USB DACS

No. 1 son uses an Arcam rPac between his computer and his A&R A60 and it works really well. It sounds good into the Naim too. For the price, it's amazingly good.

Of course Naim's newest dac, the V1, is a USB dac too.  The label "usb" really just means that the dac supports a direct input from the usb port of a computer (in layman's terms).  Otherwise, as for the Naim Dac, you need a converter between a computer usb's port and the digital input of the dac.

There are usb dacs for all budgets.  The advantage over UPnP streaming is that you don't need a server on the home network; you can just boot up a laptop and play.  The disadvantage is that you need to boot up a laptop to play.  

I have now had a Naim DAC V1 in service for twelve months fed via USB from a recent MAC Mini.

I use iTunes without any additive software, and I have never been happier with my replay source. 

This source is more of a pleasure than even my CDS 2, which I used for about seven years!

When I read of the palava that streaming involves I shudder. Turning on a Mini [which is quieter than a CD transport in use] is no issue for me.

Anything you can access on the internet can be passed from the MAC to the USB connected V1, and it is splendid in my view! And the CDs [now in iTunes] never were so nicely done. 

ATB from George

+1

The V1 is the true jewel in Naim's lineup.

Tog

I'm sure the V1 is excellent however, if it's more than you wanted to spend I would definitely take a listen to an HRT Microstreamer USB dac. Outstanding sound and value for money from this tiny bit of kit.

I use DAC V1 into 202...Happy with it.

I also use the V1 into my Yamaha/REL Quake/KEF 2005 speaker

really improves sound quality compared to internal DAC of Yamaha receiver. Particularly the Bass output which is so much more articulated. Voices sound more real, and the treble is very refined.

Maybe the Sonos route is something for you to consider. 

Thanks everyone for taking the trouble to reply so far. but I think I need to reiterate that as my normal preferred source is vinyl, I was just curious as to what kind of performance I might expect from one of those sub £300 USB DACS eg Audioquest Dragonfly, Meridian Explorer etc
I occasionally like to listen to services like Spotify as a means of checking out new music before going out and buying it on higher quality format, usually LP and if not CD. It would be a benefit if I could raise the sonic performance listening through my NAIM system using one of these mini DACs, but I'm not at the moment sufficiently serious about listening to streaming to fork out for a NAIM V1 or anything at that price level (yet?) So I would really like to hear from anyone who has heard any of these devices playing through a decent HiFi system and not through headphones.
Thanks to those of you suggesting the V1, but that would be getting a little ahead of myself at this point

Laptops usually have Digital Optical out which can offer significant advantages:

1) Electrical isolation between components;

2) The computer bus is dedicated to the DAC, whereas if you use a USB DAC and any other USB devices (mouse, Hard Disk) the clocking is shared, which can definitely affect SQ;

3) Most DACs have optical input, so you wouldn't be limited to a USB DAC.

Yes, Optical out is limited to 24/96 but IMHO, my mac-mini sounds better on optical out than on USB. I also use external hard disks for music storage (see point 2 above).

I had my MacBook Pro with Meridian Explorer connected to my SN2, It sounded rather nice then, but now I'm using the Meridian with Graham Slee headphone amp with the Sennheiser HD800 connected to PC running Footbar2000 music player, sounds great too

Wai

Hi Richard,

Unless you have a vert good vinyl rig you may find That using the Dragonfly or Meridian USB dac would provide better sound compared to your turntable.

Or get a USB turntable 

I too would be interested in any forum users' comments on the 2 dac's the OP mentions. 

Very tempting to have a dual purpose bit of kit: into B&W P3's when on the move and the main rig when at home. 

I've used a meridian explorer dac from my win7 laptop to 72/hi/140, and it rivals an SBT. I found it a really enjoyable way to sample some hi-res tracks. Surprisingly it sounds best with the laptop connected to the mains rather than powered from the internal battery. I use jRiver media center 19 to ensure bit-perfect playback.

I use the little M2Tech HiFace dac in my 'out and  about' rig, it is astonishly good, and plays everything 32/384 even.

H

I had a Dragonfly which was okay but I preferred streaming directly from my HP laptop 'networked' with the Qute connected with Cat6 cable and using the JRiver player.

SBT = Squeezebox Touch, Logitech streamer now discontinued but highly regarded for value for money!

+1 on the Arcam rPac.

I use one in the way you plan to Richard. Spotify, Last FM and Youtube for looking at new artists.USB in with both 3.5mm headphone jack and RCA out.