Naim DAC versus M2 Tech Young DAC?

Review on Computer Audiophile site which mentions the nDAC obliquely...

If you DID go with a re-clocking usb to spdif converter into the nDAC, would you essentially be re-clocking the signal twice?  For better or worse?

Some people say they hear SQ improvements from the Ndac when they use an external re-clocker (e.g. V-Link) but there is no reason for this to be so.  Asynchronous x asynchronous doesn't equal more asynchronous.  I use a V-Link because my PC clock is so out of whack the Ndac won't sync without it.

I wouldn't swap my Naim DAC because it didn't have async USB - just use a V-Link or if you don't like the extra box the use a Halide Bridge (one neat cable). Naim will support the DAC for years - why change? Reviews are of little value - you need to hear it yourself, most reviewers only listen to a product for a short time and quite often have decided what they are going to write before they even listen - it is also a fact that the worst systems I've ever heard were set up by hi-fi reviewers, the one of the best was set up by Naim and used a Naim DAC.

@ DHT: 

That sounds very promising! How good is extraordinarily good

Are both on the same level regarding sound quality? Did you use the normal power supply that comes with the Young? Could you please describe the sound character of both DACs in comparison? Does the Young offer good PRaT?

Thanks a lot!

I guess a proper demo should be done between the maximized units which is Young DAC/ Paul Hynes and nDAC/555PS. Not sure if these two combinations will ever come in the same room though...

John,

As you already have the Naim DAC,

Why dont you just get a M-Tech BNC Hi-Face and bolt it onto the BNC socket on the back of the DAC using a BNC coupler around 29p.

Then just run a female to male USB cable to your Mac/PC?

Doing it this way, its out of sight and you cut out the need for any digital coax cable.

Stu

@ AMA:

Why not only Young DAC versus Naim DAC? Not everyone can spend that much money on Naim DAC and PS 555 or is willing to spend that much money...

And by the way: A demo with Young DAC/special power supply versus Naim DAC without XPS2 or PS 555 would be fair regarding the prices.

@ Gale 401:

That is a good idea but than I would rather spend some extra money for the EVO, although this is an extra box...

John,

I see R Abbott has added the young to his site. 

Nor is it required, the nDAC is plenty fine on its own...

Because, a bare nDAC is not a great VFM in my measures of SQ. It's overpriced for what it does without external PS. The sound is bright  and a bit fat in bass. It does not outperform many 1.5 - 2 K$ DACs which I happened to audition in a direct A/B demo. The only benefit of bare nDAC is that it features amazing jitter rejection so it lifts the performance of cheap transports substantially. For those who already have a low jitter transport it's possibly more reasonable to buy a cheaper DAC like Benchmark or Lavry or go for Logitech Transporter and be happy. Lavry and PS Audio are very energetic DACs and those who addicted to Naim sound will not be disappointed.

The beauty of nDAC is that nDAC/XPS is becoming one of the best digital players I ever come across and stands on par with more expensive players like KDS or MBL.

Actually I like the nDAC/XPS bass line more than KDS and MBL.

I heard a lot of good words about 202 but no chance to audition it in Dubai.

Some forum members still prefer INT202/nDAC/XPS to DAC202, btw 

> Some forum members still prefer INT202/nDAC/XPS to DAC202, btw 

All the best Guy