DAC upgrade?

I don't really know the V1 but your amps would definitely benefit from a top quality source.   

how was the Hicap to supercap DR upgrade?

In my experience the DAC V1 is at HDX level (I compared both and could not hear any difference)

You would need to go NDX/XPS or NDAC/XPS to get an upgrade on the V1.

Naim DAC without PSU upgrade is also an upgrade compared to V1. I've compared these two side by side. V1 performs very well for its price though. Of course you need external USB to S/PDIF converter with Naim DAC if your main input is USB. 

Noting that you're primarily streaming from a PC, as am I and also using a DAC-V1, I'd be cautious with upgrade choices.  One thing of note with the V1 is that the USB option has been very meticulously implemented.  I am convinced that the PC via USB offers the best performance of all the sources I've tried with it.  

I would suggest that, unless you find the V1 is revealing itself to be a weak link in the listening, it may be worth holding off for a while.  The NDAC has not had a revamp in a long time, and with the amount of talk on this forum about DACs in the last couple of years, I would imagine it will be getting an update reasonably soon.  And if that update did not include a USB input to at least the same standard as the V1, I'd be surprised, not to mention disappointed.  If they released such an update tomorrow, I'd be on it straight away, as I too am using the V1 purely as a DAC, and would rather have a product where the investment was purely in that role and without the redundancy.  However, I will not entertain the idea of a DAC without USB support.

The upgrade is very good, although the dealer warned me that the SuperCap DR will take a week or so to fully warm up and stabilize, from the first listen I could hear a much better sound stage, definition and the bass just seems to be much tighter and better controlled (low tones in general sound better)... I am using the system with the Sonus Faber Amati speakers and they are strong on bass.

I will definitely wait then, was not aware that there was a hint of a new DAC showing up in the near future (I hope)... I really don't want to mess with S/PDIF converters, etch. I love the simplicity of the DAC-V1 USB interface and if that may show up in a more high end Naim DAC in the future, I would rather wait.

Would like to clarify, there is no real 'hint' of a new DAC, I am just applying my own logic to the situation, and likewise remain in hope.

Congratulations! Since when did you upgrade pre + power amp? If it was very recently, perhaps you could wait a little bit before upgrading the source. This would give you some time for carefully testing the different options (Naim DAC, Chord devices, Mirus, etc.) against the V1. I also would wait a few weeks to see what the upcoming firmware upgrades bring to the old Naim DAC and to the V1 and whether Naim finally comes up with a DAC replacement or not. Best, nbpf

Upgraded a couple of weeks ago, was really amazed at how much better everything sounds... I hope the DAC-V1 in the end does end up getting a firmware upgrade that perhaps adds support for DSD.... I can wait, not in a hurry to change anything..... was just curious about the delta between the V1 and the NDAC.

Based on the number of people on the forum who are enjoying Chord's Hugo, you might like to audition the Hugo, Hugo TT or even the Dave if budget allows.

...or Chord Mojo even.

I have made no direct comparison but, as Patu points out, the NDAC needs a USB to S/PDIF converter to connect to a computer via USB and the converter has an impact on the sound quality of the NDAC. Thus, for streaming via USB, the comparison is always between V1 and (USB to S/PDIF converter + NDAC) and the delta between the two depends, among others, on which USB to S/PDIF converter (and, eventually, its power supply) you consider. If your computer has a good optical S/PDIF output (and the V1 an optical input) you could compare V1 and NDAC directly.

+1.5

I switched from a Naim DAC to the Chord 2Qute which gives a substantial leap in sound quality and of course USB connectivity.  No need to fanny around with USB to SPDIF converters which requires much experimenting to find the best converter.

I get a sense that the OP might be keen to stay committed only to the Naim brand?  If this is the case it may be better to wait for a brand new Naim DAC as the current model is from year 2009.  When I bought my Naim DAC a few years ago I though it would be in for the long haul and a 'keeper'.  Hopefully there will be redemption following proposed firmware updates. However this may not allow for asynchronous USB connection from PC/ Mac to DAC.

Actually on this same thread I think there was one post (around 18:30 yesterday) alluding to Naim DAC firmware update, stating DSD 64 or 128 and other performance improvements? There was one reply and now both posts disappeared. Could be some other thread.

The Naim DAC beta testing is currently under NDA. So many of us will not know what the firmware upgrade will bring.

