NDAC Successor?

Posted by: andrew jameson on 13 February 2018

So can i indulge in a bit of idle speculation!

I'm a died in the wool Naim man so it's very unlikely that i'll leave the fold. BUT ... if ND555 rumour / speculation is to be believed (and of course no one outside of Naim really knows) then we may not see an updated NDAC alongside the new streamer. I can't be bothered with all of the computer audio router / NAS etc. business and i have various domestic broadband limitations which are likely to preclude a high end streaming anyway so i'm going to have to remain DAC focused - of course i could use the ND555 as a DAC but I somewhat resent paying for superfluous functionality.

So if i were to leave the Naim fold for a bang up to date DAC where might i look? - I can't stand the Chord aesthetic so unlikely to go there - any bright ideas? Budget not really an issue as we're purely in speculation zone!

Posted on: 13 February 2018 by cat345

Bryston?

Posted on: 13 February 2018 by sihctr

Have a look at Schiit Audio Yggdrasil. It's based on (current) multi-bit DAC chip, so similar approach to nDAC in some ways. Relatively cheap and upgradeable. If you get lucky you might even find it in black.

From my side, I am hoping for nDAC + NAC in one box, but not really holding my breath! I know that some Chord items perform this function, but I am also not touching them due to aesthetics!

Posted on: 13 February 2018 by james n

I'd be surprised if Naim didn't update the DAC. As I mentioned in another thread it's been out nearly 8 years and is ripe for the usual higher end treatment - External supply only making the most of the dual burndy 555PS, floating subchassis etc.

If budget is not an issue then DCS...

Posted on: 13 February 2018 by jsaudio

I'm sorry if this is obvious, but why would you need a DAC if your not interested in streaming. I assume any CD player has a built in DAC.

Posted on: 13 February 2018 by David Hendon

andrew jameson posted:
.. if ND555 rumour / speculation is to be believed (and of course no one outside of Naim really knows)

Trevor Wilson has published in the forum (see posting near the top of each room) what's going on with the ND555 so that at least isn't rumour/speculation any more.......

Posted on: 13 February 2018 by Eloise

james n posted:
I'd be surprised if Naim didn't update the DAC. As I mentioned in another thread it's been out nearly 8 years and is ripe for the usual higher end treatment - External supply only making the most of the dual burndy 555PS, floating subchassis etc.

Personally I'd be surprised if Naim DID update the DAC (but then I'm usually wrong on these things and have no insider knowledge). It appears to me that Naim have firmly nailed their flag to the "integrated streamer" pole and I can't imagine that will change any time soon (considering the investment they made in the Uniti / now ND555 platform).

Posted on: 13 February 2018 by daren_p

Personally a fan of Metrum Acoustics DAC's, which is a great match with Naim kit & to these ears a big step up from the typical delta-sigma DAC's all over the market. I'm currently using their Menuet (was the model below the Pavane, which is their top of the line without a volume control).

Posted on: 13 February 2018 by Mike1951

Well, there's always the Bear of clever brain that dare not speak it's name...

Posted on: 13 February 2018 by Timo

andrew jameson posted:
Quick question how do you insert quotes such that they appear against blue background?

"Take Action" and then "Reply with Quote".

Posted on: 13 February 2018 by andrew jameson

jsaudio posted:
I'm sorry if this is obvious, but why would you need a DAC if your not interested in streaming. I assume any CD player has a built in DAC.

I use a Core connected to NDAC with Naim DC1 - NDAC powered by 555DR

Posted on: 13 February 2018 by Mulberry

I think much of what is inside the NDAC is still a technically sound approach. The use of one of the last and arguably best true PCM chips makes so much sense for most of the available music. A floating subchassis and perhaps more computing power for the filter/DSP could or even should improve things, though.

If I had to buy a new non-Naim DAC today, Meitner/EMM and Totaldac would be the ones on my shortlist.

Posted on: 13 February 2018 by yeti42

Are you on the latest firmware? That’s where the updates have been.

Posted on: 13 February 2018 by Guinnless

yeti42 posted:
Are you on the latest firmware? That’s where the updates have been.

If the firmware needs updating take it to a Naim dealer. See my other thread ☺

Posted on: 13 February 2018 by TOBYJUG

After the Nd555 has been released and a thorough knowledge is known about what's going on inside, will proper speculation about a Ndac successor happen. Flagships are always meant to be a trickle down resource, and it would be interesting what's taken from the Statements tech.

just sticking the Ndac into a classic case with bronze floaty bits would only give a marginal improvement.

Posted on: 14 February 2018 by andrew jameson

Guinnless posted:
yeti42 posted:
Are you on the latest firmware? That’s where the updates have been.
If the firmware needs updating take it to a Naim dealer. See my other thread ☺

Yep i have the latest update (and self installed although not straightforward!) - a really appreciable uplift for sure

Posted on: 15 February 2018 by Guinnless

andrew jameson posted:
Guinnless posted:
yeti42 posted:
Are you on the latest firmware? That’s where the updates have been.
If the firmware needs updating take it to a Naim dealer. See my other thread ☺
Yep i have the latest update (and self installed although not straightforward!) - a really appreciable uplift for sure

That's good news. I'm not sure what went wrong with my firmware upgrade. A Sandisk memory stick was tested with hires WAV files and formated with FAT32. Nice to know that the upgrade gave a performance uplift - I'd only had my DAC running for half a day before I did the fatal firmware upgrade. LOL ????

So it had to go back to Salisbury. Aah well it came back with the latest firmware, a new logo and a new box. Faultless service from Naim!

Its now running on internet radio overnight to warm up.

????

Posted on: 15 February 2018 by themrock

I use a Auralic Aries G2; because its only a streamer you need a DAC, so for me i use the NDac.

If you want a Streamer/DAC Kombi the Auralic Vega G2 is superb.

Posted on: 16 February 2018 by audio1946

Eloise posted:
james n posted:
I'd be surprised if Naim didn't update the DAC. As I mentioned in another thread it's been out nearly 8 years and is ripe for the usual higher end treatment - External supply only making the most of the dual burndy 555PS, floating subchassis etc.
Personally I'd be surprised if Naim DID update the DAC (but then I'm usually wrong on these things and have no insider knowledge). It appears to me that Naim have firmly nailed their flag to the "integrated streamer" pole and I can't imagine that will change any time soon (considering the investment they made in the Uniti / now ND555 platform).

naim wants more new customers,most of them are only interested in the main to buy one box package . the market is flooded with new dacs and the price is fierce. Cant see a new stand alone dac from naim . naim are in a new erra

Posted on: 16 February 2018 by Emre

Mytek Liberty DAC 995$ value for money....

MSB Technologies Select DAC 80,000$ for money no object...

New DACs coming from MSB as well check them out.....

New Chord DAC can be hidden.....