Music Streaming - it's hard to find the right time

Makes me think that Linn got it right so many years ago by utilizing Ethernet instead of USB.

I think DCS will be at CanJam NY in February so that will give me the chance to hear the Bartók as an all in one headphone system.

For now I went back to using my Sony WM1Z Walkman with my Utopias as a bedside system. The firmware update implementing DAC functionality now brings Tidal and Qobuz to the party as well.

I still maintain that when I am ready to bin my 552/500/KDS I could live happily ever after with the above combination.

Best
Gregg

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Hey BF, I didn’t found both non involving. It’s more a somehow clinical presentation, a bit thin, and not articulated and whole as Naim sound. These dacs are however more holographic and detailed vs Naim or Linn. But I felt less connected to the music. It’s not a problem of prat.
We tend to listen differently and have different tastes.
On hifi criterias, both Dave and Chord are better than Naim I feel. But not of communication of the meaning of the music and relationships between musicians.

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Hi FR, I agree with what you say, especially with the bare dacs.
With Dave in particular, it seems to need a “war on RFI” in order for the sound to avoid being bright, lean, analytical and slightly relentless.

The MSB dacs are very much the opposite to these cloth ears.

Best regards, BF

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IB was very often saying that Dave is particularly immune to RFI. So not your opinion BF?

I’ve used DAVE for getting on for 4 years without the slightest hint of “bright, lean analytical and slightly relentless” sound. I’ve always used SP/DIF with decent digital cables.

As for frenchrooster’s comments, I believe he’s heard DAVE just the once at a dealers in a system he was largely unfamiliar with. So…

The system was unfamiliar Nick, I agree. But on that same system the turntable was sounding very much in my sound taste, with a more whole presentation, and with more body and emotional connection to me.

Hi FR, I respectfully disagree on Dave’s sensitivity to RFI.
When you hear the difference made by replacing the standard M Scaler to Dave BNC cables with the Wave Hi Fidelity ones, you realise how sensitive Dave is to the M Scaler’s RFI.

As I understand it, the main contribution of these posh cables is the 20 ferrite rings whose job is to block the 2GHz RFI that the M Scaler emits.

Best regards, BF

However I didn’t found the Dave bright and relentless. Just a bit clinical.

I asked because you wrote that Dave « needs a war on RFI ». Apparently I misunderstood your point.
Don’t forget I am french :upside_down_face:

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That’s great Nick. Your installation evidently allows the dac to perform to its potential.
I have heard it in circa 6 different installations and the results have ranged from unbearably bright and relentlessly wearing to downright fabulous.

Ours sounds lovely but we will be buying the Wave BNC cables to remove those last traces of RFI induced brightness.

Most of the RFI issues seem to come from connecting the dac up to an ethernet network. TonyM keeps his off a network, feeding it from a Melco music store and it works really well. As ever, lots for us all to learn about getting the best from a streaming system. Playing cds was so much simpler!

Best regards, BF

When you say « I have used ». Is not the case now. You have changed ?

You say that Dave / Mscaler prefer to be kept outside Ethernet network. However Nick use the Ndx connected in spdif to the same combo. So network involved. But Nick finds no brightness.

Mine’s always been fed from the NDX via Chord BNC cables (Signature then Sarum T). The M Scaler connects via Sarum T too, and of course, the NDX is fed from my NAS via the infamous Chord Music streaming cable. :slight_smile:

I can’t imagine how the system can ever sound any more sublime, but I’m sure I’ll find a way (though it’ll have to be cheap now that I’ve spent most of the windfall from selling the old house) *

  • I have my eye on the soon-come Chord Company switch!
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Yes, me too (your last point, that is, but I’d agree your system sounds absolutely superb as it stands…)

Kind of gratifying to hear so many others branching to the dCs, Dave, MBS, MScaleretc from the ND555. I felt like a traitor nearly a year ago when I bailed for the Meridian Ultra Dac. The ND555 was just lacking something to my ears. Others are apparently finding the same.
Bailyhill

There are more detailed, holographic and with better separation of instruments dacs in the market.
So maybe more suited to classical music ?
Some also prefer a softer, thinner and more laid back presentation.
The third reason could be the lack of Qobuz integration.
And maybe also the long run in of the Nd555. It can sound still harsch after a few months.

tbf I think there has also been an upturn in people willing to come out of the closet, so to speak. Partly because this is a forum run by NAIM and it’s perhaps a bit cheeky to use their platform to sing the praises of alternative brands. Also because of the potential backlash from the NAIM acolytes. However I personally think it’s right and proper to discuss other products… at the end of the day we’re all striving for the same purpose: Great sounding music :slight_smile:

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Even though this is a NAIM forum, I think is disingenuous to realize that one has issues/preferences with a product and not feed that back to the manufacturer. I am sure that NAIM has seen these comments and they have to be asking themselves if they are honest, “what can we do better–folks are leaving the mother ship for others–what is going on here?”
bailyhill

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Some folks are doing the inverse route, coming from Linn, Mark Levinson or Auralic.

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Remember long ago when many starting bailing on the HDX and NDS and move to the Linn Klimax DS
Also remember the great Lavry Exodus - and the Chord Hugo 1 after that.

Geez- now I’m dating myself

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