DAC V-1 as a preamp.

I use one with a NAP140 in a streaming system and it works a treat.  

It's a little wonder, it really is.

Have used  and enjoyed a V1 with a NAP200 for two years.

The pre in it is comparable to a 155 and bare 202.

The DAC in it is comparable to the bare Naim DAC.

It can be used with Naim pre amps via its fixed output mode as you upgrade a system.

A well thought though and capable product from Naim that it's price does not suggest.

Jude2012 posted:

Have used  and enjoyed a V1 with a NAP200 for two years.

The pre in it is comparable to a 155 and bare 202.

The DAC in it is comparable to the bare Naim DAC.

It can be used with Naim pre amps via its fixed output mode as you upgrade a system.

A well thought though and capable product from Naim that it's price does not suggest.

 

The DAC sure did came pretty close to Naim DAC but the preamp isn't even close to SN2's preamp. So I seriously doubt it comes anywhere near 202's performance. 

Used with a small Naim power amp and sensitively matched speakers it can make a compelling case for itself as a source unit. Used outside of its comfort zone and the cracks begin to show, just like a UQ2, which can pull off a similar trick. As a pre, it is not at 152 level, and nowhere near SN2, but is a very nicely balanced unit that can punch above its weight with care.

It would be surprising if the £1,350 V1 was as good as the £4,400 nDac/202 combination. And of course, it's not. 

Hungryhalibut posted:

It would be surprising if the £1,350 V1 was as good as the £4,400 nDac/202 combination. And of course, it's not. 

Is this something you have experienced?

Patu posted:

Jude2012 posted:

Have used  and enjoyed a V1 with a NAP200 for two years.

The pre in it is comparable to a 155 and bare 202.

The DAC in it is comparable to the bare Naim DAC.

It can be used with Naim pre amps via its fixed output mode as you upgrade a system.

A well thought though and capable product from Naim that it's price does not suggest.

 

The DAC sure did came pretty close to Naim DAC but the preamp isn't even close to SN2's preamp. So I seriously doubt it comes anywhere near 202's performance. 

Haven't any expense of the SN2 so can't comment.  However, have demoed the 202 and 152 with the V1.

Hungryhalibut posted:

It would be surprising if the £1,350 V1 was as good as the £4,400 nDac/202 combination. And of course, it's not. 

Jude2012 posted:

Patu posted:

Jude2012 posted:

Have used  and enjoyed a V1 with a NAP200 for two years.

The pre in it is comparable to a 155 and bare 202.

The DAC in it is comparable to the bare Naim DAC.

It can be used with Naim pre amps via its fixed output mode as you upgrade a system.

A well thought though and capable product from Naim that it's price does not suggest.

 

The DAC sure did came pretty close to Naim DAC but the preamp isn't even close to SN2's preamp. So I seriously doubt it comes anywhere near 202's performance. 

Haven't any expense of the SN2 so can't comment.  However, have demoed the 202 and 152 with the V1.

I've compared V1 as DAC only and then as preamp and DAC against SN2. I've also heard 202/200 setup many times but haven't directly compared them against V1.

Would a DAC V1 take a unitiqute to another level? And could you still use the Naim app, if i still use the unitiqute  as a streamer? 

DacV1 on a Unitiqute is a complete waste of time IMO. Two products that work well on their own, but combined..... there are better options/routes.

I have been using the DAC-V1 into a NAP200 for a few months now and I amazed just how good the V1 performs as a pre. I have no urge to add a separate pre amp at the moment, as the balance of the V1 into the NAP200 is perfect. My next upgrade is new speakers and a Fraimlite, which should improve things even further. Additionally HI-Resolution music files sound absolutely stunning through the V1.

Ian.

The question is how does it compare as a pre, not, Is it a good product? Within its limits it is a great unit, but as a pre, when one wants to go up the ladder, it shows its weakness and limits ones upgrade possibilities.

gary yeowell posted:

The question is how does it compare as a pre, not, Is it a good product? Within its limits it is a great unit, but as a pre, when one wants to go up the ladder, it shows its weakness and limits ones upgrade possibilities.

Gary

That may depend on how far up the ladder you think you may want, or can afford, to go.

DAC-V1 is a great for helping to cure upgraditis, e.g. no need to worry about adding external power supplies, you can't, and there isn't another comparable Naim product.

Dave

I don't dispute that Dave, however IMO it does not warrant going past a 200, regardless what others have done or said. At that stage there are better options.

I use the V1 in a second system, with a DIY Naim-type power amp, and it's really good; a great two-box. It's a lovely thing, the V1. Why upgrade?

Pallie posted:

Would a DAC V1 take a unitiqute to another level? And could you still use the Naim app, if i still use the unitiqute  as a streamer? 

I'm sure there is someone in this forum using a UQ to feed a V1 via the UQ'a digital out to SPDIF of the V1.

I believe that this by passes the pre and power amp in the UQ.  

Three also folks who adopt this approach  with the ND5X and NDX into their choice of  DAC.

Does this make sense? Does is sound good ? What are the options? A good Naim dealer can help demo.

