Is NS01 + DAC = HDX + DAC -2000 £ ??

Probably you are right. This would be a very interesting solution.

The NSO1 is a lot of money to store data, so why not ..

a decent computer and hard drive
+
NAIM DAC
+
XPS power supply?

NS01 will soon have much more in the way of capabilities and makes ripping as proper and easy as it gets. It does cost more than a computer but to many, the ease and performance of the dig out will be more than worth it. There may be debate regarding ripping, grounding, differences in dig stream due to noise and player performance in general but here you can be sure that those will be all that they can be.

In theory, a NS01 should be as good as an HDX for this but you also lose the touch screen. Of course a remote ip capable controller is cheap and easy.

quote:

Originally posted by js:
NS01 will soon have much more in the way of capabilities and makes ripping as proper and easy as it gets. It does cost more than a computer but to many, the ease and performance of the dig out will be more than worth it. There may be debate regarding ripping, grounding, differences in dig stream due to noise and player performance in general but here you can be sure that those will be all that they can be.

In theory, a NS01 should be as good as an HDX for this but you also lose the touch screen. Of course a remote ip capable controller is cheap and easy.

JS
What more is coming in the way of capabilities? It is an interesting solution to the "problem" many of us have with the HDX however one issue which still concerns me is the singularity of ripping only to WAV. With so many other formats available at the time, and the savings in storage space from using these alternatives, why remain "stuck" in WAV.

On a side note what files do you use with some of your alternative DAC's (ie Nagra) - FLAC?

Thanks
Gregg

WAV and it's all I've ever used for ripping via Wavelab, DBpoweramp or any other available alternative. I'm of the opinion that storage is cheap and processing should be avoided when possible so we've always used WAV. Nothing stuck about it. Why change languages twice to get back to where you started? Nothing is more universal. Tags could have better attaching but it's really no big deal in a known system. Though lossless results can be VG, I can still tell a difference with WAV in any computer playback via hardware I like. This may change in the future but until it does, I'm not. That said, once ripped or transfered to an outside drive, there should be nothing to stop you from converting to whatever is desired.

In the very near future ripping to alternate drives, server capabilities and a few add ons will be available to the HDX. Search by alphabet etc. I haven't made myself aware of everything in detail as I like to wait and see finished items before comment but it appears to be quite comprehensive and useful. I'm not sure how much is public so I won't go any further and I really don't have that sort of specific overview right now anyways.

Sales of HDX and NS01 have now ceased.

I don't see why there is even a debate anymore about file type. In the last 12 months storage prices have continued to drop and really wav should be the only consideration. You get the whole file and no compression, decompression processing involved in using or manipulating the files.

For example a D-link DNS 323 prices around $120-150 and I saw Seagate Barracuda drives 1.5 TB for $109 and 2 TB for $189. So for less than $500 you can have 3-4TB of storage space for files or 1.5-2 TB if you want back-up of one drive.

2TB will accommodate around 3000 albums.

Gregg that's about the size of you CD collection.

quote:

Originally posted by likesmusic:
Sales of HDX and NS01 have now ceased.

We will see. I have to say if the dig out of the NS01 is equal to that of the HDX, and the DAC makes that much of an improvement , well then I'm a little disappointed in not having saved the money. I don't use the touch screen and really only use it when my computer doesn't recognize the http site and I need to differentiate between rebooting the HDX or my tablet computer. It's usually the tablet. I have really enjoyed the music over the last 12 months, c'est la vie.

You really need to demo the pc vs. the HDX/NS01 before making a definitive statement. It has been said numerous times and in numerous articles that there are many known and unknown variables which influence the final result. It is clear that the less noise etc... in the digital signal allows the DAC to do a better job of procesing and giving a better musical result.

Again, I'm not saying that with different sound card, drivers, etc... that you can't match the dig out of the Naim boxes, but for many it's not something we want to do. So yes, you can save money, but a what cost?

I do not have to worry about the repeatability of the Naim ripping, dig out process. For me, this is worth the money.

If the PC/DAC is equal to the HDX (NS01)/DAC using HDX ripped files vs. EAC ripped files then the choice is clear. Otherwise to each their own.

If you waited for the next great thing you would never purchase anything. Enjoy what you have.

Seems every time I have purchased a Mac they go and release a better model the following week

Aint that the truth. At least the DAC seems rather future proof by accomidating a lot of sample rates without conversion and not relying on specific interfaces to do it's thing.

I really wonder what's the difference between HDX + DAC vs. HDX + XPS2??

Regards,
Michel

quote:

Originally posted by garyi:
If you waited for the next great thing you would never purchase anything. Enjoy what you have.

Seems every time I have purchased a Mac they go and release a better model the following week

Agree, never said I regretted the purchase.

I think the key to whole dac dilemma is the chance to compare different sources, in real world settings - then all will become clear

PC, Mac, sonos, hdx, ns01, linn ds and maybe even one of those cd player things.....

And I can't wait for the reports

JS
Thanks for the reply.

