DAC to power a NAP 200

Posted by: Allan Milne on 11 October 2016

 

Having upgraded my NAP 200 it is now being handed down to my son.

 

He is currently using a Nait5 and inputs are all digital, primarily from plex running on a Rasberry Pie I believe.

Since I haven't upgraded my NAC 202 (yet he has no pre-amp for the 200!

Since he only has digital sources, I was wondering if any of you had used a DAC directly into a 200 ...

... not talking about higher-end Hugo DACs here;

... more a DAC in the £400-600 range;

... had wondered about the Arcam IRDAC or Audio lab M-DAC?

 

Thanks in anticipation,

Allan

 

Posted on: 11 October 2016 by GraemeH

Chord Mojo?

G

Posted on: 11 October 2016 by Ardbeg10y

I'm using an old Naim AV2 into my (to-be-bought) Nait 5. Works perfecty. The AV2 is a good stereo Dac too. Once it was feeding my current second stereo system, the music was suddenly transparent, having a solid bass.

Can be bought for not too much.

Gives loads of other options too.

Recommended!

Posted on: 11 October 2016 by Richard Dane

The AV2 is ideal here in many ways; it's a pre-amp as well as a DAC (you will need a pre-amp).  What's more it's a pre-amp designed to partner Naim power amps. Oh, and it looks right, a perfect match for the Naim amp. It's also available secondhand within your budget.

Posted on: 11 October 2016 by Ancient Mariner

I've been using a DAC-V1 with a 200 for around 12 months now.  A superb combination at any level. Although the DAC-V1 maybe slightly above the budget your after.

Ian.

Posted on: 11 October 2016 by Allan Milne

 

Thanks for these,

I will take under advisement

Can a Chord Mojo drive a 200?

 

Ian - I have a DAC V1 myself but ain't getting rid of it anytime soon It goes into the 202 in my system That's why I need something less expensive for my son.

 

Allan

 

Posted on: 11 October 2016 by Ancient Mariner
Allan Milne posted:

 

Thanks for these,

I will take under advisement

Can a Chord Mojo drive a 200?

 

Ian - I have a DAC V1 myself but ain't getting rid of it anytime soon It goes into the 202 in my system That's why I need something less expensive for my son.

 

Allan

 

Don't blame you Allen, its a great DAC.

Ian.

Posted on: 11 October 2016 by GraemeH
Allan Milne posted:

 

Thanks for these,

I will take under advisement

Can a Chord Mojo drive a 200?

 

Ian - I have a DAC V1 myself but ain't getting rid of it anytime soon It goes into the 202 in my system That's why I need something less expensive for my son.

 

Allan

 

Possibly not. I see it's 600mv so on the low side direct to a nap.

G

Posted on: 11 October 2016 by Ardbeg10y
Allan Milne posted:

 

He is currently using a Nait5 and inputs are all digital, primarily from plex running on a Rasberry Pie I believe.

+ there are many Pi-DAC's around, having decent analogue connectors. Not sure if I can post links here, but using google should bring you quickly to these sites.

Positive side effect of this is that the s/h prices of the AV2 stays low. I'm quite afraid that there will be a moment that the Naim fanatics shift their obsession from the Nait 1 + Nait 2 to the AV2 which is one of the forgotten brilliant products of Naim and therfore raise the s/h prices.