Digital Scource for Supernait

quote:

Can either of these match a �1k CD player ?

Not if that CD player is a Naim or Rega one. You of course need to try it, but I was unimpressed with a Macbook in to a SuperNait, it was better with a Naim DAC, but still not great - I'm partially convinced this is because of the quality of its S/PDIF so there may be ways to overcome this (HiFace). I'd stick with your Arcam as a transport for now. Hold fire on Computer Audio as I believe it will improve substantially this year - the new Naim DAC is showing the way.

For me a Sb-Duett connected to the SN-DAC sounded much better than a Cd5i connected analog to the SN.

RichardD

I moved from a CD5 to a Supernait + Sonos with great success, I find it a fantastic combination. I also use a PC which sounds equally as good.

I have considered the Sneaky DS (which has the same digital out stage as the Majik DS) and it does seem like a very good front end for the Supernait (or even Naim DAC)

A hicap does indeed improve the digital and preamp stage (Adam Meridith mentioned this once)

quote:

Originally posted by RichardD:
Been mulling over possibility of going with no CD player- selling mine now which is an 8 year old Arcam 9. I have used it via the digital into the SN DAC and it was better using the analogue out into the SN. I have a squeezebox which again doesnt complete with the Arcam.

I like the weight of the Arcam sound and the squeezebox although good sounds thin compared to it. The squeezebox I run ethernet via an old Dell PC with a hard drive attached.

Seen a few posts on here about MAC minis - would also consider a Linn Sneaky DS. Can either of these match a �1k CD player ?. Does the SN need a hicap to make the most of the DAC?

Suggestions welcome

I followed virtually the same path, and recently sold my Arcam CD93 on E-bay.
To be honest I hardly used it after getting the SuperNait and comparing it with an AppleTV (running Apple lossless, not mp3).
I've recently upgraded to a MacMini (which I do feel sounds better) and have been auditioning PureVinyl and Amarra recently, both of which add to the quality of playback further.
Think I'll be buying Pure Vinyl, although there's not much to choose between the two, but as I still have a lot of mp3's waiting to be reripped as AIFF that has swung it PureVinyl's way. (Amarra can't play any compressed formats apart from ALAC).
HiCap also a great addition to the SuperNait, will likely try a NaimDAC over the next couple of years when upgradeitis strikes again!

John

K. H.Fink, a german loudspeakerguru, works with a macbook.
He is developing for a not unknown british audiofactory ther new speaker.
A mac is also a sufficiently source for a good music system.