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.
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.
Quote: "Me willy be bigger than your'n"
Too expensive, should be in a big case because of the cable you use?
, won't sound good with it's own supply 
. What a load of crap. It will be as good as it sounds and be for all those that like it and not for those that don't. Simple as that and regardless of how much you wax on about how your favorite DAC must be better than the original performance, 
none of the postulating make any of this so except for maybe you. Personally, I never felt that any $1k DAC was a viable target to shoot for though some are interesting. I understand that some will disagree but I'm hoping for something significantly better and I wont know either until I hear it.
Listen to Munch and audition before you pigeon hole the thing. They had a good reason for how it turned out. You don't need to agree with the marketing strategy but they've thought about it long and hard yet on the day it shows up, we know better. Give it a listen in any way that you like and then decide. Give the rest, well, a rest.
Too expensive, should be in a big case because of the cable you use?
, won't sound good with it's own supply . What a load of crap. It will be as good as it sounds and be for all those that like it and not for those that don't. Simple as that and regardless of how much you wax on about how your favorite DAC must be better than the original performance, none of the postulating make any of this so except for maybe you. Personally, I never felt that any $1k DAC was a viable target to shoot for though some are interesting. I understand that some will disagree but I'm hoping for something significantly better and I wont know either until I hear it. Listen to Munch and audition before you pigeon hole the thing. They had a good reason for how it turned out. You don't need to agree with the marketing strategy but they've thought about it long and hard yet on the day it shows up, we know better. Give it a listen in any way that you like and then decide. Give the rest, well, a rest.
Crikey !
Second morning in a row I get up in presumed expectation of reading loads of info on the DAC....and STILL nowt !? I've just trawled through 4-5 pages of bickering, and I'm still none the wiser at what Naim are proposing to release here...??
Perhaps it's the journalist in me, but do we actually have ANY facts, spec or detailed overview of this secretive box on the 10th floor yet..??
Amazing that after 2 full days, no forum member who has got up close and personal with the 'work in progress' has reported back with some basic overview - practical stuff like connections, file formats, compatible OS platforms as well as any snippets of Naim's 'philosophy' and direction with this..... Are Official Secrets Act signatures being required for the ticketed entry...?!
I'm even more amazed about Naim's approach with this release......
I'm thrilled this is coming from Naim, really am.
Whether this is the route I go, integrating my HiFi with my Mac network or ATV, or whether I stick to the previously planned HDX approach, at least I now HAVE the choice, which is what was nagging me previously....or even a combination of both....
My two pence on some of the observations so far -
As I've said previously, for £2k, IMHO I feel it should be in a full height case, although it's not the end of the world if not. I guess the AV2 never was. I just think it looks odd having the 2 case heights in a rack.....
Perhaps related to that point is my next opinion, based on what little is known and also keeping Paul Stephenson's pre-Bristol statement in mind, that I don't believe this is the 500 Reference DAC, should that indeed be coming...To be basic about it, this is at a different price point.
Apparently the Bristol demo is consisting of playback from a Mac(?), then playback from a connected HDX. I totally find it confusing why it is being shown in conjunction with a HDX, especially initially. Surely this is making an instant negative comment on the HDX - that indeed, the internal DAC can be bettered - and also flies in the face of all the PR that came with the HDX...? Sure, if the new box can be used as an optional external upgrade DAC (again, something of a turnaround for Naim here) then great, for those that have the funds and the desire to do so, I just wouldn't have thought it is a priority to be demonstrating now.... Surely, the main raison d’ être of this DAC, or any other, is to aid in incorporating all the other mixed forms and platforms of digital media that 'now' exist and are in use "in the general market trend" into the main Naim rig in the living room...?
Lastly, I'm really scratching my head on Naim's approach to this 'launch'...They know best of course, fair enough, but it seems, well, a bit strange....Whilst Cyrus and others are downstairs shouting to the world about some new this or that, the new Naim baby is kept upstairs shrouded in mystery ......Someone earlier mentioned Apple - well, Steve Jobs this is not ! Talk about dipping your toe in the water ! IMHO, the way this DAC has 'arrived', comes across as a nervous, tentative step...almost coy.....Which is a shame, as I feel Naim are above that, both as a brand and what I see of them as a company......
