Naim DAC with Shindo?
Posted by: Li Ravicz on 20 November 2009
I've been running an older Naim system and have been planning on adding the new Naim DAC. However, recently I've fallen for Shindo gear and have an opportunity to buy the Monbrison pre- amp at a very good price. Could anyone venture a guess as to how well matching Naim and Shindo would turn out?
Thanks,
Li
Thanks,
Li
Posted on: 21 November 2009 by John R.
Up to now only Naim and their distributors have got a very few Naim DACs around and I am pretty sure that none of them have tried it with Shindo gear. Therefore every answer to your question is based on 100% speculation and not useful at all. And for my taste spending a serious amount of money for Shindo gear hoping that it will work fine with the Naim DAC is a risky experiment!
Posted on: 21 November 2009 by Li Ravicz
You're probably right about just how speculative this question must be. I had the opportunity to listen to a Naim DAC demo here in Seattle and to say it was impressive would be an understatement. However, there are so few I'm sure they haven't been tried with anything Shindo. Here is what a Shindo sales guy wrote me on the subject.
I was referred to you by Tone Imports, the US importer for Shindo. I understand you would like to 'go Shindo'
This is certainly a possibility - and I DO recommend starting with the preamp, as a good preamp is the heart and soul of a good
music system. I have a feeling, though, that the Masseto would be ideal, due to the output transformers, and very low
output impedance, to match the certain impedance of the Naim amp.
Which Naim amp do you have? I need to check compatibility with the input impedance.
The dac would simply run into one of the line level inputs of the Monbrison and you would simply adjust
volume control as you would like on the Monbrison. I remember Naim gear of yore (I use to sell is a decade ago when I worked at various
hifi shops) having just DIN connectors. I believe the current naim products have RCA output, which the DAC should, as well.
I was referred to you by Tone Imports, the US importer for Shindo. I understand you would like to 'go Shindo'
This is certainly a possibility - and I DO recommend starting with the preamp, as a good preamp is the heart and soul of a good
music system. I have a feeling, though, that the Masseto would be ideal, due to the output transformers, and very low
output impedance, to match the certain impedance of the Naim amp.
Which Naim amp do you have? I need to check compatibility with the input impedance.
The dac would simply run into one of the line level inputs of the Monbrison and you would simply adjust
volume control as you would like on the Monbrison. I remember Naim gear of yore (I use to sell is a decade ago when I worked at various
hifi shops) having just DIN connectors. I believe the current naim products have RCA output, which the DAC should, as well.
Posted on: 21 November 2009 by kuma
Using a non Naim preamp is the quickest way to kill what's good about a Naim power amp.
You might be better off with a Shindo power amp, too.
Using a Naim source into tube amplifications seem to be common in the US and I see no problem using a Naim DAC into Shindo amps.
You might be better off with a Shindo power amp, too.
Using a Naim source into tube amplifications seem to be common in the US and I see no problem using a Naim DAC into Shindo amps.
Posted on: 22 November 2009 by js
Exactly, Kuma. Very unlikely that you prefer another preamp with a Naim amp regardless of your sonic preferences overall.
That said, the DAC is a universal source and it will work well with anything. No interfacing required. That Naim dealers have listened to it through Naim is rather meaningless. I doubt they would have a better perception of it by listening through kit they thought less good. It's not like I don't know the differences between a LP12 and xerxes because I chose to compare them through Naim. The only speculative part would be due to the DAC being preproduction but it wont gets worse. Production units have ALWAYS been better in the past.
That said, the DAC is a universal source and it will work well with anything. No interfacing required. That Naim dealers have listened to it through Naim is rather meaningless. I doubt they would have a better perception of it by listening through kit they thought less good. It's not like I don't know the differences between a LP12 and xerxes because I chose to compare them through Naim. The only speculative part would be due to the DAC being preproduction but it wont gets worse. Production units have ALWAYS been better in the past.
Posted on: 23 November 2009 by Li Ravicz
These are really helpful comments. I think the reality is that unless I am willing to replace the the pre-amp AND the amp I probably shouldn't do either, especially since I have a nearly new HICAP2 that I couldn't use with the Shindo.
Regarding the Naim DAC both Kuma and JS's comments seem on the money. By the way, I heard the a demo of the DAC a few weeks back and it exceeded expectations. It was extremely good!
Regarding the Naim DAC both Kuma and JS's comments seem on the money. By the way, I heard the a demo of the DAC a few weeks back and it exceeded expectations. It was extremely good!
Posted on: 25 November 2009 by Kumatose
Hi Li. I think you should listen to an all Shindo system. IMO, Shindo and Naim are more different than alike. The latter is lively and passionate. The interplay of notes are so much easier to follow, etc. Good luck with your search!
Posted on: 26 November 2009 by Markus S
Just a short note to say that Naim source components (CDX2 in my case) and Shindo amps (Monbrison pre and several different power amps) work well together. Hoewever, a Shindo pre and Naim power amp are not a combination that I would expect to work well, not least because of the very different gain structures (Shindo pres have a lot of gain, the preamp would have to be used at the very start of its volume control range, not a very good solution).
The idea of comparing Naim and Shindo solutions in your home system is also a good one. I did just that and preferred Shindo. Much will depend on your speakers.
The idea of comparing Naim and Shindo solutions in your home system is also a good one. I did just that and preferred Shindo. Much will depend on your speakers.
Posted on: 01 December 2009 by kent
quote:Originally posted by Comatose:
Hi Li. I think you should listen to an all Shindo system. IMO, Shindo and Naim are more different than alike. The latter is lively and passionate. The interplay of notes are so much easier to follow, etc. Good luck with your search!
Shindo can be lively and passionate as well depend on which amp model you listened to. Corton-Charlamagne 80 monoblocks can rock the house!