Considering adding a headphone amp and wondering if anyone is using the Audiolab D7? I assume there are no connectivity issues with the 282?
Can someone please explain how to connect the D7 to the NAC282 and what cable do I need.
Here is the D7
I have received the D7 as a birthday gift but still not sure how to connect this to the 282, purely for headphone listening. If this is not even possible then it will need to be returned. Surely someone on the forum can help me?
No one helped you, strange. Surely @Richard.Dane will.
I can’t see any analogue input, so can’t be used like a normal headphone amp.
From a glance at the AudioLab website - this component, the D7, is listed as a Digital to Analog Converter (DAC)
It appears it has its own power supply and can be used as a source input into a stereo system or as a stand-alone source with headphone amplifier.
There are multiple digital inputs. It does have Bluetooth receiver. Unfortunately it does not seem to have capability to connect to internet based streaming services directly.
To make this work you’ll still need a digital “transport” upstream to feed signal into the DAC - e.g. CD player, computer, or streamer.
You already have a high end Naim CD player.
Unless you’re using the AudioLab to get a digital audio source into your 282 preamplifier, it doesn’t serve much of a function in your main system.
The period-correct Naim headphone amplifier is the Naim Headline. If you want headphone listening via your main rig - you need something like it. It’s no longer in production (like the 282) but may be available old stock or pre owned. HeadLine | Naim Audio
Perhaps as a desktop office system for headphone listening or in a secondary setup the AudioLab could be valuable?
In a desktop use case you could feed the AudioLab directly from a computer using USB connection. Alternatively You might want to look at a BlueSound Node Nano to feed digital streaming services into this device.
Unless you want a dedicated headphone system, I’d think about returning this and applying funds to a dedicated headphone amp OR take a turn and consider a streaming source (Naim ND5 XS2, Bluesound Node, etc) to start exploring services like Spotify, Qobuz, etc. This will open doors to a new world of infinite music at your fingertips.
The Naim Unity Atom Headphone Edition might answer all of the above. Both a high end streaming source into your 282 rig, and a headphone amplifier? That said, it’s in a completely different price range. Uniti Atom Headphone Edition | Naim Audio
Thanks for the replies. Seems like the D7 is going to get returned. I don’t want to go down the Headline route as it would need a separate power supply which would then mean adding another shelf to my rack, all getting too expensive. My only other thought is if I connected my CD5XS into the D7 could I at least listen to this using headphones? Would this mute the output to the NAC282?
I believe that’s right, based on some unfounded assumptions.
I believe the CD5 XS has a digital output (bnc) that could connect to the D7.
D7 analogue output > 282. Assume this will somewhat alter the sound of CD5 in the Naim/speaker system.
I assume if headphones are plugged in the D7 would mute the analogue output? Check with AudioLab if manual doesn’t make this obvious.
Good luck
I have now replaced the Audiolab with a Pro-ject Headbox B3. I have also bought a Naim Headphone interconnect cable. I have connected the B3 to Aux 2 DIN connection on the rear of the 282. However, I cannot get any output using the B3. Tried various panel selections on the front panel of the 282. What is wrong?
Update; I have connected the B3 directly to my CD5XS and it is working so at least there is nothing wrong with the unit.