DAC upgrade advice

Definitely go for Naim DAC instead of V1 if you're not interested in computer based audio.

when using SBTouch into your kit, you don't need the USB interface nor the headphone amp.

Naim DAC is also more of the level of your other gear and superior to the V1.

furthermore you already have an xmass present lined up for next year, ... an XPS-2DR :-)

cheers

Aleg

My only real concern around computer based music is the longer term viability of the Squeezebox Touch and LMS software, though there is a large community out thre that may support it going forward, despite Logitech dropping the ball.

Regarding XPS-2DR...Of course there is always something else lurking on Naim upgrade horizon... :-)

When you have a Naim DAC, the only thing you need to add to be able to use computer based streaming is a USB/SPDIF Converter (that's what is built into the V1). And those converters come in many, many sizes. They vary a lot in quality and price, but there are a lot to choose from and you've got a better DAC than the V1.

I don't think there is a _long_ term viability to the SB Touch, but since you have it there is no reason not to continue with it. I hear it is a nice and good sounding device.

cheers

Aleg

I'm sure the V1 through USB will convince you that 192/24 is worthwhile.

Kevin, both DACs can do handle 192/24. The NDAC can not decode asynchronous audio via USB, but has more digi inputs and is ultimately a more resolving source and is significantly upgradable by seperating the digital and analogue power supplies by adding an external PSU.

As far as which sounds best in the context of your system only you can decide.. I suspect however once your hear an NDAC/555PS with a quality digital source anything else just won't cut it and will sound irritatingly lacking.

Simon

Alternatively, you may find a cost effective Mac Mini feeding directly to nDAC using Wireworld Supernova 6 optical cable - simple and yet produce great sound than you would expect from a computer point of view. Optical connection also isolates your Hi-Fi system from exposing to electrical noise but it can only supports up to 24/96.

Choosing between V1 & nDAC depends very much on the box count. If you prefer the latter which has huge potential in improving SQ, you need to prepare for a 3-Box source, ie a transport, nDAC & PS.

Cheers.

I'd suggest the DAC-V1 as you can use the USB on the SB to connect to the DAC-V1 and this sounds significantly better imho than using the S/PDIF output on the SB

Now this is interesting and could well sway my choice. I know the SB has a limited lifespan (don't we all!) but I do like the little box and use another one in the kitchen/dining room. It is very convenient at times to have the same music playing around the house. Investing now in new multiple sources is going too far at the moment.

So the SQ using a Squeezebox as source would be superior with the V1 over the nDAC due to the superiority of the USB interface?

No way.

No USB-DAC has in my experience ever bettered a good combination of USB/SPDIF-converter + SPDIF DAC.

USB-power noise and driver issues have been in the way of getting the best.

If you want to get a V1, just get one :-)

I don't think it will ever better the NDAC esp. not in a Classic system like yours.

Cheers

From my experience of choosing between the NDAC and the V1, the point made by @mikapoh about box count is valid, i.e. depend on your starting point, so if you already have a pre-amp the NDAC is a more logical choice. 

The NDAC is indeed capable of producing 'great' sound.  My audition between the V1 and a bare showed NDAC presents the sound differently.  However,  from my starting point of not having a Naim pre-amp the SQ and price of the NDAC and pre-amp was not worth going for the NDAC.  Am I looking back and thinking that I should have chosen the NDAC? No way, the V1 to me has amazing SQ.

The OP would need to judge which is better.  Of course, the NDAC with a 555PS gets great reviews about SQ as @Simon-in-Suffolk mentions.

Interesting point made by @Aleg that a USB DAC can never be as good as a non-USB DAC combined with a converter.  I have do no direct experience of this, however, I do recall that the V1 has galvanic isolation to mitigate against the 'noisy' USB interface.

Jude

Not to put the V1 down, but it always has to be a compromise between costs, quality and retail price.

they can only put in so much for the price it has to sell for.

the naim DAC in itself is already more expensive than the V1 and it has the advantage to be able to pair it with any usb/spdif converter you like. As good as the AudioPhileo is that is built into the V1, it is not the best out there. My usb/spdif converter costs more than the Naim DAC and even that one is not the best out there.

All I say is that with separates for usb/spdif converter and DAC you can buy any combination you like and upgrade to levels you can afford later, and not be 'stuck' with a predefined combination, lesser components or superfluous components.

for me it is a matter of flexibility, that's most important.

cheers

Aleg

yes, no problem.

Thanks Jo. That's what I wanted to hear. Personnally I'll be investing in a Touch before any much higher priced alternative. It could even be called a "high quality USB source"?

I have preamp already and need it for my LP12 so that aspect of the V1 is of no interest to me.

It would seem that the criteria therefore boil down to the number of boxes overall (same to start with but potential to expand when further uprade-itus strikes me if I get the nDAC), the initial SQ when just using the nDAC against the V1 (mixed reports but definitely different so need to audition) and whether I require the upgrade path available with the nDAC to boost SQ in the future if neither box is good enough to keep me happy for long.

Thanks guys! Now I need to audition both boxes to make a final choice (well final for now that is!)

The Naim DAC by itself is simply wonderful. I've run mine now for over two years, fed by the UnitiServe and haven't felt any need to upgrade. But the upgrade potential is there - think of it as three DACs with increasing levels of performance - so if you eventually itch for a better DAC, just add the XPS, or for an even better DAC, the 555PS.

Louis-Andre, I use several sources for the NDAC; AppleTV, SkySTB, PS3 blu-ray, and NDX. All our fibre apart from NDX. They all sound good, and AppleTV and PS3 blue ray can really sound superb.. However the realism and engaging transparency that the NDX often seems to exhibit from the recordings  into the NDAC is really enjoyable. So I consider the NDX the top quality digital source.

Simon