Naim NAC-N 172 XS

[Guest Crystara]

Hi

I am looking for music streamer that has some audiophile cred, was looking at one of these, Naim NAC-N 172 XS http://www.whathifi.com/review/nac-n-172-xs but I think they are unavailable here in Australia, I have been using my SB Touch which is a great piece of kit but am now looking to climb the audio nirvana ladder, does anyone have any suggestions of other up market streamers available to ourselves downunder, thank you in advance for any input best regards

[Ace_Beef]

Hi Crystara,

I got a newsletter from naimaudio.com.au and i think the 172 has just been released. Naim have about 4 or 5 different products that contain a streamer, dac, internet radio etc and depending if you need the pre-amp, power-amp, cd player etc you can probably find something to suit. Otherwise I think Cyrus and Linn also make products in a similar vain.

[Guest Crystara]

Thank You Ace that's very helpful, no I didn't need the pre, power or cd, so I shall look these other brands up, I know Linn but am unfamiliar with Cyrus,but I will do some research

[htm_1968]

I've had a listen to one of these in the last couple of weeks. If you have a decent power amp and want to do streaming and analog at a sensible price, this is the go. I run an NDS and XPS into active SL2s, but listened to NAC-N172XS/NAP250.2/Neat Motive 2SE at my dealers just before Xmas. This is a serious piece of kit for the $$$, I've had the Neats and own 250.2 s so I can vouch for the fact that this preamp is the mutts nutts....

(I'm in the UK now for those who might think I'm telling porkies....)

Edited December 31, 2012 by htm_1968

[Jumbuck]

I would suggest trying out an Opera Consonance Ref 7 (sold by Osbornes in Australia). If you can get past if being Chinese (some people can't) it is really good value for money. I heard one a while back and when my CDP died I thought it would be a good time to try out something different. Nothing flash in the way it works but it's how it sounds that matters. Has SS and tube output and a decent DAC. For the price (around $1850) it is an excellent buy. I think Osbornes will even let you try one with a full refund if not satisfied.

[Guest Crystara]

I've had a listen to one of these in the last couple of weeks. If you have a decent power amp and want to do streaming and analog at a sensible price, this is the go. I run an NDS and XPS into active SL2s, but listened to NAC-N172XS/NAP250.2/Neat Motive 2SE at my dealers just before Xmas. This is a serious piece of kit for the $$$, I've had the Neats and own 250.2 s so I can vouch for the fact that this preamp is the mutts nutts....

(I'm in the UK now for those who might think I'm telling porkies....)

 

Thank you htm_1968 very helpful,

 

I would suggest trying out an Opera Consonance Ref 7 (sold by Osbornes in Australia). If you can get past if being Chinese (some people can't) it is really good value for money. I heard one a while back and when my CDP died I thought it would be a good time to try out something different. Nothing flash in the way it works but it's how it sounds that matters. Has SS and tube output and a decent DAC. For the price (around $1850) it is an excellent buy. I think Osbornes will even let you try one with a full refund if not satisfied.

Jambuck that sounds more like my cup of tea I will check this out, no probs with chinese all Emotiva is Chinese which is what I use, hell my Martin Logans are probably made in China now cheers fellas

Edited January 2, 2013 by Crystara

[Gordon Macfarlane]

Here is another to consider , this time from Cambridge audio : http://www.whathifi.com/review/streammagic-6

[holliswhy]

Double post

Edited January 2, 2013 by holliswhy

[holliswhy]

Here is another to consider , this time from Cambridge audio : http://www.whathifi.com/review/streammagic-6

 

Looks like a bargain. 

[Guest Crystara]

Here is another to consider , this time from Cambridge audio : http://www.whathifi.com/review/streammagic-6

Now your talking this looks like something that fits my budget, I have own Cambridge gear sometime ago and was always fond of it it's sound, good call Ozcall I do have some 24/192khz files but no biggy I am sure I could live with out them

Edited January 7, 2013 by Crystara

[bebop]

I am really starting to enjoy the CA Stream Magic 6. Even my wife has picked it up quickly and found it very easy to use via the app on the iPad.

