Mac/USB/HiFace vs Mac/Optical

Posted by: JBGood on 01 May 2011

Has anybody on the forum had the opportunity to compare the following sources?

 

(1) Mac/USB/HiFace/(any)DAC  vs

(2) Mac/Optical/(any)DAC

 

I had the opportunity to pick up a used HiFace and will be playing with it soon in my system.   I'm specifically wondering if the USB/HiFace will improve on the headphone/optical out on my Macbook Pro.  I've only played with generic digital cables so far.

 

I'm on a quest to squeeze out the best possible SQ from my MBP.

 

My system:  CD5x/XS/FC2x/NACA5.  Just acquired a Bryston BDA-1.  Fantastic addition!   Stayed up way too late listening...

 

Posted on: 01 May 2011 by Guido Fawkes

I have tried both as well as some other devices, the order in which I would put them in terms of sound quality are 

 

  1. Mac/USB/VLink/Naim DAC
  2. Mac/Firewire/INT 202/Naim DAC
  3. Mac/USB/HiFace/Naim DAC
  4. Mac/Optical/Naim DAC

I found 1), 2) and 3) all sounded better than 4).

Overall the one, I liked best was 1) and that is what I use, moreover I found no noticeable difference switching between an optical and coaxial cable with the VLink in place. On my Sonus, which I use to stream music to my Naim DAC, I prefer the coaxial.  

 

The results might be different with a different DAC because the Naim design is quite unique. However, I was only interested in the Naim DAC. The only other DAC I've had was from Chord - the entry level GEM - an excellent product, but not as musical to my ears as Naim - plus it had no S/PDIF input, but a very interesting Bluetooth interface, which outperformed its USB, but still fell short of the Naim DAC and indeed the Naim UQ.  

 

I have also tried 

 

  1. PowerMac/VLink/Naim UQ
  2. PowerMac/Optical/Naim UQ

Here the difference was less pronounced (not what I expected), but I still had a slight preference for 1). I think the PowerMac has a better optical out than the MacBook - it is on its sound module and does not double as headphone socket. 

 

So I think the hiFace will give you better results than the optical out on your Macbook, but I've no experience of Bryston products - so cannot be sure. In any case it is only my view and others may have different views. 

 

Best results I've heard through a Naim DAC were using the CDX2 as a transport and better still my humble Cable Star Transport - the CST cost me £3.45 and plugs in to the rear USB port of the Naim DAC making it easy for me to play USB sticks. However, can't say I use it that much - it so easy to just hit an album on the Sonus.  

 

All the best, Guy

Posted on: 01 May 2011 by JBGood

Guy,

Thanks so much for your detailed post.   If other's share your experience, Musical Fidelity is going to sell many, many V-Links.  Especially at such a low price.   I plan on giving it a try.

 

Regards,

 

JB