Chord DACs

Nina posted:

Is there anyone using the Naim DC1 cable ?  if so is it any good ?  Thinking about it from CD5XS to Dac, so a BNC to RCA version

If your using an all Naim cable set - speaker,power and interconnects and enjoy them - then the DC1 would be your best option.

some advocate that all cables should be thought of as a system, while others are happy to mix and match.  Since it's been mentioned that your using TQ cables, it could be worthwhile you trying the same level digital BNC to BNC cable that TQ have to offer.

there will no such thing as a CD revival in 15 to 20 years.

It's an old outdated technology which has no place in our lives just like VHS and Betamax.

Streaming is the present and the future with advances like MQA and high-resolution.

Since I got tidal, I haven't bought much CD or LP. Just the obligatory gift from my family. That's it.

analogmusic posted:

there will no such thing as a CD revival in 15 to 20 years.

It's an old outdated technology which has no place in our lives just like VHS and Betamax.

Streaming is the present and the future with advances like MQA and high-resolution.

Since I got tidal, I haven't bought much CD or LP. Just the obligatory gift from my family. That's it.

 

 

 

 

Some bold statements there!

Personally, i am inclined to agree with 1)

Even though streaming has the potential to sound better, at least when playing from a locally stored file, 2) is, and will be, incorrect for anyone with a CD collection  unless or until they discover the benefits of streaming and/or CD player reaches end of life and no e availble to replace, so CD will continue to have  a place in a lot of peoples lives probably for many years to come.

I agree wholeheartedly with most of 3), but not MQA: As a lossy process it is compromised, and to me has no place in hifi. (However, I note that apparently some people like the effect on the sound arising from the artefacts created by the reconstruction process, much as some people like the effect caused by RF ground plane modulation in some DACs. I have no personal experience of it so can't offer my own assessment). As bandwidths increase MQA might cease to have the benefit that it offers to some - which really is primarily to the streaminfpg service provider, as it will only make a significant difference (compared to non-lossy hi res online streaming) where the local bandwidth is a limiting factor.

Regarding Tidal, it suits some, but will only be relevant as a replacement for their own collection to those who live somewhere with adequate internet bandwidth and stability, and who like the model of not owning but being dependent on a service to always be available, uninterruptible, carry a stock of music they like (in perpetuity), and are happy to pay a subscription indefinitely or lose access to the music.

repeating myself somewhat but for a BNC to BNC on the cheap that's highly entertaining... get one of these, then you can compare some of the expensive cables.

" Belden 4974R, around £35 shipped from Blue Jeans cables in the states. This gives surprisingly good results, it even makes the 2qute a bit less clinical but not enough. The chord clearway and shawline were disappointingly dull, I haven't tried the DC1.

Mine took about a week to arrive using  fedex internationakl priority, that takes care of the VAT too.

I have a temporary REGA DAC-r connected to my Core with one, the soundstage is a bit flat but theres a good comunication of emotional content and the Rega can actually boogie with one of these feeding it, it couldn't with either of the Chord cables I tried.

Firstly I contacted Naim about whether BNC to BNC (CD5XS to Dac) would sound better than the BNC to RCA I am currently using and they said I wouldn't hear any difference so that's good enough for me to stick with what I am currently using

Secondly when trying to decide between the Hugo and the Naim Dac I said to myself "Which one would I miss the most?" and I have to say the Naim Dac won that argument quite convincingly

Yes the Hugo is very good and on some cd's it's excellent but I think the Naim Dac is more even-handed across the range of cd's I've thrown at it...  also the Naim Dac has a certain 'something' that's tricky to put my finger on sound wise but I love it to bits

I can't imagine that a CDX2 could sound any better than CD5XS into the Dac

Many many years ago I did buy a brand new CDX2 and I sold it shortly afterwards as I was not convinced by it, however that was not being used in a Naim set up 

So my source is sorted:  CD5XS into Naim Dac

The only thing I might try in the years to come would be the Chord Hugo TT but that can wait

Finally does anyone know if you can switch the lights off on the Naim Dac display?

Nina posted:

Finally does anyone know if you can switch the lights off on the Naim Dac display?

Yes, but as with other Naim boxes, you can't switch off the logo light. The 'lock' light also remains on.  The sequence using the 'display' button on your remote is in the manual. 

Thanks MDS I've tried everything on the remote but cannot get rid of the input selection light, I'm happy for the logo and sync light to stay on

I can't find anything in the manual that helps turning off the input lights

I've done it...managed to switch the input lights off... select pre and press and hold the display button, first the amp lights go off then the Dac..

Nina posted:

Many many years ago I did buy a brand new CDX2 ......

Let me guess, there's a NAC552 in a sealed box in the cupboard under the stairs just waiting for the right system   ;-)))

Christopher_M posted:

Nina posted:

Many many years ago I did buy a brand new CDX2 ......

