Naim Pre after non-Naim DAC to get Naim signature?

Welcome Miles - with a system like yours where you've got the most direct connection between DAC and speakers i'm wondering if this is the best way to spend your money. What don't you like about your system at the moment that you think adding a Naim pre-amp will solve ?

James

I'm not trying to "solve" anything per se. I like the Naim sound and instead of going the very expensive route of NDS/555/552/300 etc etc plus I want to try to strengthen my system by adding a pre anyways since I believe it is missing, I was thinking that a 252 or 552 may be a way to go towards a Naim sound. Does it not make sense?

This reminds me of those children's books, where the pages are cut into three, with heads, bodies and legs, so you can get a firefighter's head on a nurse's body with swimmer's legs. It perhaps seems odd to have a Chord DAC and active ATCs, given that you say you like the Naim sound. That said, there are people using Chord DACs, and someone uses a 272 into the SCM 50 and is really happy with it. The best thing to do is to try it. Just borrow a Naim preamp and see if you like it more than using the Dave direct into the ATCs. If you like what the preamp does you could then always try an NDS against the Dave. 

I guess life is not linear and maybe I discovered the naim sound AFTER I got my Dave and ATC?  sort of like being a newborn and every path leads to Rome as long as one remains open.

Fair enough. As Nigel says, borrow a Naim pre-amp and see if that gives you what you want. 

ok. Thank you.

By all means try a Naim pre, but I'd be surprised if it gets you all the way there.  That doesn't mean that you will not enjoy what you end up with, but how can a pre-amp change the sonic character of the DAC?  

The most amazing system I've ever heard was a CDx2 with a non-naim tube amp.  It had all the drive of a naim system.

Good luck and I hope it works out for you.  

thanks for your input [@mention:30992173575109618] I just read here on many occasions that the Naim signature was mostly in the preamp I thought my question was relevant but from what I can sense, it isn't

I am by no means an expert.  All I know is what I have heard.  Plus I have been told that the CDx2 is a very unique sound that people either love.

In the end all that matters is that your system makes you want to listen to more music as often as possible.

milesT posted:

hello Naimers, my first post - so: hello and thanks for having me here

I am the lucky owner of a Chord Dave fed by a music server (Nimitra). I'm looking to get into the Naim world with a good preamp. I have ATC SCM 50 active speakers. 

Would a 252 or 552 DR be a good choice? what I'm after is the Naim sound signature and I read that the pre is a central part of the system to get it.

i think hungryhalibut gave you the best advice.  Try at home.  A pre as 252 , or even 282 supercap, will give you more dynamics and open/ detailed sound. But if you want more naim sound, i would go for a combo pre/amp of naim, like 282/250 with dave, or 252/250 or 300.

But some members prefer chord dave directly to amp...

Personally i don't like active speakers, with often class d amps inside. To have more naim sound it is better to have preamp and amp of naim.

After it is a matter of personal taste. Personally i have non naim preamp with naim amp and naim source.

You have to try at your home or dealer shop. There is no better way.

thanks [@mention:56335183628232089]

My ATC SCM actives are AB class amps. What preamp do you use? and why not naim?

If you want a Naim sound, try to borrow/buy a 172 or 272.

Dave is a very capable source by itself so I've heard Dave sound amazing even with a NAC 172.

You will need a special cable made, speak to a Naim dealer for that.

A Naim cable is actually part of the Naim sound (strangely enough), so make sure you get Naim to make this cable for you.

so you need 2 Naim made cables

1) from Dave to Naim preamp

2) from Naim preamp to ATC actives.

milesT posted:

thanks [@mention:56335183628232089]

My ATC SCM actives are AB class amps. What preamp do you use? and why not naim?

i had before nap 250 power and nac 282 then 252 preamps. For me, a full naim system is a bit bright and sometimes agressive on some tracks. It took me long time to find a preamp, with tubes,  that can add some softness and fluency, without loosing prat and dynamic : i finally got an ear yoshino 912, with also top quality phono stage inside.  My amp is nap 300 dr today.

My sources are nds/555 dr/unitserve /uptone js2 p and sme 20 turntable.

The balance of my system is perfect for me. But my speakers are a little limiting....

Chord dave is a wonderful dac, and the sound is softer than naim sources. So perhaps a naim preamp can be well balanced with your chord dac. But i don't know what will be in association with active atc... you must try before.  And don't forget the right cable between chord and preamp...i would choose signature tuned array or any chord. 

analogmusic posted:

If you want a Naim sound, try to borrow/buy a 172 or 272.

Dave is a very capable source by itself so I've heard Dave sound amazing even with a NAC 172.

You will need a special cable made, speak to a Naim dealer for that.

A Naim cable is actually part of the Naim sound (strangely enough), so make sure you get Naim to make this cable for you.

so you need 2 Naim made cables

1) from Dave to Naim preamp

2) from Naim preamp to ATC actives.

 

i don't understand your choice : chord dave is a dac, so why 172 or 272, which are preamps with dacs?   you mean perhaps instead of the chord dave?

thanks a lot Pierre, very helpful!