Naim Dac

Brave to buy without an audition but it isn't always possible and it's unlikely you will hate it.

From the first time I heard a prototype at a Naim dealer event, I wanted one. 

We used ours with a CDX2 and HDX. It ran for a short time bare before having an XPS2 added. A 555PS followed in due course. It is sensitive to the power supply and responds very well to upgrades. At each of its price points from bare to 555PS-DR I consider it to be peerless. Meaning that a bare one is superb for its asking price.

Works very well with HDX and NDX. Which means it should work well with ND5 - I've never hears that combo.  Our DAC was chopped in for the NDS,. A worthy successor, but then it should be, given the price difference.

I think you're in for some fun.

It's a versatile box that works well with my CDX2.2. Don't want to put temptation in your way, but adding the 555ps takes it up to another level in every way.

I also use it to play stored music and stream internet radio from my i-Touch. Good enough for casual listening.

My nDAC was my first piece of Naim kit and I'm a big fan.  Over the years I've gradually upgraded e.g. adding external PSUs and Powerlines, as well as upgrading the rest of the system. The nDAC continues to impress and has always proven itself as a first class source.  Great VFM, too.

If you are buying used do make sure the nDAC has the latest firmware update. It improved the performance quite significantly. 

kaydee6 posted:

Hi. Any naim dac owners here? Especially one using with the ndx or nd5. 

What's your opinion with the sound signature with naim streamer?

Bought mine blind and is arriving next week.  Going to connect to a ndx. Looking forward

Hi, I don't own a Naim DAC now - but did run one power assisted by a 555PS and mostly driven by my NDX. I loved it - a great performer - and at the time I preferred it to a NDS/555PS - wrote a lot about it on the forum at the time.... 

Sound signature, with the 555PS, is rather beefy and authoritative - and a lovely organic sound - but I understand the latest firmware version might have modified this a bit by swapping a bit of the 'organic sound' for a cleaner more pristine one  - but anyway I am sure its only a subtle  change and I suspect most will prefer the current cleaner presentation  - well worth an audition if you can

Harry posted:

Brave to buy without an audition but it isn't always possible and it's unlikely you will hate it.

From the first time I heard a prototype at a Naim dealer event, I wanted one. 

We used ours with a CDX2 and HDX. It ran for a short time bare before having an XPS2 added. A 555PS followed in due course. It is sensitive to the power supply and responds very well to upgrades. At each of its price points from bare to 555PS-DR I consider it to be peerless. Meaning that a bare one is superb for its asking price.

Works very well with HDX and NDX. Which means it should work well with ND5 - I've never hears that combo.  Our DAC was chopped in for the NDS,. A worthy successor, but then it should be, given the price difference.

I think you're in for some fun.

Yes it's more fun to buy blind. So far my uq2, sn2, ndx all bought blind. Love the sound. 

I think it will go very well with that NDX.

I like mine powered by xpsdr. It's driven by uniti core and hdx and some other sources

good sound. V versatile. 

Jon - Do you notice any sound quality differences between the HDX and the Core? - I have a couple of HDXs and i'm considering migrating one of them over to the new platform

I first used my DAC fed by a UnitiQute digital out.  When I added an XPS, the DAC was so transformed I remember thinking it would be a shame to leave it bare.   A couple years later the XPS was traded for a 555PSDR and this same DAC became elegantly dynamic and graceful.   Then last year Naim offered a firmware upgrade that took this same DAC into a different league - a subtle but profound improvement that renders music more convincingly real.

So you I expect you will enjoy the DAC.  Be sure it has the latest firmware.  Know that in time, as funds allow, you can upgrade its performance as the rest of your system evolves.  

Charlie

andrew jameson posted:

Jon - Do you notice any sound quality differences between the HDX and the Core? - I have a couple of HDXs and i'm considering migrating one of them over to the new platform

Mine is an engineering prototype not final production spec. So you will understand if I make no comment until my own shop bought items arrives. 

Thanks guys for the feedback. But I'm starting to regret I asked

Living with the NDAC for a week. 

One word to describe it: ENERGETIC

I'm not streaming yet as I'm a bit of an old codger and can't cope with the fafing around but I am using my NDac with 555PS with a CDX 2.2. As many have commented already this is a pretty special combination especially with the latest firmware and a brace of Powerlines.

I have just added the SL interconnect from the NDac to Pre and can safely say that this Is a game changer for me. It takes my system into unexplored territory. Every single track I now play becomes an event. I've even had the wife sit and listen to whole albums - this is unheard of! I'm at the point where I now feel that my CD system is easily out performing my LP12. Something I never thought I'd be saying!

You should be very happy with your purchase.

kaydee6 posted:

Living with the NDAC for a week. 

One word to describe it: ENERGETIC

Early days yet. I reckon at least 3 weeks to settle down.

In raw form can be a tad enthusiastic. Try to get it on a good light but rigid support away from big power supplies and make sure it has the latest firmware update. Also make sure you have a proper Naim power lead. It seems to be very sensitive to mains supply, and if being used on a standard house ringmain this may add a slight level of grain.

Persevere and you will be rewarded. 

It really needs an XPS to balance it out ime.

G

GraemeH posted:

It really needs an XPS to balance it out ime.

G

Arriving late to this thread...

A big fan of the nDAC, especially with a non-DR 555PS. 

To get the best out of it a decent DIN-DIN interconnect also may help.

Good as the nDac is maybe a powersuply on the ND5 or NDX first? The PS555 would be nice now, good value used now, and will be fantastic with the nDac if you get one later?

Paul Quigley ie posted:

Good as the nDac is maybe a powersuply on the ND5 or NDX first? The PS555 would be nice now, good value used now, and will be fantastic with the nDac if you get one later?

I think the OP already has his nDAC....

I've had mine since it was released and been through several PS upgrades, Powerline and firmware upgrades and at each stage i've been delighted .. a great bit of kit i reckon. The recent firmware upgrade is especially winning given zero cost!

Couple of questions if I may.

Can an older naim DAC play DSD in the same way as a new one?

Is the only difference between old and new simply firmware, which can be upgraded, or is it the physical architecture/ components?

Elk, even the earliest Naim DAC can be updated via firmware to latest spec and to play DSD files.

Richard Dane posted:

Elk, even the earliest Naim DAC can be updated via firmware to latest spec and to play DSD files.

Ok, but is there any electric difference between the first N-Dac (2010) and the actual one?

Don't think so, no.

Thanks Richard, that is good to know. Regards, Nick

Update:

the ndac makes the biggest improvement to my system since I started with the sn2, ndx, hcap dr. The bass just went crazy and my harbeth shl5 is pumping bass like I've just added a sub. This is all with speed and prat intact. Overall depth got deeper and highs floating more out of the speaker. 

All this without harshness or grain. 

Ndx internal dac is not the ndac. Now it's just another expensive streamer.