Well spotted DH, it was on this thread! While I perfectly understand that it would make little sense for Naim to announce detailed product features and precise release dates while beta testing, I have to say that I am starting to find Naim's secrecy policy on new firmware and products mildly annoying. Hopefully Naim will come out with something substantially new in the end, otherwise all this secrecy and NDAs will look a bit ridiculous in retrospect. Best, nbpf

Thanks for confirming that I hadn't just imagined it!  Possibly as the moment nears for the firmware release we will see further details gradually leaking out.  In other sectors it usually turns out to be futile to have super high levels of secrecy in the run up to a new release.

The majority of listening time has been from a single source which has remained exactly the same: a CD transport fed to the DAC through BNC-BNC Coaxial cable.

The leap in performance even with a 2Qute is quite substantial and this is just based on CD standard playback. In a basic explanation, it feels like where the Naim DAC was brushing over information for the sake of quick and exciting music delivery, the 2Qute is representing the musical recording closer to its entirety. Immediately the Naim DAC and 2Qute sounded so different, so there was some worry when it felt as if the 2Qute is not so exciting, fast or is a little restrained compared to Naim DAC. But it was a case of maybe yes maybe no, with some tracks and not with others. After further listening with the 2Qute this worry has been forgotten and there is enough speed and impact to satisfy.  It’s actually a nice all-rounder when playing any genre of music.  There are albums which have been listened to since being born and are now being heard in a more complete representation of the musicians playing.  It’s possible to hear vocals of all kinds “yeaaahhh” “oooohhh” or “huugghhh” from lead vocalists or other band members on microphone which were previously never heard.  There are wood/percussion/wind/string instruments (maracas, cabasas, cowbells, agogo, those wood hand-clappers, snares, cymbals, horns, trumpets) also electronic synthesisers all being more clearly presented by 2Qute.  Generally a more textured and full bodied sound too.  With classic rock there are great riffs and solos from Ritchie Blackmore, Toni Iommi and similar players, where the notes are fully emphasised and can be appreciated properly.  Their guitar riffs and solos now sound much more complex than previously imagined.

There were some comments about a harshness with the 2Qute.  This was heard but for my setup only in the first 4-6 hours of powering up the device. Then for every 12 to 24 hours after initial powering up the sound settled and it was really in the 48th hour that the revelation came.  The Naim DAC is somewhat ‘lossy’ and flat sounding and it doesn’t have that meticulous musical delivery which the 2Qute does.  I’m still discovering Mac to DAC audio through 2Qute USB. The Mac just needs optimising for audio, but it is sounding nearly as good as the CD transport going to the DAC.

You will see in other threads that some will prefer Hugo, Hugo TT or 2Qute ahead of the others so it will be a matter of auditioning to find the right one.  Also a wide range of opinions as to which is 'better' - all very individual and dependant on the person listening.

Oh dear, I've lived quite happily with my Naim DAC for 3 years only to hear that it's broken. I was so looking forward to the firmware upgrade too. Still, at least my wife tells me that a new high voltage transformer was installed up the lane today, so at least I can look forward to improved dynamics when I get home in my new broken Audi A3 TDI; just a shame I couldn't do an A/B demo with the new high voltage tranny. The linesman also said that I should seek out some copper overhead lines because the aluminium ones which most of us country folk have these days are aluminium and rubbish!! Mmm- Super Lumina overhead lines - could be an opportunity in the making.

Thanks for a detailed response! Which CD-transport did you use btw? 

It sounds like an interesting product. What immediately worries me though is your description in the beginning where you say that your first impression was that 2Qute maybe isn't as fast and exciting as Naim DAC. Of course the rest is all good things you describe but this is the most important thing for me in the Naim sound.

I've used Naim gear for ~six years now. Right from the first tunes I heard from a Naim setup I fell in love with the sound. PRaT is the thing which makes Naim so different from many other brands. Linn has this area well covered also. After I first understood and heard this, the majority of other brands have failed in this area. They just usually sound wrong, even way more expensive setups. Anyway, I'm ready to sacrifice soundstage, three-dimensionality, even details to some extent for the PRaT, power and speed. I rarely sit in the sweet spot when listening so things like soundstage are not that important to me.

But still, I would love to hear Hugo and 2Qute. If so many Naim owner have moved to that direction, it must be something good.

Mass  hysteria I'm  afraid, just ignore it, normal service will resume shortly. 

SJB

tha dac in the HDX is ok but adding an N-dac to the HDX a was big step up for me

In my case USB is not an option and I don't want to mess with the SPDIF converters, therefore unless there is a huge difference between something like the Hugo or 2Qute I will stick to the DAC-V1

Anyone moved from DAC-V1 to Hugo or 2 Qute and found a big improvement?

I was able to try the 2Qute at home for three weeks. I just returned it to the retailer and I am keeping my DAC-V1. They are both great dacs but I did not notice a difference.

There's your answer.