Anyway.....Real good news something is coming. Really good. Overdue, but good nonetheless. As long as no 'deal-breaker' issue surfaces re file formats or something, then I'm putting money aside for one now.....
Steve.
Second morning in a row I get up in presumed expectation of reading loads of info on the DAC....and STILL nowt !? I've just trawled through 4-5 pages of bickering, and I'm still none the wiser at what Naim are proposing to release here...??
Perhaps it's the journalist in me, but do we actually have ANY facts, spec or detailed overview of this secretive box on the 10th floor yet..??
Amazing that after 2 full days, no forum member who has got up close and personal with the 'work in progress' has reported back with some basic overview - practical stuff like connections, file formats, compatible OS platforms as well as any snippets of Naim's 'philosophy' and direction with this..... Are Official Secrets Act signatures being required for the ticketed entry...?!
I'm even more amazed about Naim's approach with this release......
I'm thrilled this is coming from Naim, really am.
Whether this is the route I go, integrating my HiFi with my Mac network or ATV, or whether I stick to the previously planned HDX approach, at least I now HAVE the choice, which is what was nagging me previously....or even a combination of both.... My two pence on some of the observations so far -
As I've said previously, for £2k, IMHO I feel it should be in a full height case, although it's not the end of the world if not. I guess the AV2 never was. I just think it looks odd having the 2 case heights in a rack.....
Perhaps related to that point is my next opinion, based on what little is known and also keeping Paul Stephenson's pre-Bristol statement in mind, that I don't believe this is the 500 Reference DAC, should that indeed be coming...To be basic about it, this is at a different price point.
Apparently the Bristol demo is consisting of playback from a Mac(?), then playback from a connected HDX. I totally find it confusing why it is being shown in conjunction with a HDX, especially initially. Surely this is making an instant negative comment on the HDX - that indeed, the internal DAC can be bettered - and also flies in the face of all the PR that came with the HDX...? Sure, if the new box can be used as an optional external upgrade DAC (again, something of a turnaround for Naim here) then great, for those that have the funds and the desire to do so, I just wouldn't have thought it is a priority to be demonstrating now.... Surely, the main raison d’ être of this DAC, or any other, is to aid in incorporating all the other mixed forms and platforms of digital media that 'now' exist and are in use "in the general market trend" into the main Naim rig in the living room...?
Lastly, I'm really scratching my head on Naim's approach to this 'launch'...They know best of course, fair enough, but it seems, well, a bit strange....Whilst Cyrus and others are downstairs shouting to the world about some new this or that, the new Naim baby is kept upstairs shrouded in mystery
......Someone earlier mentioned Apple - well, Steve Jobs this is not ! Talk about dipping your toe in the water ! IMHO, the way this DAC has 'arrived', comes across as a nervous, tentative step...almost coy.....Which is a shame, as I feel Naim are above that, both as a brand and what I see of them as a company......Anyway.....Real good news something is coming. Really good. Overdue, but good nonetheless. As long as no 'deal-breaker' issue surfaces re file formats or something, then I'm putting money aside for one now.....
Steve.
One more thing. Fleetwood Mac's Rumours was being used..? Excellent choice Doug ! 
JYOW - As they say here, "SameSame" ! 
quote:Originally posted by Naijeru:
At nearly $3,000 I fear its projected performance may unbalance my 5i-2 based system.
Nah..
A Nait 5i-2 sounds fabulous with a CD555.
Never underestimate your little Nait.
quote:Originally posted by naken janne:
So I certainly hope (and am convinced) that naim is more long-term oriented and has plans for how the future hifi systems will be like.
Could you please post this over in the Home Theatre Room for the attention of AV@Naim !
Hmmm ... I'd sooner hear a demo with some real music rather than elevator muzakquote:Originally posted by SC:
One more thing. Fleetwood Mac's Rumours was being used..? Excellent choice Doug !
This is my fear for a new hi-res format; it'll the same old junk that DVD-A, SACD and the rest attracted; Brother in Arms will be next ... then ... zzzzzz - I've fallen asleep already. Next it 'll be the bald headed drummer boy ...
How about some music we can get up and go to school with - some guitar solos that make you want to pedestrianise the high street ... I mean get your shoes and socks on people.
At last there is a Naim DAC on the horizon lets forget the L word and lets celebrate.
ATB Rotf