The Nak CA5 Trials

Lowell_M

I just gave the Nakamichi CA-5 it's first run by connecting it directly to the RCA outputs on my CD player (a JVC DVD player) and then out to my ADCOM GFA555 and finally, powering my RTi70's. The final destination of this Pre will be in my 2channel system with some LSI's, but wanted to do a little comparison to what I have now.:rolleyes:

Before I give my impressions, I want to run something by y'all. I'm not really comparing apples to apples, because I went from listening to the DAC in my H/K AVR (DVD player is connected via Toslink) to depending on the DAC in my $150 DVD player. Is there any way to output the signal that my HK converts to the NAK preamp to get an apples to apples since I'm sure the HK DAC is better than the JVC?

Initial impressions are on the positive side with one small issue, but I want to compare the before and after as close as I can.

heiney9

We didn't really have time to talk too much about the DAC when we met last, but you are going to be limited by your source. While I'm not all that familiar with your particular DVDp, I've had similar units and they are what they are. Not sure about outputing the signal from the H/K so hopefully someone will chime in that knows.

By going with the seperates you have, a mediocre source will be revealed. Just think about how different the Cambridge sounded compared to my source. These types of things become much more apparent as you move up the chain and you end up getting the good and the bad.

H9

dorokusai

That's certainly something to consider but there may be a handful of things affecting your first impression....the most important of which is your own head. It's not always easy to have the same feeling when you have left the original enviroment.

That being said....looking for some amps for that rig?

Systems

a_mattison wrote:

Is there any way to output the signal that my HK converts to the NAK preamp to get an apples to apples since I'm sure the HK DAC is better than the JVC?

The tape out should do it.

dkg999

Remember that John K said a DAC is a DAC is a DAC, as long as it doesn't quack and is within the design tolerances ............ the DAC is absolutely not your problem :rolleyes: Really, he said this

Lowell_M

Ok... tragically I had a slight detour from my new playing with the new pre-amp. The frost free valve that goes out to my hose evidently froze this winter and my wife turned the hose on this afternoon. I discovered while walking around to check out the sweet spot that half of my newly finished basement got wet from the burst valve body. Now I have some drywall work to do and a plumber is coming tomorrow. Hopefully all dries must-smell free.


Anyway... on with my brief impressions. My first immediate impression was the fact that having the volume at about 35% on the Nak is tremendously loud!!!!!!! Insanely loud.... 25% volume is just about right.

DAC issues asside...(I may carefully try the tape-out on the HK after the floor dries) John K, feel free to chime in here and set me straight on the DACs. I've got your T-shirt on...

The NAK seems to be quite a bit brighter and more foreward than the HK. Not bright to a painful point, but noticable. The soundstage seemed to open up similar to what I can remember when DKG999 brought over the Audcom tube pre. There is a very impressive real life amount of detail in the sound as well accross the spectrum. I'm not talking mechanical, digital sounding detail, but smooth and clear detail. The low end is also impressive, which is probably partly due to the ADCOM. Very solid and the Rti70's can dig surprizing deep when they are asked to.

I am going to blame the brightness on the JVC DAC (because I can't prove myself wrong yet). From reading a lot about the HK's, they tend to be a little laid back and even warm. After reconnecting the HK in its original HT configuration I can honestly say that I didn't feel negetive about its sound either. I was a little worried that after hooking everything back up I wouldn't like it after listening through the NAK. I may have the sub a little too hot for music, though. One thing I may investigate is if I can have a completely different setup in the HK for the "CD" input as the "DVD". My DVD player has an optical and a coax digital out, so I could connect to both the CD and DVD input. I'm wondering if I could run the CD input without any crossover to the sub and have the DVD input set to cross over at 80 hz, with my 4 db hot setting on the sub channel.

So, to sum things up, I am am feeling really good about the NAK. The detail took me by surprize and I love it. I will see what I can do about my brightness concerns. And finally, my current HT isn't too far off the mark either.

I'll update this more when I have another chance to play.

Lowell_M

dorokusai wrote:

That's certainly something to consider but there may be a handful of things affecting your first impression....the most important of which is your own head. It's not always easy to have the same feeling when you have left the original enviroment.

That being said....looking for some amps for that rig?

My own head is most definately affecting my impression. It screws with me all the time.

I think I am going to move the GFA-555 to the 2-channel system and either find a GFA-545 or a 5 channel amp for the HT. I'm kinda hooked on ADCOM partly because of my limited brand experience and partly because I just plain think they sound worlds better than the other few amps I have heard.

I've seen a few multichannel Rotel's going at reasonably easy prices for me to jump into, but have never put my ears on one.

...Why, you got something in mind?

heiney9

a_mattison wrote:

Ok... tragically I had a slight detour from my new playing with the new pre-amp. The frost free valve that goes out to my hose evidently froze this winter and my wife turned the hose on this afternoon. I discovered while walking around to check out the sweet spot that half of my newly finished basement got wet from the burst valve body. Now I have some drywall work to do and a plumber is coming tomorrow. Hopefully all dries must-smell free.


Anyway... on with my brief impressions. My first immediate impression was the fact that having the volume at about 35% on the Nak is tremendously loud!!!!!!! Insanely loud.... 25% volume is just about right.

