The future of Naim streamers

I know you don’t really bother, but it bothers us to have such comments as the DCS source is miles better as you had such a messy Naim set up. I hope you understand.

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#benice.

It’s the Naim forum, so we’re all nice here!

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Don’t often agree with FR but that picture certainly puts your “light years ahead” comment into some perspective.

.sjb

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It is better, miles better ? Not sure what that really means, but for certain the rossini is better than the nd555, the rossini with clock is better than a nd555 on twin power supplies, whats more the rossini just got even better with the apex versions and upgrades.
But whats more alarming for the nd555 is that now the bartock has the 2.0 software and thats a very nice free upgrade that will certainly give the nd555 a run for its money now and probably better it.
I know you dont like the dcs stuff and thats fine but it really is class leading in the digital world.

Also as for the, its not surprising looking at how you had your system, its even better that, even just placing the dcs kit on the floor it sounds fantastic, no need for fancy switches, etc, etc, it just works.

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I guess that also depends on if the new kit is similarly stacked or not.

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Well that’s it nailed then. Good to have such clarity and precision, none of this IMHO, my room, my system, my ears caveats that make things sound so equivocal.

.sjb

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That’s one of the reasons I changed it. NAIM stuff is far more sensitive/temperamental to positioning. The main reason, though, was the quantum leap in sound quality of the dCS source. I’m just reporting the facts, nothing more…

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I must admit I agreed with much of this post until here. Naim are bought into Roon compatibility ( as well as Google casting etc) as well as offering their own application (which in itself recognises Roon control.)
But they key thing Roon is very simple and straightforward to use, arguably easier or more flexible that UPnP … but for a cost. It’s a choice.

But to the OP, it will be interesting to see how consumer electronic innovation evolves with world inflation the highest it’s been for a long time, as well as chronic and continuing supply line problems for chip and electronic fabrication production.

I fully agree Dunc. I couldn’t believe the difference and couldn’t be happier with my decision. I would like to hope that NAIM have some new streamer/DAC products in the pipeline, otherwise they really will get left behind…

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Sure. As I said elsewhere, it’s good to have several options from UPnP to Tidal Connect to Roon to Chromecast (and others). People have different needs and preferences for how their interface should work.

I think that’s an important lesson for the future of Naim streamers (or any streamers). Just like my mom and I will never agree on the best interface for a PC :wink:

You can try and defend as much as you like but you are only really fooling yourself over this,
Sorry to tell you but naim is not the class leader in this field and thats well known, that doesn’t mean it’s bad, far from it, but at the same time it can be bettered.
The problem is, is that the nd555 is very expensive these days, especially when you factor in the power supply, but then everything has gone up, but at the same time the nd555 isn’t exactly new and that alongside the big price rise just adds to the problem. Also add in that at some point it will be superseded and looking at nds prices, that could really hurt, as i dont see naim offering a upgrade on the nd555 to new spec, do you, like linn and dcs offer.

But as normal your money and you can spend it as you like

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Actually you are reporting your impressions not ‘facts’

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Dunc, my comment was relative to a comparison of Naim vs Rossini in a very sub optimal Naim set up. Not to say really which one is better. See the entire discussion please.
And I agree that DCS is better, even if I find Naim more musical to my ears.

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I was agreeing with your comment of the post you referenced :joy:

I thought so :slight_smile: I just had the feeling that I wanted to reemphasize that I agree with your mentioning of “choice”, just to not come across as a Roon zealot in this thread :wink: Options are good (up to a point)

I know, but i have also seen a pic off it with the dcs kit and you would probably still say the same

Intrigued by this Mr Rooster, if Naim is more engaging or as you put it ‘musical’ to your ears why is that not the better solution?
All replay is a compromise and the aim in that compromise is to make the replaying as engaging as it can surely.

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It is a fact that the dCS left a more positive impression on me than the NAIM. That’s what I was trying to express Simon.

I’m not sure that these opinions of alternatives being so much better being presented as facts is particularly helpful.

No doubt there are different presentations and the usual issues around system balance and the room interface. But different is not better as such, more that one my prefer one presentation in their system over another, which is fine.

I find a NDX2/XPS DR with a 252:250 to be a very immersive and natural presentation, and it won’t be going anywhere.

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