On a side note I just checked the price on the NS01 - $6200 seems over the top for a dig in - an Akurate DS costs the same (DAC included ). Ten K for a DAC/NS01 - sorry but no - still need to find an adequate dig in.

Thanks
Gregg

Many thanks to all for all the info. Let me summarize:
1) yes purchasing the NS01 instead of the HDX when you plan to have a DAC anyway, saves you 2000 £ (you just lose the front screen which you can replace by " a remote ip controller")
---> to JS: what is a remote ip controller: would an ipod touch qualify, as well as a mac laptop?
2) Replace NS01 by pc+ streamer. In my home, Music=Naim, so no desire to use computers in the living room as an end-state, accepting some extra-cost as long as non excessive. Of course temporarily, having purchased the DAC first, and waiting for the upgraded NS01 (I'm still in early planning) this will allow me to play around.
---> To JS: what improvements are coming on the NS01 and when? any insight? Do you think it will handle ALC files?
MAny thanks.

I would suspect that a touch or Iphone controller app is in the works as Naim is uses Apple authenticated for dig in from a touch etc. in other bits of kit and a MAC works now. Any flash capable WiFi device should currently work.

I would suspect that ALAC is also in the works for the same reason and that the software isn't far off.

Function, source capability, streaming, storage and file access will all likely be addressed but I don't have specifics. It should be the same sonically and in player appearance but more versitile. Simple CD in the drawer software upgrade so what's already out there will function and perform identically to what comes off the line when introduced.

Oh, and NS01s also have DACs included plus a ripper and storage. More than some need but great for others.

There is always one...
1) Because I don't want a computer in my living room, that looks like a computer.
2) Want a solution that is plug and play.
3) I like the look of Naim's boxes.. ;-)
4) I don't NEED a Porsche, doesn't mean I don't want one...
5) Naimnet
6) I don't want a squeeze box, Apple TV or a Mini Mac.

quote:

Originally posted by likesmusic:
The NSO1 is a lot of money to store data, so why not ..

a decent computer and hard drive
+
NAIM DAC
+
XPS power supply?

Having heard it, the HDX + DAC is certainly a leap on a HDX/XPS and even a HDX/555ps.

Add a PS to the DAC and you hit another level again - it was quite stunning.

I have a DAC on order which is about the strongest recommendation i can give - if only they hurry up and ship them!

For the record the HDX was a better source with the dac than both a Mac and the CDX-2 but that kinda makes sense given the potential of computer audio with a perfect rip.

The HDX is very good though, I recently upgraded the amps to 552/500 and each time I upgraded something you kinda went "wow" and got another great big chunk of detail the HDX/XPS was digging up.

People who have ripped 3k CDs to WAV will be very sorry the day their computer crashes and they realize they haven't backed up the library file of their software player, just the WAV files. Imagine thousands of CDs with no tags. That's like having no files at all.

FLAC supports imbedded ID3-tags, so think twice about using WAVs. At least store your backups as FLAC. And remember, they can be converted to WAVs with no loss. WAVs just doesn't make any sense when there's FLAC. The processing power-argument is nothing, the computing power required to decompress a level 5 FLAC can be done by your wristwatch, and it would still be able to tell time. Moreover, many software players and most hardware players decode the FLACs first, load them into RAM as WAVs and then plays them.

quote:

Originally posted by Kashmir:
People who have ripped 3k CDs to WAV will be very sorry the day their computer crashes and they realize they haven't backed up the library file of their software player, just the WAV files. Imagine thousands of CDs with no tags. That's like having no files at all.

FLAC supports imbedded ID3-tags, so think twice about using WAVs. At least store your backups as FLAC. And remember, they can be converted to WAVs with no loss. WAVs just doesn't make any sense when there's FLAC. The processing power-argument is nothing, the computing power required to decompress a level 5 FLAC can be done by your wristwatch, and it would still be able to tell time. Moreover, many software players and most hardware players decode the FLACs first, load them into RAM as WAVs and then plays them.

EXCELLENT point! Thank you for pointing this out and reminding us. I believe I have seen this mentioned in the past however it did not sink in

Gregg

quote:

Originally posted by Kashmir:
People who have ripped 3k CDs to WAV will be very sorry the day their computer crashes and they realize they haven't backed up the library file of their software player, just the WAV files. Imagine thousands of CDs with no tags. That's like having no files at all.

FLAC supports imbedded ID3-tags, so think twice about using WAVs. At least store your backups as FLAC. And remember, they can be converted to WAVs with no loss. WAVs just doesn't make any sense when there's FLAC. The processing power-argument is nothing, the computing power required to decompress a level 5 FLAC can be done by your wristwatch, and it would still be able to tell time. Moreover, many software players and most hardware players decode the FLACs first, load them into RAM as WAVs and then plays them.

We know how it works. The question always comes to sonics and many have heard a difference whether you believe it's possible or not. We all understand how FLAC and every other lossless format is bit correct at the play side. Perhaps the new DAC will finaly make this moot.
Backing up as you recommend is always good advice. With the HDX/NS01 these issues do not exist. They will connect tags from even new libraries without even asking and auto backup their onboard library.