 

When I first got my 2 channel system, I refused to get a CD player. Wanting to play music via a computer as we have a large library of music. So I decided to get a good DAC instead. I then found that it was just too impractical to leave my Mac Mini in the lounge room connected to the main system. Apart from having all my music there, the Mini also had all our photos and vids, and leaving it connected to the main system (stereo & TV) made it too impractical to fire up Aperture or iMovies to do any meaningful editing when it competes with normal things like music listening and TV watching. Not to mention buying additional software like Audirvana, USB to SPDIF converter...I thought digital was meant to be less complicated than vinyl.

 

Then I moved to streaming via the AppleTV, thinking that would make things easier. After all, a huge portion of my stuff is standard red book rips. The Apple TV (latest version) was frustrating to say the least. It played movies perfectly, but for audio, whether it was ALAC or 256kbps, it would cut in and out intermittently, and often enough to be annoying, even as background music. Firmware upgrades on the WIFI router, repositioning the router. No good. Did not want to run a LAN cable as it is impractical from the router (across a walkway). So ended up just getting a iPod dock. At least that didn't cut out.

 

Then came the Stream Magic 6 and it solved just about all my problems. I stream to it using WIFI and all sorts of files, 24/96 to 256kps, works flawlessly via wifi with no dropouts or cut outs. It starts playing the song very quickly after selecting, again, even if it is a large 24/96 file.

 

The Stream Magic 6 even has a USB 2.0 input that is based on an XMOS chip. So if I really want to play the 8 or so 24/192 albums I have at full res, I can connect my laptop up to it via USB. Plus it also has a USB input that excepts an external storage drive and it can play files up to 24/96 as well. I love this feature as I just have a 16Gb thumb drive that I store my fav albums of the moment so I can play music quickly when I have a spare 15 minutes without having to turn any computer on at all. 

 

Sound quality wise on my modest system is very good. Compared to the Rega DAC it replaces, the soundstage is just as good, if anything, the CA is slightly less weighty then the Rega. Main test for me, it still makes me tap my toes, close my eyes and enjoy my favourite tunes.

 

That's the positives. The negatives are that UPNP on OSX using a iTunes library has its problems, like with artwork and playlist not appearing. Artwork I've managed to work out the fix, but playlist on my chosen UPNP software, Twonky, is the next challenge. Sometimes the Stream Magic app will take its time loading and finding the device. Most of the time, it is fairly quick to respond.

 

For me, this is the way digital playback is meant to be. So convenient to store a large and varied format library that I can just chose and play what ever music I want without any hassles.

 

Digital music has an exiting future I think. With DACs starting to include ways of playback that doesn't need a computer. Like the Resonance Lab Invicta that can playback via its SD card slot. Hopefully all DACs are made this way in the future. I like the look of the Naim Uniti 2 all-in-one, and perhaps that's the sign of the future. The less pieces of equipment in-between the source/amp/speakers the better I say.

[Guest Crystara]

I am really starting to enjoy the CA Stream Magic 6. Even my wife has picked it up quickly and found it very easy to use via the app on the iPad.

 

When I first got my 2 channel system, I refused to get a CD player. Wanting to play music via a computer as we have a large library of music. So I decided to get a good DAC instead. I then found that it was just too impractical to leave my Mac Mini in the lounge room connected to the main system. Apart from having all my music there, the Mini also had all our photos and vids, and leaving it connected to the main system (stereo & TV) made it too impractical to fire up Aperture or iMovies to do any meaningful editing when it competes with normal things like music listening and TV watching. Not to mention buying additional software like Audirvana, USB to SPDIF converter...I thought digital was meant to be less complicated than vinyl.

