Hi all.
Apart from ‘adding’ to a topic (1st track not playing - Naim App) this, I think , is my 1st post on the new ‘community’ - be gentle.
Recently added a ND5 xs to my system, was using MM into Dac V1; massive jump in SQ (surprisingly) & will, when one comes along on S/H market, add a power supply to it. These are/were used with 202, Flatcap xs, 200 & ATC SCM 11. I used a reasonable quality 6 gang extension lead for my kit; read the ‘no led’s/anti surge’ conversations, but wondered: ‘snake oil’?i - got a friend (qualified electrician) to remove them from the block - what a massive improvement in sound - can finally hear what I’ve heard other Naim systems produce, can’t emphasise enough the ‘jump’ in sound quality!!
So I’d like to thank all those that contributed to the led/anti surge discussions & to say ‘it ain’t all snake oil’!
Now to my question: if I use the ND5xs through the Dac V1 will it be beneficial; got to make space by temporarily removing the turntable to do this - so I thought I’d ask on here 1st as I value your opinions.
Welcome John. I’m not clear if you just demo’d the ND5XS or you have one. If the former then I’d look at stretching a bit further for a ND5XS2 which has the up to date streaming board and will work nicely with the rest of your kit. No need for the DAC V1.
I ‘home demo’d’ the ND5xs’ & purchased it, I was using MM/Audirvana via a decent usb cable to the Dac V1 prior to the xs, and to coin a phrase - difference was ‘night & day’
Good - I’d not bother with DAC-V1 as the DAC for the ND5XS you’ve bought - Duplication of functionality. You could try it to see what you think but it’s probably needless complication for very little, if any gain.
Sorry, forgot to say; also got a napsc on the 202, Flatcap xs is also powering a Stageline - hence wanting a ‘supply’ for the ND5xs, the V1 will be px’d when my local (Leicestershire) dealer has a ‘preloved’ XP5
There are plenty of people using a separate DAC with a Naim streamer, although mostly NDAC or Chord, and it’s a popular upgrade as an alternative to a PSU. So as you already have the V1, I would give it a try before you part with it.
A Hicap for your 202 would also be a nice upgrade, though.
Thank you for your answer. I do ‘quandary’ though re connection: two bnc ‘adapters’ on the end of a digital cable (as I don’t have, & not likely to purchase, a bnc terminated lead - as the V1 may well be p/x’d) - isn’t that ‘too many connections’; so just use the phono digital out, with ‘reasonable quality’ digital lead (that I do have) for my ‘test’?
Using an RCA SPDIF cable with a BNC adapter may not be optimal, but it will still give you some idea of what you’re going to get. You can get a decent coax cable for about £20, or a friendly dealer might lend you one, if you want to try it.
I was you I’d ditch that redundant flatcap and dac the sooner
That would get you an hicap DR now.
Just power stageline off the preamp.
You ll notice a massive improvement
You’ll regret you didn t think of it in the first hour
, is my 1st post on the new ‘community’ - be gentle.
