Halide Bridge vs. M2Tech Evo (vs. HiFace vs. VLink)

Wireworld USB Cable into MF V-Link into True Colours Kukri Glass optical Digital interconnect into Naim DAC works very well indeed. I prefer it to the M2Tech because it doesn't need special drivers; the SQ from all these devices is very good. The Halide Bridge is also neat. 

I'd also expect the Stello U3 from April Music to be as good if not better than these. 

There isn't a best they all work really well - just buy the one you like the look of. 

My True Colours Kukri Glass optical Digital interconnect is metre and my Wireworld Violet USN cable is 2 metres and I put two ferrite rings on it. Keep the cables as short as you reasonably can - no more than 5 metres of USB, but much less if possible. 

All the best, Guy 

Thank you both for the suggestions. I do like the look of the Halide Bridge; I'll have to find some clever way to set up the computer so as to be unobtrusive in the living room.

Hi I've been using an everyday computer in different modes (MacBook Pro early 2011 version) rather than installing a dedicated computer such as a Mac mini next to a naim DAC. So in a similar situation there is an Airport Express being used only to release the MacBook from its "docking" into the naim DAC - the sound is only adequate to poor but fine for casual/ background listening. So therefore for serious listening is the better option to use a USB to SPDIF connection, or just use the MacBook optical output? I've no information about the jitter conditions of these MacBook Pro, early 2011 release. When I have docked the MacBook it was by optical output using Chord optichord and then the sound becomes adequate to quite good.

Mode 1) MacBook un-docked from nDAC - for AirPlay to Airport Express, not used for serious playback/ listening only radio or AAC

Which of these two below has anybody compared, with any varations (e.g. different cables or from their Mac mini) and provides the best sound quality?

Mode 2) Mac docked at nDAC - optical output perhaps with WireWorld Supernova 6, Bit Perfect app is already installed.

Mode 3) Mac docked at nDAC - USB to SPDIF converter perhaps Halide Bridge or Musical Fidelity V-link 2 and which cabling? Does Bit Perfect app work for this setup?

Bit Perfect works fine with USB to S/PDIF convertors. The latest hiFace does need a special driver so my earlier reservations are no longer valid. It is an excellent device. 

With a MacBook you can use any of the methods you suggest. I don't have the exact MacBook you are using, but the Halide Bridge is better than the V-Link 1. I have a V-Link (as described above) in the cupboard. The HB may be cheaper in the log run as it includes the Wireworld USB Cable.  

I upgraded from V-Link 1 to the WW Supernova 6 for use with the Mac Mini. With a 2006 MacBook, I still prefer the V-Link. The Supernova is much better than the Chord cable in my opinion in my set-up. I usually like Chord cables, but not their optical one. 

I prefer the V-Link 1 to the 2 because the 1 has an optical output to assure isolation. Personally, I would not buy a V-Link 2. You could also check out the Stello U3 USB/S-PDIF, which I have been told is exceptional (not tried it myself as I'm happy with the Supernova). 

To be honest the HB and hiFace will both work very well for you. Without knowing the jitter from your MBP then I cannot say if the Supernova will (I except it'll be good, but ...). 

How about using a Linn Sneaky DS  - all the streaming options you could want - music, Spotify, iTunes etc. It has an s/pdif output which you could feed into your nDAC and although it's more money than the options you mention but your laptop would not be tethered to your hifi. Not sure what they go for in the States - easily available in the UK at a 25% discount from Linn dealers. 

If you go for a Sneaky then you'll also need a UPnP capable NAS ... 

The Airport Express will sync with a naim DAC but when ever I've wired the MacBook optically-directly to the naim DAC to playback from iTunes using either AAC downloads or CD rips at 44.100kHz/16bit, it will illuminate both the sync and hd lights on the DAC (with or without Bit Perfect). Is this in any way an indication of a lower jitteryness, or is there no real relevance?

For the USB to SPDIF it looks like HalideBridge is the easier and more all-together option (no additional cables).

I did see some Linn streamers on demonstration recently and enquired about them, they are meant to be much more plug 'n' playable than the Naim srteamers, especially for Mac people. I'm really keen though to hold out for the 2nd generation of Naim streamers, if they can ever become more plug 'n' playable along the same line of Linn, that way there is a better sound match, the Naim sound which I prefer.  

I don't think a NAS is necessary - you just need a UPnP server running somewhere - could just as well be on a laptop or pc - the same machine the o/ps music is on now for example.

And since you would only be using the digital output bit of the Sneaky, the nDAC would still be in charge of the sound quality, so nothing should mess with the Naim sound.

Another option, especially if Spotify is the real motivation, might be a Logitech Touch - it has a very nice Spotify plugin and is silly cheap. Again just use it's digital out into the nDAC. Sure it's discontinued, but if you're looking for a Naim solution down the road, it might keep you going for the year or two that takes to arrive and afford.