DAC issues asside...(I may carefully try the tape-out on the HK after the floor dries) John K, feel free to chime in here and set me straight on the DACs. I've got your T-shirt on...

The NAK seems to be quite a bit brighter and more foreward than the HK. Not bright to a painful point, but noticable. The soundstage seemed to open up similar to what I can remember when DKG999 brought over the Audcom tube pre. There is a very impressive real life amount of detail in the sound as well accross the spectrum. I'm not talking mechanical, digital sounding detail, but smooth and clear detail. The low end is also impressive, which is probably partly due to the ADCOM. Very solid and the Rti70's can dig surprizing deep when they are asked to.

I am going to blame the brightness on the JVC DAC (because I can't prove myself wrong yet). From reading a lot about the HK's, they tend to be a little laid back and even warm. After reconnecting the HK in its original HT configuration I can honestly say that I didn't feel negetive about its sound either. I was a little worried that after hooking everything back up I wouldn't like it after listening through the NAK. I may have the sub a little too hot for music, though. One thing I may investigate is if I can have a completely different setup in the HK for the "CD" input as the "DVD". My DVD player has an optical and a coax digital out, so I could connect to both the CD and DVD input. I'm wondering if I could run the CD input without any crossover to the sub and have the DVD input set to cross over at 80 hz, with my 4 db hot setting on the sub channel.

So, to sum things up, I am am feeling really good about the NAK. The detail took me by surprize and I love it. I will see what I can do about my brightness concerns. And finally, my current HT isn't too far off the mark either.

I'll update this more when I have another chance to play.

I can almost guarantee your brightness is your source, you are just realizing it more with the Nakamichi because it is a be better more direct signal path pre than the H/K. And yes the gain on the Nak is very high. Nothing to worry about but it takes some getting used to. I rarely turn mine past the 9:00 position. Again these are some of the discoveries made when you start moving up the chain and also going from an HT setup to a simpler (IMHO, more musical) 2-ch set up. I think over time when you get your 2 ch system set-up with a proper source you will be very very happy.

H9

heiney9

We will do this. You mess with the current set-up for awhile get used to the sound of the Nak the way it is and when we get together next I'll bring over my source and then you can listen and see if that helps. It'll probably be in a few weekends or so when I can clear my schedule. But get some listening time in as well as time spent getting the settings on the H/K tweaked etc. Use some familiar ref. music

I have to come over and sample the new batch of brew you are making and I want to see the new HT room, sans the water . Sorry to hear about the water issue hopefully the damage/mess is minimal.

H9

dorokusai

Water goes great with audio in my experience I would also guess and say the JVC is the killer.

Lowell_M

heiney9 wrote:

We will do this. You mess with the current set-up for awhile get used to the sound of the Nak the way it is and when we get together next I'll bring over my source and then you can listen and see if that helps. It'll probably be in a few weekends or so when I can clear my schedule. But get some listening time in as well as time spent getting the settings on the H/K tweaked etc. Use some familiar ref. music

I have to come over and sample the new batch of brew you are making and I want to see the new HT room, sans the water . Sorry to hear about the water issue hopefully the damage/mess is minimal.

H9

The water situation isn't too bad. Just need a few new pieces of drywall. I think the carpet will be fine. Only one edge got wet and I've got fans on it now.

My next few weeks will be crazy with work, but I definately want to have you guys over soon.

dkg999

When we have the next get-together, we can schedule a road-trip to Belvidere for an hour or so. I don't have a lot of room or ability to change out gear, but you can get your ears on the Maggies. Doug.

heiney9

dkg999 wrote:

When we have the next get-together, we can schedule a road-trip to Belvidere for an hour or so. I don't have a lot of room or ability to change out gear, but you can get your ears on the Maggies. Doug.

Absolutely!!! But as you said before "once you go flat you never go back". I hope that doesn't happen .

H9

Lowell_M

Quick...very quick... update...

I connected the tape-out from the HK to the Nak-pre and only had time to listen for a few min. Lo and Behold, the brightness is gone. I will need some more time to give a better impression of this somewhat cobbled way to connect a decent DAC to the pre, but initial impressions are very....very good.

dkg999

I guarantee that after a few homebrew's the brightness will probably all go away! You don't need a decent DAC, you just need to drink more!

MillerLiteScott

How are the Mid West CA-5 trials going?

Lowell_M

MLS, Things are going great with the Nak. I had a chance yesterday over a few St. Patrick's day stouts to listen to some of my favorite tunes. I have it connected to the tape out on my H/K for lack of a better way to get a signal from a decent DAC.

The sound is everything that I love about my H/K AVR...but better. Bass is rock solid and deep through the Rti70's. The vocals from H/K DAC are a little laid back, but very clear and real. The definition and separation of voice and instruments is fantastic. In listening to Norah Jones's new CD I can just about see the location of everybody in the band as if they are sitting in front of me.

I love this simple, little preamp.

What are your impressions of your Nak?

MillerLiteScott

So far mine are great. My sources are not the best, my room situation is terrible and I am still using scrounged up IC's and speaker wire. I still can't believe how good it sounds as a package. I have a feeling it will only get better.

Glad to hear you are enjoying yours.