Did Dunc’s system trump your LP12? If not, then given the level of your Naim source perhaps digital never will do it for you. If it did, then clearly you simply haven’t yet got yourself the right digital source (primarily DAC). I haven’t heard the top level Naim DACs, but like some others after a start with a DAC from Naim i found a different direction that was more satisfying and easily better than any vinyl I’ve heard (though I haven’t heard the very top level of vinyl such as yours, costing far more than my digital front end, so I can’t comment on that in comparison).
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I can already answer that.
My vinyl set up that is very good can sound better, worse or just different, given what record you use, and what file you play.
But as far as digital goes, my digital side is amazing and you will struggle to better it.
It works fine with naim amp’s actually and why shouldn’t it.
I have tried it and so have many others, and non had any problems linking them up without a pre amp.
It also can work even better, especially with true balanced amp’s.
Also vitus make many different levels of amp’s like most, and have certainly come on a long way since then. involvement, rhythm and breath i have in in bucket loads.
Hey @Dan_M this is all interesting stuff. I can thoroughly recommend the dCS Rossini Apex. I have mine with a Vivaldi clock. Head and shoulders above the ND555/555PSDR, which it should be, given the price premium.
My amp is a Dan D’Agostino Progression Integrated, which I love, and has an output of 200 wpc. I know from the dCS forum that many use the Rossini direct into a power amp, to good effect. I didn’t consider this, as I use the D’agostino to drive the front channels in a Dolby Atmos AV system.
One of the drivers when I moved away from NAIM was to reduce the number of boxes, and my 3 box system works a treat.
You don’t need to rush into anything Dan. Consider all options, and try and listen to a wide range of kit. Mainly though, focus on the thing which is more important than all this hifi stuff. You and your health. Take care.
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Thanks for your message Andy, very thoughtful. Inerrsting and caring.
Happy with the way system is now working.
Going to spend time with family over Christmas and enjoy the music.
All the other stuff can wait!
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Tbh his digital side was in a different league. I preferred my LP12 to his deck. I preferred his digital side to mine.
Vivaldi technically better to LP12. Not saying I preferred it to my LP12 but no denying it’s extreme quality. Bit like chalk and cheese. A different beast.
We are looking at really big money for Vivaldi full 3 box system. Maybe £55k to £70k depending on discount. Just for DAC, clock and streamer. So it shoukd be better than my LP12.
And of course that is how it will sound because of different masterings, while even in the rare event of the same mastering differences are introduced in production, such as when making a vinyl disk from a digital master.
Have you considered Accuphase Dan…?
Certainly get your 200w+ with their integrated models…
You could even consider their top SACD/DAC for source if you didn’t go dCS…
I haven’t heard them and I’m not a huge fan of the looks, but they’re well regarded it seems….
Certainly at least one full 500 (& top LP12) owner that used to be around here swapped the lot out for Accuphase…
Just something to add to your potential explore list for the new year, if need be….
SC
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I had the Limetree Bridge II and Farad Super 3. Use native output not upsampling.
For local file streaming I thought it was a bit better than the 272. For internet streaming it was a lot better, but I don’t use that. So I sold it to fund a PS upgrade to the 272.
Interestingly I thought the 272 is a better local streamer than the Atom HE. The Limetree/Farad was slightly better than 272, but a lot better than the Atoms internal streamer, again this is for local files.
I initially had a 2021 Bluesound Node, and rPi3 streamer, the Lindemann sounds better than either of them, and sounds better again when adding the Farad power supply.
And I miss the Lindemann app, its just nicer to use than all the others.
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Into what DAC?
At first I used it into a TeddyDAC-VC, then an Atom HE then a NAC-272.
My comparison of Limetree vs Bluesound Node and RPi was only done with the TeddyDAC-VC.
These comparisons are all so personal. I’ve never heared a 272 but reputedly the NSC222 is a lot better. Yet I find my Atom HE ‘better’ than a 222, just by a bit. By better I mean more precise transients, fuller bass and a deeper sense of space in the music. The rest of the chain is a 332/300/250 NC stack and Atohm GT1 standmounts on very heavy loaded atacama stands. However, as ever with Naim, upgrading mains leads and interconnects makes a massive difference, which is partly why these ‘box v box’ statements are meaningless. I put a Vertere pulse B RCA-RCA between the Atom and the 332 (similar spec to the current Redline) and it’s better. Put a Redline mains cable on the Atom and there’s a nice step up again. So now the little Atom sounds much closer to my TT (a tweaked Vertere DG1 with phono1), and is most definitely a source I can live with long term. Btw Vertere cables are very similar to Naim Super Lumina…… the point I’m making is that digital audio shouldn’t cost the price of an executive car as it relies on some fairly cheap tech at its heart. By playing around with a ‘basic’ but well designed streamer (the Atom HE) and really optimising its performance with the best clean power and the best transfer to the amplifier you can get superb sound for way way less £. Note I also use a shielded cat5 Ethernet cable. In my system fiddling with fancy switches makes no difference.
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Gryphon Audio Diablo 300 or used 333 and the Pass Labs. INT-250 should probably also be on your listening shortlist @Dan_M.
I have the Pass Labs. It is very muscular, with power, grip and control in spades yet delivers emotion and delicacy, it is very seductive.
It does this by virtue of up to 25W of pure class A (runs a little warm, nothing remarkable), transitioning to 500W AB into 4ohms. For dynamics, up to 4.2kW peak per channel. Fully differential pre-amp (UGS stage) with XLR and RCA inputs and digitally controlled ladder volume control (isolates control from signal & no potentiometers in the signal path). Very substantial PSU, weighs in at over 47kg. Construction is very high quality, perhaps a little industrial.
Ideally you’ll want a dedicated circuit for mains, so it can realise full performance, though you’ve likely already sorted that. If not, I’d recommend you do that first before contemplating any further equipment changes.
We’ve attended dealer demos and not yet heard anything from this stable that comes close. Caveat, dealer demo.
That said, my not too distant future hopefully has a Pillium Leonidas in it as the next step up.
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But he needs a pre, for lp12.
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Option 8 - get a PA system!
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Well not with the LP12 you dont, as linn now goes digital with it.
Just needs to change his linn box for the newest one.
Not into linn, and don’t know the names of the kit, but i do know this is how linn do it on the top model.
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A Linn LP12 can be connected to the Linn streamers, the next Generation Klimax, Selekt and Majik.
DG…
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Urika 2 phonostage is digital.
Since I got my 505s and started listening to my system I haven’t thought about buying a single new thing. I still enjoy looking at what is available on the bay; but listening to music makes me realise my system sounds great and I do not need anything more. Yours is even better!
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