Pre-loved Naim DAC would be/is my choice — but it wants two Fraim levels, if you add a PS. With the NAC, it is hard for me to consider less-integrated alternatives, as good as the Naim DAC is.
Not sure what the price difference vs Qutest is these days.
Nick
NDACs are a good deal now, but if Skip wants to use it with a computer as source, the USB input won’t work unless you add a USB to SPDIF converter. The V1 was pretty much designed for the job, although there is a huge range of other USB DACs available.
To my mind, with a Muso in the house too, a Naim streamer makes sense, as the two devices are controllable from the same app, will work together in multiroom mode, and will both find the same music store if you run a UPnP server.
Agreed, @ChrisSU.
I run a Mac Mini with Audirvana+ through a Meridian Explorer ver 1 to the Naim DAC, via a WireWorld optical cable. This is noticeably better than optical out of the Mac with the same cable.
This sounds as good — maybe better— to me, as the NDX-FM; but I use the NDX-FM the most because of the Naim app.
Nick
So that is MacMini via USB to Meridian and Optical out of Meridian to Naim DAC? Is this a bare Naim DAC or does it have a power supply? I tried a Naim DAC years ago using the 555PS before DR. It sounded great. It sounded thin without.
What is the rest of your system?
I have thought about the Chord Qutest from my MacBook Pro. Adding a Roon Nucleus later. Maybe an MScaler someday. A Naim DAC would be a nice solution. How does a DAC-V1 compare to the older Naim DAC?
Hi @Skip. My profile is essentially up to date. I use the PS555DR with my Naim DAC. These two are the rare items I bought new, as DR was only just arriving. All the more attractive now that they can be had used without too much trouble.
I never compared the DAC V-1. No “system automation” synergy with NAC, I think. That is a big factor, to me.
Nick
You can find a lot of information about the Qutest and other Chord DACs in the context of systems based on Naim amplifiers in https://community.naimaudio.com/t/dave-came-round/3367/689.
In my view the old Naim DAC is a great value for money if you can use it bare. If you think that you need a 555PS to make it work in your system, I would perhaps look elsewhere. The other way round: I would not mind investing in a 555PS with the old nDAC if I knew that Naim will come up with an nDAC successor that can also be powered with the 555PS. But it seems unlikely that Naim will come out with an nDAC successor.
Got up and going with a Meridian USB v1 DAC. Sounds ok but not up to the level of the rest of my inputs.
I’ve made a number of mistakes and it cost me some money, so I were to do it again, I would just go straight to the best one (whichever DAC/streamer depending on your taste).
Thanks for the note. I have a hard time demoing product and need to trust the forum or the dealer. A new DAC may be easier.
Sucks I know. But you can’t surf near here either and we make it work.
Hi, @Skip. Good luck to find the Meridian Explorer v1!
I have read that optical may be limited compared to copper SPDIF. Despite this, I find my Mac Mini with Audirvana via Meridian + Wireworld optical competes favorably with my NDX-FM, both into the nDAC/555DR. These sources trade subtle merits with a CD555 and RP10 Superline Supercap.
All of these sources have strengths in my system. I admit I am generally pleased with nearly everything I have hooked up, exceptions being Sonos, and Oppo BDP-95, which were comparatively unengaging.
Nick
Is Twonky software that uses lots of cheap NAS, like Western Digital My Cloud, is good software or is it the poorest?
Twonky is pre-installed on some NAS, including WD. It’s been around for a long time, and some people like it, but the consensus among Naim users here appears to be that it’s not very good.
I’ve worked with Twonky on a friends QNAP, its all a few years old & I believe it came with the software reinstalled. It was recommended by the Linn dealer when he bought the streamer, seems it is (was) a Linn favourite.
It’s not easy to work with & doesn’t seem to have the browsing abilities of Asset & Minimserver.
I have a line on a UnitiQute2b which I may try to repurpose as a streamer, ie line out into the 552. I like that it can use the same UPNP setup as I am already using with the MuSo to stream the hard drive, and it has FM radio.
Can this work via line out as a streamer? Is there a way to send ripped music directly from the MacBookPro to the UQ2b? That would make it complete.
A Unitiqute would work, but remember that it has a pre out, not a line out, so you are going through two preamps, one of which might just be a little bit better than the other! Also, it’s not the ideal thing to use with a Mac as an input. A V1 DAC would be better in that role, with USB input (or optical if you prefer, if your Mac has it.)
If you just want to use the Mac for locally stored music, run a UPnP server on it and let the UQ find it on your network, which could work well apart from the pre out/line out issue.
At your level of replay I wouldn’t bother with a UQ as a standalone streamer. Tried that and the likes of a used $300 Sonore microRendu with a good power supply is much better. That said, the UQ is still a wonderful all-in-one and plays daily in my office (fed Roon via the microRendu upstairs).
If I had to do it all over again, and $ was no object, I would probably go for the likes of either an Innuos Zenith, or the Sonore Signature opticalRendu. Unless you’re married to the Naim app, then plenty of streaming options out there that are more affordable than Naim (and some would say better).
The UQ does have a digital output (BNC SPDIF), which you would use if going to another DAC, thereby bypassing the preamp in the UQ.
@Skip, You could use unity-gain on the 552 to eliminate the double-pre issue. Then, for UQ2 you would adjust the volume on the UQ2 itself, rather than in the 552. Setting up remotes will require care, to keep things straight. Using digital out through a DAC might be easier to live with. I would prefer to use an ND5XS-FM or an NDX-FM into the 552, because of system automation.
I love my UQ2 as an end-point in my office. As an occasional streamer into another system, it is sub-optimal, IMHO, but it could get you by for a while.
Nick
Ordered a Qutest and I may be closer on a UQ2b.
If you set up Audirvana on a Mac Mini it is even simpler if its hard disk or SSD is big enough: simply load the music into the Mac and not bother with a NAS. If the collection is too big, an additional drive could be connected (ideally using the Mac’s proprietary Thunderbolt expansion connector, but USB also usable). That way a separat NAS isn’t needed - though some means of backup should be considered essential, which could be to a NAS, or preferably a disconnectable drive instead or as well.
Also needed may be a monitor and keyboard for initial setting up, thereafter remote control software such as VNC (free) to control it from a tablet or smartphone, while music is easiest played with the Audirvana app on said tablet or phone. If the USB DAC doesn’t have good RF isolation you it may need an isolator in between (Chord Hugo famously os one such, because it doesn’t have galvanic isolation on its electrical inputs), but I think Qutest is fine on that score.