Retailer questions

Get an iPod Touch and download the Naim app. I did it about a week ago and find it the most convenient way to control the HDX.

Regards,
Michel

You are a Naim dealer. Learn your products. You come to the Forum for training?

If you're looking for a stationary touchscreen, you could try an Elo 1515L connected to the rear via VGA + USB.

Not terribly expensive, either (about $460 US)....

A little cheaper is the Acer T230H (about 350 $ CDN)



You don't need to go high-end, as the screen will be displaying mostly a lot of black and some green, along with a few low resolution images of album covers. But that's a grumble for another post on some of the shortcomings of the n-Serve app.

You'll probably need to order one from a computer shop. Around here (Montreal) the large chains (Future Shop, Best Buy, etc,) don't stock touchscreens.

Cheers

Jan

Can you use a touch screen with a Unitiserve and then out to a DAC?

quote:

You don't need to go high-end, as the screen will be displaying mostly a lot of black and some green, along with a few low resolution images of album covers. But that's a grumble for another post on some of the shortcomings of the n-Serve app.

You'll probably need to order one from a computer shop. Around here (Montreal) the large chains (Future Shop, Best Buy, etc,) don't stock touchscreens.

Just a point of observation - the Elo I mentioned earlier is available in an acoustic-touch variant (which is what we recommend) precisely as the resistive overlay on the Acer screens makes the default Naim Server skin difficult to resolve, as regards contrast. You should specify the IntelliTouch version (E700813).

This glass screen is also used for a variety of industrial point-of-sale retail & hospitality purposes, as well as by other touchscreen-intensive music server manufacturers (e.g., Qsonix). The 15" screen is a 1024 x 768 display, matching perfectly the default maximum resolution of the Naim Server GUI at 4:3 aspect ratio.

The UnitiServe can very well be used in the same manner, possessing the same VGA and USB connections on the rear.

quote:

Just a point of observation - the Elo I mentioned earlier is available in an acoustic-touch variant (which is what we recommend) precisely as the resistive overlay on the Acer screens makes the default Naim Server skin difficult to resolve, as regards contrast. You should specify the IntelliTouch version (E700813)

Thanks David, I stand corrected. I note that Elo has three versions of the 1515 : Acoustic pulse, Intellitouch and Accutouch resistive. You recommend the Acoustic variant, and then the IntelliTouch. Now you've confused me

Jan

The IntelliTouch panel also uses acoustic technology.

Why are you asking me? I don't develop them, though I could guess that a public release of iOS 4.2 for iPad would be a good pre-requisite....

Not anything I'd communicate here....

Go for the iPad and the current app - not bad as it stands right now, but I'm sure Naim will be releasing a version for the iPad, nice graphics & all. And you can't go wrong with the iPad - it's a wonderful device.

quote:

Originally posted by pcstockton:
You are a Naim dealer. Learn your products. You come to the Forum for training?

As Audio Visionary correctly observes in the first post in this thread, retailers need support from Naim Audio to provide training in PC/MAC interface with the nDAC. When I bought my nDAC, the retailer seemed up to speed with its use with HDX or CD5i/CDX2 but didn't seem to be conversant with a computer interface. The new ditial technology is a steep learning curve for retailers and they need the backup from Salisbury if they are to maintain a high standard of service to customers.

When I exprienced difficulties with audio breakup with my J.River Media Center/Hiface/nDac system, I contacted Naim for advice and even sent them a link to a FLAC file on which the problem could be heard. The reply that I received apologised but said that Naim Audio did not have the technology to replicate the problem. Matt at J.River and Keith at Purite Audio (UK importers for M2Tech) were much more helpful.

I wouldn't necessarily seek to attach blame to the retailers Patrick. They need support from Naim Audio too!

Thing is, is this really Naim's remit? They're in the business of supporting their products in the environments they've tested but they can't be expected to know all the ins and outs of how to setup the solutions in other heterogeneous networks. It's unfeasible and unreasonable in my opinion. If you need help with setting up a Mac or a PC to serve your content, then you should be talking to either the manufacturer of the computer or the manufacturer of the software you're using to do the hosting. Of course, you've paid for the use of that software, right? If not, why should that manufacturer help you?

quote:

I wouldn't necessarily seek to attach blame to the retailers Patrick. They need support from Naim Audio too!

