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: 21 February 2009 by Former member

quote:
Originally posted by ROTF:
Naim have been making kit with DACs in for years and now with the emergence of musical downloads and music stored on iPods and computers they have brought out two new products that fit in with that emerging market; the very good bit is it allows people like myself to have a way to enjoy music in this new format; this is the first product of its that promises to let me do this. The final verdict will come when I have a chance to audition, but this really looks to an ideal product.

I think that is very sensible approach - make a product that a product that your customers want. I think that any specific other DAC is an irrelevance, as Adam says it is the general trend that has been the driver to release a DAC and the Uniti. The same reasons that have driven other manufacturers to produce DACs has driven Naim.

Whatever the drivers, the products will be available soon - and I know one potential customer is very very interested

As Gary notes the new DAC will benefit from the 555PS, this makes it very attractive to owners of CDX2/555PS combinations.

ATB Rotf

Only if they get a good deal on there CDX2

Posted on: 21 February 2009 by Guido Fawkes

Hi munch

I can swap a cable - well I think I can.

When given a choice do both

Nice thing about the CDX2 is it'll still work even without a power supply too.

Lots of options - I'll need a good dealer to sort me out - queue Dr P.

ATB Rotf

Posted on: 21 February 2009 by Former member

I just think its great in this day and age that Naim took on board what Gary 1US said.
And have now made a DAC.
Only Gary1US could of done this.
So i would like to say, As i know many many on here would like to do the same.
Say a big up yours Gasssssser.

Posted on: 21 February 2009 by Former member

quote:
Originally posted by ROTF:
Hi munch

I can swap a cable - well I think I can.

When given a choice do both

Nice thing about the CDX2 is it'll still work even without a power supply too.

Lots of options - I'll need a good dealer to sort me out - queue Dr P.

ATB Rotf

You know what you are going to do.
That cdp aint going nowhere.
Even if you go for the New bits.

Posted on: 21 February 2009 by gary1 (US)

[QUOTE]Originally posted by jazzfan:
these boards are read by substantial numbers of Naim users worldwide who are not actual members. The fact that the Lavry (and to be fair one or two other DACs) has been so enthusiastically embraced by some members will doubtless be a factor in the minds of any of these individuals if and when they start thinking about a CD player upgrade.
QUOTE]

I doubt that very much.

All you've done is mentioned a brand or two that you and some others have listened to and like. Nothing more, nothing less.

You actually mean to tell me that Naim has not seen what Linn, Arcam, and others have been developing and releasing to the market and that it was only with the first Lavry post on the forum did Paul and the rest of the Naim team wake up?

Posted on: 21 February 2009 by Guido Fawkes

quote:
Originally posted by AllenB:
quote:
Originally posted by ROTF:
Whatever the drivers, the products will be available soon - and I know one potential customer is very very interested

ATB Rotf

What you going to use to feed it with?

iPod/iTransport or similar is a possibility. I don't yet know all the input options - it may be possible to access digital files on an iPod Nano directly without using its DAC or if not then the iTransport fixes this. Any chance of an nPod?

Posted on: 21 February 2009 by gary1 (US)

quote:
Originally posted by munch:
I just think its great in this day and age that Naim took on board what Gary 1US said.
And have now made a DAC.
Only Gary1US could of done this.
So i would like to say, As i know many many on here would like to do the same.
Say a big up yours Gaser.

Thanks munch. I'm glad that you finally realized that it was not the Lavry lovers drooling over their dac that finally nudged Naim in the right direction.

If as you guys have been claiming that all the Lavry posts indicated a worldwide phenomenon that Naim just had to stand up and notice, then its just a likely that my comments on the Lavry's performance and the flashback that occurred is what got Paul to realize as he was drinking coffee and perusing the forum that the lightbulb went off and he finally said: "I get it, we need a DAC."

Posted on: 21 February 2009 by pcstockton

Gary,

Dont worry, you career has not come to an end.

There will be plenty of people who either just bought a Lavry, think the Lavry is better VFM, flatout think the Lavry better conveys the music or simply cannot afford the new Naim DAC.

We will need you. dont go anywhere...

Posted on: 21 February 2009 by pcstockton

Dont forget the hairs being split, pot calling kettles black, mountains out of mole hills, grains of salts, and my personal favorite, adding insults to injury.

Posted on: 21 February 2009 by Adam Meredith

quote:
Originally posted by jazzfan:
This will be my last word on the subject - ...

my opinion is that only an idiot would believe that there is no connection between the Lavry's popularity and this development. But, as I say, it's of little importance to me personally, one way or another.

Excellent - I was (according to you) insulting the intelligence of those who read (what I actually said) and now - you insult my intelligence.

