DAC to the Future

yes it will, maybe even better. DAC V1 is fantastic.

ellearm posted:

My old CD5 regularly fail to play cds , or I have to reload the cd 3-4 times before it start to play.

This might be relevant - https://forums.naimaudio.com/to...ip---a-doctor-writes

I have recently just switched from a CD5/Flatcap, 92/HC/90 system to a DAC-V1, NAP 200. 

Although I never compared the two sources in direct comparison. I do feel the DAC-V1 is better.

What I can tell you is my DAC-V1 NAP200 is significantly better than my previous system. I would imagine the DAC-V1 plays a huge part in that.

Ian.

The DAC-V1 is very capable in my view, seems like a safe bet to me.  Seems most happy with a USB input, which might be relevant if you use Tidal a lot; an alternative digital transport for internet streaming may bring a benefit in the future.  Having said that, there's nothing wrong with the SPDIF route, it still sounds great.

Adam Meredith posted:

ellearm posted:

My old CD5 regularly fail to play cds , or I have to reload the cd 3-4 times before it start to play.

This might be relevant - https://forums.naimaudio.com/to...ip---a-doctor-writes

Thanks a lot Adam.

I ordered new puck ( clamp5) . 

Adjusting the rubber part on old puck really helped.

About the Dac V1 , I am curious why its output is 4 pin din , my CD5 output is 5 pin din.

I think because it's not really mean't to be a source - it's a DAC/digital headphone amp/pre-amp, hence will most usually be married up with a power amp - hence the DIN4.

Richard Dane posted:

I think because it's not really mean't to be a source - it's a DAC/digital headphone amp/pre-amp, hence will most usually be married up with a power amp - hence the DIN4.

I'm sure this was discussed before ... but feel its a real shame the DAC-V1 didn't go the whole way and include an analogue input.  Perhaps somewhere down the line we may get a NAC152x-Digital?

No the Dac V1 is not better than a 'working' CD5 with a Flatcap. I have owned the DacV1, and still own a CD5/FC2. They are different, and long term i prefer the CD player, and i also preferred the CD5 to the Chord Hugo. 

analogmusic posted:

DAC V1 is fantastic.

Hi AM

+1

All the best

Rick @ Musicraft

gary yeowell posted:

No the Dac V1 is not better than a 'working' CD5 with a Flatcap. I have owned the DacV1, and still own a CD5/FC2. They are different, and long term i prefer the CD player, and i also preferred the CD5 to the Chord Hugo. 

Do you have a friendly audiologist nearby who could help you?

Only kidding, but you do seem to have it in for the poor Hugo!

Eloise posted:

Richard Dane posted:

I think because it's not really mean't to be a source - it's a DAC/digital headphone amp/pre-amp, hence will most usually be married up with a power amp - hence the DIN4.

I'm sure this was discussed before ... but feel its a real shame the DAC-V1 didn't go the whole way and include an analogue input.  Perhaps somewhere down the line we may get a NAC152x-Digital?

As Richard said "it's a DAC/digital headphone amp/pre-amp", we like it just the way it is.

Dave

gary yeowell posted:

No the Dac V1 is not better than a 'working' CD5 with a Flatcap. I have owned the DacV1, and still own a CD5/FC2. They are different, and long term i prefer the CD player, and i also preferred the CD5 to the Chord Hugo. 

Gary -

I'm glad you wrote that, because that same question was forming in my head.  I'm in the midst of revamping my system, and a CD5 or progeny seems the way to go.  I've also dabbled with the idea of a used Naim DAC, as it appears to be musically better than the DAC V1.  As the result of some luck on ebay I have a FC2 coming my way, and I might explore other funding sources for a source upgrade (no pun intended). 

Bob Edwards posted:

.  I've also dabbled with the idea of a used Naim DAC, as it appears to be musically better than the DAC V1. 

Is that true that the Naim DAC sounds better than the DAC V1? Anyone confirms?

As just a DAC then yes, the Naim DAC is superior to the DAC-V1.  However, the latter is a much better headphone amp...

Thanks Richard, this makes me feel better as I just got a Naim DAC without auditioning or comparing between the 2 DACs, being too far away from any good Naim dealer. The nearest one is the Gene Rubin, but he no longer does Naim.

Eloise posted:

Richard Dane posted:

I think because it's not really mean't to be a source - it's a DAC/digital headphone amp/pre-amp, hence will most usually be married up with a power amp - hence the DIN4.

I'm sure this was discussed before ... but feel its a real shame the DAC-V1 didn't go the whole way and include an analogue input.  Perhaps somewhere down the line we may get a NAC152x-Digital?

Perhaps with a slightly amended name to reflect that it's similar to a 152, but with a bit more added - a number 20 or so higher, maybe?

Richard Dane posted:

As just a DAC then yes, the Naim DAC is superior to the DAC-V1.  However, the latter is a much better headphone amp...

Richard -

Thank you for that - I'd be shocked to find otherwise given the price difference!  Time to start saving for one . . .

Just to confirm a Naim DAC is, in SQ terms, very significantly superior to DAC v1. Obviously it is "just" a DAC though, so would need a whole range of extra spending if a headphone amp, pre (especially!), usb/spdf converter and (again, especially) a streamer are wanted. 

Also, the naim DAC is upgradable with XPS/555...potentially making it a 3-8k DAC depending on second hand deals. DAC v1 isn't, which can be a useful upgrade itch avoider...

SamC posted:

Also, the naim DAC is upgradable with XPS/555...potentially making it a 3-8k DAC depending on second hand deals. DAC v1 isn't, which can be a useful upgrade itch avoider...

The nDAC can also be upgraded by the addition of the XP5XS PSU. That is half the price of the XPS2 and in my experience gives about 80% of the XPS2's performance. Worth considering in my view.

After reading threads in Naim forum, I came across Chord 2 Qute as a very interesting Dac.

Since I dont need headphone amp or pre amp volume, 2qute is very interesting and cheaper than V1.

However Its 3 V output may not be suitable for my Nait2 ?

3V is way too high for a NAIT2 (saying that, even 2V is probably too high, but that's the Redbook standard so that's what Naim comply with) - while the NAIT has higher overload limits, it will mean almost no useable range on the volume control and also the range will fall right where the control is at its weakest with regard to channel balance.  

+1 Richard,  I've attenuated the input to my Nait-2 by 15dB.   It's moved the volume control position well away from the poor channel balance area.