Long wait is over.....

Will you be connecting your Weiss DAC to a computer? In my experience, the Weiss DAC2 really shines when connected via Firewire to my Macbook.

By the same token, do you have a decent USB-SPDIF adapter (e.g. HiFace) or Firewire-SPDIF (e.g. Weiss INT202) to connect to the naim DAC? My naim DAC is sounding very nice with the HiFace.

I never got a chance to compare the above 2 side by side. It would be interesting to hear your experience.

It probably goes against "common" sense, but I find computer connectivity to both DACs are superior to straight SPDIF from a disc transport, in my case a humble Cambridge 650BD.

Yes, I will be using a computer setup. I am getting a headache with the options available...

I do have an excellent Empirical Audio USB convertor (Freeway 2).

I remember my old CD player did have a slight edge over my PC setup as transport with Audio Note dac. But the differences aren't enough to give up the conviniece of the PC user interface.

Well if you have the Empirical Audio you would be all set. I have not heard about the "Freeway", is it the same as Offramp?

It would be very interesting to hear your experience comparing the Weiss/Naim played through a computer setup.

The Freeway 2 is the same as Offramp without the superclock upgrade. It is reputably slightly warmer/relaxing sounding than Offramp but not inferior.

I have not compared to other convertor. However, it helped close the gap between a MHDT Paradisea plus and a Wavelength Cosecant by improving the resolution of the cheaper dac quite significantly.

With this said, I felt it should be sufficient for Naim Dac. I will be sure to report back on my finding...

Once you have the DAC2, you can also use it's dig out. If pc, try foobar and a kernal or ASIO arrangement at some point. I consider the lack of this a negative on empirical with XP. Perhpas you can try WASAPI exclusive if later than XP. If a MAC, just go with it and try Amarra at some point.

Sufficient is relative and a variable until you've heard better. Your in for a bit of experimentation. Should be fun.

JS, do you mean the digital out from a Weiss DAC2 can feed a Naim DAC? And if so, how?

Thanks.

You can use the Weiss DACII as just a firewire interface, cheaper to use the new INT interface though.

Yep, but since it's for trial, might as well give it a go.

quote:

Originally posted by AllenB:
The Weiss INT202 shows the HiFace a clean pair of heels, quite a bit pricier, but IMO as good as it gets on extracting a signal out of a Mac.

I had a Weiss DAC2 and now a Naim DAC but never had a chance to compare side by side. But since received the HiFace two days ago connected to the Naim DAC, it is distracting how much more details and dimensionality the system is now sounding.

I am not sure if this reveals the strength of the HiFace or the Naim DAC. But considering the price is less than 1/6 of the INT202, the HiFace is a no brainer.

I ordered the HiFace as a temporary device, but I think it could serve me for quite a while.

As an aside if the Naim DAC a few days old with no external PS is sounding this good, what would an XPS bring?

f that JYOW. Just go for the 555. The HDX with the 555 was "beyond my comprehension" good

After I win the lottery PCStockton

The dac has been playing for about 8 hours....
Fresh out of box, it was a bit slow and bass heavy.

Now it seems to gain more clarity, and a bit faster, bass is still heavy...very promising. Remind me of the CDX2.

Is this what you experience as well, JYOW?

quote:

Originally posted by JYOW:
As an aside if the Naim DAC a few days old with no external PS is sounding this good, what would an XPS bring?

An improvement, but then you'd hope so at over double the cost.

Joe

I added a 555PS to a DAC last night. Very significant improvement, as you'd expect

JYOW Hi, I have the hiface here and a Weiss, and the hiface is super,but the weiss is better,shame you sold the Weiss before the Naim dac arrived.

quote:

Originally posted by Graham Russell:
I added a 555PS to a DAC last night. Very significant improvement, as you'd expect

May I ask which areas received the most significant jump in sound quality?
Thanks.

quote:

Originally posted by Graham Russell:
I added a 555PS to a DAC last night. Very significant improvement, as you'd expect

I wouldn't expect it at all. A DAC is a low-current device that requires very little power. I would expect that for the price, Naim would have put an adequate power supply in the DAC itself. The concept that an expensive external supply can make a "Very significant improvement" is not only surprising, but very disappointing.

quote:

I wouldn't expect it at all. A DAC is a low-current device that requires very little power.

