Naim DAC-V1 and how to feed it (Best source and bit perfect software)?

As I have an almost similar setup as you, I would recommend to start to download and play with the latest version of Audirvana (trial available) and Roon. The former has the best sound quality I think (with possible upsampling to 384 khz of even up sample to DSD in the latest beta on a DAC-V1 - let your ears decide). The Roon software is truly amazing to browse through your music library and discover a lot of different music (and it also provides upsampling to DSD through another application HQPlayer). Both applications have the possibility to include Tidal. The Audirvana only works through OS X - I use a 2011 Mac Mini with 8GB, not sure if newer and more memory would improve sound. 

Hi Erland

As Janus says, for software players  (mainly Mac based) - Audirvana is definitely worth a trial, as is JRiver and Amarra.  

I use Audirvana and its Remote and am aware that it in addition to TIDAL integration, there is also Qobuz and HighResAudio streaming integration.  You also also carry on using iTunes with Audirvana (albeit the SQ is better without this IME).  Audirvana also enables DSD files to be played on the V1 (assuming the V1 has the latest firmware update).

Processing power is not a big issue.  Just check the the OS X's Activity Monitor on your MBP to see how much processing power is being used, even when playing 128 DSD files.  Also, check the Memory swaps in Activity Monitor to get an idea whether RAM is reaching its physical limits.

If you are looking at alternatives to a Mac, along withPCs, check out dedicated music servers from Aurender and Melco.  The V1 is great with SPDIF but USB is where it excels IME. 

Some say that using Windows Server 2012 (with minimal installed footprint) and a dedicated PC gets good results.

HTH

Jude

I'm not entirely sure which exactly is the better option. But speaking from personal experience my DAC-V1, NAP200 system sounds truly remarkable when connected to my PC, running the latest 1.16 software and using JRiver. Couldn't be happier with it.

Ian.

I have a MacBook Air (SSD), almost exclusively for music replay runing Audirvana to feed my V1 through an Audioquest USB.

Play ripped CDs AIFF, 24/44.1-48-96-192 AIFF and a few DSD also stream TIDAL. Control directly from the Mac or using the A+ remote app from the Iphone.

Most of digital music in external USB HDs. I rip in my MBP  or MBA using XLD.

Very happy with all. Very stable, manageable, simple (my view), good SQ (don't know if the best).

Near future: replace MBA by Mac Mini SSD still thinking.

I haven't streamed other services in addition to Spotify coz don't have acces in my country so I couldn't say which service is the best. (Tidal CD quality clearly better than Spotify MP3).

Regards. Erich

+1 for Audirvana and A+ remote, far and away the best sounding software I've tried.  I run mine on a Mac Mini with a USB regen and Jitterbug and it was more than enough to convince me I didnn't need a streamer.  Damian updates it on a regular basis and the Tidal integration is superb.

another +1 for Audirvana with its remote, getting very good results with it from Mac mini / Gustard u12 / ndac. 

Having used a Mac Mini optimised for audio playback, with both Audirvana+ and latterly Amarra Symphony with Dirac room correction, I thought I'd better try one of the Melco players. If you get the chance, give one a try in your system. They're excellent and, following the latest firmware upgrades, even better than before. Listen at your peril!

tonym posted:

Having used a Mac Mini optimised for audio playback, with both Audirvana+ and latterly Amarra Symphony with Dirac room correction, I thought I'd better try one of the Melco players. If you get the chance, give one a try in your system. They're excellent and, following the latest firmware upgrades, even better than before. Listen at your peril!

Tonym, how did you optimised the mac mini for audio playback?

Regards. Erich

Hi Erich,

I followed the instructions from, I think, the Computer Audiophile website, but if you Google "How to optimise a Mac mini for audio playback" you'll find lots of information. It involves disabling Spotlight, Bluetooth, and other bits & pieces. Sorry, can't remember it all. I converted mine to a 500GB SSD drive and stored my music on an external Thunderbolt drive.

