Unitiserve vs Mac Book Pro (+/- Apogee Duet)

Posted by: nickpeacock on 12 July 2010

Currently using nv-i/NAP 200; wanting to go hard-drive.

Does anyone have actual experience of Mac Book Pro + Apogee Duet into nv-i? Or MBP + any other sound card?

But how about the Unitiserve? Will I need a separate sound card (say, Apogee Duet - see above - or Naim DAC) or will Unitiserve connect direct to nv-i? (Can't download unitiserve product manual yet...)

If Mac Nook Pro, any thoughts on NAS?

Cheers...
Posted on: 12 July 2010 by james n
Why not start with your mac book connected (via toslink) straight to the n-Vi and let that be the DAC. It'll get you started.

James
Posted on: 12 July 2010 by nickpeacock
Thanks, James.

(Have not yet purchased MBP as am considering all options.) Choice therefore between MBP+soundcard vs unitiserve. I think the cost of the two choices would be roughly similar?
Posted on: 12 July 2010 by james n
Nick - it depends what you want to do. The Unitiserve is a great standalone solution, the digital out can go straight into the n-Vi. My personal preference is a Mac mini - mainly beacuse i like iTunes to manage my music, download my podcasts and keep my iPods loaded with music.

James
Posted on: 12 July 2010 by nickpeacock
Totally with you on iTunes - I like its functionality.

Too much choice is a bad thing!
Posted on: 12 July 2010 by james n
...and if you have an iPhone / Touch then a great remote app too (as will the Unitiserve)

If you are going down the nDac route then the Untiserve is a good match. At that level, Weiss do some excellent DAC's which just plug into the Firewire port of the MAC - choices, choices but you can get some excellent results. A lot of us have gone down that route (and thats how i started with an n-Vi) so lots of advice around Smile

James
Posted on: 12 July 2010 by nickpeacock
What do you use for NAS (if that's what you use)?
Posted on: 12 July 2010 by james n
A ready Nas NV+ - no music is stored on the mini as i've put a low capacity SSD drive in just for the OS and music software.

James
Posted on: 13 July 2010 by nickpeacock
Many thanks, James.

Now I just have to get this all past the director of finance (and everything else) at home!
Posted on: 13 July 2010 by lawoftrust
James,

for those of us incapable of working on the innards of a macmini, is there any option to get an MacMini SSD somewhere out of the box?

Tks

Georg
Posted on: 13 July 2010 by nickpeacock
And does anyone have any opinion, on or direct experience of, Mac Air or iMac in these circumstances?
Posted on: 13 July 2010 by james n
Hi Georg - your local Apple dealer should be able to fit one for you. The Mini's not too bad to work on, getting into the thing is the delicate part and then its methodical working to lift the drive carrier out (good time to max out the RAM too) to get at the Hard disk unit to fit the SSD.

James