Naim Dac advice/help needed

Posted by: Erich on 18 January 2017

Recently I received a s/h NDAC to replace the V1 in my main kit.

Input: MBP+ Audirvana + USB + Gustard U12 + optical into optical spdif 1.

Output :Hiline RCA/Din into 252's aux1 as recommended.

First thing I did was to update FW because the Ndac wasn't playing DSD files. Update was done easily.

Ndac working fine the way described.

Q1: Now I'm trying to use the front USB input. I insert the USB device and the dock button indicator in the front panel gets illuminated but nothing happens. I expected that the Ndac automatically initiated to play files in the USB device. Files are AIFC audio. The same files in the same device are rendered fine using the MBP A+ configuration. I think I'm missing something, I have read the reference manual but couldn't find the answer.

Q2: I'm using the optical connection between the Gustard and the Ndac because I don't have other alternative. Initially I used a QED cable but a minimum interaction with the cable caused a lot of noise. Changed to the optical cable that comes with the hugo and the connection is more stable. Any recommendations in terms of using optical or an RCA/BNC cable?

Posted on: 18 January 2017 by Adam Zielinski

Answer to Q1: Files cannot be in a folder - they must be placed directly into a root of the USB sick. nDAC will start an automatic playback in sequence.

Answer to Q2: When you write 'noise' can you be more specific? I use my nDAC with an NDX via DC1 (BNC to BNC) and Oppo 105 also via DC1 (RCA to BNC)

Adam

Posted on: 18 January 2017 by Erich

Adam Zielinski posted:
Answer to Q1: Files cannot be in a folder - they must be placed directly into a root of the USB sick. nDAC will start an automatic playback in sequence.
Answer to Q2: When you write 'noise' can you be more specific? I use my nDAC with an NDX via DC1 (BNC to BNC) and Oppo 105 also via DC1 (RCA to BNC)
Adam

TYVM.

Q1: Files are in the root. It's strange, because when I updated the FW the dac read the files immediately after I plugged the device in.

Q2: Noise like shhhh shhhh. It seems that the QED cable is not properly plugged in. Meanwhile the standard cable that came with the Hugo is doing the job.

Unfortunate the local Naim dealer has no stock of a DC1 RCA to BNC. I found only one locally, is an Ecosse executive (or so), but the dealer is on vacations 'til next week.

Posted on: 18 January 2017 by Adam Zielinski

Can you try another USB stick? I only manage to play music from some sticks, especially if files are high-res audio. Apparently the file transfer speed must be up to a certain standard.

As to your cable - sounds like it's damaged internally - most likely at one of the plugs.

Posted on: 18 January 2017 by Erich

I just cleaned and reformated another device and saved one aiff 16/44.1 file. When I insert the device into the USB input, after a while the dock button gets illuminated and almost immediately the same happens with the #3 button (stop). I also tried without any other input connected.

Posted on: 18 January 2017 by Erich

Converted the aiff to wav in the same device erasing the original file. Bingo!!

Posted on: 18 January 2017 by Adam Zielinski

Erich posted:
Converted the aiff to wav in the same device erasing the original file. Bingo!!

How odd... I've played AIFF files from USB sticks.

Mind you AIFF files can have some palyback problems of their own.

Posted on: 18 January 2017 by Adam Zielinski

The good thing is that it works!

Posted on: 18 January 2017 by Erich

I have to check what happens with my aiff files. The manual says that the DAC is able to handle any audio file format that can be played on an Apple device, and my files comply with this requirement.

Posted on: 18 January 2017 by Adam Zielinski

Erich posted:
I have to check what happens with my aiff files. The manual says that the DAC is able to handle any audio file format that can be played on an Apple device, and my files comply with this requirement.

That's why I was surprised - I generally use AIFF files (Mac ecosystem at home) and they just work - either streaming or being played back from a USB stick.

I once had a problem with an AIFF file - it had a dot at the end of it's name (as in '.'). Removing that dot from a file name, cured it.

Posted on: 18 January 2017 by Erich

I have more than 1TB in AIFF files and they play OK in MAC + Audirvana or just with typical Apple IOS software.

I converted to wav all the files in the first device I tested and they are being played very very nice by the Ndac. Not in vain other members say that the replay from an USB device is the reference sq for this dac.

Posted on: 18 January 2017 by Jan-Erik Nordoen

Erich posted:
Not in vain other members say that the replay from an USB device is the reference sq for this dac.

Try the rear USB port.

Posted on: 20 January 2017 by hego99

I'm fairly sure that I've played both FLACs and WAVs in front USB port where audio files where not in root level of USB/flash-memory-stick; I've used sub-directories but I must test again since my memory is a mess....