Musings on n-DAC

Posted by: Huwge on 03 November 2015

The poor old n-DAC sure seems to take a beating these days, so I thought I'd post a little love story.

 

I bought the n-DAC to work with a converted CDX2 - switching my 555PS to the n-DAC. I very much liked the change. I also bought the DAC as I wanted to upgrade the listening experience from my AppIe TV, albeit as a a secondary source to allow improved stereo sound for TV and film downloads / rentals and iTunes library streaming for non-critical listening.

 

Over time, the ease of the streamed solution seemed to outweigh the "non-critical" approach and so I added an old Macbook Pro with library stored on an attached FW drive. I used a M2Tech Biface 2 between USB and to get SPDIF out - so 3 from 4 elements of DAC were in use.

 

In between, I bought a Chord Hugo and thought that this might usurp the n-DAC but I have found this not to be the case. I love the Hugo for late night headphone listening, using a variety of DAP.

 

Today, I got the new Apple TV which was almost a dropped ballock on my part as I had conveniently missed the elimination of the optical out from the new unit.

 

Initial frustration aside, I remembered an unused Airport Express and so can now report that I am using all 4 inputs to the n-DAC and it all sounds mighty fine.

 

Macbook Pro > Gustard U12 USB SPDIF converter > n-DAC

Apple TV > HDMI to TV > optical out from TV to n-DAC

Airport Express > n-DAC (iTunes Library streaming)

CDX2 > n-DAC

 

Long live the n-DAC

Posted on: 03 November 2015 by TOBYJUG

Have you got optical cable coming out of the Apple TV optical audio output into Ndac ,or optical cable coming out of your flatscreen TV audio output into Ndac ?

If your doing the former - you would get better results with the later as you are bypassing hdmi and television circuit interference.

I have never tried any of the optical inputs on my Ndac, I use the RCA Coaxial digital output of my Sky box into Ndac.

What with new firmware release in coming future the poor old Ndac should continue to do the business for ever.

Posted on: 03 November 2015 by Huwge

New ATV4 has no optical out only HDMI, but used to run optical btw. ATV2 and n-DAC. Am not finding much interference with audio out from TV and indeed there is much less "noise" now that my old DVD / HD recorder has been disconnected

Use the BNC coupling with the CDX2

Others are now coax

Posted on: 03 November 2015 by nbpf
Originally Posted by Huwge:
...

 

Long live the n-DAC

+1! I very much like my n-DAC and appreciate the convenience of multiple inputs. And I hope that the upcoming firmware upgrade will further improve its functionalities and perhaps even its sound quality.

 

It is from this perspective that I find it very sad that Naim is not further developing and supporting its range of server products. It would be nice to be able to replace our mac books, mac minis, linux and windows servers together with their UBS to SPDIF converters with a fanless, open, dedicated Naim microserver with state-of-the-art SPDIF outputs.

Posted on: 03 November 2015 by nitrous

Yep, very happy with mine too and use it in a very similar way to you, except for having a computer plugged in, which I never did. I did use an AE but I now use 272 pre which of course means I have streaming duties 'in house' so to speak.

Posted on: 03 November 2015 by jpr

a bit late to the show, but I got my nDac last month and it is fed by my CDXS through a DC1, and an Airport Express and Sony TV through optical.

I really couldn't find another DAC I liked with so much input flexibility and the sound is great. Also looking forward to the firmware update and if it brings better sound then great, but I guess it's going to be support for more formats.

As a result my amp is running solely off the flatcap and I swear it sounds better than when both CD and Amp were connected (ran it like this for a while before using the Dac)

 

Posted on: 03 November 2015 by nitrous

Jpr, I use CD5XS as a transport as well, it is excellent. Add the XPS DR to the nDac and you really have a high end digital source. (I know you probably don't want to hear that)

Posted on: 03 November 2015 by Simon-in-Suffolk

The NDAC is a great machine, I found the 555PS (non DR) really got it to sound its best to my ears.. The input flexibility is great and i love how it can be controlled with Naim automation.. I preferred the NDAC/555PS over the NDS/555PS and that is saying something.

Simon

 

Posted on: 03 November 2015 by nitrous

Simon, I didn't (dare) try the 555 when I demoed PSs on the nDac, in case I liked it! Although I am hoping to try on on the 272, but that is another subject. I like the fact that the nDac can be used in four guises to suite all needs and each one brings out a particular character. I also like the fact that the apple remote works the transport (as it were) when using USB. A very well thought out product indeed.

Posted on: 03 November 2015 by jpr
Originally Posted by nitrous:

Jpr, I use CD5XS as a transport as well, it is excellent. Add the XPS DR to the nDac and you really have a high end digital source. (I know you probably don't want to hear that)

one day...need to buy a house first :-)

Posted on: 03 November 2015 by Harry

It's still excellent for the asking price and looking very tasty second hand. We used one with a CDX2 and HDX, ending up with a 555PS on the DAC. Although truly special at this level, the DAC preforms well at all its price levels. Which is good going for its age.

Posted on: 03 November 2015 by nitrous

Indeed a house will definitely help