 

Then I moved to streaming via the AppleTV, thinking that would make things easier. After all, a huge portion of my stuff is standard red book rips. The Apple TV (latest version) was frustrating to say the least. It played movies perfectly, but for audio, whether it was ALAC or 256kbps, it would cut in and out intermittently, and often enough to be annoying, even as background music. Firmware upgrades on the WIFI router, repositioning the router. No good. Did not want to run a LAN cable as it is impractical from the router (across a walkway). So ended up just getting a iPod dock. At least that didn't cut out.

 

Then came the Stream Magic 6 and it solved just about all my problems. I stream to it using WIFI and all sorts of files, 24/96 to 256kps, works flawlessly via wifi with no dropouts or cut outs. It starts playing the song very quickly after selecting, again, even if it is a large 24/96 file.

 

The Stream Magic 6 even has a USB 2.0 input that is based on an XMOS chip. So if I really want to play the 8 or so 24/192 albums I have at full res, I can connect my laptop up to it via USB. Plus it also has a USB input that excepts an external storage drive and it can play files up to 24/96 as well. I love this feature as I just have a 16Gb thumb drive that I store my fav albums of the moment so I can play music quickly when I have a spare 15 minutes without having to turn any computer on at all. 

 

Sound quality wise on my modest system is very good. Compared to the Rega DAC it replaces, the soundstage is just as good, if anything, the CA is slightly less weighty then the Rega. Main test for me, it still makes me tap my toes, close my eyes and enjoy my favourite tunes.

 

That's the positives. The negatives are that UPNP on OSX using a iTunes library has its problems, like with artwork and playlist not appearing. Artwork I've managed to work out the fix, but playlist on my chosen UPNP software, Twonky, is the next challenge. Sometimes the Stream Magic app will take its time loading and finding the device. Most of the time, it is fairly quick to respond.

 

For me, this is the way digital playback is meant to be. So convenient to store a large and varied format library that I can just chose and play what ever music I want without any hassles.

 

Digital music has an exiting future I think. With DACs starting to include ways of playback that doesn't need a computer. Like the Resonance Lab Invicta that can playback via its SD card slot. Hopefully all DACs are made this way in the future. I like the look of the Naim Uniti 2 all-in-one, and perhaps that's the sign of the future. The less pieces of equipment in-between the source/amp/speakers the better I say.

Hi Bebop

Wow thanks for your very detailed views on streaming, you are obviously very passionate about your music, the SM sounds like something I will be doing more research on very nice to hear from someone who actually owns one,

Where did you purchase your unit from and roughly the price?, would be greatly appreciated, I have used Twonky and PlayOn, I have two 8GB nas servers that store all my music ,video and photo's, one I use as a source the other is strictly back up of the main unit.

The only thing that does concern is do I need a Pre-amp when I already have one I like and also a DAC's in my system that I love adding another seems like money I do not need to spend,

Did you ever have a SB touch in your system ever?, if so how did that sound compared to the Cambridge?

Thanks again for every ones help, got some reading to do

Warmest Regards to all

Edited January 8, 2013 by Crystara

[bebop]

Thanks Crystara . I'd like move to a UPNP enabled NAS as well for music, vids and photos. Both my wife and I love music, and tend to listen to music a lot. 75% of the time we are home, something is playing in the background. A lot of it now being soothing classical for our little guy to chill out on.

I was seriously contemplating the SqueezeBox Touch, but then it got discontinued just as I wanted to pull the trigger. So then I was thinking about another Mac Mini with a USB/SPDIF converter in the chain. But the cost would have easily exceeded $1000 with this setup.

Which is why I decided to get and AppleTV, which I previously mentioned, is frustrating cut outs while playing music. So started like yourself, reading up heaps on possible digital front ends, and a very generous SNAer put his Stream Magic 6 up for sale in the classifieds here at a excellent price. So I jumped on it.

