Linn Numerik DAC - Page 4

deltaunit · #46 30-04-12, 10:37 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by didacus59

Yes MR Tibbs thanks for the information.

Witch DAC You use?
I would try the Trends Audio UD-10 USB; you know if it can work well with Numerik?

Or you could advise me one?
Best Regard
Diego

A Musical Fidelity V-Link should work and there is also the HiFace. I use an Audio_Gd Digital Interface between my Numerik and Mac Mini. It works but I could not recommend the company or their UK dealer.

Mr Tibbs · #47 30-04-12, 12:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by didacus59

Yes MR Tibbs thanks for the information.

Witch DAC You use?
I would try the Trends Audio UD-10 USB; you know if it can work well with Numerik?

Or you could advise me one?
Best Regard
Diego

I can see no reason why it wouldn't work well with the Numerik, but I've never used any of these USB gizmos so cannot recommend any particular one. See above post by deltaunit.

Mr Tibbs

deltaunit · #48 30-04-12, 01:01 PM

I should add that I also used a cheap Chinese USB Spdif convertor purchased off eBay - this worked perfectly well with my Rega Io but would lose connection (or lock) with my Numerik.

The Numerik does require a decent convertor/source (or is it a clock?) to lock on to.

I actually did a null comparison with the two convertors and was surprised to find that the two files didn't null completely - the cheap one wavered slightly slowly forwards and backwards in time over a couple of seconds in comparison to the other - just enough for it to occasionally lose the lock.

I don't think you'd be aware of it when listening but I found it interesting - you'd assume all timing errors were sorted out in digital!

martin clark · #49 30-04-12, 01:35 PM

Quote:

The Numerik does require a decent convertor/source (or is it a clock?) to lock on to.

Yes - somewhere I've an article on this and Linn did (then) set the lock window tighter that the rather crap default of many processors (2-400ppm typically for the common CS8412 at the time, there were others)

Not remotely surprised you got variable results from different converters. Many, may digital products out there seem to be a minimal-cost implementation of the chip manufacturers' datasheet, including default PLL filter values (which are a 'get in the door' basic serving suggestion at best). Very very few actually seem to test the result or really care, and getting anything worth having from a PLL (as used in USB-SPDIF converters and many, even expensive dacs) is a very, very sensitive game - and yes, even voltage regulation to this digital chip makes for significant differences in lock time and spur output = clock purity. But most boxshifters don't care; or even notice when the chips are flawed (eg CS8416..used widely). I bet JohnW could fill a few pages on this, for one.

It's a major reason why the latest-and-greatest claims often really is NOT; lies, damn lies, and marketing measurements etc.

- And also why the really good stuff is not ever cheap. At the very least, performance requires verification. And that takes time, and skill.

didacus59 · #50 09-05-12, 10:47 PM

Hello Deltaunit: I found used one Audio G-D but my Numerik not work.
I can't find instructions to set the frequency of the DG of 48 kz, and I don't know to do

Could you give me some help on this?
Thank you very much.
Diego

deltaunit · #51 10-05-12, 12:23 AM

Do you need it set to 48khz? I use mine as standard with my mac set to output 44khz.

Here is an image showing the settings: http://www.audio-gd.com/Pro/dac/USBface/DSP3.JPG

I guess if it is used these might have been changed.

I would think about outputting 44khz (CD standard) and not upsampling, if you do need to use 48khz then it looks like the 3rd connection up should be linked and MMD0 and MMD1 left unconnected.

It should have come with some jumpers like these.

Hope that helps

Mescalito · #52 10-05-12, 01:12 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TheDecameron

Thats quite a claim- you really are saying the DS sounds better than the CD12?

Certainly on a par when a colleague of mine brought his CD12 around so we could compare, anyway. Neither of us could split them.

Chris

didacus59 · #53 11-05-12, 01:52 AM

Hello guys. In the end I can work the two units.
Before I removed all jumper and then I ... changed software!

The problem is that, strangely but it doesen't work with Media River.
It also works only with the BNC cable connection. I do not know if this is normal.

However I am very happy and thank you very much for your help.
Diego

romeo377 · #54 22-11-12, 01:13 AM

Hello,

I have an ND5XS.
I found an opportunity for a very cheap Numerik.
Do you think that the Numerik Dac is better than the internal DAC of the ND5XS?

Thank you!

romeo377 · #55 28-11-12, 02:44 PM

Hello,

Any ideas?

Or anyone have listen a Naim Dac vs Numerik?

Thank you!

romeo377 · #56 07-12-12, 04:21 PM

Hello!

Any Idea?

A naim user told me that the Numerik is as good as a CDS1? In that case it's better than ND5 XS built-in dac?

Thank you.

rhgbristol · #57 08-12-12, 03:08 AM

If it reassures you, during the last 17 years I have owned and used extensively Naim cd3.5, Cdx, cd5x, cds3 and cd555 players in various systems but have 'gone back' to Linn Karik / Numeriks in both.

To me, I do not feel I am losing or missing anything.

Mr Tibbs · #58 08-12-12, 03:19 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by romeo377

Hello!

Any Idea?

A naim user told me that the Numerik is as good as a CDS1? In that case it's better than ND5 XS built-in dac?

Thank you.

The Numerik is a superb music maker; hugely expressive and engaging, with a bell-like clarity that leaves nothing undiscovered (amp and speakers permitting). When partnered with a Karik (as CD transport) the combo is easily up there with the CDS2.

Note though that it doesn't sound quite as good when sourced by anything other than the Karik (which allows the 'sinc-link' connection to lock the Karik to the Numerik's clock). Even so, it still does a fine job of playing music when fed from my macbook via a little optical adaptor to the spare BNC input - just not quite as involving compared to the K/N working as a team.

Other things to think about; Look for a late version with the 'Slimline Brilliant' power supply as the Slimline PS seems to be a bit less flakey than the original Brilliant PS. Linn (apparently) no longer offer service or repair to the Numerik so it could end up as a doorstop if something major goes wrong. It obviously can't handle 'hi-res' digital so look elsewhere if that's an issue for you.

Mr Tibbs

Mr Tibbs · #59 08-12-12, 03:22 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rhgbristol

If it reassures you, during the last 17 years I have owned and used extensively Naim cd3.5, Cdx, cd5x, cds3 and cd555 players in various systems but have 'gone back' to Linn Karik / Numeriks in both.

To me, I do not feel I am losing or missing anything.

Now that does not surprise me at all.

Mr Tibbs

rhgbristol · #60 08-12-12, 03:27 AM

Concur exactly with last post.

Of my two Karik Numerik set ups it is the later one from 1997 with Smps slimline brilliant power supplies that has a slight edge, but the early transformered version is no slouch.

I followed advice on this forum and avoided the short lived 'round brilliant' Smps from the period 1994 to 1995, which have known (but fixable) reliability issues.

My main system in which both kariks shine is admittedly tri amped isobariks!