Show us your headphones

Pretty sure he means DIN-RCA

Same difference. There is no analogue input on a V1. There’s only an analogue output, which can be 4 pin DIN or RCA. It’s a DAC, after all.

sorry I thought we were talking about a Violectric. I’ll need to wake up clearly.

It could be that the best option here is a regular analogue headphone amp like a Violectric (although I’ve never heard a Violectric) would be a good option. Perhaps less versatile in that it would be tied to a main system where a DAC/headphone amp can be fed by a phone or computer as well, and doesn’t need a wired connection to the HiFi.

Violectric can be specified with DAC

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I read this thread with great interest and I have a question-
In your experience, which headphones in the current market compares / surpasses the GRADO GS1000?

Obviously… GS3000e. If you like the Grado characteristics they are a big jump. I have heard both, and own the 3000e.

Do you have a budget though?

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I’m afraid to find out … give me a hint … :wink:

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Hi Chris,

Sorry, I almost missed this!

The cable (Din…I think!) runs from the V1 into an input into my 552. I will double check. Is this not an optimal setting?
I will check what type/make cable it is, as it’s been a while!

Yes, Din output from V1 into 552 input.

I have all three!

So how are you getting a signal into the V1? Presumably not from the ND555, are you still using the Mac?

One gets the best out of the V1 by using a stand alone, purpose built streamer, inputting via USB. A Mac Mini won’t cut it for the best sound quality. My V1 sounds sublime with headphones, being fed with an opticalRendu.

I’m assuming Dusty used to use the V1 as a DAC with the Mac mini (via USB) to get Qobuz and then feed this to the 552. With the ND555 now supporting Qobuz, this is not needed and all streaming / local playback is via the ND555 analogue out into the 552. As the V1 is just used for headphone duties using the S/PDIF output from the ND555, the cable between V1 and 552 isn’t needed and is just a legacy of the old setup ?

Now I’m beginning to wonder…! With the Din cable from the V1 to the 552 I then change the output setting of the ND555 to Din, and voila I have music from the V1 on the headphones. I’m not sure how this works. I did contact Naim many moons ago and and was told this is what I needed and this is how to configure the ND555. Are we saying that this is not optimal? What would be a better option. Thank you for your time on this Chris.

Thank you Charles. Can you explain a bit more about opticalRendu as I have no idea what that means and how it works? I beginning to think I am far from getting the best from the V1 for driving my headphones!

100% correct James, although I don’t have a S/PDIF cable from ND to V1 (see above). Is that what I need for better quality?

I’m not sure how that works either, but if you have music…

The Din on the V1 is an analogue output. The Din on the ND555 is an analogue output as well. If you are using the 555 as a source and the V1 as a headphone amp, then you need to connect the 555 to the V1 using the digital output on the 555 to the digital input on the V1. But then you are using two dacs, which isn’t optimal.

Ideally, you would use an analogue headphone amp connected to one of the analogue outputs from the 555. On my NDX2 I have the Din output connected to a SN2 and the RCA output connected to a headphone amp, then just switch outputs in the app.

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Just to add, I’m going to “fight” and take a look at the back of my system this evening just to check what I do have there! There must be another cable (digital) as Chris has mentioned/asked.

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I’m guessing you must have an SPDIF cable from the ND555 tucked away in there, unless your V1 somehow has the hidden ability to take an analogue input via its output socket!!

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Hi Chris. I’ve just had a sneaky peak and it’s a BNC cable from V1 to ND555. Phew, what a doughnut I am! I think I need a few days off…to listen to some music on my headphones. Can you recommend…:joy::joy::joy::joy::joy:
So, is this the best configuration or am I able to extract better from the V1 or are we thinking new headphone amp? Have I just done a full circle now!!!

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