Nakamichi - Naim Dac connection

Yes, you can take a direct analog output from the DAC, or much easier (and better because it will allow off-tape monitoring through the system), just use the tape loop on your NAIT2.  I can highly recommend the Chord Chrysalis 4 x RCA to DIN5 interconnect for the tape loop connection. 

I'm not 100% sure what you are trying to achieve - I think you want to copy some cassettes to digital files which you can later play from your computer to the DAC?

The basic method to achieve this is to connect a 2 RCA to 3.5mm mini-jack from your cassette player to the input of your computer - if you have both mic and line input you want the line input (in many devices this is an option you need to select in the sound card setup).  This will result in a basic sound quality; to improve on it you will need to purchase an external audio interface - these range in cost (and quality) from a few hundred pounds for something from M-Audio or EMU, up to several thousand for Metric Halo or Prism.

Once you have recorded, then you can playback to your DAC via the M2Tech HiFace (or any other USB to SPDIF converter).

Having written that ... I'm not sure if I have completely backwards what you are wanting, and if you are making cassettes from digital files (via the DAC).  In which case Richard was bang on the money... :-)

Eloise, yes it is backwards . I want to record cassetes from digital files (weird isn't it). I do it mainly for nostalgic reasons and because it brings a slightly different presentation to the sound, certainly not worse if you are using top cassettes. 

Richard, I asked the same question on tapeheads forum and the response I have got from an electrical enginer after studying the dac implementation was that the naim dac can not be used directly because "the dac is designed as a current source device and thus you cannot use it directly in a voltage-driven stage, without an I/V conversion stage". I wanted to get a second opininion here because you may be more knowledgeable on the dac inner workings. There is no risk in damaging anything by directly conncting the dac to the deck?

I already have a Chord Chrysalis 2 rca to din for playback. Can I use the same cable with the nait and use the monitor button on the nakamichi deck or I need the 4 rca cable for recording purposes?

That's a bit of a red herring and someone is perhaps trying to be too clever here or has only partially understood something (maybe confusing a standalone DAC with just a DAC chip, perhaps), as the Naim DAC has already done the IV conversion (like most will have done - a DAC is pretty unusable otherwise) so it's analog output is quite useable whether you wish to go directly into the REC In on the Nakamichi or through the tape loop of the NAIT2.

To properly use the BX-300E with the NAIT2 you'll need a 4xRCA Phono to DIN5 i/c. This way you can take signal from the DAC via the rec out pins and also use the off-tape monitoring on the BX-300E - useful in getting the best from the manual bias facility.  Examples of the Chord Chrysalis are usually widely available s/h for very little money - plenty out there not being used anymore.

Thank you Richard. The best way seems to be to buy a 4 rca cable and use nait output. I will do that.

Here's a picture from the web of an earlier version of the Chord Chysalis Tape Interconnect.  The later ones look pretty much the same except they use Chord's own RCA Phono plugs instead of the Deltron RCAs you see here;

I think mine at the moment is the newer one. Is the earlier version preferred?

No, either is fine.

Now then, that's looks like some rather serious modifications that have been applied to your Nakamichi. 

And nice to see you using some excellent '80s Fuji cassettes.  Fuji FR-1S is one of my favourite tapes for making non-classical recordings on my ZX-9. 

Actually the modifications were done by the previous owner (who unfortunately died but I guess he would not sell it otherwise). The german dealer who sold the deck on behalf of the family did not know anything to tell me about the mods usage. So, the original owner took all the knowledge to the grave with him and I am still figuring out how to use it. In essence there is a tone generator and adjustment pots for each tape rec level. Finding Fuji fr-1s (at normal prices) is like striking gold but it is part of the fun (it is a patience game, I may be getting to old for this).

I received the cable but I have one more question. What is the colour code on the rca plugs?

Are they Red/Black and Yellow/Blue?  If so the tails will have the direction markers on them as a line of arrow heads.  IIRC, Red/Black are output and the others input, but I'd need to get to the system and check on one of the machines.

Thank you for your answer Richard. Yes, they are red black and yellow blue (I noticed the arrows now, red/black are inputs). The deck has red/white on all connections. I only have to figure out which is left and right (I presume that red-red and black-white but don't know the yellow blue).