I am not seeking blame.... I suppose I am surprised by the dealer's method of seeking help. Also, with the Naim lineup it isn't that hard??!?!

Serve connected to a DAC? Come on!!! You can use the HDX without even thinking about it. Fully intuitive.

Control it all with an iPhone/Touch/Pad app.

He doesn't need anything other than 15 minutes of a 15 years old's time.

quote:

The reply that I received apologised but said that Naim Audio did not have the technology to replicate the problem. Matt at J.River and Keith at Purite Audio (UK importers for M2Tech) were much more helpful.

Did you send the Hiface and licensed copy of JRMC for Naim to demo the track through an nDAC? I think to expect them to drop a couple hundred dollars to help you figure out why something they didn't sell you was malfunctioning (I assume the DAC wasn't the culprit?), is fairly ludicrous.

If there was every reason to think it was a fault of the Naim DAC i am sure your dealer would either would have refunded your money or given you a replacement unit. It doesn't get better than that unfortunately.

quote:

Originally posted by Doctor Jazz:

quote:

Originally posted by pcstockton:
You are a Naim dealer. Learn your products. You come to the Forum for training?

As Audio Visionary correctly observes in the first post in this thread, retailers need support from Naim Audio to provide training in PC/MAC interface with the nDAC. When I bought my nDAC, the retailer seemed up to speed with its use with HDX or CD5i/CDX2 but didn't seem to be conversant with a computer interface. The new ditial technology is a steep learning curve for retailers and they need the backup from Salisbury if they are to maintain a high standard of service to customers.

When I exprienced difficulties with audio breakup with my J.River Media Center/Hiface/nDac system, I contacted Naim for advice and even sent them a link to a FLAC file on which the problem could be heard. The reply that I received apologised but said that Naim Audio did not have the technology to replicate the problem. Matt at J.River and Keith at Purite Audio (UK importers for M2Tech) were much more helpful.

I wouldn't necessarily seek to attach blame to the retailers Patrick. They need support from Naim Audio too!

Given that the Naim DAC lacks both USB Type B inputs as well as FLAC decoding, your configuration of the (computer) player and audio interface as digital source remain the likely area of focus, not the DAC (which should see SPDIF streams agnostically).

This is important to understand inasmuch as any other "pure" DAC manufacturer (no computer interface or network connection) would likely say the same thing. When you design or configure your own digital-only source, you remain ultimately responsible for its function.

Very good answer David. This gets to the very heart of the whole computer audio scene and highlights the reasoning behind Naims development of the Serve, HDX, Qute, NDX products and how (why) they do NOT need a computer interface in order for them to work as intended. As additional sources that are on the network, computers can still be a part of the whole system but it becomes clear that the fiddling with outputs, etc.
are not needed as they are network players and NOT hard sources connected to the system. I get it.

PS. Eyeconnect works as you suggested...easily and simply for the Macbook.

(in response to the original post)

Bryan,

If you go the Elo touchscreen route, get the one with the magnetic stripe reader on the side. Just imagine: seduction and payment with one device

Thanks Jan-Erik - excellent idea!
We are not asking how to run our Naim equipment, after all, we are experts! (never show any sign of weakness ). It was the non-Naim interfaces which can really help to sell the Naim products that we wanted some ideas about. While we wait for the apps to run these interfaces are being redone, I do think the iPad is the right size and price to give us the wow factor that we need to get the idea across to the unwashed.
Best,
Bryan

quote:

Originally posted by Audio Visionary:
While we wait for the apps to run these interfaces are being redone, I do think the iPad is the right size and price to give us the wow factor that we need to get the idea across to the unwashed.
Best,
Bryan

Bryan,

The iPad is not the best option at the moment to get the idea across, because it limits you to the n-Serve app. It will not give you the full set of features that you get from the interface when viewed from a monitor (touchscreen or screen + mouse) connected to the HDX, or from a webpage which duplicates the same interface. The n-Serve application is not scaled up (yet) to the possibilities offered by the iPad's real estate.

Assuming you have a computer in the store hooked up to a network + wireless why not use that to control and demo? If you also have an iPhone or iPod Touch, then with the n-Serve app you can control from the confort of the listening couch.