"No connection" from "this product is not a response to the surge in interest in the Lavry and other DACs". The Lavry IS a DAC. I have conceded (claimed) that Naim developed this DAC in response to an increasing market for and use of DACs.

If you weasel one more step - you will be within a gnat's crochet of agreeing with what I originally said.

... and then you will be nearly as complete an "idiot" as I. Or am I being obtuse?

Posted on: 21 February 2009 by pcstockton

Good luck jazzfan, you are dealing with W.V.O. Quine reincarnate. (the late GREAT Robert Quine's uncle... talented family eh?)

Posted on: 21 February 2009 by pcstockton

quote:
Originally posted by jazzfan:
This will be my last word on the subject - ...

For some reason I doubt it.

PLEASE prove me wrong.

Posted on: 21 February 2009 by garyi

For all my disagreements with PCS, its nice to see someone actually excited about the musical possibilities being offered by this device.

To much politics going on me thinks.

Posted on: 21 February 2009 by pcstockton

quote:
Originally posted by garyi:
For all my disagreements with PCS, its nice to see someone actually excited about the musical possibilities being offered by this device.

To much politics going on me thinks.

We've disagreed? When?

Mostly only when I mistook you for AmeriGary... or of course when you were wrong

Its been a year waiting for me.... I am so jazzed. Cant wait.

i LOVE my Naims.

Posted on: 21 February 2009 by Graham Russell

quote:
Originally posted by garyi:

To much politics going on me thinks.

I totally agree Gary. Lots of bollocks. Points trying to be scored all over the place.

Just how many people contributing to this debate/argument have actually heard the new DAC? I'm guessing two or three.

If the new DAC sounds like a £2k product then great I'll buy one. If it doesn't then hey guess what? I'll stick with the Lavry which I believe needs a CD555 to better it.

Keep massaging your egos boys if that works for you.

Me, I'll just let my ears decide when I get to hear a production example. At least we won't get tangled up in service pack nonsense with the DAC

Posted on: 21 February 2009 by pcstockton

quote:
Originally posted by Graham Russell:
Points trying to be scored all over the place...

Keep massaging your egos boys if that works for you.

Not trying to be a dick.... just curious what you mean by the above?

Posted on: 21 February 2009 by js

LOL. Another Lavry thread.

should about cover it.

Posted on: 21 February 2009 by Graham Russell

Listen to it then decide. Otherwise it's just pure speculation and emotion.

Posted on: 21 February 2009 by Exiled Highlander

Graham

I was speed reading this thread and for a moment I thought you said ejaculation rather than speculation...then it dawned on me that you meant ejaculation and just spelled it wrong!

Cheers

Jim

Posted on: 21 February 2009 by Graham Russell

quote:
Originally posted by Exiled Highlander:
Graham

I was speed reading this thread and for a moment I thought you said ejaculation rather than speculation...then it dawned on me that you meant ejaculation and just spelled it wrong!

Cheers

Jim

Pass the Kleenex

Posted on: 21 February 2009 by BigH47

I thought it was Dr Jonathan Miller that spoke bollocks.

Posted on: 21 February 2009 by Former member

quote:
Originally posted by gary1 (US):
Adam,

My impression is that Naim did not look seriously at producing a DAC until I demoed the Lavry at Promusica with Scott, JS, KC, and Mark and posted my thoughts on performance, or am I missing something here??

THIS IS THE POST OF THE YEAR.
History being made.

Posted on: 21 February 2009 by Graham Russell

quote:
Originally posted by munch:
quote:
Originally posted by gary1 (US):
Adam,

My impression is that Naim did not look seriously at producing a DAC until I demoed the Lavry at Promusica with Scott, JS, KC, and Mark and posted my thoughts on performance, or am I missing something here??
THIS IS THE POST OF THE YEAR.
History being made.

QED

Posted on: 21 February 2009 by DeltaSigma

quote:
Originally posted by goldfinch:
I would be happy enough with let's say CDS3 performance potential, I mean with the best possible audio streaming.

I would not - it would have to be well ahead of the CDS3, as that is where my Lavry has been especially since I started using the Canare cable. To my mind, replacing the DA10 with a DAC that only provides CDS3 performance and costs 3 times as much would be a definite step backward.

Posted on: 21 February 2009 by Former member

No one has heard the bloody thing in there system at home yet.
Give it a go before you all pull it to bits.
I have a Lavry and love it.
I will try the thing as soon as its possible.
All this neg posting.Why pull it to bits before you have heard it?
If you cant afford one dont even try it.
Stay with what you have.
Big box Little box,Big cable little cable.
Its out in a few months.
Try the bloody thing then commmmment on it.