So is a pre amp, but relieving the power amp of its duties by using a FC,HC or SC makes a massive difference.So I can see a more robust PSU making a difference on a DAC as well, and I have heard it too.

quote:

Originally posted by BigH47:

quote:

I wouldn't expect it at all. A DAC is a low-current device that requires very little power.

So is a pre amp, but relieving the power amp of its duties by using a FC,HC or SC makes a massive difference.So I can see a more robust PSU making a difference on a DAC as well, and I have heard it too.

dacs have very small current demand, and naim would have isolated the digital and audio circuits. the transformer is rated at 220va, which is well over the requirement,some amplifiers only have 300va transformers

external psu are good for high current and isolation . upgrade a £2000dac with a psu at £3000 is taking the it too far.

ive had the dac longer than most 12/1209.

it is a great hub that sounds excellent. ive never heard the human voice sound better off a cd. upgrade option is far too expensive allan

quote:

Originally posted by BigH47:

quote:

I wouldn't expect it at all. A DAC is a low-current device that requires very little power.

So is a pre amp, but relieving the power amp of its duties by using a FC,HC or SC makes a massive difference.So I can see a more robust PSU making a difference on a DAC as well, and I have heard it too.

There is plenty of testimony that Naim external power supplies influence sound quality. (I have a HiCap on my SN). I wasn't saying that it didn't affect the DAC, merely that I don't understand why it should affect it so much. Is it evidence of a seriously deficient internal PSU? After all, the claim was for a "Very significant improvement". How bad was it before?

The HiCap made my already great SN a little bit greater. For me, not "very significant" but still good.

quote:

Is it evidence of a seriously deficient internal PSU? After all, the claim was for a "Very significant improvement". How bad was it before?

I don't think that 18 years Glenfiddich makes 12 years Glenfiddich tastes disgusting.

winkyincanada, the idea that low current gears like DACs can get away with smaller and cheaper linear PS is just SO wrong ...

The switching PS for DACs and preamps are very promising, they are coming into Hi-Fi, possibly at the doorstep -- but still behind the mastodon linear designs.

So is a pre amp, but relieving the power amp of its duties by using a FC,HC or SC makes a massive difference.

Possibly more realistic might be ... using a FC, HC or SC makes an audible and, for me, significant difference.

The question of how much one is prepared to pay for incremental improvements will vary according to individual circumstances, and personal taste.

Many posts on this Forum these days are tending to loose a sense of proportion, and hyperbole is all too often the means used to make a point. The value of the post is devalued in proportion to the size of the exaggeration.

ATB from George

quote:

Originally posted by AMA:
winkyincanada, the idea that low current gears like DACs can get away with smaller and cheaper linear PS is just SO wrong ...

The switching PS for DACs and preamps are very promising, they are coming into Hi-Fi, possibly at the doorstep -- but still behind the mastodon linear designs.

I wasn't assuming that the PSU in the $4000 DAC was small and cheap. Surely it is pretty trick.

quote:

I wasn't assuming that the PSU in the $4000 DAC was small and cheap. Surely it is pretty trick.

It's no way close to that of HiCap or XPS. I would say it's FC type of PS. Just look inside at photos: toroid, capacitors, regulators -- also check up for number of rails in built-in PS and XPS/555 -- these all are quite self-explaining. Not to say that external PS resides ... outside the gain board -- which is beneficial on it's own....

Just check up any other brand on the market: 30 -- 50 % of their massive boxes is PS. For example, McIntosh MCD 301 is just the same size as CD5X + FC -- and the same price. And MCD301 PS is the same size as FC. But with CD5X I have an option to go for HiCap which makes it even more enjoyable than MCD301.
What Naim is doing -- they suggest to buy gears in steps which is not available with other manufacturers.
I don't consider Naim PS overpriced comparing to other manufacturers. But they are expensive as they are better.