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New Naim headphone amp/DAC

post #1 of 135
1/8/13 at 11:15am
Thread Starter 
I know Naim are not big on here but this looks like a cracking new product for those fans of products from Salisbury, England.

http://www.naimaudio.com/hifi-products/pdt-type/dac-v1

Cheers, Julian
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post #2 of 135
1/9/13 at 4:08am

Looks like the original Xbox.


Edited by olor1n - 1/12/13 at 2:27am
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post #3 of 135
1/9/13 at 8:13am

That looks like it could be a great all-in-one solution. I couldn't find the price for it on their website though (never a good sign), and then searching the internets for a dealer in California or online also turned up nothing. 
 

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post #4 of 135
1/9/13 at 8:21am

£1250 according to What HiFi.

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post #5 of 135
1/9/13 at 8:29am

I heard it will be under $2k. If it's like their streamers/servers/DAC, they've likely come up with a better mouse trap for the computer usb connection. Looks like they've paid some real attention to the included headphone out for a change as well. bigsmile_face.gif Proof will be in a listen but it's nice to see a product well tuned to this market from them.


Edited by goodvibes - 1/9/13 at 8:56am
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post #6 of 135
1/9/13 at 12:34pm

Whats the deal with this 4 pin "DIN" output jack? Does an adapter branch that out into two balanced 3 pin XLR cables?

 

 

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post #7 of 135
1/9/13 at 10:08pm
Thread Starter 

Hi

 

The DIN is for connecting to Naim poweramps. It could be used with an adaptor cable as suggested but it would not be balanced, just single ended.

 

The more I look at this product, the more I want it for my study. I doubt it would be as good as a Headline though, which uses external dedicated power supply.

 

Cheers, Julian

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post #8 of 135
1/10/13 at 11:18am

The DIN is Naims preferred connector. It is an alternative to RCA or XLR. 

 

In pre-historic times DIN was the industry standard. There are several types of DIN connectors, and Naim uses it to connect audio signals, ground and even power between their components. 

 

Naim claims DIN is better due to its flexibility and the fact that it has a strand for common ground bla bla. 

 

Quote:
Originally Posted by runswithaliens View Post

Whats the deal with this 4 pin "DIN" output jack? Does an adapter branch that out into two balanced 3 pin XLR cables?

 

 

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post #9 of 135
1/10/13 at 11:20am

http://www.whathifi.com/news/ces-2013-naim-looks-to-desktop-audio-with-dac-v1-preampdac-and-nap-100-power-amplifier

 

 

 

 

 

 

I have owned a Naim integrated, a Naim headphone amp and a aim DAC - all which I found to be good stuff. This little bastard looks promising - I am curious about the headphone specs....

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post #10 of 135
1/10/13 at 12:27pm
Thread Starter 
It is not just the common ground that Naim prefer the DIN connection for. It's also to do with the electrical properties of the pins over and above those on RCA's. What that is, I am not sure. What I can say from certainty is that their kit does sound better when used with the DIN connection over the phono, where they make both available.

Also, Naim provide most of the cables to connect their gear in the box. These cables are of excellent a quality IMO, which saves me from worrying about sourcing cables elsewhere.

Cheers, Julian
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post #11 of 135
1/10/13 at 12:34pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by Julian H View Post

It is not just the common ground that Naim prefer the DIN connection for. It's also to do with the electrical properties of the pins over and above those on RCA's. What that is, I am not sure. What I can say from certainty is that their kit does sound better when used with the DIN connection over the phono, where they make both available.

Also, Naim provide most of the cables to connect their gear in the box. These cables are of excellent a quality IMO, which saves me from worrying about sourcing cables elsewhere.

Cheers, Julian

 

You can always choose not to care about cable upgrades, but even with DIN cables, there are aftermarket options. Chord have DIN, I also tried cables from AR Sound, which I prefered to stock Naim. 

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post #12 of 135
1/10/13 at 12:46pm
Thread Starter 
Hi

I have not tried the AR alternatives but I have heard many in the Chord range of interconnects and have still preferred the stock leads. I actually prefer the stock leads to Naims own HiLine interconnect too.

Cheers, Julian
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post #13 of 135
1/11/13 at 9:55am

There is some further detail posted on the Naim forum; part way down this page 

http://forums.naimaudio.com/displayForumTopic/content/22826037082747394/page/6

 

Highlights;

  • USB interface is licensed from Audiophilleo
  • DAC section is similar to ND5XS and SuperUniti
  • Headphone amp circuit is new, Class A, "and will do justice to very good headphones"

 

This all sounds very promising...

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post #14 of 135
1/12/13 at 4:24am
Thread Starter 
Quote:

This all sounds very promising...

 

Yup, sure does! biggrin.gif

 

I have to buy a new power-amp first, and sell some unused kit, then I am going to buy a DAC-V1. Can't wait.

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post #15 of 135
1/12/13 at 6:09am

I'm tempted.  BTW I often read reference to the Naim sound, but I'm not clear as to what it is - can anyone describe the Naim house sound?

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