Assuming using external DAC and external NAS, what should I own?

Hi CJones -

Hopefully Mr. Underhill will be along shortly, as he is enjoying his NS01 as a digital source for the Naim DAC.

As far as NAS devices go, QNAP and Synology seem to be the two with the best reputation for reliability and feature set.  From what I've read, QNAP has slightly better build quality, and is at a slightly higher price point.  IMO, either will do a nice job of serving up a share to your NS01.

I did read that you are interested primarily in an external DAC and, IMO, there is none better than Naim's.  However, if you are working with a Naim dealer, I would also recommend that you demo the NDX's analog output.  This would involve moving to a UPnP-based setup (via your NAS), but you may just find that the sound signature is to your liking.  This would allow you to stay with a one-box solution, and you could even use the NS01 as a trade-in.

Good luck!

Hook

If you just want a great way to serve music then my view is Vortexbox - you can have it built to your specification or build it yourself. So you can match the cost and capacity and type of disks to exactly what you need. Search for Vortexbox in Google and you'll find lots of information and a forum. 

I use one with a UnitiQute and through a W4S Sonos ZP90 into Naim DAC/555PS and am delighted with the sound of both. I know nothing of NS01, but if it understands UPnP then it'll work with the Vortexbox. 

If you have an old PC then you can try it out free, if you have a PC you could use as a dedicated music server then you could use it forever for free. 

Thanks for the responses.  I am sorry I wasn't clear, I was wondering if there is something out there in Naim land that is better then the NS-01, as I don't use the on-board storage and I have a DAC/processor.  I am not interested in a  computer, as I like the Naim box/interface.  Is the NDX or the UnitiServe-SSD a better solution, being as it has less moving parts,etc?

Thanks

Hi Hook!

Hi Cjones,

I did a comparison between the non-SSD UnitiServer (US) and the NS01, and bought the NS01 - noting that I was able to get them at the same price. I suspect that such a move by you would be sideways.

As you know Naim are mixing up different functionality in different boxes, however the main things the server, be it your NS01 or the US, does is serve uPNP and rip your CDs; which is a plus for me. I have bought LOADS of CDs since getting the NS01. I do not think the rips are any better than what you can achieve with a PC, but it is SO easy and convenient.

I use the NS01 for serving music to the PCs around the house, and to my 2nd AV system via a Sony BluRay. As well as using it for my main system.

Like you I think the iRadio is a great freebie - shame we can't stream that!

If that functionality is not needed by you then you could replace your NS01/DAC with a renderer/DAC, NDX/ND5XS, reducing your box count. Depending on your current DAC is might improve what you are hearing.

In your position, and assuming you want to be Naim centric, I would see if i could listen to / borrow a Naim DAC & PSU and a ND5XS for a weekend.

Personally I cannot praise the NS01/nDAC/PSU highly enough - and have felt no need to explore the NDX route, and from what I have READ I suspect I would be listening to presentational differences. But if you do this I'd be interested in what you find.

M

Hi, thank you for the response.  I will be honest, my desire to change isn't a comment on sound quality, as much as its about space, heat,etc.  Though an upgrade in sound quality would be a huge plus and a motivator.  

Due to a recent addition to the family, I lost my media rooms/server room. So everything has been shifted to a smaller space. Without all the heavy duty ventilation of the server rack, I am more aware of the heat that the NS-01 generates, for something I never really use.  That is, I don't keep anything on the hard drives, apart  from the OS.  So given that space is limited and that I am more sensitive to heat generation, I was thinking I could achieve similar results with an SSD-UnitiServer.  In theory, I would have to believe that the SSD server sounds better, simply because it removes a noisy spinning hard drive?   Also, its a hell of a lot smaller, freeing up space for some other black box!

Thanks

Cjones,

Here is my take of the US (none SSD) vs NS01.

https://forums.naimaudio.com/di...ent/3960068602313917

My reading of your question is that you HAVE a NAS & DAC. Depending on the finances and your network you could:

1. move the NS01 elsewhere in your home, and use a renderer to stream the uPNP into your current DAC. e.g. Cambridge NP30.

2. move the NS01 elsewhere in your home, and replace your current DAC with a Naim ND5XS, for instance.

3. Get rid of the NS01 and the DAC and just use a ND5XS.

4. Replace the NS01 with a SSD-US.

I'm sure you can extend this - a game for all the family!

I would still see the SSD-US as a sideways move, but one that will generate less heat!

If you borrow some gear I'd like to know what you think.

M

Personally I made my children live in the shed until they were old enough to interact with the HiFi properly, as they are 17 and 21 I think I will let then out in another couple of years.

M