Rega DAC!

A few weeks ago I dem'd Rega Dac, with my Arcam used as transport, and compared it to Nait CD5i-2 and the Naim had more attack and focus over the Rega/Arcam combo.

That would make sense, especially with Arcam serving, and I guess shows a well setup SBT works as a really good transport as well. I would not necessarily have picked the CD5i-1 over the SBT-Rega DAC combo on sound quality, without factoring the added convenience of SBT.

Naim sources have the excitment, drive and foot tapping ability that make the investment in hifi worthwhile for me.

Would love to hear the Naim DAC fed from DVD5

No way that's gonna happen

You had any further thoughts for changes PP?

Ambrose

It's all taking shape, Ambrose, taking a nice ( a little better than a few months ago) rounded shape.

TBH, I heard the Naim when I returned the Rega Dac, and I took my Arcam long to make sure my hearing hadn't gone Pete Tong. As I left the Leema at home I had the comparison via a Naim Nait XS amp. I was very tempted by the CD5i-2, then the old grey matter started to work overtime: If it sounds that good with the 5i then what improvement would be made by purchasing the CD5XS? But then if I'm looking in that region then Rega Saturn looks at a better bet. After filling my brain with that nonsense I went into meltdown and reached for the nearest bottle... that's 'Ice Tea' not alcohol.

LOL

I expect the CD5i-2 and XS were very nice!! I heard cd5si and XS which ticked alot of boxes (except money box!)

The DVD5 came up by chance and looks like it could be the solution for me, already owning a decent DAC.

Saturns go quite low money on ebay so should be a calculated risk.

One of the big things I found with my Rega DAC was the feel of the drums — you don't just get the initial thud but the "suck" afterwards.

If that makes sense…

Thanks for the input! I'm well happy with my set up below, the digital part of my system really is nice - I just daren't change anything now as I think I've just hit the sweet spot and any changes might upset the apple cart! 

I've just got my new RP3/Elys 2 home and set up....wow how much detail!!! I've played one side of Avalon - it sounds amazing I'm gobsmacked!!

Steve - was that a new or used Chord Chameleon Silver you bought - did it make a difference?  I'm currently using Chord Crimson Plus interconnect and have just bought Chord Rumour speaker cables.  I just keep missing out on Chameleon.  

Also - must agree re REGA - I got REGA DAC last week and it's made a fantastic difference to my set up over the ARCAM RDAC - fantastic.  Jealous of your RP3 - might have to wait to xmas for that upgrade!

yes was a used Chaneleon plus with the VEE plugs, £58, it's a definite upgrade over the crimson plus - bit more open with more bass. 

The RP3 has exceeded my expectations by hell of a long way - it seems so much more solid than the RP1, absolutely no wobble from the glass platter, when you put a record it reassuring as it feels solid/positive - did have my doubts about the Elys 2 being dull - far from it. More detail and a lot of pops and crackles have disappeared!

god knows how an RP6 sounds if the RP3 sounds this good!

Hi I agree with Steve's comments on the Chameleon and your system is good enough for it!!! I do like the Crimson but the Chameleon is better all round and a little less obvious balance in the treble. + more bass Great detailing.

Just checking seeing as this thread is appropriately titled.  I've only got the odd 96k hi res song but when I play the REGA DAC doesn't picks it up as 44k like any other CD rip.  I stream from iMac to airport express then toslink to REGA DAC.  I'm assuming I'd need to hard wire to get it to receive in 96k?

Afraid its the airport express. It's limited to 44k. This is one of the reasons I moved to a squeezebox touch.

You'll need a mini-toslink to the DAC to get 96khz — if your iMac is a model with an SPDIF.

USB on the Rega DAC won't work either as that is limited to 48khz