussy in setup to  sound at its best than the NDS in terms of rack mounting, isolation and positioning. This is the one area I hope Naim improve if they produce a DAC2.

Simon

According to the latest issue of Connection magazine the digital isolation techniques developed for the NDS have found there way into the DAC-V1, along with DAC technology from the NDX and SuperUniti.

It nice to know those of us lower down the food chain are benefiting from these developments.

It's got be something...V1 is superb product, even better with NAP100.

Indeed, there clearly is a lot of reuse which makes sense . The digital interfacing, constant current generator, DSP, analogue filtering  and DAC config  developed for the NDAC was used and adapted for the  NDS and largely used and adapted for the NDX.

I would have been surprised if the DSP design and i2s interfacing hadn't also ended up in the DACv1.

Simon