New Source

Hi Data, and welcome to the forum!

If it were my money, then #1 would get my vote. Have yet to hear any significant difference between good quality digital sources for the Naim DAC. Mine has an XPS2, but a 555 is an even better PS upgrade option!

It is very easy to get excellent S/PDIF output from a PC music server, either via the PCI bus (RME, Juli@, etc.) or USB (HiFace, M-Audio, etc.). The software is easy to setup and use for ripping, organizing and playback (JRMC, MediaMonkey, Foobar, etc.). Music is best stored on a NAS device (and accessed as a shared drive). Remote control is easy using Windows Remote Desktop Connection.

Given the DAC/555 appears in all options, it would appear that ultimate sound quality is your goal. As AllenB has so eloquently written, we are still waiting on a Naim-branded streamer that can match the DAC/555 in sound quality. He (and others) also argue persuasively that we are still waiting for the "perfect partner" for the Naim DAC. You can decide for yourself if that is really the case.

So given it is your money we are talking about, all of the Naim hard disk player and/or UPnP options you listed have merit. My pick would be to wait until the NDX/Serve combo could be properly demo'ed. If you see decent VFM in usability versus the do-it-yourself PC route, then go for it!

In either case, make sure you have a good high availability and backup strategy for the music on your NAS.

Good luck!

Hook

Thanks Hook, some good advice there. How would I connect a MAC to the DAC? Have been following AllenB's posts, and he does indeed make some good points. A simple streamer would be welcomed at this point but not yet I guess. SQ is indeed my ultimate goal though I'd rather not spend 1000s to get the extra 0.5% if it's possible.

Hi Data -

Am a PC guy, so look to others for the last word. If you are using a laptop, then USB-to-S/PDIF conversion is what you need. Many Mini's have S/PDIF output built-in, but other forum members have commented on its sub-par performance.

M2Tech has released Mac drivers for both the HiFace and the EVO, so those are a couple of good USB options. There were some early on issues with HiFace pops and clicks, but I am pretty sure those are all now in the past.

One of the main reasons I chose the DIY PC route (and the RME 9632 PCI card) is automatic support for all of the popular high resolution frequencies without having to re-configure and/or restart my software. Have heard that this is a challenge in the MAC/iTunes world, so something that you should be aware of.

Good luck!

Hook

Thanks again. I quite like the MAC platform for my computing needs but I am not so sure for music replay. I'd prefer a wireless set up as well but I am not sure how that would affect the SQ. I had hoped the mini could be used but it seems it is compromised on S/PDIF.

quote:

MAC/hiFACE/Dac/555

- that is what I use and it is pretty flexible and sounds superb - other solutions may be better, but I neither know nor care at this juncture, as I've been too busy listening to music.

If you have a Mac then adding a disc for music is around £100 (holds 2000+ CDs uncompressed) and the hiFace is also £100.

AllenB, thanks for that. Funny, the new HDX appeals to me as well. Maybe it's because everything's in a single box. Could I ask you a few questions about the Apple set up: how do you get on with iTunes? Does the 202 sit between the mini and the ndac, and if so, does that mean the mini can sit on a Fraim without being connected to a computer? And finally, what is Pure Music? Thanks in advance.

AllenB, thanks again. I will probably use the mini as my NAS, loud as it may be and use the iTouch as a remote. I just need to dem the NDX and upgraded HDX. An initial dem of the current version vs an ADS didn't do it any favours though.

I didn't, unfortunately, take the opportunity to listen to it with the nDac. The HDX on its own was a little average. Not sure why but maybe it was the internal dac. I preferred the ADS on direct comparson though that was subsequently pushed into second place by the nDac and CD5XS.