And as mentioned above, give Roon a trial, they have a free 14 day offering and a very vibrant forum.  It's bit perfect and will also allow you play Roon to any AirPlay or Squeezboxes in the house, not to mention several DIY "end points" based on Raspberry Pi etc.

Roon just adds so much extra to the experience and with HQPLAYER is giving sound quality that (at least) matches my CD555.

SJB

Erlend posted:

Is Apple still the best way to go? Is it better than PC's? Should I choose duo or quad core processors?  Is it advicable to max out on memory? Any other tuning advises for Mac Minis? Should I swap the BitPerfect software for Audirvana or something similar?

I do not know whether Apple is still (or was) the best way to go! What is "best" anyway depends, up to a certain extent, on subjective preferences and, perhaps, also on convenience / acquaintance rationales. If you are comfortable with OS X an the upcoming models fulfill your specifications, a Mac Mini is certainly a valid proposition.

I would also consider low(er)-power devices like the upcoming Sonore microRendu, the Bryston BDP-Pi server and, perhaps, the Audiophonics RaspDIGI. I am using a low-power Fit-PC 3 running MinimServer, MPD and upmpdcli. The system is very stable and has the advantage that I can control replay both via MPD clients and via OpenHome control points, please check https://forums.naimaudio.com/to...58#52252470668615058 for details. As control points I tend to use Linn's Kazoo on iOS and BubbleUPnP on Android devices.

Linn has recently made their DS software publicly available for the most popular platforms, please see http://forums.linn.co.uk/bb/showthread.php?tid=32321. I very much hope that Naim will eventually update their (fairly outdated and, in my view, not particularly interesting) UnityServe range. But will they? And, if so, when? I do not know and, given their lack of commitment to open standards and their roadmap communication policy, I do not really care so much anymore. 

"Is Apple still the best way to go? Is it better than PC's? Should I choose duo or quad core processors?  Is it advicable to max out on memory? Any other tuning advises for Mac Minis? Should I swap the BitPerfect software for Audirvana or something similar?"

As a lifelong PC user and someone who does not in general like Apple at all I tried a whole host of options including a Windows server, a stand alone PC, my wife's PC laptop before trying a friends Mac Book Pro with Audirvana which was far far better than any of the PC options, I purchased a Mac Mini the day after which was better again.  Most of the optimisation covered earlier is done by Audirvana any way but you can add a good quality power supply and thunderbolt drive to give improvements too

Before investing in another Apple computer, be sure to review Computer Audiophile discussion about the Sonore MicroRendu.  It is fairly new device designed with audiophile quality parts rather than off the shelf computer parts.  It works with Roon and other music software.  Most users say the MicroRendu leaves the Mac Mini in the dust and keeps up with expensive music servers and streamers.   I plan to buy one soon to replace my Aurender N100h.

tonym posted:

Hi Erich,

I followed the instructions from, I think, the Computer Audiophile website, but if you Google "How to optimise a Mac mini for audio playback" you'll find lots of information. It involves disabling Spotlight, Bluetooth, and other bits & pieces. Sorry, can't remember it all. I converted mine to a 500GB SSD drive and stored my music on an external Thunderbolt drive.

I asked because there is a company "Core audio technology" that offers MMs optimised for audio server usage. I thought you had one of those.  But basically what you did was to disable some programs and set some particular parameters. Same thing I do with my Mac.

TYVM, regards.  Erich

Thanks to everyone for input on this thread. It's been most helpful, interesting and informative.

I will most certainly be taking a closer look at Sonore MicroRendu and Roon. I was not even aware of those before this thread.

Best regards, Erlend.

Mac Mini with Audirvana software, in optimised/ultimate mode (clearly described in Audiv manual). Into Hugo it needs an isolator (or USB/SPDIF isolator/convertor), which you can get for not much over £100 - I don't know if same is true into DACV1.

when I bought my MM last summer, received wisdom was that the late2012 models were best, which are still upgradeable - after that I believe everything has to be specified in advance. I put in two 1GB SSDs and increased RAM to max (16GB).

The V1 has a very high quality asynchronous USB input, so an isolator isn't really required.