Naim Nait5i or Bose Companion 3.... all will be explained

[matt3001]

Hi,

I would like to get peoples opinions on the best course of action.

I have a 32" LG LED TV setup and I want to improve create a home cinema experience. I also have a Naim Nait5i that feeds a pair of Ruark Epilogues.

I only want a 2 speaker setup for the home cinema as space is a bit tight, so my options are narrowed down to as follows;

1. For £200 buy a Bose Companion 3, stylish design and connect straight into the 2 RCA audio out at the back of the tv (via a 3.5mm to RCA lead).

2. For £200 buy a used Arcam rDAC, go optical out from the back of the TV into the rDAC, and then RCA out from the rDAC into the AV ports on my Nait5i.

Am I right in thinking the second option will just blow away the first? I don't want to spend more than £200 and I dont really want any more bulky kit, such as an AV reciever etc.

[headcase]

Are you sure your LG has an analogue audio out (RCA or 3.5mm) most LG's now only have optical.

[DavidY]

headcase

read point 2 above, optical out!

OP

As long as the AV input on the Naim is not unity gain, then everything will work ok. If it is Unity Gain then you will have no control over the volume. In which case use another input on the Naim.

In a 2 channel system the Naim solution will wipe the floor with the Bose

davidy

[matt3001]

DavidY, what do you mean by unity gain?

[DavidY]

Unity Gain means that the volume control is bypassed, so that it can be used as a power amp in an AV system where the volume is controlled by an external AV processor/receiver.

davidy

[Maxf]

Shameless plug, but I've just replaced my rdac in my system so was going to sell it. Drop me a line if you decide you want one.

[matt3001]

PM sent.

[Fatman2]

I used my old Nait 3 for years and it was superb. I have no idea about the Bose but the clarity and control that the Nait will bring cannot be overlooked.

The Ruarks are great too (I had some Templars) so should be a rewarding setup.

[matt3001]

I think I have decided that buying a DAC and just integrating the TV into my 2 channel setup is the way forward!

[rhinochopig]

Would there be any issues with timing / sync with the audio though?

[matt3001]

rhinochopig said:

Would there be any issues with timing / sync with the audio though?

I did wonder this.

It would go optical cable to rDAC to Nait5i?

That would only be the same as AppleTV, rDAC, amp which I know alot of people on the AV forums do.