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The new Naim DAC

Posted by: rupert bear on 21 February 2009

The 10th floor of the Marriott hosts Doug G's demo of the new DAC. I was lucky to get the last ticket for the last show.

Demo used the HDX, 552/500, and SL2/n-sub. There was a little Mac sitting sweetly on its own bit of Fraim. First the HDX was played, then the HDX with 555PS (obvious vast improvement, as noted here before).

The new DAC was then fitted to the HDX, with the 555PS attached to the DAC instead. MASSIVE improvement, really quite exciting!

Finally the MACbook was introduced and plugged into the DAC/555PS. Also fantastic sound, which does rather make you think of the options - and the ramifications! The HDX/DAC did sound better, of course.

The DAC is in a 5-series case and has an internal p/s (not used at the show if I remember correctly). 5 buttons on the front a locking light (?).

Many thanks to Doug and Jason for the demo.

I'm first on the waiting list.
Posted on: 26 February 2009 by Don Atkinson
quote:
And I WOULD quite like one - very retro.

Forum Rules, Adam.

But I am looking at one that's sole purpose at the moment is to fill a gap in an Audiofile rack........

Cheers

Don
Posted on: 26 February 2009 by 'haroldbudd'
quote:
Originally posted by goldfinch:
quote:
Originally posted by Wazza69:
quote:
Originally posted by goldfinch:

I wish master audio quality downloads became popular soon among audio enthusiasts, it is indeed a very exciting time, and DACs are needed to enjoy all these new digital ways to enjoy music!



Just out of interest, what are the specs of studio masters?


I think the standard HD res for downloading from a consumer point of view is 24/96, no idea of which percentage of the industry is recording at this resolution in studios though.


A very very high percentage, and even at higher sample rates. Wether or not the suits release those juicy files to the masses is out of our hands and another matter all together Frown
After the Mastering people ( or kids it sounds like sometimes ) finish bringing it down to 16/44, the big nice ones go off to some magical storage place that eveyone would love to break into !!
Posted on: 26 February 2009 by js
quote:
Originally posted by haroldbudd:
PLEASE don't quote every time......
RR is selling 24/176 recordings on disc for ripping to a drive.

I also wanted to point out that I don't think Naim is doing exactly what DICE and JET are doing. While they are a big step up over standard pll circuits they still can't fix things enough to eliminate differences in drives etc and with the reclocking circuits that I've auditioned, while making poor sources more listenable, hamper really good ones. I suspect something much more comprehensive to help us with what most will feed in while doing no harm to a genuinely excellent source.
Posted on: 26 February 2009 by Former member
If Naim wanted to make big big bucks?
Sort out there own system that could be sold world wide.
Just as a music platform.
ALL THEY WOULD NEED IS TWO 13 YEAR OLD GEEKS.
Done in house with bollock all cost wize in R&D.
Google with a massive force behind them.All Grads, have sorted there new system.
But no one has bothered with just a music platform.
Makes one think.
Posted on: 27 February 2009 by Adam Meredith
quote:
Originally posted by munch:

Makes one think.


Only if one could understand a word you were saying.
Posted on: 27 February 2009 by Roy Donaldson
quote:
Originally posted by Adam Meredith:
quote:
Originally posted by munch:

Makes one think.


Only if one could understand a word you were saying.


You wouldn't believe it, but one of my neighbours speaks just like this as well.

I've no idea what he's saying either Roll Eyes
Posted on: 27 February 2009 by Mike Smiff
Naim Audio were five years late into the CD player market and lets face it they now make the best players in the world.

So I don't mind the fact that they are late into the DAC market, if in fact they are as some suggest.

If 24/96 or whatever is the future it is still going to be a while before we,the man in the street has access to the format on a widely, commercially available level.

So why the rush, most people listening to computer music who need a DAC to make it listenable are still playing 16/44.1,up sampled
24/96 ect.
Which if not done absolutely correct offers more problems in terms of distortions than the extra
resolution it might provide the audiophile/music lover.

Take you're time Naim R'n'D,you did with cd and you got that right.
Posted on: 27 February 2009 by 'haroldbudd'
Spot on Mikeie