Unfortunately I can only compare the SM6 to the Mac -> Audio-GD DI -> Rega DAC, and AppleTV -> Rega DAC source I had before the SM6 came. On my system, I don't really feel much of a difference. Maybe the Stream Magic is a tad leaner in presentation then the Rega DAC, but still very musical. The presentation is assured with good resolution. I get a feeling that compressed music (iTunes purchases) fairs better on the SM6 due to its built in up sampling unit.

Last weekend, I did a quick A/B on Coldplay's Mylo Xyloto ALAC to the SM6 and LP on the Rega P3-24/Elys/GSlee Era Gold V, and SM6 compared really well. I didn't feel like there was a big distinct switch between analog to digital playback (apart form some crackles vs no crackles).

The SM6 has a digital out, so one day when I have time (hard to find with a bouncy baby boy in the house) I will hookup the Rega DAC to see the difference between the two DACs. They both use Wolfson DAC chips in any case.

I think the Stream Magic 6 can be had for just under $1K from many places in AUS. But from what I read online, the Cyrus and Naim streamers are a step up again in terms of sound quality.

I can see your dilemma though. If you already have a full setup, a streamer which includes a DAC, pre-amp, etc features is a bit redundant. For me it was ok, as I could then relocate the Rega DAC to my headphone setup (replacing a HRT MSII).

I hope you get a chance to listen to some of these high-end streamers available. It would be good to hear your findings. As there is a lot of positive reviews online on these high-end streamers.

Edited January 8, 2013 by bebop

[Guest Crystara]

Thanks Crystara . I'd like move to a UPNP enabled NAS as well for music, vids and photos. Both my wife and I love music, and tend to listen to music a lot. 75% of the time we are home, something is playing in the background. A lot of it now being soothing classical for our little guy to chill out on.

I was seriously contemplating the SqueezeBox Touch, but then it got discontinued just as I wanted to pull the trigger. So then I was thinking about another Mac Mini with a USB/SPDIF converter in the chain. But the cost would have easily exceeded $1000 with this setup.

Which is why I decided to get and AppleTV, which I previously mentioned, is frustrating cut outs while playing music. So started like yourself, reading up heaps on possible digital front ends, and a very generous SNAer put his Stream Magic 6 up for sale in the classifieds here at a excellent price. So I jumped on it.

Unfortunately I can only compare the SM6 to the Mac -> Audio-GD DI -> Rega DAC, and AppleTV -> Rega DAC source I had before the SM6 came. On my system, I don't really feel much of a difference. Maybe the Stream Magic is a tad leaner in presentation then the Rega DAC, but still very musical. The presentation is assured with good resolution. I get a feeling that compressed music (iTunes purchases) fairs better on the SM6 due to its built in up sampling unit.

Last weekend, I did a quick A/B on Coldplay's Mylo Xyloto ALAC to the SM6 and LP on the Rega P3-24/Elys/GSlee Era Gold V, and SM6 compared really well. I didn't feel like there was a big distinct switch between analog to digital playback (apart form some crackles vs no crackles).

The SM6 has a digital out, so one day when I have time (hard to find with a bouncy baby boy in the house) I will hookup the Rega DAC to see the difference between the two DACs. They both use Wolfson DAC chips in any case.

I think the Stream Magic 6 can be had for just under $1K from many places in AUS. But from what I read online, the Cyrus and Naim streamers are a step up again in terms of sound quality.

I can see your dilemma though. If you already have a full setup, a streamer which includes a DAC, pre-amp, etc features is a bit redundant. For me it was ok, as I could then relocate the Rega DAC to my headphone setup (replacing a HRT MSII).

I hope you get a chance to listen to some of these high-end streamers available. It would be good to hear your findings. As there is a lot of positive reviews online on these high-end streamers.

Once again thank you for your very detailed reply, I will hold off for now and keep reading and testing until I feel comfortable with purchasing cheers and all the best