Jude

Jude2012 posted:

Pallie posted:

Would a DAC V1 take a unitiqute to another level? And could you still use the Naim app, if i still use the unitiqute  as a streamer? 

 

I'm sure there is someone in this forum using a UQ to feed a V1 via the UQ'a digital out to SPDIF of the V1.

I believe that this by passes the pre and power amp in the UQ.  

Three also folks who adopt this approach  with the ND5X and NDX into their choice of  DAC.

Does this make sense? Does is sound good ? What are the options? A good Naim dealer can help demo.

 

Jude

Don't get me wrong, i like my setup. UQ+NAP100 into Neat SX1.

But you always wonder, will it sound better if I connect other stuff.

Today there is a huge second hand market. You can get for half the price a DAC v1 or unitiserve.

The DAC in the V1 is obviousy better than its preamp section, IMO. If you have the rack space, a nap 200 and good speakers, the benefits of a 202 should be pretty clear. At least it was for me when I heard this combo.

...sorry forgot to mention, I had a Hi-Line between V1 and 202 when trying this.

Jude2012 posted:

Pallie posted:

Would a DAC V1 take a unitiqute to another level? And could you still use the Naim app, if i still use the unitiqute  as a streamer? 

 

I'm sure there is someone in this forum using a UQ to feed a V1 via the UQ'a digital out to SPDIF of the V1.

I believe that this by passes the pre and power amp in the UQ.  

Three also folks who adopt this approach  with the ND5X and NDX into their choice of  DAC.

Does this make sense? Does is sound good ? What are the options? A good Naim dealer can help demo.

 

Jude

At least I am! I have connected my UQ to V1 just like that forwarding the signal from V1 to pair of Genelec 8320 speakers (with integrated dsp/room corrector).

I use UQ (with Naim app in iPad) mainly for listening iRadio and FM, sometimes iPod classic connected to front usb socket. One thing I found very cool is that even the FM is native analog signal UQ digitizes it to pass via S/PDIF output.

I have just started to rip my cd’s with dBpoweramp on my headless Mac mini (mid2011, 2,5 GHz, 16 GB, 600 GB ssd) that I use via VNC Viewer from my MBP. The mini is connected to V1 via optical cable but in the future I will try to stream music directly from it to UQ. Now I use Audirvana (not iTunes) in Mac controlling it from iPad via A+ Remote app that works very well.

And the sound? I’m very satisfied!

Jouni

airscrew posted:

Jude2012 posted:

Pallie posted:

Would a DAC V1 take a unitiqute to another level? And could you still use the Naim app, if i still use the unitiqute  as a streamer? 

 

I'm sure there is someone in this forum using a UQ to feed a V1 via the UQ'a digital out to SPDIF of the V1.

I believe that this by passes the pre and power amp in the UQ.  

Three also folks who adopt this approach  with the ND5X and NDX into their choice of  DAC.

Does this make sense? Does is sound good ? What are the options? A good Naim dealer can help demo.

 

Jude

At least I am! I have connected my UQ to V1 just like that forwarding the signal from V1 to pair of Genelec 8320 speakers (with integrated dsp/room corrector).

I use UQ (with Naim app in iPad) mainly for listening iRadio and FM, sometimes iPod classic connected to front usb socket. One thing I found very cool is that even the FM is native analog signal UQ digitizes it to pass via S/PDIF output.

I have just started to rip my cd’s with dBpoweramp on my headless Mac mini (mid2011, 2,5 GHz, 16 GB, 600 GB ssd) that I use via VNC Viewer from my MBP. The mini is connected to V1 via optical cable but in the future I will try to stream music directly from it to UQ. Now I use Audirvana (not iTunes) in Mac controlling it from iPad via A+ Remote app that works very well.

And the sound? I’m very satisfied!

Jouni

Okay so you can use the n-serve app or naim app to lets say control the volume? Is this possible if i just use the UQ as a streamer?

Pallie posted:

Okay so you can use the n-serve app or naim app to lets say control the volume? Is this possible if i just use the UQ as a streamer?

While the naim app would allow you to select what was playing on the UnitiQute, it wouldn't allow control of the volume if the UQ was then connected to a DAC V1 via SPDIF output.

You can use the physical remote from the UQ to adjust volume on the V1. Just be sure to set the volume on the UQ with a max limit of zero. Very nifty and a much nicer remote than the one that came with V1. 

dave4jazz posted:

gary yeowell posted:

The question is how does it compare as a pre, not, Is it a good product? Within its limits it is a great unit, but as a pre, when one wants to go up the ladder, it shows its weakness and limits ones upgrade possibilities.

Gary

That may depend on how far up the ladder you think you may want, or can afford, to go.

DAC-V1 is a great for helping to cure upgraditis, e.g. no need to worry about adding external power supplies, you can't, and there isn't another comparable Naim product.

Dave

How about using the V1 as an external DAC for ND5XS? I was planning to have an Naim DAC as an upgrade in the near future. That would consider as an upgrade to my ND5 right? So the question is will the V1 work in the scenario?