n-Vi digital output configuration

Ian,

the choice is PCM 2 channel or Bitstream multi-channel.  AFAIK, if set to PCM 2 channel, the disc only has a 5.1 channel track (i.e. no 2 channel alternative) then it will mix-down. 

Hi Richard, thanks for the reply.

So, if the digital out is set to Bitstream what will be picked up by a TWO channel DAC?

Slightly complicated - but I'm wondering if I can use a 2 channel DAC with ONLY DIGITAL inputs (something like a DAC-V1 would be the obvious example) to take the n-Vi digital output and complete a 5.1/2 channel setup.

Alternatively I'll need to consider DACs that do have at least one analogue in...

Make sense?

Thanks,

Ian

If set to bitstream, the 2-channel DAC doesn't know what to do with the signal and either gives you pink noise or nothing. Most of the time it's pink noise.

Now, my memory may not serve, but I was under the impression that the n-Vi did not downmix to 2 channels. This was a similar limitation to the Linn Classic Movie. You'll have to check the manual on that. It doesn't seem to be on Naim's site.

Regards,
Frank.
All opinions are my own and do not reflect the opinion of any organisations I work for, except where this is stated explicitly.

Hi Frank, thanks.

The n-Vi manual is under the "old products" section on Naim's site, but all I can glean from it is that setting the output to 2 channel is an option - it doesn't elucidate what will be put on those channels!

Which brings me to the original question

Perhaps a friendly Naim engineer will step in and give the answer...

Correct ...

Phil

Thanks friendly Naim engineer

Not the answer I hoped for - but at least now I know.

Cheers.

Ian, I'm a little bit confused as to what you're trying to do here.  Can you elaborate?

I'm suspecting he wants to take a front left / front right feed from the n-Vi as S/PDIF into a "digital inputs only" stereo setup. Basically an S/PDIF version of running uniti gain into a preamp?

Phil

Sure - you asked for it!  ...

Currently I have an n-Vi which I use for everything. So I have SBLs front left/right and some Monitor Audio rears/centre/sub.

This has Sky/Blu-ray and Sonos as sources (all fed to the digital ins).

I'm considering a seperate DAC/Headphone device - obvious candidate is the DAC-V1, amongst others. For the moment all would be simple - DAC-V1 becomes an analogue input to the n-Vi and Sonos digital out is moved to the DAC-V1.

This gives two things I'm currently looking to achieve:

1. Quality Headphone amp for late night listening

2. PC USB input for better quality source than the Sonos for all "serious" listening.

plus possibly:

3. DAC-V1 is a better DAC than the n-VI ??

But, as an upgrade path I might want to add a power amp for the SBLs.

*IF* the DAC-V1 had either a single analogue input, or could take the digital out from the n-Vi as a front left/right mix all work work to plan.

Unfortunately the DAC-V1 has no analogue inputs at all, and the n-Vi digital out has no option to put front left/right mix out. To be honest having now given it some thought I could imagine timing (sync) issues with the latter scenario, so it is the lack of analogue inputs on the DAC-V1 that is the real issue for me

DAC-V2??

Um, Phil seems to have put it a little more succinctly than I did - hence the cross-post!

The DAC-V1 is a DAC - it doesn't have analogue inputs. It's not just a case of "just add one analogue input to it and it'll be perfect" unfortunately - this is the difficulty producing kit as everyone wants something slightly different and the list of "If only it did x as well then it would be perfect" is never ending.

You can do what you need to do with no problem - just not with the kit that you want to do it with.

You could use a SuperNait - that takes S/PDIF inputs and would allow you to take a preamp analogue left and right from the n-Vi into its AV input in Unity Gain mode.

You could use a Naim DAC into a Preamp and Power Amp to give you your digital inputs and your analogue input from the n-Vi (again into its AV input in Unity Gain mode)

You'd be better to feed the Sky and BluRay into the n-Vi rather than the DAC as the v-Vi would decode the surround sound from them.

You *COULD* use the DAC-V1 into a power amp and run the n-Vi front stereo feed into the same power amp? Ideally you'd swap sources into the power amp as you use them as we wouldn't suggest running two "sources" into one power amp at the same time but it has been done - it's not ideal but then again the ideal solution isn't really possible in this case...

Phil

OK, got it.  Yes, immediately likely sync and level issues raise their heads.  With multi-channel you really need a multi-channel DAC/processor (which you already have in the n-Vi).  Splitting out 2 channel to the DAC-V1 would be fine but just not possible for m/c use.  But you could add the future amp to the n-Vi and use the DAC-V1 as headphone amp, PC USB convertor or even DAC and connect to the n-Vi digitally or via analog, so there's still plenty of scope there. But any m/c processing will all have to stay within the n-Vi.

Phil,

But the point about the DAC-V1 is surely that it's *not* just a DAC - it's a pre-amp too!

Surely it would therefore not be too difficult to add the analogue input that I would find so useful. To be honest I have seen quite a few posts on forums asking for much the same thing - in some cases for TT input.

I hope it doesn't come across as a whinge or complaint - Naim are a great company making great products as they see fit - I'm merely raising the issue (given that my digital solution is probably frought with sync issues) as I can imagine that the DAC-V1 is exactly the kind of product that will be bought as an extension to existing 5.1 systems, and having the upgrade path I suggest would surely fit in very well with the Naim philosophy?

Is that a TVR S3 BTW? I had a V8S about 20 years ago...

Well sort of - the point of the DAC-V1 is it's a *DIGITAL* pre ... we already have analogue preamps (NAC 152 / 202 / 282 / 252 / 552) and combined analogue / digital preamps (NAC 172) so the DAC-V1 has been designed from the outset as being a digital pre. It's not just a case of plonking a couple of RCA phonos on the back and wiring them to the board as the DAC-V1 has not been designed to accommodate analogue audio.

Everyone has slightly different wishlists for a product - the DAC-V1 is a digital preamp and if you need analogue inputs then you need to be looking at a different route ... maybe find a standalone ADC to create S/PDIF from the analogue outs of the n-Vi and run that into the V1?

No - absolutely not - doesn't come over as a whinge but at the same time there will always be "If only it had..." or "If only it did..." and we can't cover every function in one product at no extra cost.

The DAC-V1 was envisaged as a digital pre for people to hook up their TV, Satellite / Cable Box, Games Console, Computer etc. to or as a high quality USB DAC for people who want to use their PCs for playing music, hooked up into a NAP100 to form the basis of a decent small HiFi system and that is what it does, we've built in additional flexibility as much as possible so that if you're using it as a USB DAC into an existing analogue pre then you can switch out the volume control so within the context of it's design it has as much flexibility as possible however the design is as a digital pre - not a combined digital and analogue pre.

Nah - It's my 4.0 HC Chimaera.

Phil

Phil,

Thanks for the full reply.

OK, a whinge - We need the facilty to enlarge user icons so we can see them properly

Can I suggest your local Specsavers? :hehe:

Now, I had a quick poke around and I haven't tried this so I can't vouch for its "HiFi credentials" but it should work and without introducing any noticeable delays but if you go to that well-known internet auction site and pop in "stereo analogue digital converter" then there are a number of ADC's there for about £20 that might be worth a try?

Have a great weekend Ian ... All the very best.

Phil