Mac Mini with Yamaha RXV 2700 receiver as Pre-amp and Naim Nait 5si - do I need another DAC?

Have you tried taking signal from a tape out on the receiver and therefore using the Nait 5Si as a full integrated amplifier?  I'd imagine that would sound a bit better, otherwise you are being held back by the pre-amp section of the Yamaha.

I have no idea about the quality of the onboard DAC - there's a bit more to a DAC than just the chipset that's used - but  your ears will be the best judge here.

The rest of my set up for home theater is a B&W center speaker, sub, and surround speakers.

I use KEF LS50s as front speakers and they are driven by the Naim.

For music, I stick to just the front speakers.

I am not sure I understand what you mean.

Is there are an alternative to using the Pre-out?

I thought my only alternative was to from the Mac Mini directly to the Naim.

In which case I cannot use the Naim-KEF combo as part of the home theater set up.

I am not able to post an image of the back panel on the receiver. I did find it by googling - yamaha rx-v2700 back panel

If you connect the receiver to the NAIT through the AV input and select unity gain then you can use it just as you describe - the NAIT slaving off the receiver as just a power amp when on the AV input.  

However, it's probably also worth trying the tape out from the receiver into a different input on the NAIT for when you just want to use the Receiver as just a DAC, that way you will avoid the receiver's pre-amp and use just the NAIT as the full amplifier - this should give you best sound when using the MAC mini as a source for 2 channel music.

I am really naive. What is Tape out? I don't see anything like that on the receiver back panel. There is a picture of the back panel.

You have two options on the back; one is Tape/MD OUT (Rec), and the other is CDR OUT. Either should give you a Line level signal output from a chosen source. You just set it up as if you had a recorder connected.

Just discovered it. Thanks! Weekend project coming up!

The DAC in my Yamaha is not comparable to a Naim DAC or Naim DAC V1

those are much better, but then they cost a LOT more than my Yahama did.

The Nait deserves a Naim DAC....  Naim does know how to get very good results from digital.

One step at a time! I added the Naim Nait and the KEF LS50s a few months back and had the Arcam rDac already. Need to pace myself!

Living in India, I end up paying about 30-40 percent more on shipment and customs, and if available locally, at around the same markup.

Can I suggest a simple Dragonfly Black or Red? It is feeding my SuperNait well. I'm sure you can get them somewhere in India.

I see that the Dragonfly Dacs don't do an RCA out. 

What kind of cable would I need to go from the DAC to 2 RCA male?

I am looking at a lot of reviews for standalone USB DACs.

Any suggestions would be welcome.

Would I need to disconnect the preouts from the Yamaha when using the tape out connection?

I tried it, and all I could hear was the sub in 5 channel mode, and nothing from the Kefs.

I've yesterday ordered a AudioQuest Evergreen 3.5 to RCA cable. It arrives tomorrow, can't comment yet. I'm currently using a cheap cable which is kind of ok, but currently the weakest link obviously.

I'll report back later this week and if someone else has good suggestions for 3.5 to RCA cables, please let me know.

I've used a Flashback 3.5mm to RCA with my Dragonfly, which seems to work well and wasn't expensive.

I have had ground loop/hum issues with Yamaha AV amps as a pre with Naim. Many years ago, so things may have changed. The issue was never properly resolved. I switched to Denon and have never looked back. 

On a recommendation from a member here, I got a ground loop device from EBay for about 15 dollars. Have not found the need for it so far.

Just ordered a Musical Fidelity: V90-DAC on Amazon. Should get here in about a week!

Hopefully will suffice to get a better signal into the Naim.

Richard Dane posted:

You have two options on the back; one is Tape/MD OUT (Rec), and the other is CDR OUT. Either should give you a Line level signal output from a chosen source. You just set it up as if you had a recorder connected.

Just added a Musical Fidelity v90 DAC to the system - http://www.stereophile.com/con...#3baIgFJXgEvJElAo.97

Now running Music directly from the Mac Mini to DAC to Naim using it as god intended - a fully integrated amp, and the world just got brighter!

Planning to connect the receiver on a separate path to the B&W 704s as fronts for video and use the DAC-Naim combo exclusively for music sans sub.

Feels I am hearing the Naim sound for the first time. All this time, the receiver has been the preAmp.