Connecting a DAC to ND5 XS...connectors?

Posted by: NickViola on 17 October 2017

I've a question regarding cabling used between an ND5 XS and outboard tube DAC. Amplification is an XS-2 and I have the separate power supplies for both units. 

At the moment I'm using high quality interconnects, RCA to RCA. But I've come across a number of cables on the internet that do RCA to DIN. Is there any advantage to this? My DAC only has RCAs out. 

I do prefer the sound of the tubed DAC. (But, if I didn't have it, I'd be happy with  sound of the built-in DAC of the ND5 XS.) 

Thanks in advance for any advice/suggestions!

Posted on: 17 October 2017 by Adam Zielinski

RCA > DIN is the best for connecting your DAC to a Nait.

For ND5XS to an external DAC. You will need a BNC to RCA (most likely).

use a search function on this forum to see why.

Posted on: 17 October 2017 by Bob the Builder

ND5XS( Digital out ) >> BNC >> RCA or BNC >> (Digital in ) your Dac  (Analogue out)  2RCA >> Din or Rca >>

(Audio Input)  Nait XS                                                               

Posted on: 17 October 2017 by NickViola

Thank-you for the replies. Two questions that arise:  1) are these RCA/DIN cables directional? 2) I've seen 4 pin and 5 pin DINs...which do I need?

If they are directional, then I will look for RCA/DIN cables, rather than DIN/RCA to connect a DAC to ND5 XS...correct? And with Naim cables, the little tab marker will be closest to the RCA ends...correct?

Having had regular RCA interconnects, tube amplifiers, etc all my hifi/stereo days, I still haven't picked up totally on Naim ways. Except that the sound is very much to my liking!

Posted on: 17 October 2017 by Adam Zielinski

Majority of signal cables tend to be manufactured as directional.

In your case you will need and RCA connector on the DAC end and a 5-pin DIN (180 degrees areangement) on the amp end. IN case of NAIM this is very important as different pins on the DIN plug carry the input signal and different ones carry the output signal.

4-pin DIN cables are used for connecting some NAIM pre-amps to poweramps for example.

The little grey marker on Naim signal cables marks  the 'source' end.