Hello, My name is Carlo a happy Naim owner since 2005. I started with the cd 5i adding nait 5i (italic) a few years later with a pair of Sonus faber concertino Home.
I changed speakers to Sonus faber Auditor M and changed to Nait XS. I am pretty happy with my current set up.
I am also a proud owner of a 800 orignal cds.
I have an opportunity to get a S/H DAC V1 (3 years old / half of the retail price) to start listening Flac files from a laptop. I am totally new in this sort of music playing.
What would be the difference in sound between the new dac V1 / pc combo and my 12 years old Cd5i.
Is it worth to keep cd players in the system or should I upgrade my current amplification selling my Nait XS / CD 5i , let’s say for a Supernait 2.
Wil I benefit from sound perspective with the DAC v1 and should I change my current set up?
The only thing sure is that I will remain with the Sonus Faber M.
Cheers from Croatia.
Posted on: 28 February 2017 by Brilliant
I have no experience with your CD player but at 1/2 msrp the s/h DAC-V1 in good condition is a no brainer IMO - update the firmware (to v1.16) if it has not been done. I do not know the laptop/pc/amp setup you have but the direct USB connection can ultimately be improved by various tweaks later on. You could search other threads on this forum for the other upgrade ideas (like using the V1 as a preamp with other NAPs). The good thing with s/h items is that you can often move them on without (much) loss, if they do not work out for you.
ATB.
B.
Posted on: 28 February 2017 by vid051
@BRILLIANT thanks for your reply.
As understood from the seller, the dac has been updated with the firmware in order to play DSD files.
As stated my current Amp is a Nait XS.
Regarding usage of the DAC, I will connect him via toslink cable from tv, use it as headphone amp and of course via PC (Intel core i7 - HP Zbook 15 - 4GB RAM - Windows 10 - CPU 2.40 GHz).
Isn't it enough to connect the PC with USB and play the music with some installed player/software?
I have been reading the forum in respect to adding power amps, but I somehow like the idea to eventually connect a CD player or turntable to my system.
What are you suggestions?
Posted on: 28 February 2017 by Brilliant
The DAC-V1 without a doubt will work well in those situations. I have one that I use in a similar way. I have two HP Elitebooks (one i7 of similar config as your Zbook, the other an i5), and a dual core Win7 Home 64bit desktop PC (4GB ram/3.0 GHz). The desktop USB (Gigabyte mobo) sounds more 'open' than the laptops. I use a 'custom USB cable' (no +5V strand, just gnd+data) and J River MC22 for playback. I also have the Sonore microRendu + LPS-1 power supply currently hooked up to the V1 via ethernet. All this I have found to improve the soundstage clarity and low level/timbre resolution without affecting the V1 'PRaT'. The sound though 'thins' out a bit when compared to the straight USB.
I guess what I am trying to say is that what feeds the DAC-V1 can matter. The straight laptop USB feed, good as it is, may be improved upon by tweaks to an even higher level of resolution, if that is what you after.
edit - How any of this compares to your setup? I just don't know!
B.
Posted on: 02 March 2017 by Huge
The DAC V1 will retrieve a LOT more detail than a CD5i. It's at least as big an upgrade as going from a Nait 5i to the Nait XS.
Assuming you use a good source for the DAC that doesn't inject a whole shed-load of RFI, then depending on how you listen you'll get better detail & resolution, better instrumental timbres, better clarity in vocals, more precise stereo imaging and probably some other benefits.
Do you use any of the other inputs on the Nait, or just the CD? (This affects your options as to how to use the DAC V1 and the Nait XS.)
Posted on: 02 March 2017 by vid051
Thanks @HUGE.
I use only the CDP with the Nait.
Why do you think that number of input in use affects the option how to use the DAC V1?
As explained I will use the Pc as a source for the dac. Would that be a good source? Any suggestions for a good source?
If this combo of PC/DAC V1 is much better than my cd5i, do you think it is worthy to sell my nait xs/cd5i and buy a supernait2?
And yes, I dont know what is RFI :-)
Posted on: 02 March 2017 by Brilliant
Why not grab the V1 before someone else does and play with it in your setup to see how it goes before taking the next upgrade step?
You can use it in 'fixed' mode as a DAC or as a preamp/DAC into your XS (perhaps?) and get a feel of its qualities.
Posted on: 02 March 2017 by Huge
If the only input you use on the Nait is the CDP, then when you have ripped all your CDs, instead of controlling the volume using the XS's volume control you can use the AV input and control the volume using the DAC V1; this may give a better SQ.
Using a PC as a digital source can be unpredictable, some are good some are not so good. Some PC's benefit from a USB reclocker, some benefit from RF filtration such as ferrite chokes. On the forum, there has been a lot of discussion on the use of a Gustard U12.
If you're going to use a PC / DAC V1 as your only source component, then you may as well use a classic power-amp rather than an integrated. If you don't need analogue inputs the DAC V1 has a preamp with digital inputs, so there's no point in having another preamp in an integrated amp as well. Instead of paying out for a SN2, you could spend the money on a 250DR, which is quite a lot better.
Posted on: 03 March 2017 by t@rmac
Just switched from an XS to a NAP 200 connected to my V1 ..........the sound is great ! But pay attention to the source , player and sofware are very important
In other words.......The V1 is a very good dac , but used in pre out mode is a bargain
