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On "Crossroads" Calvin Russell’s pipes were clearly different. The Naim had them darker and slightly nasal. The Weiss much minimized the nasality and better tracked audience din whilst the Naim better peeled out the rhythmic underbelly and emphasized the vocals. Guitar attacks had more wood with the Weiss. The same distinctions applied to the earlier Dissidenten’s "Jungle Book Part 1". The Weiss far better resolved the mixed-in reverb surrounding sax and vocals and the general presentation was spacier and airier. Percussive time keeping was dominated by cymbal hits rather than toms and bass drum. With the Naim the tonal center dropped by at least an octave, the bass emerged more strongly and intelligible from the mix and the vocals grew in intensity.
Lieutenant Kijé’s Suite with Frédéric Chiu finally brought the distinctions between both machines to a head. With the Weiss the piano’s strings were more tautly tensioned, brighter, space was more illuminated and I heard more of the instrument. The first impression after switching to the Naim was a wholesale dulling as though transients lacked treble content. After a few seconds of acclimatization to the timbre differences, I noticed better differentiation of small changes in attack emphasis which benefited rhythm and musical structures. I also preferred the integration of the piano with surrounding hall sound. This segues neatly into my opening. Tom and I sat side by side, heard the same music and agreed on the differences. Yet he preferred the Weiss and I the Naim.


Conclusion: Whether Naim’s DAC is for you depends on which aspects of the presentation you find decisive. For brilliant tone colors, grand staging, air between performers and massive treble detail, the Naim isn’t the top choice. But prefer a more grounded picture with greater emphasis on performer interaction than individual timbres and more insight into rhythm and structure and suddenly this machine becomes a must audition.

To determine whether this machine is right for you also means knowing your own tastes and sticking by 'em. This ain’t no magic box for all seasons and occasions. And there’s nothing wrong with that. As in life, hifi speaks to and celebrates unity in diversity. Gnothi Seauton.

Psych profile:
  • The Naim DAC offers 4 S/PDIF inputs (2 x BNC, 2 x RCA) duplicated by 4 Toslink sockets. Two USB sockets are reserved for USB sticks with WAV/FLAC data. Hard disks may not apply.
  • Sonically there’s less light than with many other converters and the tonal center of gravity is lower and centered on the lower midrange. The treble is believable but less prominent. Staging is very stable without image drift.
  • Vocals and instrument have realistic color but so-called air isn’t a forté to make the presentation more compact than elsewhere.
  • Core strengths are dynamic constrast, musical structure and rhythm. This machine follows company reputation for excellent PRaT.
Facts:
  • Dimensions and weight: 70 x 432 x 301mm (HxWxD), 5.6kg
  • Trim: Black
  • I/o ports: Digital inputs 2 x BNC, 2 x RCA, 4 x TosLink, 2 x USB Type A; analog outputs 1 x RCA, 1 x DIN
  • Other: Acceptable data density 32/192 via S/PDIF, 32/768 via USB (24/48 with iPod/iPhone, 32/768 via other WAV/FLAC USB carriers)
  • Power consumption: ca. 9 watts at idle (no standby)
  • Warranty: 2 years

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