Let me guess, there's a NAC552 in a sealed box in the cupboard under the stairs just waiting for the right system   ;-)))

Actually no...

Nina posted:

Christopher_M posted:

Nina posted:

Many many years ago I did buy a brand new CDX2 ......

Let me guess, there's a NAC552 in a sealed box in the cupboard under the stairs just waiting for the right system   ;-)))

Actually no...

It’s in the wardrobe isn’t it?

Eoink posted:

It’s in the wardrobe isn’t it?

I wish.. 

Happy ending on page 9??!! Come on Nina, you can do better... 

Timo posted:

Happy ending on page 9??!! Come on Nina, you can do better... 

I got there in the end Timo.... 

Glad to learn that the nDAC is pleasing you, Nina. You now just need to take time to enjoy your new system and music,  and avoid any thoughts of future upgrades.

Exactly MDS now I just need to decide between the XS2 and the SN2 but as all my recent listening has been with the SN2 I can't imagine I will change it

I have no thoughts of any upgrades now, I'm very happy with the system as it sounds now 

I am so enjoying my toons 

Hey guys...and gal,today I tried using the Hugo 2 as a preamp,fed the digital signal from my Core,then analog out from the H2 directly into my amp.I do not have anything but RCA interconnects,so I could not use my Nap 250 DR,I used my Anthem MCA 50 amp.The sound is actually incredible,very detailed,but meaty full 3D sound...using Dynaudio special 40 Speakers.I know a few people have tried this before,but this is my first time,it really has me thinking Chord Dave directly into an amp may be in my future,of course I want to live with it for a few days before I make any decisions,but the H2 is the real deal as a pre,and has a remote.

No quarter posted:

,but this is my first time,it really has me thinking Chord Dave directly into an amp may be in my future,of course I want to live with it for a few days before I make any decisions,but the H2 is the real deal as a pre,and has a remote.

That's how I use Dave, however be aware that those who crave the 'Naim sound" suggest that a Naim preamp is necessary prerequisite.

No quarter posted:

Hey guys...and gal,today I tried using the Hugo 2 as a preamp,fed the digital signal from my Core,then analog out from the H2 directly into my amp.I do not have anything but RCA interconnects,so I could not use my Nap 250 DR,I used my Anthem MCA 50 amp.The sound is actually incredible,very detailed,but meaty full 3D sound...using Dynaudio special 40 Speakers.I know a few people have tried this before,but this is my first time,it really has me thinking Chord Dave directly into an amp may be in my future,of course I want to live with it for a few days before I make any decisions,but the H2 is the real deal as a pre,and has a remote.

Interesting. What is the preamp that's connected to the NAP 250 DR prior to running the Hugo 2 direct to the 250DR?

N272/XPSDR.

NQ, I added the ferrites to the standard Hugo USB cable - pretty surprised at the improved microdetail and slight smoother sound. Can't decide whether it's strained the dynamics ever so slightly though. Have you had the same/similar experience?

Mayor West posted:

NQ, I added the ferrites to the standard Hugo USB cable - pretty surprised at the improved microdetail and slight smoother sound. Can't decide whether it's strained the dynamics ever so slightly though. Have you had the same/similar experience?

I also had two jitterbugs in the Mac Mini... maybe this was overkill on the anti-noise agenda with the ferrites added. Anyway I've taken one of the jitterbugs out and left the ferrites on and I now have the best of both worlds

Mayor West posted:

NQ, I added the ferrites to the standard Hugo USB cable - pretty surprised at the improved microdetail and slight smoother sound. Can't decide whether it's strained the dynamics ever so slightly though. Have you had the same/similar experience?

I have not taken them off the USB cable yet to do a comparison.Right now I am using my Core as a source with the SPDIF cable,so I do not have any ferrites big enough to go around that cable yet,but ordered a box of them.What you describe sounds about right though,I was using headphones when I used the ferrites around the USB cable.There is an ongoing conversation about them on the Blu2 thread,one guy saying that Chord should include ferrites in the box,because they make such a difference,

No quarter posted:

Mayor West posted:

NQ, I added the ferrites to the standard Hugo USB cable - pretty surprised at the improved microdetail and slight smoother sound. Can't decide whether it's strained the dynamics ever so slightly though. Have you had the same/similar experience?

I have not taken them off the USB cable yet to do a comparison.Right now I am using my Core as a source with the SPDIF cable,so I do not have any ferrites big enough to go around that cable yet,but ordered a box of them.What you describe sounds about right though,I was using headphones when I used the ferrites around the USB cable.There is an ongoing conversation about them on the Blu2 thread,one guy saying that Chord should include ferrites in the box,because they make such a difference,

I've added both jitterbugs back in now, I think perhaps it was just a matter of re-adjusting to the different presentation at first with the ferrites in. But yeah it's pretty shocking how much difference they make... with a Hugo 1 anyway. Your help with this mini-upgrade has been much appreciated, thanks!

The love for the Hugo has cooled down. Time for some ...