Naim DAC-V1: A must-have classic for any audiophile

An external DAC is no longer limited to functioning solely with a CD player. In contemporary audio systems, it serves a role akin to that of an AV processor in a home theater, acting as the primary decoder and switching hub. This shift has sparked significant interest in DACs from numerous reputable manufacturers.

The once-coveted CD quality, which was regarded as the benchmark for digital audio, has become insufficient for many listeners who now seek high-resolution recordings, such as 24 bit/96 kHz or even 24 bit/192 kHz. However, the availability of such tracks is limited, with only a handful of discs featuring them. The solution lies in the digital realm, where these recordings can be found online and stored on flash drives, servers, or computers. Consequently, the traditional PC is now repurposed as a digital transport. Nevertheless, PCs are not inherently designed for audiophile applications, as few consider the implications of interference when building a computer. This highlights the critical importance of accurately reading binary data, with the term “jitter” resonating in the minds of audiophiles. Naim's experts are acutely aware of this, which is why the company, based in Salisbury, England, has been captivating high-fidelity sound enthusiasts with innovative design solutions for over four decades.

 

 

The developers have incorporated numerous audiophile technologies from the premium Naim DAC model, enhancing it with additional features, all housed in a compact all-metal chassis comparable in size to two stacked electrical engineering textbooks. The rugged dark gray finish complements the green display and the logo backlight, which is centrally positioned on the front panel. To the left, there is a rotary volume control, with a headphone output located beneath it; to the right, buttons provide direct access to various sources. The rear panel includes two optical and coaxial (RCA) inputs, a BNC input, and a USB B port. The output is available through RCA jacks and, notably, DIN connectors, reflecting the company's fondness for this format.

A significant portion of the internal space is dedicated to a power supply unit featuring a toroidal transformer with separate windings for both digital and analog circuits, as well as the DAC itself. This transformer is capable of powering a robust amplifier (210 VA). The high-quality Burr Brown PCM1791A chip, which is also found in the Naim UnitiServe music server, handles the digital-to-analog conversion. Additionally, the system is equipped with a SHARC ADSP21489 DSP processor that enables 16-fold oversampling. Filtering is performed using a proprietary algorithm designed to reduce noise during the process. The asynchronous USB port can handle signals up to 24 bits/384 kHz, and the DAC functions independently of the computer's clock generator, with the data stream being stored in the V1 buffer memory before precise synchronization.

 

 

Jitter is maintained at a maximum of 10 ps, ensuring that sound reproduction is influenced solely by the quality of the audio data rather than the computer's hardware. The digital circuits are galvanically isolated from the analog components, which minimizes crosstalk. Additionally, a six-layer printed circuit board enhances noise immunity for the entire circuit. A CMOS-based regulator with digital control enables precise volume adjustments, even at lower levels. The pre-amplification circuits utilize high-quality audiophile components, including film capacitors, and operate in Class A, effectively serving as a premium headphone amplifier, even for high-impedance headphones.

To ensure proper functionality with a PC or Mac, users must install a proprietary driver available on the company's website. The accompanying instructions provide detailed guidance on necessary settings to prevent confusion, such as the initial detection of the DAC as an electronic keyboard on a Mac.

Users are encouraged to test the setup using specific WAV files downloaded to their computer to verify that the settings achieve optimal sound quality. The system allows for naming all inputs, adjusting the preamplification level, fixing the analog output, balancing the sound, and limiting the maximum signal level for headphone listening. Volume adjustments can also be made from the computer connected to the DAC via USB, and firmware updates are available as needed.

The listening session provided a compelling illustration of the benefits of high-resolution audio. Many proponents of the MP3 format argue that a bitrate of 256 kbps is sufficient for music enjoyment. Unfortunately, they missed out on this experience! Through remarkable efforts, we acquired several piano recordings originally captured in 24 bit/352.8 kHz, along with their versions in 24/192, 24/96, and 16/44.1 formats. Utilizing an amplifier and speakers valued at approximately $100,000, the DAC paired with a laptop demonstrated that there are no limits to audio quality—higher file resolutions resulted in increasingly natural sound and a greater revelation of subtle details.

Key features of the Naim DAC-V1

High-speed asynchronous USB input at up to 24-bit/384kHz
5 x S/PDIF inputs up to 24-bit/192kHz
(1 x BNC, 2 x RCA, 2 x TOSLINK)
Switchable fixed or variable analogue outputs (DIN or RCA)
Zero-jitter circuitry on S/PDIF inputs
Naim’s signature digital filtering with 16x oversampling
SHARC ADSP21489 digital signal processor for digital filtering and jitter removal
Classic Naim discrete preamplifier stage using select components
High-quality Burr Brown PCM1791A DAC (same as used in the NDX and SuperUniti) Single ended Class-A
headphone
amplifier.
Front panel headphone output (¼” jack)
Optically separated digital and analogue sections
Naim analogue volume control with digital control for the best sound and precision
Linear power supply with 210VA transformer and separate windings for digital, analogue and converter stages
Works with computers running Mac OSX, 10.7 and above, Windows XP, 7 and 8
Ground reference switch (indirect ground or “mass”) for optimum sound in any system
Self-updating firmware
OLED display for checking settings and incoming sample rate
Control via IR remote or from the front panel
Possibility of controlling playback and volume on your computer
Compact non-magnetic anti-resonance chassis
Designed and manufactured in Britain

Naim DAC-V1 specifications

Frequency response (+0.1dB/–0.5dB), Hz: 10—20,000 THD, %: <0.002
Digital inputs: coaxial: 2 (RCA) + BNC, optical: 2, USB B (asynchronous)
Analog outputs: RCA/DIN, for 6.3 mm headphones
DAC: Burr Brown PCM1791ADSP-processor: SHARC ADSP21489
Preamplifier: class A
Dimensions, mm: 207x87x314
Weight, kg: 4.3
Power consumption, W: 17

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