I want a UnitiStream!!

Posted by: intothevoid on 06 February 2012

Ok, so I know there isn't such a product, but that doesn't stop me from wanting it 

 

I'm using a SN/HC2 on fraim, which sounds fabulous, but looks...unfinished. There is a gap (currently filled by a Sonos ZP90) that is just yearning for a UnitiQute *without the DAC or amp*. A plain, simple, Naim quality streamer in a shoebox would fit the bill quite nicely.

 

No need for a NDS, NDX or ND5; no need for additional fraim; no more power supplies. Just a very simple setup. I'm very happy with the SN and have no wish to climb the ladder any further.

 

I have considered a UnitiServe-SSD, but I don't need a ripping solution as dbPoweramp on my pc does the business quite superbly.

 

Just thought I'd share this.

 

No harm in wishful thinking, is there? 

 

Posted on: 06 February 2012 by matpip

+1

Posted on: 06 February 2012 by Noogle

Question for me is whether Naim can differentiate/add value to a purely digital device.  For example, the UnitiServe is an outsourced software platform (DigiFi) running on Win XP.  The Naim added value is the black metal box and service/support.  For a streamer there are a ton of competitors with more than adequate products at commodity pricing - the first among which is Apple.

Posted on: 06 February 2012 by Venga19

+1

 

At the moment I´m using a Squeezebox touch(Chord Signature)/Naim Dac, which I find ok. Cant justify ND5 xs and dont have room for one more box(box, box, box,...)

 

But have ordered a Chord Optichord to go straight from the mac mini to the dac. Will try with Channel D pure music and who knows, maybe I will gain something.

 

 

But to be honest, too many boxes, boxes, boxes..(and yes, there is alternatives, but I like my dac)

Posted on: 06 February 2012 by intothevoid

@Noogle, I completely agree with the sentiment of what you're saying. I think that if Naim ripped out all the unnecessary bits from the Qute and marketed it at under a grand there would be enough of a market that would be happy to accept the Naim 'premium'. I know I would :J

Posted on: 07 February 2012 by Rosewind

This is what I thought an NDS would be, perhaps at a higher SQ level than a UnityStream - a streamer/music player to be used with the Naim Dac.

 

But I have since learnt that The NDS will most likely be another - better? - version of the NDX/ND5XS.

 

Best wishes,

Peter

Posted on: 07 February 2012 by Harry

If the NDS will use the nDAc as it's converter, it doesn't look like upwards progress has been made in the last 2-3 years. I hope the NDS has a DAC built in and that it is a step up. If it is DAC-less (which I agree with you is not remotely likely) or could be "upgraded" with a nDAC why wouldn't everybody buy lower down the range and save considerable sums of money?

 

I guess the proof will be in the listening - which is still probably some way off.

Posted on: 07 February 2012 by Geoff P

I use a Squeezebox TOUCH for this function ( SPDIF out) to a DAC in a bedroom system, streaming from my NAS.

 

I get great results and find the TOUCH interface excellent especially using their free i-pod app ( also available for Android).

 

I am not sure it can be expected there will much improvement in the SPDIF out quality until a lot more money is slapped on the table so I am happy enough with the TOUCH.

 

Geoff

Posted on: 07 February 2012 by pcstockton
Originally Posted by Noogle:

For a streamer there are a ton of competitors with more than adequate products at commodity pricing - the first among which is Apple.

Which Apple streamers would those be?

Posted on: 07 February 2012 by Noogle
Originally Posted by pcstockton:
Originally Posted by Noogle:

For a streamer there are a ton of competitors with more than adequate products at commodity pricing - the first among which is Apple.

Which Apple streamers would those be?


Mac Mini, amongst others.  I think you'll find it has a popular following on this forum.

Posted on: 07 February 2012 by Geoff P
Originally Posted by Noogle:
Originally Posted by pcstockton:
Originally Posted by Noogle:

For a streamer there are a ton of competitors with more than adequate products at commodity pricing - the first among which is Apple.

Which Apple streamers would those be?


Mac Mini, amongst others.  I think you'll find it has a popular following on this forum.

So basically a general purpose computer rather than a dedicated streamer just like other MACs and PCs that have a toslink or USB available for conversion to SPDIF

Posted on: 07 February 2012 by Noogle
Originally Posted by Geoff P:
Originally Posted by Noogle:
Originally Posted by pcstockton:
Originally Posted by Noogle:

For a streamer there are a ton of competitors with more than adequate products at commodity pricing - the first among which is Apple.

Which Apple streamers would those be?


Mac Mini, amongst others.  I think you'll find it has a popular following on this forum.

So basically a general purpose computer rather than a dedicated streamer just like other MACs and PCs that have a toslink or USB available for conversion to SPDIF

An Ethernet port, a processor and a SPDIF output.  Sounds pretty much like an NDX to me!

Posted on: 07 February 2012 by Geoff P
Originally Posted by Noogle:
 

An Ethernet port, a processor and a SPDIF output.  Sounds pretty much like an NDX to me!

The 'SPDIF' your referring to is actually a TOSLINK out which a lot of Mac's and PC's have so I am not sure why you think it is more an 'NDX' (which has digital SPDIF), than any other computer.

 

Toslink is really limited to 96/24 officially, whereas digital SPDIF as in the NDX can do 192/24.