ND5 XS or DAC-V1

Hi Berry,

Just trying  to understand and what you mean by getting the music out of the box. Do you mean not using iTunes in the future; playing the files on either ND5 or V1; or something else?

Jude 

Hi Berry,

the way naim streamers pull the music from the server, in my case a Mac mini with playback software, is very neat. in contrast, with the dac-v1 you rely on a computer to push the music - unless the v1 gets input from e.g. a qute - which is a neat combo...

s.

Hahaha, sorry. I  guess I am meaning (for now) trying to just play my music from iTunes. I have most of it in either WAV or ALAC and this will likely be the way I purchase a majority of my everyday music. I have a only MAC computers so I am only leary of the ND5 because it doesn't seem to be straight forward in streaming from my macbook pro or iMac.But the Headless option seems a bit complex too. But if you guys say its pretty straight forward to stream to ND5 thats the way I would prefer to go (upgrade etc ad infinitum)

I guess because I come from an album/CD playing history this streaming seems to be a little more complex than what I first imagined. I guess thats what I get for selling my gear 20 years ago!

I really appreciate the guidance.

Hey Stefan and Jude. Could you guys tell me if using the ND5 does the server have to be dedicated? Meaning could I use my MBP or iMac to serve connecting "as needed". Probably not the best but I am beginning to feel the Naim pinch in regards to equipment. So do not plan on adding NAS or a dedicated server (as such) just yet. Again, thank you for the input

Cheers Jude! I really appreciate the feedback. I am real tempted to go the V1 route as it is (cost wise) a slightly less expensive option and I can then just get my music over to it easily, as well as enable auto download of new songs etc that I would do from my other macs. And currently, I am not really needing to stream to another room- that may come later. Also I am thinking that either way, adding the V1 would allow me to Naim-ize(LOL) my CD player (although the ND5 would do the same there). I wonder if there is any real difference in the DAC circuitry used between the 2?

Ultimately I just want to get whats on my MBP's/iMac pumped into my Naim stuff so that it sounds better than using the 3.5mm jack on the front of the NAC 152. I was thinking I could do that from my desk with the ND5, whereas the V1/MM option requires a hard connect. (6 six of one, half dozen of another...) And it seems either way gets me there with equal sound quality. 

Funny, the more I say the dumber I appear! But it's more of not wanting to be sitting here next week with an extra 4k dumped into my system and still not being able to get to some of my more favorite music- and MORE Zoolander frustration.

Please continue educating me!

Berry

Oh and do you connect using ASYNC?

My two-penneth's worth:

1. Nothing wrong with the other DAC-V1 inputs but I would say asynchronous USB is the preferred option.
2. If you decide to go the DAC-V1 route you keep your (digital) streaming/replay options open, e.g. Naim haven't been the quickest to keep up with making available music streaming services, such as Spotify, on their products.

Other than that follow jude2012's advice.

Dave

As you have a Mac, getting going with the V1 wil be very easy.  It will also work extremely well with your existing Naim pre and power (in this regard so will the ND5).

The V1 does require a hard connect (async USB as the Dave4Jazz says is the best).  You could connect wirelessly from your Mac to the ND5, however, you will not be getting the best SQ from the ND5.

From Wat, Dave4Jazz and I you now have all the information regarding using a Mac and DAC.

I would get some exposure to the V1 and ND5 next from a good dealer and get a home demo of these items, one at a time and take your time deciding.

Enjoy the demoing.  If you choose after demoing, whatever your choice it will be right choice for you and don't feel bad about asking questions (if you search under my name on this forum you will see that I, like others, have gone through this process)

Jude

Jude

The V1's a very good DAC and its remote control is handy if you've got multiple digital inputs, plus it works well as a preamp. It doesn't sound as good as the Hugo though, and if all you want's a DAC then there are other options to be considered, such as the Arcam irDAC.

I'm actually doing super redundancy with a UQ v1 as streamer only going via coax into a DAC V1 which then hooks into a 110 amp. I got great deals on the UQ (new old stock) and the V1 (used, barely) that had me under the price of a new ND5. I like the fact that I can then add on, swap out, etc easier for the future if need be, and the three half boxes look great! I love the physical volume knob on the V1, my kids love the mute faceplates. (:

I serve from a Vortexbox (I rip on my Mac Pro with DB however) that is in a closet below the hifi. I would like to try a mac mini someday with asynch, but boy streaming is easy, esp if you have over 1100 cds like I do. Not for the computer illiterate though. 

So a UQ can work as streamer only, or preamp/dac/streamer, or everything! The V1 is pretty much a DAC preamp, though with no analog inputs (UQ has one set), and USB vs ethernet input. I would say that if you only needed a DAC and not preamp as well, and wasn't buying a V1 used, then the Hugo is what I would check out. But it really comes down to how you want to control the music. And don't worry too much about sound quality because if it's a pain to access the music then there's no sound at all! That said I find my small system to be superb sounding. Probably asynch from a mac mini would be that much better, but I find streaming to be such a delight (despite the occasional i.t. hassles) that it wouldn't be worth it for me.