If you're just itching for an iPad, well that's understandable. But, I'm not sure it will give you the wow factor you're looking for.

Jan

quote:

Originally posted by pcstockton:

quote:

The reply that I received apologised but said that Naim Audio did not have the technology to replicate the problem. Matt at J.River and Keith at Purite Audio (UK importers for M2Tech) were much more helpful.

Did you send the Hiface and licensed copy of JRMC for Naim to demo the track through an nDAC? I think to expect them to drop a couple hundred dollars to help you figure out why something they didn't sell you was malfunctioning (I assume the DAC wasn't the culprit?), is fairly ludicrous.

If there was every reason to think it was a fault of the Naim DAC i am sure your dealer would either would have refunded your money or given you a replacement unit. It doesn't get better than that unfortunately.

I didn't send Naim a Hiface and a licensed copy of J.River Media Center Patrick. I send them a recording of the stuttering audio playback made on my Yamaha CD recorder. I also sent this FLAC file to Keith at Purite Audio and Matt at J.River. The contrast in response was interesting.

I received a reply from Keith on the same day. He said that he would forward the FLAC file to Marco at M2Tech. He also said that it might be the driver at fault and mentioned that some PCs fitted with AMD chips caused problems with the Hiface. Keith offered to send me a replacement Hiface to see if that cured the problem.

Matt at J.River responded within 24 hours. He committed to work on the problem and within days, a new build had appeared that solved it completely.

It took Naim Audio two weeks to get back to me and they gave the 'we don't have the equipment to replicate the problem' response. The major outlay for my distributed system was the Naim DAC and Naim XPS so one would have hoped for a more helpful response. I am sure that M2Tech would supply Naim Audio with a Hiface for development purposes. I know that they supplied the people at J.River with one for development purposes. I agree that if non-Naim interface are used then it is the owner's ultimate responsibility but one would hope that Naim Audio would be more helpful than they were.

It would appear that their dealers are still pretty much in the dark regarding distributed systems sourced with non-Naim components. My dealer was helpful but certainly not conversant with the use of a computer and third party digital interface to source a Naim DAC.

With respect Doctor Jazz ... if I purchased a Cyrus CD transport (for example) to feed into a Naim DAC and there was a problem (and other sources worked fine) ... I would expect Cyrus to solve the problem NOT Naim ... its not about where the majority of your outlay is ... it's about what device is at fault!

This is only the same!

Eloise

quote:

Originally posted by Eloise:
With respect Doctor Jazz ... if I purchased a Cyrus CD transport (for example) to feed into a Naim DAC and there was a problem (and other sources worked fine) ... I would expect Cyrus to solve the problem NOT Naim ...

This is only the same!

Eloise

Point taken ... assuming of course that you knew that the Cyrus was the problem. My nDAC wouldn't work correctly with different USB sticks. I didn't know if the problem was attributable to the source Hiface/J.River Media Center or the DAC. It turned out that the problem was with J.River Media Center and they solved it for me. The point that I am making is that Naim Audio appeared to take little interest.

quote:

Originally posted by Doctor Jazz:

quote:

Originally posted by Eloise:
With respect Doctor Jazz ... if I purchased a Cyrus CD transport (for example) to feed into a Naim DAC and there was a problem (and other sources worked fine) ... I would expect Cyrus to solve the problem NOT Naim ...

This is only the same!

Point taken ... assuming of course that you knew that the Cyrus was the problem. My nDAC wouldn't work correctly with different USB sticks. I didn't know if the problem was attributable to the source Hiface/J.River Media Center or the DAC. It turned out that the problem was with J.River Media Center and they solved it for me. The point that I am making is that Naim Audio appeared to take little interest.

I would also point out that under UK Consumer law, any issues are NOT between you and Naim Audio, it's with the dealer you purchased the device from. Many companies will not even accept emails from the general public these days.

Not sure where the training and info went wrong in Canada will look into it, we are working on a new scale ipad app which will be a free update for those who have the nserve or nstream apps.
THE IPAD works just fine right now!! X2 is fine the graphic quality is below par at that res but it works fine, get one! Aside from this why not come on here retailer or not and ask a question there are so many possibilities for control and devices,seems possible many here could have useful input.